Cameron Miranda
Law students interested in publishing their articles in journals should be aware of the challenges and opportunities that come with the process. While some journals may not accept submissions from current law students at other schools, there are still a variety of options available. These include online companions of major law reviews, specialty law reviews, and peer-reviewed journals. Law students can also make use of platforms like Scholastica, which offers various features to facilitate the submission process and increase the chances of publication. Additionally, law students should pay attention to submission guidelines, formatting requirements, and the reputation of the journals they are targeting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Submission process | Submission to a targeted list of law reviews is key to improving publication chances. |
| Submission tools | Scholastica, SSRN, and ExpressO (no longer available as of June 2021) |
| Submission considerations | Journal rankings, impact factor, and peer review |
| Submission challenges | Limited acceptance of submissions by current law students at other schools |
| Submission strategy | Start with top-ranked journals or those ranked 30-50 |
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What You'll Learn
Submission guidelines and criteria
Submission Guidelines
Many law journals accept submissions year-round, while others have designated submission periods. According to Scholastica, the majority of articles are submitted between February-March and August-September. It is important to note that some journals may have specific requirements for student-authored pieces, so be sure to review the submission policies carefully.
Criteria for Submission
Law review editors put significant effort into developing their submission guidelines and will be checking for adherence to them. Here are some key criteria to keep in mind:
- Length, style, and topic: Ensure your submission complies with the journal's guidelines on word count, formatting, and subject matter.
- Originality: Most journals require that submissions are original works not previously published elsewhere.
- Copyright: Obtain all necessary permissions for reproducing any copyright works not owned by you.
- Abstract and keywords: Include a concise abstract (3-4 sentences) summarizing the main arguments of your article, along with 4-8 keywords to facilitate online searches.
- Citations: Check your citations to ensure they meet the rigorous standards of law reviews.
- Anonymity: Some journals require anonymous submissions, so be sure to follow their guidelines on anonymization.
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Journal rankings
Law students can submit articles to journals. There are many guides and tools available to help law students submit their articles for publication in law reviews and journals. These include resources from Georgetown Law Library, University of Michigan Law Library, and Scholastica.
- Washington & Lee's Law Journal Rankings: This ranking is based on Westlaw citation data for the previous eight years and is updated annually. It includes over 1,500 journals and allows sorting by total citations, impact factor, or a combined score. It typically excludes bar journals, magazines, and non-English law journals.
- Google Scholar Metrics Top Publications: Google Scholar's list includes the 20 law journals with the highest h-index values, updated annually. The h-index values are based on citation data, and Google Scholar's comprehensive data may result in higher citation counts than other platforms.
- HeinOnline's Law Journals - Most Cited: This monthly updated list ranks the 100 most-cited law journals in HeinOnline based on a Bluebook citation analysis. Like the Washington & Lee ranking, it may not reflect journals heavily cited by scholars in other disciplines.
- InCites Journal Citation Reports: This ranking includes approximately 150 law journals ranked by Journal Impact Factor using Web of Science citation data, also providing Eigenfactor scores.
- Scimago Journal & Country Rank: This ranking system covers 602 journals related to legal subjects, based on their SJR indicator, which accounts for citation frequency and the prestige of citing journals.
- University of Illinois Law Review Online: Maintains a list of online law reviews ranked by Westlaw citations-per-article.
- US News & World Report: Provides rankings and impact factor data for general law reviews of over 200 law schools, excluding topical law journals.
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Online companions
Submission Process
The submission process for online companions varies, but many accept submissions through electronic submission systems such as Scholastica, email, or the journal's website. Some may also accept submissions by mail. It is important to check the individual guidelines of each online companion before submitting your work. Most law journals prefer electronic submissions.
Tips for Submission
- Check the submission deadlines: While many law journals accept submissions year-round, others have designated submission periods. Peak submission times are between February-March and August-September.
- Browse recent issues: To determine if your work is a good fit for the online companion, browse recent issues to get a sense of the type of content they publish.
- Check open access: Consider whether the online companion makes content freely accessible online, as this can increase the visibility and impact of your work.
- Consult with a faculty advisor: Working with a faculty member at your school can help you improve your article and choose the right journals for submission.
- Use a targeted list: Submit to a targeted list of law reviews or online companions to improve your chances of publication.
- Check the publication policies: Some online companions may have specific policies regarding student-authored pieces from other academic institutions.
- Consider SSRN: SSRN (Social Science Research Network) is an online repository for social science scholarship, including legal scholarship. Many law professors post drafts on SSRN to obtain exposure and widen their audience.
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Peer-reviewed journals
Law students can submit articles to peer-reviewed journals, which are gaining prominence in the publishing field. Articles submitted to these journals are forwarded to volunteer reviewers, typically law faculty at various institutions, who provide feedback. These journals often focus on specific legal areas or seek out particular social science methodologies. They may offer better opportunities for student authors, as they are less likely to dismiss an article solely because it is written by a student. However, some peer-reviewed journals may not accept electronic submissions.
When submitting articles to law reviews and journals, law students should be aware of the submission criteria and guidelines. They should also consider using platforms like Scholastica, which facilitate the submission process by allowing users to search for specific law reviews, filter journals by category, and view each journal's guidelines. Additionally, Scholastica enables authors to manage multiple submissions simultaneously and even re-submit the same article to other journals.
To increase the chances of publication, it is recommended to target a list of law reviews and start with those ranked thirty to fifty. While the number of law reviews and journals accepting submissions from external law students is limited, specialty law reviews within a law school may provide better opportunities for student authors. Online companions of major law reviews also offer a chance to publish shorter, timely pieces.
When submitting articles, law students should pay attention to formatting requirements, submission policies, and contact information for each journal. They should also consider the impact factor and availability of journals in databases like Westlaw's Journals and Law Reviews, ensuring that their work reaches the intended scholarly audience.
Lastly, law students should be mindful of the ongoing discussion regarding identifying themselves as students in their cover letters. While some recommend against it, law review editors have stated that a lack of information about affiliation and qualifications may lead them to assume the author is a student or prompt them to seek more information.
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Cover letters
Law students can submit articles to law journals for publication. When submitting an article to a journal, it is common to include a cover letter. A cover letter is a great opportunity to highlight to the journal editor what makes your research new and important. It is worth spending time on your cover letter to ensure it is effective.
Cover Letter Instructions
Journal websites often outline their specific requirements for article submissions, including any additional information that should be included in a cover letter. It is important to follow the journal's instructions for authors. Failure to include required statements may lead to automatic rejection of your article.
What to Include in a Cover Letter
A cover letter should explain why your work is perfect for a particular journal and why it will be of interest to the journal's readers. It should provide a brief insight into the research and findings that your article is about. You may also want to include a statement that your paper has not been previously published and is not currently under consideration by another journal. It is also a good idea to include your contact information, as well as the name and address of your college if you are a student.
Formatting
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, law students can submit articles to journals. However, it is important to note that not all journals accept submissions from law students, especially those from other schools. It is recommended to start with top-ranked journals or those ranked thirty to fifty.
It is important to check the submission guidelines and criteria of the journal, which may include formatting and timing requirements. Additionally, it is suggested to submit articles to a targeted list of law reviews and multiple journals to increase the chances of publication.
Yes, law students can submit their articles to online repositories such as SSRN (Social Science Research Network) and Scholastica. These platforms allow for the dissemination and distribution of legal scholarship, providing opportunities for publication and increasing accessibility.
One consideration is whether to identify yourself as a student in your cover letter. While the discussion is ongoing, some recommend not drawing attention to student status. Additionally, it is important to check if the journal is available in places where scholars can easily find and cite the content.
