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[saintlos]

I'm considering applying to Law Review at my school. They select candidates mostly based on writing samples, so it is quite possible to get in. However, since it's a two-year commitment, I really want to be sure that the investment is potentially worth the return. Are firms (still) looking for this line on candidate resumes?

Thanks

P.S. Our journal will actually publish some Comments by students. Does that change your answer?

[ChiefJRoberts]

I'm considering applying to Law Review at my school. They select candidates mostly based on writing samples, so it is quite possible to get in. However, since it's a two-year commitment, I really want to be sure that the investment is potentially worth the return. Are firms (still) looking for this line on candidate resumes?

Thanks

P.S. Our journal will actually publish some Comments by students. Does that change your answer?

i would say yes. however, it could also depend on what ranked school you go to. if it is 3rd tier and not well known, being on law review might not help. but in general law review is an excellent thing to put on your resume.  down the road they may ask you at an interview, "why weren't you on law review?" You can't say, "I didn't try because i didn't think it was important or didn't want to make the commitment."

[TMKing]

check out the following article regarding this same question -- http://ezinearticles.com/?Is-Law-Review-Worth-It?&id=5738309.  might help a bit. 

[petethebody]

I think it is a great idea to do any journal.  While the day-to-day tasks of cite checking and writing a really long and terribly formal paper are mildly annoying, it is a great chance to be a part of a group on campus and have some fun.  Some of my fondest memories are just sitting around the office joking around.  It really allows you to meet and associate with a group of people you otherwise wouldn't.  As for the workload, it's not too rough.  It does stink around fall right when you get back because you are simultaneously interviewing, but that cycle passes.  It also stinks right when you get back from winter break because your paper is due - but if you put in 40 or 50 hours over break, the time commitment for that last push is nothing extraordinary.

The only thing I would tell you to consider shying away from is being on the board of law review or another publication.  That is a disproportionate amount of work - it is like a full class.  Also, any time you are a manager in a student organization, it is virtualy impossible to motivate/monitor your workers.  As such, your productivity will be luck of what 3Ls you draw.  I did board and had a great time, but I also frontloaded 2L year heavily so that my 3L year was a cruise.  I look back fondly on board meetings and my fellow members, but from a career prospective, it was wholly unnecessary. 

[TheTrademarkCompany]

100% Absolutely Yes.

[AnotherCog]

If you grade on, it's not a bad idea.  If not, then I'd say your time would be better spent pulling up your GPA.  Your GPA / class rank matter more than law review.

[Kaitlin]

Unless going for it will actually pull down your grades, I agree with "100% Absolutely" .   There is a certain sector of legal aristocracy that considers law review membership to be a sine qua non for any prospective new hire.  While it alone will not land you any position, having it on your resume may open a few doors that might otherwise be shut to you.