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. EbyGina 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.