The Path To Becoming Editor Of The Harvard Law Review

The Harvard Law Review is a prestigious student-run law journal, independent of Harvard Law School, that has been in publication since 1887. It is one of the top-ranked law reviews in the United States, and having an article published in it is a significant achievement for any legal scholar. Editors of the Harvard Law Review are selected from second- and third-year Harvard Law students, based on their performance in a writing competition held at the end of their first year. In the past, editors were chosen based on grades, but since the 1970s, the selection process has become more diverse, with a focus on writing skills. The role of editor is highly sought-after, as it provides an opportunity to shape legal discourse and engage with a passionate community of future legal professionals.

The 'Write-On' Competition

The Write-On Competition

The Write-On Competition, also known as "Write-On", is a six-day competition that takes place at the end of the first year of law school. It is the process by which students can apply to join the Harvard Law Review as an editor. Students who transfer to Harvard Law School can join as either a rising 2L or a rising 3L, but they may only participate in the competition once.

The competition has two components: editing an unpublished article and authoring a case comment. The former involves correcting about twenty citations with errors, a tedious process due to the complexity and precision of the rules. The latter is a fifteen-page commentary on a case recently decided by a federal circuit court of appeals.

Students who score the highest in the competition are invited to join the Law Review. The first year on the Law Review is spent as a Staff Writer, during which three main tasks are undertaken: writing a Case Comment, a "Note", and performing a source collection. The second year sees students take on editor positions, with about fifteen elected positions comprising the executive board.

Grades and a writing competition

Grades

First-year grades are an important factor in becoming an editor of the Harvard Law Review. Fourteen editors are selected based on a combination of their first-year grades and their competition scores. The competition scores are based on performance in a writing competition held at the end of the first year.

Writing Competition

The writing competition is a key aspect of the selection process for editors of the Harvard Law Review. The competition includes two components: an edit of an unpublished article and an analysis of a recent Supreme Court or Court of Appeals case. The submissions are graded blindly to ensure anonymity. Twenty editors are selected based solely on their competition scores. The writing competition allows students to demonstrate their editing and writing skills, which are essential for the role of editor.

The writing competition is a six-day process called "Write-On", where students edit legal scholarship and author a case comment as part of their application. It can be a gruelling process, but it provides an opportunity for students to showcase their skills and gain experience in legal writing and editing.

In addition to the writing competition, there are also twelve slots offered on a discretionary basis. These discretionary slots may be used to implement the Review's affirmative action policy. The president of the Harvard Law Review is then elected by the other editors.

The role of the president

The president is elected by the other editors and is responsible for guiding the editorial and organizational decisions of the journal. They work closely with the other editors and student members to ensure the timely publication of the journal and maintain its high standards. The president also represents the Harvard Law Review in the legal community and academia, fostering relationships with authors and other legal publications.

In addition to their editorial duties, the president of the Harvard Law Review plays a crucial role in maintaining the independence of the organization from the Harvard Law School. This entails ensuring that student editors have the autonomy to make decisions and carry out day-to-day operations, free from undue influence or interference. The president is also an ambassador for the journal, promoting its reputation and impact within the legal field.

Furthermore, the president of the Harvard Law Review is expected to contribute to the development of their fellow editors and student members. They provide feedback, guidance, and support to help improve their writing and editing skills. The president also ensures that the journal adheres to its affirmative action policy and promotes diversity and inclusion within the organization.

The editorial process

The Harvard Law Review is a student-run organisation that publishes a journal of legal scholarship. The review is published monthly from November through to June, with a special Supreme Court issue each November and a Developments in the Law issue each April. The editorial process is rigorous, and all student writing is unsigned.

The review is independent of the Harvard Law School, with student editors making all editorial and organisational decisions. The editors are second- and third-year Harvard Law students who are selected through an annual writing competition. The competition is called "write-on" and is a six-day event where students edit legal scholarship and author a case comment as part of their application. The review also accepts submissions from authors outside of Harvard, including academics and judges, which are selected by the editorial board.

Benefits of joining

Joining the Harvard Law Review comes with a host of benefits. Firstly, it is a highly prestigious role that is held in high regard by the legal community, including in private practice and public interest. The journal is ranked first in several ranking systems of law reviews, and its impact factor of 4.979 placed it first out of 143 journals in the "Law" category in 2015.

Secondly, membership provides an opportunity for students to develop their editing and writing skills, which are highly valued by law firms. Students contribute to their fellow editors' writing and provide substantive feedback, as well as editing legal scholarship and authoring case comments. This experience can enhance one's critical thinking, attention to detail, time management, and coordination with others.

Thirdly, the Law Review offers a sense of community and camaraderie among its editors. Editors work collaboratively and democratically, with all editors having a say in the journal's work and direction. The community also organises social events such as barbeques, retreats, and outings to sporting events.

Lastly, membership in the Harvard Law Review can enhance one's employability. Law firms value law review experience and see it as a credential that speaks to a candidate's writing, editing, critical thinking, and commitment. It demonstrates initiative, intellectual agility, and enthusiasm for the law, which are all sought-after qualities by hiring partners.

Overall, joining the Harvard Law Review offers a range of benefits, including enhanced skills, employability, a sense of community, and the prestige associated with being a member of one of the top law reviews in the country.

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