UA School of Law, ABA Journal Announce Finalists for Harper Lee Prize

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama School of Law and the ABA Journal named three finalists for the 2015 Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction.

The three books chosen to compete for the prize are: “Terminal City” by Linda Fairstein, “My Sister’s Grave” by Robert Dugoni, and “The Secret of Magic” by Deborah Johnson.

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.

Five 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.

This year there were 16 entries for the Prize, and 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, http://www.abajournal.com, to help determine the winning author.

The public will act as the fifth judge, contributing a vote equal in weight to the selection committee members. To vote, visit http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/2015_harper_lee_prize_voting

The 2015 prize will be awarded in Washington, D.C. at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 3 at the Library of Congress’s Thomas Jefferson Building, in conjunction with the Library of Congress National Book Festival.

The winner will be announced prior to the ceremony and will receive a copy of  “To Kill a Mockingbird,” signed by Lee.

A distinguished group of panelists will select the 2015 Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction. They are: Roy Blount Jr., author and humorist; Wayne Flynt, author and Alabama historian; Mary McDonagh Murphy, independent film and television writer and producer; and Michele Norris, NPR host and special correspondent.

One of America’s leading public law schools, and the “#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 over 150 electives, several dual enrollment opportunities, Master of Laws degrees, and a J.S.D. With a student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 11:1, 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.