Several months ago, we announced a new awards competition for legal blogs, one that would be unique among “best blog” contests. Rather than focus on the overall blog, the inaugural LexBlog Excellence Awards were conceived to honor excellence in the writing of individual blog posts. We wanted to recognize and celebrate great writing on legal posts by shining a spotlight on the best examples.
More than 400 entries later, and with the assistance of an expert panel of judges, we are thrilled to announce the winners. The following are the results, in each of the six categories. Thank you to all who entered.
Bob Ambrogi
LexBlog Editor-in-Chief
Best News or Trend Analysis
For outstanding analysis of legal news, developments or trends.
Winner
The changing landscape of retail CVAs – are landlords taking back control?
Blog: eSquire Global Crossings | Squire Patton Boggs
Author: Devinder Singh
1st Runners-up (tie)
The US-China Cold War Starts Now: What You Must do to Prepare
Blog: China Law Blog | Harris Bricken
Author: Dan Harris
Finding the Future: Guatemalan Fishing Village Bans Plastics
Blog: Larkin Hoffman Real Estate and Construction Law Blog | Larkin Hoffman
Author: Bill Griffith
2nd Runner-up
What to Watch in the World of D&O
Blog: The D&O Diary
Author: Kevin LaCroix
Best Legal Analysis
For outstanding analysis and explication of a judicial opinion, legislative development or regulatory development.
Winner
Temper Your Expectations on Cannabis Banking Reform: foreseeable pitfalls of the SAFE Banking Act
Blog: Banking & Finance Law Report | Porter Wright Morris & Arthur
Author: Frank Tice and Jack Meadows
1st runner-up:
What One Trip to Six Flags Means for Facebook, Data Privacy, and You
Blog: Relativity Blog | Relativity
Author: David Horrigan
2nd runner-up:
Ghostwriters in Disguise
Blog: Drug & Device Law
Author: James M. Beck
Best Breaking News Post
For outstanding same-day or second-day reporting of a legal news development.
Winner
Spokeo Has Teeth!: Eleventh Circuit Holds Receipt Of A Single Text Message Does Not Confer Article Three Standing
Blog: TCPA World | Squire Patton Boggs
Author: Daniel L. Delnero
1st runner-up:
Shutdown Uncertainty: What Broadcasters Should Do Now
Blog: CommLawBlog | Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth
Author: Davina Sashkin
2nd runners-up (tie):
Little-Noticed Bill Revokes Key Restaurant Regulation, Suggests Adoption of USDOL Rule for Waitstaff
Blog: Connecticut Employment Law Blog
Author: Daniel Schwartz
Bellwether Spoofing Case Goes to Trial in Chicago
Blog: White Collar Briefly | Perkins Coie
Author: Christopher P. Eby, Gina LaMonica and Caryn Trombino
Best Explanatory Post
For outstanding writing in helping the reader comprehend the impact or significance of a legal story, development or trend.
Winner
Credible commitments to legal diversity
Blog: Legal Evolution
Author: Evan Parker
1st runners-up (tie):
Migrant “Protection” Protocol: A Report from the Front Lines
Blog: The Insightful Immigration Blog | Cyrus D. Mehta & Partners PLLC
Authors: Stacy Caplow and Maryellen Fullerton
What does the new leadership at DOL mean for OSHA and MSHA?
Blog: Safety Law Matters | Husch Blackwell
Author: Avi Meyerstein
2nd runner-up:
Smoke and Mirrors: Cruise Line Scrubbers Turn Air Pollution Into Water Pollution
Blog: Cruise Law News | Walker & O’Neill Maritime Lawyers
Author: Jim Walker
Best ‘How-To’ Post
For outstanding writing in helping the reader understand how to handle a legal matter or issue.
Winner
Responding to an NLRB Unfair Labor Practice Charge
Blog: Texas Labor Law Blog
Author: Brett Holubeck
1st runner-up:
Seven Things General Counsel Should Know About ERP Contracts
Blog: Taft Technology Insights | Taft
Author: Marcus Harris
2nd runner-up:
Regular Rate Refresh: Calculating Overtime for California Employees
Blog: California Peculiarities Employment Law Blog | Seyfarth
Author: Elizabeth J. MacGregor and Kerry McCoy Friedrichs
Best Commentary/Advice for Legal Professionals
For outstanding writing offering commentary or advice for legal professionals on the business or practice of law.
Winner
Using Law Firm Rankings to Measure Client Value
Blog: Legal Evolution
Author: Evan Parker
1st runner-up:
The Biggest Risk with CCPA May Be Cybersecurity, Not Privacy: 10 Things Companies Are Doing Now to Prepare
Blog: Cyber Blog (published by Davis Polk & Wardwell)
Authors: Avi Gesser, Matthew Kelly, Will Schildknecht, and Clara Y. Kim
2nd runner-up:
LinkedIn is our Digital Business Card of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Blog: In-House Consigliere
Author: Dennis Garcia
About the Judges
A panel of expert judges helped us select the final winners. A huge thanks to each of them for their time and effort. The judges were:
Ivy Grey, lawyer, writer and director of business strategy at WordRake.
Amy Howe, cofounder, SCOTUSBlog.
Colin S. Levy, blogger on legal innovation and corporate counsel at Salary.com.
Molly McDonough, former editor and publisher, ABA Journal.
Gina Passarella, editor-in-chief of The American Lawyer and editor-in-chief, Global Legal Brands, at ALM Media.