Law Reviews and Journals are scholarly publications edited and published by law students at most accredited law schools. These publications play a critical role in legal scholarship, providing a platform for professors, judges, practitioners, and students to publish research on current legal issues, landmark cases, and theoretical frameworks.
What Is a Law Review?
A Law Review is the primary legal journal at most law schools. It is typically:
- Student-edited and published periodically (quarterly or biannually).
- Focused on in-depth legal analysis, often including long-form articles by scholars and student-written notes or comments.
- Highly prestigious—membership is often selective and based on grades, writing competitions, or both.
Benefits of Joining a Law Review:
- Enhances legal writing and research skills.
- Demonstrates intellectual rigor to employers.
- Improves chances of judicial clerkships, big law offers, and academic careers.
- Offers networking opportunities with faculty and legal scholars.
Other Legal Journals
Beyond the main law review, many schools have specialized journals focused on specific areas of law:
| Journal Type | Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| International Law | Global legal systems, treaties, human rights |
| Environmental Law | Climate law, land use, natural resources |
| Business/Corporate Law | Mergers, finance, securities |
| Technology/IP Law | AI, patents, internet law |
| Criminal Law | Criminal justice reform, policing, constitutional rights |
| Public Interest/Human Rights | Social justice, legal ethics, civil rights |
Most top law schools host 5–10 journals spanning these subjects, with participation open to 2Ls and 3Ls.
Law Journals at Top Law Schools (Examples)
🔹 Harvard Law School
- Harvard Law Review – Among the most prestigious legal journals worldwide.
- Harvard Environmental Law Review
- Harvard Civil Rights–Civil Liberties Law Review
🔹 Columbia Law School
- Columbia Law Review – One of the nation’s top 5.
- Columbia Journal of Environmental Law
- Columbia Human Rights Law Review
- Columbia Journal of Transnational Law
🔹 Stanford Law School
- Stanford Law Review
- Stanford Environmental Law Journal
- Stanford Journal of International Law
🔹 Florida State University College of Law
- Florida State University Law Review
- Journal of Land Use & Environmental Law – One of the oldest environmental law journals in the U.S.
- Business Review – Focused on corporate, tax, and commercial law.
How to Join a Law Review or Journal
Joining typically involves:
- Write-On Competition – A multi-day legal writing challenge held after 1L year.
- Grades – Some journals factor GPA into selection.
- Editing Tests or Interviews – Especially for leadership roles.
Once selected, members:
- Edit submissions for style, citations (Bluebook), and substance.
- Write a Note or Comment, often on a legal issue of personal interest.
Why Law Journals Matte
- Academic prestige: Many law professors began as journal editors.
- Judicial clerkships: Top judges, including U.S. Supreme Court justices, prefer former editors.
- Influence: Articles published in top law journals are often cited by courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court and international tribunals.