Kristen Kelbon '21 Places Third in Mendes Hershman Student Writing Contest

Kristen Kelbon '21 recently placed third in the American Bar Association Business Law Section 2021 Mendes Hershman Student Writing Contest with her article, “Creating an Effective Vaccine to Prevent Congressional Insider Trading: Legislation is Needed to Cure Deficiencies of the STOCK Act.”

Kelbon originally wrote the article as a directed research project in the Fall 2020 semester on the topic of congressional insider trading. As a student in the Business Law concentration, experiences like an internship at the Securities and Exchange Commission and enrolling in the Securities Regulation course taught by Professor Jennifer O’Hare sparked Kelbon’s interest in insider trading law.  

The Mendes Hershman Student Writing Contest is a highly regarded legal writing competition that encourages and rewards law students for their outstanding writing on business law topics. The contest is named for Mendes Hershman, the distinguished and highly regarded former Business Law Section Chair from 1974-75. Entries were judged on research and analysis, choice of topic, writing style, originality, and contribution to the literature available on the topic. Kelbon’s article will appear in a forthcoming issue of Business Law Today, the digital platform of the Business Law Section of the ABA.

“I chose Villanova Law because of its Business Law Concentration and it did not disappoint,” remarked Kelbon. “The Business Law Concentration provided me with invaluable opportunities. The faculty, staff, students and alumni network contributed to a collaborative and supportive law school environment. The brilliant and passionate professors continuously made themselves available to answer any questions and provide guidance. Villanova Law has positioned me for success as an attorney and I am thankful for this experience.”