WASHINGTON, D.C., April 30, 2012 — The American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division today announced that Jasper Lown of Wheaton Warrenville South High School in Wheaton, Ill., has won its 2^nd Annual Law Day Video Contest.  The announcement was made during the ABA-Close Up Foundation Teachers luncheon.

Lown’s video is based on this year’s Law Day theme, “No Courts, No Justice, No Freedom.” “This video best captured the understanding of the Law Day 2012 theme showing real creativity and provoking reflection, discussion and debate about the important role our courts play in ensuring justice in our legal system,” said Michael G. Bergmann, chair of the ABA Young Lawyers Division.

“In three minutes, Jasper presents a compelling and straightforward case for why our courts face a funding crisis,” said ABA President Wm. T. (Bill) Robinson III.  “His video, which is highly deserving of this award, reminds us that the judiciary is the branch of government that protects our rights.  Without an adequately funded court system, those rights could be threatened.  I hope that young people across this country, like Jasper, will learn from this and other Law Day activities, stand up and speak out for our courts.”

As the winner of the contest, Lown will take a special tour of the U.S. Capitol.

Lown was among four national semi-finalists who received airline, hotel and partial travel expenses to attend and participate in the Law Day 2012 activities in Washington, D.C.  Finalists were evaluated based on originality, creativity, quality and relevance to the contest theme. Daneyah Nixon of Belleville High School in Belleville, N.J.; Stephen Susan of JP Stevens High School in Edison, N.J.; and Courtney Tait of Reno High School in Reno, Nev., were finalists.

All of the videos can be viewed here.

The annual ABA YLD Law Day Video Contest is an opportunity for students to explore the legal system.  All U.S. students, grades 9 – 12, were eligible to submit a three-minute video on this year’s contest theme.

Envisioned in 1957 by then-ABA President Charles S. Rhyne as a special national day of recognition, the first Law Day was established by President Dwight Eisenhower the following year.  Congress issued a joint resolution in 1961 designating May 1 as the official day to celebrate the nation’s commitment to the rule of law.

While Law Day is officially recognized on May 1, many civic groups and bar associations celebrate with month-long programs, presentations and events.

Co-sponsors of the contest were the ABA Standing Committee on Judicial Independence and ABA Division for Public Education.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world.  As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

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