SMU Law Student Wins State Bar of Texas Essay Contest

AUSTIN, TX, May 2, 2022 – The State Bar of Texas International Law Section (ILS) announces that Diana Dimon, a 2022 Juris Doctorate Candidate of SMU Dedman School of Law, took first place in its annual Human Rights Essay Contest.

Dimon’s winning essay, “Continuing Crimes Under the Rome Statute,” earned her a $1,500 cash prize and will be published in an upcoming issue of the ILS International Newsletter.

Dimon received her bachelor of arts degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, where she also minored in English and international studies with a concentration on Europe. While at UT Tyler, Dimon studied human rights violations from a historical perspective, and at SMU Dedman School of Law, she has been able to channel her learning into a legal approach to fight for survivors and their families who have yet to see justice, which is what her paper argues.

“I am very honored and grateful for the incredible opportunity of being named the 2022 International Law Section Human Rights Essay Contest Winner,” said Dimon. “Advocating for human rights have, and continue to be, a passion of mine. As I prepare to graduate, I hope to continue to advocate on behalf of survivors of violence.”

The ILS sponsors this annual essay contest as part of its commitment to provide information and guidance on international human rights issues to Texas lawyers and law students. The contest is open to students attending law school (including LL.M. programs) within the State of Texas and Texas residents in law school outside of Texas.