Writing Law Reviews: A Guide To Getting Published

Writing for a law review is a prestigious opportunity for 2Ls to contribute to legal scholarship. Law reviews are general-subject journals that publish legal articles of all kinds, and they are considered the flagship legal academic publication at a law school. Getting published in a law review is a great way to distinguish yourself to future employers and judges, and membership is often seen as a major prestige marker in law school. The Write-On competition is the best way to get onto a law review, and it consists of three parts: the Comment, the Personal Statement, and the Production Test. The Comment is a piece of writing that summarizes the law, identifies its shortcomings, and advances a thesis to solve those issues. It is important to note that having an article accepted does not guarantee membership. When writing for a law review, it is crucial to follow the formatting instructions, pay attention to the logical structure, and ensure that all legal assertions are supported by complete and correct citations.

Law review membership is a prestige marker in law school

Law review membership is a prestigious achievement in law school. It is a highly sought-after honour that can significantly impact a student's career as a lawyer. Many federal judges and partners at the most prestigious law firms were members of their school's law review.

Law reviews are scholarly journals or publications that focus on legal issues and are a source of research. They provide a scholarly analysis of emerging legal concepts and are an important source of reference for legal topics. The primary function of a law review is to publish scholarship in the field of law. They publish lengthy articles, generally written by law professors, and shorter pieces, called "notes" and "comments", often written by law student members.

Law review membership is an indicator of academic achievement and is often valued by employers. The intense writing, research, and editing experience is seen as valuable in developing the necessary skills to become a successful lawyer. It is also a way for students to distinguish themselves and showcase their abilities to potential employers.

Membership in a law review is typically divided into staff members and editors, with 2Ls serving as staff members and 3Ls as editors. The editor-in-chief position is the most prestigious, and these individuals are often highly recruited by top law firms upon graduation.

Students can join a law review through a competitive process known as a "write-on", which involves submitting a student article for publication. This provides students with a valuable opportunity to gain writing experience and learn about a new area of law. While law review membership is prestigious, it is also a significant time commitment, and students must carefully consider the demands on their time before joining.

The Write-On process for transfer students

Transfer students can join the UCLA Law Review. A separate Write-On competition is held for transfer students at the beginning of their 2L year during the first two weeks of the fall semester. The Write-On is a competition used by many law reviews to select their members.

The Write-On for transfer students at UCLA Law Review usually takes place during the first two weeks of the fall semester of the 2L year. The Write-On for the 2024 intake will take place from May 13th to May 22nd. The Write-On is graded by current Law Review members anonymously using exam numbers. Students will be notified of whether they have been invited to join the Law Review approximately six weeks after the end of the Write-On. Mandatory training sessions will take place over the summer for those who are invited to join.

Tips to prepare for the Write-On competition

The Write-On competition is a great opportunity to learn about legal academia and the intricacies of the Bluebook. It is a competition used by many law reviews to select their members. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the Write-On competition:

Learn about the Bluebook:

The Bluebook is a style guide used for legal citations. Familiarize yourself with its different sections and rules before the competition. Pay extra attention during your legal research and writing classes where you learn about Bluebooking. Learning to format citations and catching even the most nuanced errors will be an important skill during the competition and as a journal member.

Understand the Format:

Write-On competitions typically include two components: editing and writing. During the editing portion, you will be tested on your knowledge of The Bluebook. In the writing portion, you will be given a set of materials that you will use to write a case comment or a student article.

Practice with Past Materials:

Although the Write-On competition changes topic and format every year, many aspects will remain similar. Preparing by looking at past materials will be useful. You can find these at the library circulation desk or online.

Manage your Commitments:

The Write-On competition can be time-consuming, so make sure to limit other commitments during this period. Ensure you are in a position to succeed by reducing the number of things you have to worry about.

Be Prepared:

Back up your work and be ready for any technical issues that may arise. Learn from the experience of past participants and their review of the competition.

Benefits of law review membership for future employment

Law review membership is highly valued by employers and can be a significant asset for future employment. Here are some benefits of law review membership that can enhance your career prospects:

Enhanced Employability

Law review membership is widely recognised and valued by employers in the legal field. It is seen as an indicator of a candidate's dedication, talent, and strong academic credentials. Many successful lawyers and legal professionals have participated in law reviews during their student years, and they understand the significance of this experience. This shared experience can create a bond during interviews and networking opportunities, giving you an advantage over other candidates.

Development of Essential Skills

Law review membership provides an excellent opportunity to develop essential skills that are highly sought-after in the legal profession. These include effective research, legal analysis, writing, and editing abilities. By honing these skills, you will become highly proficient in producing cutting-edge legal scholarship. Additionally, you will gain practical experience in the intricacies of legal academia, including the use of tools like the Bluebook, which are valuable for any aspiring legal practitioner or scholar.

Networking and Exposure

Law reviews are often prestigious publications that showcase the work of eminent legal commentators. Through your contributions and collaborations, you will have the chance to network with accomplished students, legal academics, professors, judges, and practising lawyers. This exposure can lead to enhanced professional opportunities and open doors for your future career. Your published work will also serve as a strong writing sample and credential, demonstrating your expertise and commitment to potential employers.

Specialisation and Interest Signalling

Membership in specific law reviews, such as those focused on corporate or business law, can signal to future employers your particular interest and expertise in those areas. This specialisation can make your profile more attractive to organisations and firms operating in those sectors. It demonstrates your passion and dedication to a specific field of law, which can be advantageous when applying for specialised roles or clerkships.

Judicial Clerkships

Law review membership is particularly beneficial if you plan to pursue a judicial clerkship after graduation. Employers and judges alike value this experience, and it can significantly enhance your chances of securing a prestigious clerking position. The skills gained through law review, such as legal research and writing, are highly applicable to the duties of a judicial clerk, making you a strong candidate for such roles.

Law review alumni suggestions for the Write-On competition

Understanding the Write-On competition

The Write-On competition is a great opportunity to get onto a law review, which is the flagship legal academic publication at a law school. It is a way to distinguish yourself to potential future employers and judges, as law review membership is often valued by them. While the Write-On competition requires writing a Comment (a student article), you will come out of the process with a workable writing sample, regardless of whether or not you are selected.

Preparation

You can prepare for the Write-On competition by looking at past materials, as many aspects of the competition will be similar from year to year. However, there will be changes to the topic, the nature of the sources, the production test, and the personal statement prompts. You can also access tryout materials online or request a printed copy. Additionally, you can refer to books such as "Academic Legal Writing: Law Review Articles, Student Notes, Seminar Papers, and Getting on Law Review" by Eugene Volokh, and "Scholarly Writing for Law Students, Seminar Papers, Law Review Notes and Law Review Competition Papers" by Elizabeth Fajans and Mary R. Falk.

Time Commitment

The Write-On competition can take up a lot of time, but it is still possible to participate while working, travelling, or having other time-intensive plans. Many people have completed the competition while balancing other commitments.

Submission Process

To participate in the Write-On competition, you must first register and will then be assigned a number to ensure your submissions are anonymous. You will be enrolled in a course where the competition materials will be posted once it starts. You will typically be required to write an essay or case comment and complete a citation exercise.

Additional Tips

• Reach out to current members or the Board to learn about their review experience.
• Take advantage of resources and guides provided by your university to help with writing for law reviews.
• Refer to other books and articles with advice on writing law review articles, such as "How to Write a Law Review Article" by Richard Delgado.

Frequently asked questions