Cecily Zamora
Citing a law review article accurately is essential for maintaining academic integrity and ensuring that legal research is both credible and verifiable. Law review articles, often authored by legal scholars, practitioners, or students, provide in-depth analysis and commentary on legal issues, making them valuable resources in legal writing. Proper citation not only gives credit to the original author but also allows readers to locate the source easily. The citation format typically follows established legal citation guides, such as *The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation* or the *ALWD Citation Manual*, which provide detailed rules for citing law review articles. Key elements of a citation include the author’s name, article title, volume and page numbers of the law review, and the publication year. Understanding these guidelines ensures clarity, consistency, and professionalism in legal scholarship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Citation Style | Primarily follows The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation (latest edition, 21st as of October 2023) |
| Author Name | Last name, followed by a comma and first name (or initials), e.g., Smith, John |
| Article Title | Full title of the article, capitalized using headline-style capitalization, enclosed in double quotation marks |
| Journal Title | Italicized, abbreviated according to The Bluebook's Table T.1 (e.g., Harvard L. Rev. for Harvard Law Review) |
| Volume Number | Volume number in bold or italics, followed by the journal title |
| Page Number | First page number of the article, followed by the pinpoint page if citing a specific section (e.g., 123, 145) |
| Publication Year | Year of publication in parentheses, followed by a period |
| Pinpoint Citation | Specific page number(s) within the article, preceded by "at" or separated by a comma (e.g., at 145 or , 145) |
| Footnote vs. In-Text | Law review articles are typically cited in footnotes, not in-text |
| DOI or URL | Optional: Include a DOI (preferred) or URL if required by the citation style or for online-only sources |
| Example Citation | Smith, John, "The Impact of Technology on Legal Practice," 123 Harv. L. Rev. 456 (2023). |
| Abbreviations | Use standard abbreviations for terms like "Law Review" (L. Rev.), "University" (U.), etc., as per The Bluebook |
| Punctuation | Follow The Bluebook's rules for commas, periods, and spacing (e.g., no space before footnotes, periods after volume numbers) |
| Multiple Authors | List all authors in the order they appear, separated by commas, or use "et al." if more than four authors |
| Access Date | Include for online sources without a DOI, e.g., (accessed Oct. 1, 2023) |
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What You'll Learn
Bluebook Citation Format
The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation is the most widely used legal citation system in the United States, and it provides specific guidelines for citing law review articles. When citing a law review article in Bluebook format, the general structure includes the author's name, article title, volume number, journal title, page number, and year of publication. This format ensures consistency and clarity in legal writing, allowing readers to easily locate the referenced source. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to properly cite a law review article using the Bluebook citation format.
Begin the citation with the author's full name, followed by a comma. If there are multiple authors, list them in the order they appear on the article, separating each name with a comma, and place an ampersand (&) before the last author's name. After the author's name, include the title of the article in plain text, followed by a comma. The title should be capitalized using sentence case, meaning only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized. This is a key distinction from other citation styles, as the Bluebook does not use title case for article titles.
Next, provide the volume number of the law review in which the article appears, followed by the journal's abbreviated title. The Bluebook includes a table of abbreviations for law review titles (Table T.1), which should be consulted to ensure the correct abbreviation is used. After the abbreviated journal title, include the page number where the article begins, followed by a comma. Finally, add the year of publication in parentheses. For example, a basic citation might look like this: *John Doe, The Evolution of Property Law, 15 U. Chi. L. Rev. 234 (2020).*
In some cases, additional information may be necessary. If the article is part of a symposium or special issue, this should be noted after the title. For instance, if the article is part of a symposium, you might add ", Symposium on Environmental Law" after the title. If the article is not in English, include a translation of the title in square brackets after the original title. Additionally, if you are citing an article that is forthcoming or has not yet been assigned a volume or page number, use "forthcoming" in place of the volume and page numbers and provide the year of expected publication.
For electronic sources, the Bluebook requires the inclusion of the Electronic Information Date (EID) or the URL, depending on the availability and stability of the online resource. If the law review article is accessed through a database like Westlaw or LexisNexis, include the database name and the EID. For example: *Jane Smith, Rethinking Contract Law, 42 Harv. J.L. & Pub. Pol'y 123, 2019 Westlaw 1234567.* If the article is available on a website, provide the URL in angle brackets. However, if the URL is lengthy or complex, you may use a shortened version or a permalink if available.
Lastly, consistency and attention to detail are crucial when using the Bluebook citation format. Always double-check the accuracy of abbreviations, volume numbers, and page ranges. The Bluebook also provides rules for handling unusual citation scenarios, such as articles with no author or articles that are part of a larger work. Familiarizing yourself with these rules will ensure that your citations are both precise and professional, adhering to the standards expected in legal scholarship.
