UA School of Law and ABA Journal Name Finalists for Harper Lee Prize

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama School of Law and the ABA Journal have announced the finalists for the 2016 Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction. The three books chosen to compete for the prize are: “Allegiance” by Kermit Roosevelt; “Pleasantville” by Attica Locke; and “Tom & Lucky and George & Cokey Flo” by C. Joseph Greaves.

The prize, authorized by Lee, is given annually to a book-length work of fiction that best illuminates the role of lawyers in society and their power to effect change.

Six years ago, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the publication of “To Kill a Mockingbird” and to honor former Alabama law student and author Harper Lee, The University of Alabama School of Law and the ABA Journal partnered to create The Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction. The prize had 24 entries. A team of reviewers chose three books for the Selection Committee’s consideration. The public is invited to cast its votes on the ABA Journal website (www. http://www.abajournal.com) to help determine who the winning author will be.

The public will act as the sixth judge, contributing a vote equal in weight to the selection committee members. To vote, go to : http://www.abajournal.com/polls/2016_harper_lee_prize. Voting is open until Monday, July 11.

The 2016 prize will be awarded on Thursday, Sept. 22, in Washington, D.C., at the Library of Congress in conjunction with the National Book Festival. The winner will be announced before the ceremony and will receive a copy of  “To Kill a Mockingbird” signed by Harper Lee.

A distinguished panel of writers will select the 2016 Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction. They are: Dr. Philip Beidler, author and professor of English, University of Alabama; Helen Ellis, author, “American Housewife”; Homer Hickam, author, “Rocket Boys”; Rheta Grimsley Johnson, author, journalist and syndicated columnist; and Angela Johnson, author, “Wind Flyers” and “Heaven.”

One of America’s leading public law schools, and the “No. 1 Best Value Law School” in the nation according to the National Jurist for two years in a row (2012 and 2013), The University of Alabama School of Law offers a challenging curriculum with more than 150 electives, several dual enrollment opportunities, Master of Laws degrees and a J.S.D. With a student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 10:1, the Law School offers students a rigorous, hands-on learning experience with strong student engagement in clinical programs, law review, moot court and trial advocacy.