Every year, The Law Student Tax Law Challenge, a competition sponsored by the Young Lawyer’s Forum of ABA Tax Section, draws teams of JD and LLM participants from over 60 law schools for a competition that includes drafting and submitting two documents – one a memorandum to a partner and the other a letter to the client – providing tax advice raised by transactions that the client has been involved in.

The competition is intensely transactional – it’s not about writing a brief and arguing to a court but rather doing what most tax lawyers do in practice, which is to advise clients on the likely tax consequences of transactions they have engaged in or are considering engaging in. Students work in teams of two – final submissions are due November 6, 2015, and further information, including how to get the problem and the Competition rules, are below.

First, however, are the top ten reasons Temple Law students should consider participating in the Law Student Tax Law Challenge.

10. Semi-finalists get a free trip to L.A., complete with hotel stay and the opportunity to attend the ABA Tax Section’s Winter meeting, in January.

9. It’s a great resume line just to have entered.

8. It’s an even better resume line to win.

7. You get to work with a partner of your choice.

6. This isn’t moot court: you advise a taxpayer on the consequences of transactions and life events; no need to write a brief.

5. You’ll get a Faculty coach.

4. You’ll get a taste of tax practice; the problem is written by young tax associates, based on their practice experience.

3. At the semi-finals, the judges are actual tax court judges and iconic members of the tax bar.

2. You’ll do Temple proud.

1. Did I mention that Semi-finalists get a free trip to L.A., complete with hotel stay and the opportunity to attend the ABA Tax Section’s Winter meeting, in January.

Submissions are due to the ABA on November 6, 2015. For additional information, competition rules, and the problem itself, please go to the ABA Tax Section website: http://www.americanbar.org/groups/taxation/awards/law_student_tax_challenge.html

In addition, Prof. Kelley Miller, who originated the Challenge over 10 years ago as a member of the Young Lawyers Forum of the Tax Section, will provide a coaching session open to all students interested in participating on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 4 pm in Room 8B. The session will be recorded for those interested but unable to attend. If you have additional questions, contact me via email at Abreu@temple.edu or stop by office K715.