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Author & Title Placement
When citing a law review article, the placement of the author’s name and the article title is a critical component of proper citation. According to the *Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation*, the most widely used citation guide in legal writing, the author’s name typically appears first, followed by the article title. The author’s name should be formatted with the last name first, followed by a comma and the first name or initials. For example, "Smith, John" is the correct format. This ensures consistency and clarity in identifying the author. The author’s name is usually italicized or underlined, depending on the citation style, though the *Bluebook* generally prefers italics for law review citations.
Following the author’s name, the article title should be placed immediately after, separated by a period and a single space. The title of the article is typically enclosed in quotation marks, not italics, to distinguish it from the name of the law review itself, which is italicized. For instance, a proper citation would read: "*Smith, John*. 'The Evolution of Property Law.'" This format ensures that the reader can easily identify both the author and the specific work being referenced. Precision in this placement is essential to avoid confusion, especially in lengthy bibliographies or footnotes.
In some cases, the author’s name and article title may be followed by additional information, such as the volume and page number of the law review. However, the author and title remain the foundational elements of the citation. It is important to note that the title should be capitalized using title case, meaning the first letter of each major word is capitalized (e.g., 'The Evolution of Property Law'). This adheres to standard legal citation practices and enhances readability.
If the article has multiple authors, their names should be listed in the order they appear on the article, separated by an ampersand (&) before the last author’s name. For example, "*Smith, John & Doe, Jane*. 'The Impact of Tort Reform.'" This ensures proper credit is given to all contributors. The same rules for italicizing the author’s name and enclosing the title in quotation marks still apply, regardless of the number of authors.
Finally, consistency in author and title placement is key to maintaining professionalism in legal citations. Deviating from the established format can lead to confusion or diminish the credibility of the citation. By adhering to the *Bluebook* guidelines, legal writers ensure that their citations are both accurate and accessible. Proper placement of the author and title not only respects the original work but also facilitates efficient research for readers who may seek out the cited article.
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Volume & Page Numbers
When citing a law review article, accurately including the volume and page numbers is crucial for proper citation. The volume number identifies the specific edition of the law review in which the article was published, while the page numbers pinpoint the exact location of the article within that volume. This information is essential for readers to locate the source efficiently. In most citation styles, including Bluebook and APA, the volume number is placed immediately after the law review’s title, typically in italics or bold, followed by the starting page number of the article. For example, if an article appears in Volume 50 of the *Harvard Law Review* starting on page 100, the citation would include "50 Harv. L. Rev. 100."
The volume number is usually found on the spine or cover of the law review and is often accompanied by the publication year. It is important to verify the correct volume number, as errors can lead to difficulty in retrieving the source. The page number should reflect the first page of the article, even if the article spans multiple pages. For instance, if the article runs from page 100 to 150, only "100" is included in the citation. This practice ensures consistency and adheres to standard citation conventions.
In some cases, law review articles may include a specific section or subsection within the page range. If the citation refers to a particular part of the article, additional pinpoint page numbers can be added after the initial page number, separated by a comma or other appropriate punctuation. For example, "50 Harv. L. Rev. 100, 105" would direct the reader to page 105 within the article. However, this level of specificity is optional and depends on the context of the citation.
When citing articles from online law reviews or databases, the volume and page numbers may be supplemented with additional identifiers, such as paragraph numbers or electronic page numbers (e.g., "50 Harv. L. Rev. 100, ¶ 5"). However, traditional volume and page numbers should still be included if available, as they remain the primary means of locating the source. Always prioritize the official print pagination when both print and electronic versions exist.
Finally, consistency in formatting volume and page numbers is key. Follow the guidelines of the citation style you are using, whether it is Bluebook, APA, or another format. For Bluebook, the volume number is italicized, followed by the abbreviation of the law review title, and then the starting page number. In APA, the volume number is italicized and placed in parentheses after the journal title, followed by the page range. Ensuring accuracy and adherence to these rules will enhance the credibility and usability of your citation.
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Database & URL Inclusion
When citing a law review article, it is essential to include database and URL information to ensure accessibility and credibility. Many legal scholars and practitioners access articles through online databases, making this information crucial for proper citation. The Bluebook, the authoritative guide for legal citation, provides specific guidelines for incorporating database and URL details. Generally, if you accessed the article through an online database such as Westlaw, LexisNexis, or HeinOnline, you should include the database name in your citation. For example, after the standard citation elements (author, title, volume, journal name, page number, and publication year), add the database name followed by the date of access. This ensures that readers can trace the source accurately.
