Law Review Write On: The Basics

So, today the law review write on starts today.

Eek?

For those that don't know how LR write on works, SMU has a mandatory write-on policy. Some schools allow grading on, which is where the top XX% of the class is automatically invited on. Here, however, everyone who wants to be on any of the law review journals has to compete in the write on. (If you're in the top 10% of the class, a "good faith" effort will get you on no problems).

The write on competition consists of three portions: an editing exercise, a bluebooking exercise, and a writing exercise. The packets are made available on Thursday morning, and due back on Monday morning.

Good way to ruin a weekend, right?

SMU has three law review associations that publish five law review journals. The SMU Law Review Association publishes the SMU Law Review and the Journal of Air Law and Commerce. The International Law Review Association publishes The International Lawyer and Law & Business Review of the Americas. Science & Technology Law Review publishes a journal by the same name.

According to our LR orientation, every year about 175 students compete, and between 100 and 120 are offered positions on one of the journals. If you're extended an offer from a secondary journal but decline it, you're not allowed to write on for a "better" journal the next year. So either be really awesome or suck really bad if you know you only want the SMU LR.

Law review is really a great resume builder, but if you know you want to go into litigation and you don't want to work at Jones Day or some other firm like that, then LR isn't necessary. It's always helpful though.

Soooooooo... I'll be working on my LR write on submission this weekend. Wish me luck! Catch y'all on the flip side.