Kara Sears
Law reviews are generally run by student editors, and participation in a law review can be a valuable learning experience as well as a respected credential. The submission process for law reviews can be complicated, with different journals having their own variations on what they consider the start and end of the submission season. The Northwestern University Law Review, for example, has a winter exclusive submission cycle, a spring open submission cycle, and an empirical cycle. They accept article and essay submissions through their online submission system, Scholastica, and also accept print submissions via email or postal mail in extenuating circumstances. The Harvard Law Review also publishes print issues, which include articles and essays by outside authors, as well as unsigned pieces written by students. Law reviews can also often be found in university libraries, such as the Loyola University Chicago Law Library, which has an extensive collection of law reviews and journals available in print and online.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Publication Frequency | 6 issues per year |
| Submission Cycle | Winter exclusive submission cycle, Spring open submission cycle, Empirical cycle |
| Submission Format | Online submission system, email, postal mail |
| Submission Requirements | Manuscripts should be double-spaced, use footnotes, conform to citation guidelines, and use gender-neutral language |
| Word Count | 15,000 to 30,000 words for Articles, under 10,000 words for Essays |
| Content | Articles, Essays, Unsigned Pieces |
| Access | Print and online versions available |
| Location | Available in law libraries, online databases, and Google Scholar |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Northwestern University Law Review submission process
The Northwestern University Law Review is a student-operated journal that publishes six issues of general legal scholarship each year. The Law Review considers submissions via three different submission tracks: a winter exclusive submission cycle, a spring open submission cycle, and an empirical cycle. The journal welcomes interested authors to submit their work from early February through early March. Submissions are not reviewed during the summer period (late April through July) or the winter period (mid-October through the end of December).
The journal accepts article and essay submissions exclusively through its online submission system, Scholastica. Manuscripts should be double-spaced and use footnotes rather than endnotes. Text and citations should follow The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation (21st ed. 2020) and the Texas Law Review Manual on Usage & Style (15th ed. 2020). The Law Review encourages the use of gender-neutral language. Authors are also requested to provide a word count, including footnotes.
The exclusive submission cycle allows authors to submit their work to only the Northwestern University Law Review. Manuscripts submitted through this track are guaranteed consideration by an Articles Board editor, and a final publication decision is made within a specified timeframe. Authors who submit through this cycle agree to withhold their article from submission to any other publication until they receive a final decision from the Law Review. If a binding publication offer is extended, authors further agree to accept it.
The spring open submission cycle allows authors to submit their work to multiple publications simultaneously. The empirical cycle welcomes pieces that utilise empirical tools, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods, to explore legal questions. Authors submitting empirical works are strongly encouraged to make their datasets available and accessible during the selection process. Acceptance of empirical work is contingent upon the author's documentation and archival of datasets in a manner sufficient to allow third parties to replicate the published findings.
In addition to a complete manuscript, authors submitting through the exclusive submission cycle must provide a cover letter that includes their name, article title, word count, phone number, and email address, as well as a CV. The journal also publishes shorter, more accessible scholarly pieces through its online platform, NULR Online, which are intended for a wider audience than traditional journal articles. NULR Online accepts submissions twice per year, typically in early February and mid-August, with a preferred word count range of 5,000 to 9,000 words, inclusive of footnotes.
Law's Ancient Power: Reading Poneglyphs
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Harvard Law Review print issues
The Harvard Law Review is a student-run journal of legal scholarship that publishes articles by students, professors, judges, and practitioners. The journal has been in publication since 1887. Print issues include articles and essays by outside authors, as well as unsigned pieces written by students.
Print issues of the Harvard Law Review are available to order. The latest print issue as of March 2023 is Volume 138, Issue Number 7, published in May 2025. This issue includes articles on a range of topics, including prison law and judicial deference to penal administrators, the rise of prices in the United States and globally, the power of the American ballot initiative, and the preservation of privacy in the face of technological advancements.
Previous print issues of the Harvard Law Review have also covered a diverse range of legal topics. For example, Volume 138, Issue Number 6, from April 2025, includes an article on police use of force and the Fourth Amendment, while Issue Number 5 from March 2025 addresses the poor conditions of immigration detention in the United States. Volume 138, Issue Number 4, published in February 2025, discusses remedies for federal government misconduct in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Harvard Law Review also offers a fellowship program for recent Harvard Law School graduates who want to serve the public interest through their work. Fellows receive a $65,000 stipend and spend a year working in a public interest role, contributing a piece of legal scholarship to the Harvard Law Review's online forum.
Martial Law: Can Trump Declare It?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Loyola University Chicago Law Library print sources
The Loyola University Chicago School of Law Library is the primary source of legal information for the entire Loyola University community. It supports the curriculum, research, and service interests of the law faculty and students, helping prepare future members of the legal profession to lead extraordinary lives in service of faith and justice.
The Loyola University Chicago School of Law Library is located at 25 E. Pearson Street, Chicago, IL 60611. The library has various contact numbers for different purposes, including a main contact number (312.915.7200), a circulation contact number (312.915.6986 or [email protected]), a reference contact number (312.915.7205 or [email protected]), and an interlibrary loan contact number (312.915.7202).
The Loyola University Chicago School of Law Library offers broad access to legal information, including print, PDF, and online sources. The library provides access to print and online versions of legal documents, supporting the research needs of its students and faculty. While the library does not explicitly mention the availability of print versions of law reviews, it offers a range of print sources, including books, journals, and newspapers.
