Who says lawyers and law firms are humor-impaired? A Canadian litigation firm, Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP, has been winning publicity and props for its clever holiday card based on the troubles of Rob Ford, the Toronto mayor who has admitted to smoking crack.
This reminded us: it’s time for Above the Law’s fifth annual holiday card contest! This favorite feature is fun for the whole family, and it’s perfectly legal too.
We are a legal website, so of course there are rules. Read carefully; failure to follow them to the letter will result in disqualification. Here they are:
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1. Because we are committed to the environment here at Breaking Media, we will consider ONLY E-CARDS. You can certainly send us paper holiday cards via snail mail — our address is Above the Law / Breaking Media, 611 Broadway, Suite 907D, New York, NY 10012 — but they won’t be considered for this contest.
2. To submit an e-card, please email either a link to the card or the card itself (as an attachment) — but note that WE PREFER LINKS, if available — to [email protected], subject line: “Holiday Card Contest.” The subject line is very important because it’s how we will comb through our inbox to collect the entries when picking finalists. If you don’t use the correct subject line, expect a lump of coal in your stocking.
3. Please limit submissions to holiday / Christmas cards that you view as WORTHY CONTENDERS. We’re looking for cards that are unusually clever, funny, or cool; we’re not interested in cards that are safe or boring (e.g., a beautiful winter landscape, a “Happy Holidays 2013,” and the law firm name). We’re seeking cards with some attitude, with that extra je ne sais quoi. If you send us a banal card, don’t be surprised if we make fun of it.
4. In your email, please include a BRIEF EXPLANATION of why this card is compelling — an explanation that we MIGHT QUOTE FROM if your nominee makes the finals (if you want to be anonymous, let us know). If you can’t offer an explanation, please rethink whether the card is a worthy contender (see rule #3, supra).
5. The deadline for submissions is one week from today: MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, at 11:59 p.m. (New York time). No exceptions. If you’re reading this post after the deadline, then you don’t read Above the Law frequently enough.
We look forward to your submissions. Thank you, and Happy Holidays!
UPDATE (12/18/2013, 6:00 p.m.): You can review and vote on the finalists here.
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Rob Ford-themed Christmas cards sent out by Toronto law firm [Toronto Globe and Mail]
Earlier: ATL Holiday Card Contest: The Winner! (2012)
ATL Holiday Card Contest: The Finalists! (2012)
Above the Law’s Fourth Annual Holiday Card Contest (2012)
ATL Holiday Card Contest (2011): The Winner!
ATL Holiday Card Contest (2011): The Finalists!
Above the Law’s Third Annual Holiday Card Contest (2011)