Keith Mack
Law review is a highly regarded extracurricular activity for law students, and it can be a great resume booster. However, it is a significant time commitment, and some students question whether the effort is worth it, especially when balancing other priorities such as grades, internships, and job hunting. For those interested in academia or certain types of law, such as federal clerkships or big law, it can be an excellent opportunity to develop writing skills, build connections, and gain expertise in a specific area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Resume booster | Yes |
| Time commitment | High |
| Academic writing skills | Required |
| Job prospects | Improved |
| Extracurricular prestige | High |
| Career exploration | Helpful |
| Competition | High |
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What You'll Learn
Law review write-on competition
How to Prepare for the Competition
First, it is essential to understand the different sections of The Bluebook. Familiarize yourself with the various rules and guidelines outlined in this book, as the competition will test your ability to follow and apply them meticulously. Adding colour-coded tabs can make navigating the book easier, or you could use the online version for quicker searches.
Understanding the Competition Format
The write-on competition typically consists of two parts: editing and writing. In the editing portion, your knowledge of The Bluebook will be assessed as you proofread and edit a given text. The writing portion will require you to create a case comment using a set of provided materials. Remember, attention to detail is crucial.
Tips for the Writing Portion
Before you start writing, thoroughly review all the materials provided. Read through everything, take notes, highlight important sections, and create an outline to organize your thoughts. If your school has a closed-universe rule, make sure to only use the resources given to you and refrain from conducting additional research. Focus on writing a well-supported and coherent argument rather than striving for uniqueness.
Benefits of Participating
Aside from the potential resume boost, participating in the law review write-on competition can offer other advantages. It can help you build valuable connections and even get published, as one Redditor shared. Additionally, it can be a great learning experience, allowing you to further develop your legal research and writing skills.
Should You Participate?
Consider your career goals and the time commitment required. If you are aiming for a position in a big firm, then the competition could be a worthwhile endeavour. However, if you are feeling burnt out or have other priorities, you may want to focus your efforts elsewhere. Weigh the benefits against the time and effort needed to participate.
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Law review resume boost
A law review can be a great resume boost for law students. It is a prestigious extracurricular activity that can give students a leg up in the job market. Students who are unsure about whether to join their school's law review can ask 2Ls and 3Ls at their school how they made their decision. It is also helpful to attend law review events to get a sense of the types of activities involved.
Law review membership can be a valuable addition to a legal resume, which serves as a writing sample showcasing the applicant's communication skills, attention to detail, and analytical abilities. A well-prepared and well-presented resume is essential, as employers may decide not to interview an applicant based on a poor resume.
To make the most of a law review membership on a resume, students can list it as an honor or activity, depending on the journal's competitiveness. They should also showcase any volunteer work or clinic leadership roles that demonstrate their commitment to a specific area of law.
While a law review can enhance a resume, it is important to consider the time commitment and potential impact on grades. Students should also be aware that a law review membership alone may not guarantee a job but can be a valuable part of a comprehensive resume.
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Law review workload
Law review, or law journal, is a periodical or publication that focuses on legal issues. It is an academic journal staffed by students of a law school, though faculties may provide assistance. Students are in control and do the leg work, including the day-to-day running, publishing, and editing of the journal.
The workload for law review can vary depending on the specific journal and the student's role. Some students may spend 30+ hours during sourcing and cite-checking weeks, while others may spend 10-15 hours per week on average. It is important to consider the time commitment required and how it may impact a student's ability to focus on their school work.
Some students view law review as a valuable opportunity to boost their resume and make connections. It can also provide a leg up in the job market and give students a chance to get published. However, others may find the workload overwhelming, especially when combined with other academic or extracurricular commitments.
To become a member of a law review, students typically need to participate in a "write-on competition" and may be selected based on their grades, performance on a short article-writing competition, and an examination on Bluebook legal citation rules. The specific process can vary depending on the law school, with some allotting slots to the top-performing students and others basing selection solely on the write-on submission.
Overall, while law review can be a valuable experience, it is important for students to carefully consider the workload and ensure they can balance it with their other commitments.
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Law review as a career propeller
Law review can be a great career propeller, providing a prestige that no other extracurricular activity can match. It can give you a leg up in the job market and help you stand out to potential employers. Here are some reasons why law review is a valuable opportunity:
Networking and Connections
Law review allows you to connect with other law students and professionals in the field. These connections can be beneficial for future career opportunities, mentorship, and collaboration. The experience provides a platform to showcase your skills and build a professional network.
Enhanced Resume and Employability
Membership in a law review demonstrates your academic excellence, analytical skills, and commitment to the field. Employers often view law review experience as a valuable asset when considering job applications. It can set you apart from other candidates and increase your chances of landing interviews and job offers.
Skill Development
Through law review, you will develop essential skills such as legal research, writing, and editing. You will become adept at checking citations, ensuring accuracy, and improving clarity, grammar, and structure. These skills are highly transferable and applicable to various legal roles, making you a more well-rounded candidate.
Leadership Opportunities
Law review often involves a hierarchical structure, providing opportunities for leadership roles. As you progress, you can take on more senior positions, such as Senior Editor, Executive Editor, or Managing Editor. These roles allow you to develop leadership, management, and decision-making skills that are highly valued by employers.
Publication and Recognition
Law review members have the chance to get their legal writing published, which can be a significant accomplishment. Publication in a law review can elevate your profile within the legal community and establish you as an emerging legal scholar. It demonstrates your ability to contribute to ongoing legal discourse and introduces new perspectives to the field.
While law review can be a career propeller, it is essential to consider the time and effort required. Balancing law review with your academic commitments can be challenging, but the potential benefits can make it a worthwhile endeavor.
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Law review for academic avenues
Law review is a prestigious extracurricular activity that can give your resume a significant boost. It can be a great way to make connections and get published, which can be beneficial when applying for jobs or further academic pursuits. However, it is a significant time commitment, and the workload can be challenging, especially when balancing other commitments such as internships, coursework, and exam preparation.
When considering whether to participate in a law review, it is essential to reflect on your career goals. If you are interested in pursuing a career in academia, the skills gained through law review, such as improved academic writing abilities and expertise in a specific area, can be highly advantageous. Additionally, being a member of a law review can provide a competitive edge when applying for clerkships or other academic positions.
However, if your career aspirations lie primarily in practice, practical work experience may be more valuable. Gaining hands-on experience through internships or externships can provide you with tangible examples of your capabilities, which can be highlighted during interviews. While law review may still enhance your resume, the time and effort invested may be better spent gaining direct legal experience.
Ultimately, the decision to participate in a law review as a 3L depends on your individual circumstances and goals. If you have the capacity to take on the additional workload and are interested in the academic and professional benefits it can offer, then it may be a worthwhile endeavour. However, if you are feeling burnt out or believe that your time could be better spent focusing on other priorities, it may be prudent to explore alternative avenues for skill development and resume enhancement.
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Frequently asked questions
#
A write-on submission is a try-out for the law review board, allowing them to assess your academic writing skills.
Ask 2Ls and 3Ls in your school how they decided. Consider your career goals and whether you want to pursue a more academic route.
Law review can give you a leg-up in the job market and make you a better writer. It can also be a great resume booster and give you a chance to become an expert in a particular topic.
Law review is a lot of work and can be time-consuming, especially if you are also preparing for the bar exam. It may not be as valuable as practical work experience and may not be necessary for certain career paths.
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