You’ve probably heard the name Warren E. Burger in a dusty history class. He was the 15th Chief Justice of the United States. A big deal. But if you’re looking for the Warren E. Burger Scholarship, you might find yourself falling down a rabbit hole of confusing law school websites and outdated PDF forms.
Most people think it’s just a simple check for law students. It isn't.
Actually, the "scholarship" most people are hunting for is officially the Warren E. Burger Prize. It's a prestigious writing competition run by the American Inns of Court. Honesty time: this isn't a "fill out a form and hope for the best" kind of deal. It’s a grueling marathon of legal research that rewards the winner with $5,000 and some serious street cred in the legal world.
Why the Warren E. Burger Scholarship is Actually a Prize
Let’s get the terminology straight because it matters when you’re searching. While some law schools—like Mitchell Hamline (formerly William Mitchell, Burger’s alma mater)—have merit-based funds in his name, the big national one is the Prize.
The American Inns of Court designed this to promote "excellence, civility, ethics, and professionalism." Basically, they want to make sure lawyers aren't just smart, but also decent human beings.
If you want that $5,000, you have to write. A lot. We’re talking an original, unpublished essay between 10,000 and 20,000 words. That includes footnotes. For context, that’s almost a short book. You can't just wing this over a weekend with a cup of coffee.
Who can actually enter?
You don't have to be a grizzled attorney with 30 years of experience. The doors are surprisingly open.
- Law Students: This is you if you’re currently grinding through 1L or 2L.
- Judges and Lawyers: Even the pros can play.
- Professors and Scholars: The academic heavyweights often eye this one.
- Other Authors: If you have a deep understanding of legal ethics, you’re in.
One weird rule? You don't even have to be a member of the American Inns of Court. Most people assume there's some secret handshake involved. Nope. Just high-quality writing.
The 2026 Reality Check: Deadlines and Details
If you’re eyeing the 2026 cycle, you need to mark July 1st on your calendar. That’s the hard deadline for submissions. They aren't kidding about it, either. If you’re late, you’re out.
The process is pretty old-school but strict. You have to email your submission to Cindy Dennis at the American Inns of Court. She’s the gatekeeper. Your essay needs to be a Microsoft Word document, double-spaced, using Times New Roman. Yes, the classic.
What are they looking for?
They don't want a dry summary of Case A versus Case B. They want "contemporary significance."
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If you write about something that happened in 1850 and has no bearing on today's legal climate, you’ll lose. They want to know how we can fix the legal profession now. Think about things like the impact of technology on attorney-client privilege or how civility is disappearing in high-stakes litigation.
The Mitchell Hamline Connection
Now, if you specifically want a scholarship—as in, money for your tuition at a specific school—you’re likely looking at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Warren Burger didn't go to Princeton. He couldn't afford it. He actually turned down a partial scholarship there because his family was broke. Instead, he took night classes at the St. Paul College of Law (which is now Mitchell Hamline) while selling insurance during the day.
Because of that "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" history, the school offers various merit-based scholarships that carry on his legacy.
- Automatic Review: When you apply to Mitchell Hamline, they automatically check if you qualify for merit aid.
- The Holistic View: They look at your LSAT, sure, but also your life experience.
- No Separate Form: Usually, you don't need a separate "Burger Application." Your law school app serves as the ticket.
How to Win (Without Losing Your Mind)
Honestly, most people fail because they underestimate the word count. 20,000 words is a mountain.
If you’re going for the Prize, you need a hook. The judges read dozens of these. If your first three pages are boring, they’ll skim the rest. Start with a real-world problem. Use a narrative. Burger himself was known for a "common sense" approach to the law, so don't get too lost in "legalese" that nobody understands.
Wait, what about AI? This is huge for 2026. The American Inns of Court has explicitly banned the use of Generative AI for this prize. If they think you used a bot to write your 15,000-word essay, you’re disqualified. They want human thought, human ethics, and human errors (well, maybe not the errors).
Specific Steps to Take Now
- Pick a Niche Topic: Don't just write about "ethics." Write about "The Ethical Implications of Virtual Reality Evidence in 2026 Courtrooms."
- Contact Cindy Dennis: Reach out early if you have questions about the submission form. Her email is usually found on the official Inns of Court website.
- Check the Bluebook: Your citations must be perfect. If your footnotes are a mess, your "scholarship" dreams are dead on arrival.
- Audit Your Mitchell Hamline App: If you're applying for the JD program there, highlight your "working-class" background. Burger loved a good underdog story.
The Warren E. Burger Scholarship (or Prize) isn't just a handout. It’s a challenge to be better at the law. Whether you’re writing a massive essay for the $5,000 or applying to his alma mater for tuition help, the focus is always on the same thing: doing the job with integrity.
Start your research today. July will be here faster than you think. Check the official American Inns of Court website to download the 2026 cover page and get your outline started.