Additionally, the Loyola University Chicago School of Law Library provides resources to assist students with citing print and online sources correctly. These resources include the Bluebook, a comprehensive guide to legal citation, and Procertas, which offers online task-based exercises and training. The library also has a Reference and Electronic Services Librarian, Joe Mitzenmacher, who can be contacted for further assistance with accessing these resources.
Overall, while I cannot confirm the specific availability of print versions of law reviews, the Loyola University Chicago School of Law Library offers a comprehensive range of print and online legal sources to support the research and citation needs of its students and faculty.
The Supreme Court: State Law Overturn Power
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Online law reviews vs print law reviews
The debate between online law reviews and print law reviews has been ongoing for years. Online law reviews are easily accessible and can be searched using online search engines, whereas print law reviews are the traditional method of publishing legal scholarship and may be preferred for their perceived prestige.
Online Law Reviews
Online law reviews are a convenient way to access legal information. They can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, making them more convenient than print law reviews, which require physical copies to be ordered and shipped. Online law reviews are also typically free to access, whereas print law reviews often require a subscription or purchase.
In addition, online law reviews can be easily searched using online search engines, making it quicker and easier to find relevant information. Online law reviews also tend to be more current than print law reviews, as they can be updated in real time, whereas print law reviews are typically published on a set schedule.
The case for online-only law review publishing is also supported by the potential for significant cost savings for law schools, by eliminating both printing and library subscription expenses. The average cost of producing and disseminating printed journals can be upwards of $40,000 a year, with many law schools facing deficits as high as $16,000 a year due to declining subscriptions and insufficient revenues from subscriptions and royalties.
Print Law Reviews
Print law reviews are the traditional method of publishing legal scholarship and may be preferred for their perceived prestige. In addition, print law reviews are a reliable format that does not require a stable internet connection to access.
Print law reviews also often include articles and essays by outside authors, as well as unsigned pieces written by students, providing a platform for diverse perspectives and up-and-coming legal scholars.
Both online and print law reviews have their advantages and disadvantages. Online law reviews are more accessible, convenient, and cost-effective, while print law reviews are the traditional format that may be preferred for their perceived prestige and reliability. Ultimately, the decision between online and print law reviews may come down to a matter of personal preference, as both formats have their own unique benefits.
Spam Laws: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Law review submission tips
Law review submissions can be a tricky process to navigate. Here are some tips to help you increase your chances of getting accepted:
Timing is Key:
The timing of your submission can significantly impact its success. There are generally two seasons for submissions: spring (February to early April) and fall (August to September). However, each journal has its own variations, so it's important to check the specific submission guidelines for your target journals. Consider the \"shoulder season\" just off-peak, as you may face less competition and increase your chances of being noticed.
Choose the Right Journals:
It's essential to be selective about which law reviews you submit to. Consider the aims and scope of your article and target journals that align with your topic and publication goals. If your article is on a niche subject, local law reviews or specialty titles might be a better fit. Also, consider the prestige of the journal and whether you have any specific well-known journals in mind, such as those listed in the Washington & Lee Law Journal Rankings.
Write a Compelling Article:
Start by choosing a subject area that genuinely excites you and that you are passionate about. This enthusiasm will show in your writing. Identify gaps in existing literature by reading recent law review articles and looking for areas where scholars disagree or where questions remain unanswered. This way, you can contribute something unique and address unanswered questions in your field.
Follow Submission Guidelines:
Each law review has its own submission guidelines, so be sure to follow them closely. For example, the Cornell Law Review specifies that submissions should be in Microsoft Word format and anonymized to ensure an unbiased review process. They also have word count requirements, with a preference for articles under 25,000 words, including text and footnotes. The University of Chicago Law Review requires submissions to be in English and follow standard English grammar conventions. They also emphasize the importance of complete references, providing specific formatting guidelines for references and margins.
Communicate with Editors:
Don't hesitate to reach out to law review editors with questions or updated files during the submission process. Use each journal's preferred communication method, such as the Discussions feature on Scholastica, which sends your message directly to the editors and stores it with your submission. Editors receive notifications for new Scholastica Discussion messages, increasing the chances that your communication will be seen.
Take Advantage of Resources:
Utilize the resources available to you during the submission process. For example, Scholastica offers a Law Author Guide to answer your submission questions, and their system allows you to send expedite requests and responses to decisions. You can also use Scholastica to notify multiple law reviews once you've accepted a publication offer, saving you time and ensuring your article is removed from their review queues.
Remember, while the law review submission process can be competitive, focusing on quality over quantity and following these tips can increase your chances of success.
Lending a Helping Weapon: Law Enforcement's Borrowed Arsenal
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, print versions of law reviews can be ordered. The Loyola University Chicago Law Library, for instance, has an extensive collection of law reviews and journals available in print.
To find a particular law review in print, you can check the Loyola University Chicago Law Library's online catalog for the journal title. The catalog will indicate if the journal is accessible via HeinOnline, which provides access to over 1,700 law and law-related periodicals.
Yes, in addition to searching by journal title, you can also search by the title of a specific article or author in the Loyola University Chicago Law Library catalog.
Yes, the Northwestern University Law Review is a student-operated journal that publishes six issues of general legal scholarship each year. They accept print submissions via email or postal mail in extenuating circumstances.
While there are no formal length requirements, the Northwestern University Law Review strongly prefers articles between 15,000 and 30,000 words, including footnotes. Essays under 10,000 words are also considered for their online publication.
