Tuesday, February 18, 2025
UNT Dallas College of Law students Chrissy Duncan and Weilin Kris Lu have been recognized for their strong legal writing abilities in the 2024 Paper Chase Legal Writing Competition, hosted by Baylor Law School in partnership with the Texas Young Lawyers Association. Duncan advanced as a semi-finalist, while Lu earned an honorable mention, distinguishing themselves in a competition designed to test analytical precision and persuasive writing under time constraints.
The Paper Chase Legal Writing Competition is one of Texas’ premier legal writing contests,
drawing top law students from across the state. Participants are tasked with crafting
persuasive legal briefs on complex, real-world legal issues within a 48-hour deadline.
The competition emphasizes not only technical writing skills but also the ability
to construct compelling arguments under pressure. Submissions are judged by a panel
of practicing attorneys, legal scholars, and judges, making the recognition especially
prestigious.
UNT Dallas College of Law student, Chrissy Duncan
For Duncan, preparation was key to success. “I printed all the materials and highlighted
anything in the cases I felt was relevant, the good and the bad. Then I ordered the
cases from the most helpful to the least,” she said. As an evening student balancing
a full-time job and law school, staying organized and focused was crucial to her approach.
UNT Dallas College of Law student, Weilin Kris Lu
Lu also emphasized the importance of strategic preparation. “I arranged my work and study schedule to set aside that weekend for writing,” she said. She credits Professor Christine Tamer’s MPT strategy (reading the law before reading the facts) as a valuable method that helped her efficiently identify key legal issues under time constraints.
Last year, Lu competed in the Nuremberg Moot Court, an international legal competition, with three College of Law teammates. They advanced from the written to the oral rounds – one of only 40 of 144 teams to do so.
Both students found the Paper Chase competition intellectually stimulating. Duncan
noted that arguing a matter of first impression (where no binding case law existed)
was a particularly exciting challenge. “There was no magic case where I could find
my answer,” she said. “It helped me trust myself more and overcome my fear of bringing
about change in the legal community.”
Lu found the tight timeline demanding, requiring her to craft her best writing while managing a busy study schedule. To refine her skills, she sought guidance from a past winner. “After Mimi (Hoshut) won first prize last year, I asked her how she writes. I learned from her how to improve,” she shared.
Their success reflects the law school’s commitment to fostering practical skills that translate into real-world success. Strong legal writing is an essential tool for any attorney, and UNT Dallas College of Law continues to emphasize its role in shaping future legal professionals.
Both Duncan and Lu encourage fellow UNT Dallas College of Law students to embrace legal writing competitions as opportunities for growth. “Just do it,” Duncan advised. “It is the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding one week you will spend in law school.” Lu added, “My personal experience is to write and learn from others. I write whenever I can until I am no longer intimidated by writing.”
Their achievements stand as a testament to their dedication and the rigorous preparation
that defines UNT Dallas College of Law’s academic culture. Their success is not just
a personal milestone but also a point of pride for the institution and an inspiration
to their peers.
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From UNT Dallas – College of Law