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Joining Whittier Law Review

The Whittier Law Review consists of an Editorial Board, Members and Staff. This is a brief summary for prospective members beginning with the initial joining as a member of the Staff (candidate) to achieving promotion of Member status upon successful completion of the first semester requirements. Please note that the standards for invitation to participate in Law Review have recently changed. The standards presented herein are current for the 2010-2011 school year.

What Is Law Review?

Whittier Law Review is a student-run organization of Whittier Law School that publishes a collection of articles of legal scholarship four times annually.

Who Is Eligible to Become a Member of Law Review?

Any student whose performance places him or her within the top thirty percent of the class may be eligible to join the candidacy process as a Staff member in one of two ways set out below, provided that the student has a minimum of 3 semesters remaining in law school at the time of candidacy and has completed 22 units of law school instruction.

How Does One Attain Membership In Law Review?

Membership in Whittier Law Review may be obtained one of two ways—a student may “grade-on” or “write-on.”

Grading-On Law Review: All students ranked in the top ten percent of their class after completing 22 units will be automatically invited to become Law Review candidates. The semester immediately following the completion of 22 units is the only opportunity that a student will have to grade-on. A student wishing to obtain membership on Law Review after that initial semester may do so by following the write-on competition process.

Writing-On Law Review: Students ranked in the top eleven-thirty percent of their class after completing 22 units are eligible to participate in the write-on competition process to achieve Law Review candidacy. The write-on competition typically takes place the week before classes officially begin for the semester. The write-on competition involves writing a paper with a maximum length of 15 pages that analyzes a problem selected by the Research Editors. Participants are given all of the sources necessary to complete the paper and are permitted seven days in which to submit a completed product. Each paper is then distributed to current Law Review Members and Editors for evaluation on several criteria. The name of the author is removed from the paper to ensure anonymity. All participating authors must work independently and follow the guidelines established by Whittier Law Review. The number of invitations that are ultimately issued is not based on a percentage, quota, or predetermined number. Rather, every write-on participant that attains the specified number of points on the paper is invited to join the candidacy process of the Law Review.

What Will Be Expected of Law Review Staff Members?

A Staff member (candidate) is responsible for attending all general meetings; online research, Bluebook, and other training sessions; and all cite-checking and proofreading work sessions. In addition, each Staff member is responsible for the successful completion of an Bluebook examination, which is administered by the Research Editors. Finally, all Staff members are required to submit a student casenote or comment of publishable quality, as defined by Law Review guidelines, by the designated due date.

How Does a “Candidate” Become a “Member”?

All candidate responsibilities are assigned a point value. Membership on Whittier Law Review is achieved by earning 825 out of a possible 1000 points during the candidacy semester. Candidates earn points for completing the following activities in accordance with the Whittier Law Review Constitution, art. III § E (1):

  1. Preliminary Writing
  2. Quality of the Student Article Submitted
  3. Participation in Cite-checking, Bluebook, and Proofreading Work Sessions
  4. Performance in Completing the Whittier Law Review and Bluebook Examination
  5. Ability to Meet Established Deadlines
  6. Regular Attendance at Meetings

What Is Expected of Members of Law Review?

Like candidates, Members are also expected to attend all regular general meetings as well as complete cite-checking and proofreading assignments in a timely manner.

Can I Take Law Review For School Credit?

During the candidacy semester, and while serving as a Member, a student is eligible to earn one unit for their service to the Law Review during each semester. Members of the Editorial Board* may take Law Review for up to two units per semester.

What Are the Benefits of Being a Member of Law Review?

There are many benefits to be gained from participation in the Law Review. Membership in law review is regarded as an honor within the legal profession, carrying an appropriate degree of prestige in accordance with such participation. Law Review membership strengthens one’s resume, and is especially valuable when seeking a position within the teaching community or in assisting the judiciary. Finally, participation in Law Review sharpens research, analytical, writing and editing skills, and increases one’s awareness of changes and trends in the law.

* Please note: In order to be considered for a position on the Editorial Board, one must be a Member of Law Review during the spring semester. Spring semester Staff members are not eligible to run for Editorial Board positions. If you are a full-time student, you must be a candidate during the fall of your second year in order to be eligible to hold an Editorial Board position. Part-time students that complete the candidacy process any later than the fall of their third year would also not be eligible for Editorial Board positions.