BCLP/RJSP AWARD
The Sciences Po Law Review launched the first edition of a legal prize in 2025 in partnership with the international law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP). Aimed at students in the Sciences Po Law School's Master's program, this prize seeks to encourage in-depth and critical reflection on contemporary issues in business law and economic regulation.
Submissions are evaluated anonymously by a specialized jury of academic and practicing lawyers selected for their expertise in the relevant field. Winners receive a financial prize and are invited to an official awards ceremony alongside jury members and competition partners.
With 1,275 lawyers across 32 offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia, BCLP is a fully integrated international law firm renowned for its collaborative culture throughout its offices and departments. BCLP's Paris office leverages the recognized expertise of 75 lawyers, including 24 partners, in corporate/M&A, real estate, tax, banking and finance, competition and distribution, complex litigation and corporate risks, compliance, employment law, restructuring, energy law, and public law and restructuring. Working alongside major French and international groups, mid-sized companies, and funds, the Paris team distinguishes itself through its experience and ability to support its clients on their local and international challenges.
Competition law and CSR: a Euro-American comparative analysis
The theme chosen for this second edition focused on transatlantic news relating to competition law and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
The theme chosen for this second edition focused on the emergence of a transatlantic divide regarding corporate social responsibility (CSR) and competition law since Donald Trump's second term. Participants were invited to analyze the divergence in approaches between US authorities, increasingly hostile to collective ESG initiatives perceived as potentially anti-competitive, and the European Union, which, on the contrary, seeks to integrate sustainability objectives into its competition policy. They were tasked with exploring the tensions between competitive neutrality and climate imperatives, assessing the risks of legal uncertainty for companies committed to the sustainable transition, and envisioning regulatory frameworks capable of reconciling economic performance, preserving competition, and social and environmental responsibilities within a polarized geopolitical context.
The jury consisted of Pierre-Louis Périn, as well as Julie Catala Marty and Lucille Valadou from the firm BCLP. Two prizes were awarded: a first prize of €1000 and a second prize of €500.
The Draghi report and the questioning of CSR regulations
The theme chosen for the first edition focused on the questioning of regulations relating to corporate social responsibility (CSR) in light of the Draghi report. Participants were invited to examine the legal implications of this report, identify the normative tensions it raises, and propose avenues for the development of CSR law that meets contemporary challenges.
The jury consisted of Julie Klein and Valentina Lana, as well as Élodie Valette and Philippe Métais from the firm BCLP. Two prizes were awarded: a first prize of €1000 and a second prize of €500.