Law review membership is one of the most prestigious credentials in law school. It opens doors to clerkships, BigLaw, and academia. But getting on law review requires succeeding in the write-on competition—a grueling test of legal research, writing, and editing under extreme time pressure.
What is Law Review?
Law reviews are student-edited academic journals publishing scholarly articles by professors, judges, and practitioners. Members gain valuable editing, citation, and writing experience.
Benefits:
- Resume boost (especially top-tier journals)
- Writing sample for jobs
- Access to exclusive OCI opportunities
- Networking with editors and authors
- Potential path to clerkships and academia
Types of Law Journals
Flagship Law Review
The most prestigious journal at your school (e.g., "Harvard Law Review"). Usually the hardest to join.
Subject-Specific Journals
Focus on particular areas like Constitutional Law, International Law, or Business Law. Easier to join but still valuable.
Secondary Journals
Other student-run publications. Less competitive but still enhance your resume.
Write-On Competition Structure
Most schools use a combination of grades and write-on performance.
Typical format:
1. Writing assignment (60-70%): Research and write a case note or comment
2. Editing test (20-30%): Bluebook citation corrections and substantive editing
3. Grades (10-20%): 1L GPA used as tiebreaker or minimum threshold
Timeline: Usually takes place right after 1L spring exams (late May/early June). You have 5-10 days to complete the assignment.
Preparing for Write-On
Master the Bluebook
The Bluebook citation system is tested heavily. Know citation rules cold, especially:
- Cases (reporters, subsequent history, pinpoint citations)
- Statutes and regulations
- Secondary sources (law reviews, treatises)
- Signals (see, cf., but see, etc.)
Study plan: Practice 30 minutes/day for 2-3 weeks before write-on.
Practice Legal Writing
Write practice case notes during the school year. Analyze recent Supreme Court cases or circuit splits.
Resources:
- Recent law review notes (read for structure and style)
- Writing guides (The Bluebook, Eugene Volokh's Academic Legal Writing)
Understand Case Note Structure
Most write-on assignments ask you to write a "case note"—analysis of a recent court decision.
Structure:
1. Introduction: Summarize the case and its significance
2. Background: Legal context and prior doctrine
3. Analysis: Court's reasoning and your evaluation
4. Critique/Implications: Strengths, weaknesses, impact on future cases
Write-On Strategy
Time Management is Critical
You have limited time (often 7-10 days). Budget your hours:
- Research: 30-40% (Days 1-3)
- Outlining: 10% (Day 3-4)
- Writing: 40% (Days 4-7)
- Editing & Citations: 20% (Days 7-10)
Don't fall into research rabbit holes. Know when to stop researching and start writing.
Research Efficiently
Use these sources in order:
1.
Secondary sources (law review articles, treatises) for overview
2.
Key cases cited in the assignment
3.
Citing references (Shepardize/KeyCite to find related cases)
4.
Legislative history or policy considerations (if relevant)
Pro tip: Use law review articles heavily. Professors who write notes already did much of the research.
Writing the Note
Introduction (10% of paper)
Hook the reader. Explain why this case matters.
Background (25%)
What's the legal landscape before this decision? What's the circuit split or doctrinal confusion?
Analysis (40%)
What did the court do? Walk through the reasoning step-by-step. Apply IRAC.
Critique (25%)
Is the decision correct? What are the implications? What questions remain open?
Style tips:
- Be clear and concise (avoid flowery language)
- Use headings and subheadings
- Every paragraph needs a topic sentence
- Avoid excessive quotations—synthesize and paraphrase
Editing Test Strategy
The editing portion tests Bluebook mastery and attention to detail.
Common errors to spot:
- Incorrect case citations (wrong reporter, missing pinpoint)
- Signal errors (see vs. see also)
- Improper use of Id. and supra
- Substantive errors (mischaracterizations of holdings)
Approach:
1. First pass: Fix obvious citation errors
2. Second pass: Check substantive accuracy (do citations support propositions?)
3. Final pass: Formatting consistency
After the Competition
Results usually come out 2-4 weeks after submission. If you make it, congratulations! If not, consider:
- Secondary journals: Often still recruiting
- Write-on again next year: Some schools allow 2Ls to compete
- Other experiences: Moot court, clinics, externships
Final Thoughts
Law review membership is valuable but not essential. Plenty of successful lawyers never made law review. Focus on doing your best, but don't let the outcome define your career.
Key takeaway: The write-on teaches you legal research and writing under pressure—skills you'll use whether or not you join the journal.
