Writing On Law Review: Is It Possible For 2Ls?

Law review is a highly sought-after position at many law schools, with a competitive selection process. While it is a time-intensive commitment, it is also a prestigious extracurricular activity that can enhance one's resume and provide a leg up in the job market. At UCLA School of Law, for example, the selection is based on performance in the Write-On competition, which consists of a Comment, a Personal Statement, and a Production Test. The Write-On process is open to first-year students at the end of their 1L year, as well as transfer students during their 2L year. While some 2Ls express disappointment over not attaining a position on the editorial board, others find satisfaction in their role as editors or staff editors. Overall, the law review is a valuable opportunity for students to enhance their legal research and writing skills, gain recognition, and boost their career prospects.

Law Review membership is prestigious and can help with employment

Law Review membership is highly prestigious and can be a significant boost to your resume. It is a credential that is highly valued by employers and can be a deciding factor in your favour when applying for jobs. It is also a way to distinguish yourself to potential future employers, especially if you feel disappointed about your grades.

Many successful lawyers have been members of their school's Law Review, and it is a unifying experience that can create a bond in the interview room or once you're working. It is a credential that employers, especially traditional ones, look for, and it can give you a leg up in the job market. Membership demonstrates that you are an intelligent and dependable candidate and that you have honed your writing skills.

However, it is important to note that Law Review membership is not a guarantee of employment. While it is a prestigious extracurricular activity, it should not be the only reason you pursue it. Consider your desired career path and whether Law Review membership will benefit you in the long run. Ask yourself what duties are associated with the specific position you are targeting and what skills you need to develop to achieve that position.

There are also other ways to boost your resume and stand out to employers. For example, at UCLA, there are 14 specialty journals alongside the UCLA Law Review, which are also very high-quality publications. Additionally, some schools may offer other opportunities for writing and publishing legal articles, such as the Boston College Law Review, which allows staff writers to contribute on a variety of topics rather than being restricted to a single area of law.

Write-On is a way to get onto Law Review

Write-On is a competition that allows students to get onto Law Review, a general-subject journal that publishes legal articles of all kinds. UCLA Law Review staff members are selected based on their performance in the Write-On. All first-year students are invited to participate in the Write-On at the end of their 1L year. There is a separate, similar Write-On process for transfer students, which is held at the beginning of their 2L year.

Write-On consists of three parts: the Comment, the Personal Statement, and the Production Test. Students will be notified of whether they have successfully made it onto Law Review approximately six weeks after the end of the Write-On. Candidates will be evaluated based on their performance during the Write-On. The majority of students will be invited to join based on two components: their Write-On score (Comment and Production Test) and their Personal Statement.

Write-On is a great opportunity to learn about a new area of law and get exposed to legal academia. It is also a way to distinguish yourself to potential future employers in the legal arena. It is important to note that Write-On changes topic and format every year, so it is essential to prepare by reviewing past materials. Additionally, attention to detail is crucial, and students should follow the instructions provided to the letter.

To prepare for Write-On, it is recommended to get familiar with The Bluebook beforehand, as a good portion of the competition is dedicated to testing your ability to follow and apply its rules. It is also beneficial to seek out an Article or Comment to read before the competition to understand what will be expected of you.

The Write-On process consists of three parts

The Write-On process is the best way to ensure you get onto Law Review. It consists of three parts: the Comment, the Personal Statement, and the Production Test. Students will be notified of whether they have successfully made it onto Law Review approximately six weeks after the end of the Write-On.

The Comment is a student article that gets chosen for publication. It is a piece of writing that accurately summarizes the law. It is worth learning how authors advance legal arguments. It is recommended to choose a short comment (30-40 pages) and a topic that interests you. You might ask why the author put certain information in the footnotes rather than in the article body.

The Personal Statement is the second part of the Write-On process. It is one of the two components that make up the majority of students' invitations to join Law Review.

The Production Test is the third part of the Write-On process. It is one of the two components that make up the majority of students' invitations to join Law Review. A small portion of students will be invited to join based on a combination of their Write-On score, Personal Statement, and first-year grades.

Students can submit a student article to get chosen for publication

Publishing a student article in a law journal can be a great way to gain experience and build a reputation in your field. It can also be a good way to prepare for research papers and dissertations that may be a part of your courses later. Furthermore, membership in a school law review can give you a prestige that no other extracurricular activity carries and can give you a great advantage in the job market.

There are several ways to get a student article chosen for publication. One way is to submit your article through a Write-On competition. Write-On competitions are typically held at the end of a student's first year of law school, and they provide an opportunity for students to showcase their academic writing skills to the law review board. The Write-On process usually consists of three parts: the Comment, the Personal Statement, and the Production Test. While the Write-On can be time-consuming, it is possible to participate while also working, traveling, or engaging in other activities.

Another way to get your article published is to submit it directly to a law journal. Many law journals, such as UCLA Law Review, regularly solicit Comments and Notes from students and publish student work. When submitting to a journal, it is important to consider the journal's audience and whether your article aligns with the subject areas and interests of the publication. It is also crucial to follow the journal's formatting and submission guidelines.

Additionally, you may want to consider co-authoring an article with a faculty member or submitting your work to student journals or undergraduate research journals, which are often dedicated to publishing student work.

Finally, participating in law review can be a valuable experience, whether you are interested in clerking for a judge or pursuing a career in a law firm. It can provide you with knowledge in a new area of law and enhance your academic writing skills.

Law Review alumni suggest doing some things in advance to prepare for Write-On

Law Review alumni have suggested doing a few things in advance to prepare for Write-On. Firstly, it is important to get familiar with the structure and content of the Bluebook, especially Rules 1–18, the tables in the back, and the index. While memorization is not necessary, being able to quickly look up sources and check citations is crucial. Additionally, it is recommended to seek out and read an Article or Comment before the competition to understand what will be expected of you, focusing on how authors use footnotes.

Another suggestion is to ensure you have the necessary supplies, such as binders, highlighters, and sticky note flags in various colours. It is also important to remove your name from Word and Adobe to maintain anonymity during the grading process. Choosing a short article (around 30–40 pages) on a topic that interests you can help you understand how authors structure their arguments and use footnotes. Talking to someone about the article can provide additional insights and help you identify areas of interest.

Alumni also recommend preparing meals in advance to ensure you have food options during the intensive Write-On period. Finally, it is worth noting that Write-On can be time-consuming, but many people have successfully completed it while balancing other commitments. Formal accommodations can be approved by the relevant authorities if needed.

Frequently asked questions