Inclusion of a URL is also important, particularly when citing articles accessed through open-access platforms or the journal's official website. The Bluebook advises including a direct, stable URL (such as a DOI or permalink) rather than a dynamically generated link. If a stable URL is unavailable, provide the full URL from the browser's address bar. When both a database and a URL are available, include both in the citation. For instance, you might cite the article with the database name first, followed by the URL in angle brackets. This dual approach maximizes accessibility for readers who may have access to different resources.
For articles accessed through subscription databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, the citation should reflect the platform used. For example, after the standard citation, add "Westlaw" or "LexisNexis" followed by the date of access. If a specific document or pinpoint cite is referenced, include the database-specific identifier (e.g., "2023 WL 1234567" for Westlaw or "2023 Lexis 8901" for LexisNexis). While URLs are not typically included for these platforms, some practitioners add the database's homepage URL in angle brackets for completeness.
When citing articles from open-access repositories or journals with publicly available websites, the URL becomes a primary element. Include the full, stable URL after the standard citation components. If the article has a Digital Object Identifier (DOI), it is preferable to use the DOI instead of the URL, as DOIs are more stable and persistent. For example, the citation might end with "https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxxx" or the full URL of the article's webpage. Always ensure the URL is functional and directs readers to the exact source.
Finally, consistency and clarity are key when including database and URL information. Follow the Bluebook's format meticulously, ensuring that each element is properly punctuated and ordered. If you are using a citation generator or legal research tool, verify that it correctly incorporates database and URL details. Proper inclusion of these elements not only adheres to legal citation standards but also facilitates efficient retrieval of the source by readers, enhancing the overall utility of your citation.
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In-Text vs. Footnote Citations
When citing a law review article, understanding the difference between in-text and footnote citations is crucial, as the choice depends on the citation style you are using (e.g., Bluebook, APA, or Chicago). In-text citations are brief references placed within the body of your text, typically in parentheses, and are commonly used in styles like APA. For example, if you are referencing a point made by Smith in a law review article, an in-text citation might appear as "(Smith, 2020, p. 45)." This format allows readers to quickly identify the source while maintaining the flow of your writing. However, in-text citations are less common in legal writing, where footnote citations are the standard.
Footnote citations, as the name suggests, are placed at the bottom of the page in footnotes and are the preferred method in legal writing, particularly when following the Bluebook style. For instance, after referencing Smith’s article, you would insert a superscript number in the text (e.g., "Smith argues that...^1") and include the full citation in the corresponding footnote. The footnote citation for a law review article typically includes the author’s name, article title, volume and page numbers of the journal, and publication year. This method keeps the main text clean and relegates detailed citation information to the footnotes, which is ideal for the precision and formality required in legal scholarship.
One key distinction between in-text and footnote citations is their impact on readability and structure. In-text citations, while concise, can disrupt the flow of a sentence, especially if multiple sources are cited. Footnote citations, on the other hand, allow the text to remain uninterrupted, making it easier for readers to focus on the argument. For law review articles, where complex ideas and detailed analysis are common, footnotes are particularly advantageous because they provide a comprehensive reference without cluttering the main text.
Another important consideration is the level of detail required. In-text citations are often abbreviated, providing only the author’s name, publication year, and page number. Footnote citations, however, are more comprehensive, including all relevant publication details. For example, a Bluebook-style footnote citation for a law review article might look like this: "John Doe, *The Evolution of Property Law*, 50 Harv. L. Rev. 123 (2020)." This level of detail is essential in legal writing to ensure accuracy and allow readers to locate the source easily.
Finally, the choice between in-text and footnote citations should align with the expectations of your audience and the requirements of your institution or publication. While in-text citations may be acceptable in some academic disciplines, legal writing overwhelmingly favors footnotes. If you are writing a law review article or a legal brief, adhering to the Bluebook’s footnote citation style is not just a matter of preference but a professional standard. Always consult the specific guidelines of your target journal or institution to ensure compliance with their citation rules.
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Frequently asked questions
In Bluebook style, cite a law review article as follows: Author’s full name, Title of Article, Volume Number Abbreviated Journal Title First Page (Year). For example: John Doe, The Evolution of Contract Law, 50 Harv. L. Rev. 123 (2020).
No, the author’s credentials (e.g., J.D., Ph.D.) are generally not included in the citation. Only the author’s full name and the article details are necessary.
Use the official Bluebook abbreviation for the law review title. For example, "Harvard Law Review" becomes "Harv. L. Rev." Refer to Table T.1 in the Bluebook for a list of approved abbreviations.
