The Judge William L. Dwyer Jury Project Award

The Judge William L. Dwyer Jury Project writing competition asks University of Washington School of Law students to submit an essay or article on any issue relating to any aspect of the American jury system. The competition is sponsored by the Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington, and honors Judge William L. Dwyer, one of the nation’s most respected federal judges.

This year’s winner, with an essay entitled “Getting Through the Courthouse Door: Addressing Economic Barriers in Washington State Jury Selection,” is Laura Newton. Before law school, Laura was a U.S. Navy Nurse. She is currently working as a COVID-19 Medicolegal Investigator for the King County Medical Examiner’s Office. After graduation from law school, she hopes to use her new career to continue to help her community.

Read the winning submission by downloading it below: