URMs on Law Review Forum

[Doritos]

I am curious how URMs do when it comes to placement on law review (I think I know the answer). Also, I have seen at least anecdotal evidence of minority outreach for law review at some institutions (http://uclaw.blogspot.com/2008/03/law-r ... rsity.html) and I am wondering if this is something many schools do?

[Locke N. Lawded]

I am curious how URMs do when it comes to placement on law review (I think I know the answer). Also, I have seen at least anecdotal evidence of minority outreach for law review at some institutions (http://uclaw.blogspot.com/2008/03/law-r ... rsity.html) and I am wondering if this is something many schools do?

At lot of law reviews do blind submissions, so they are grading purely on the content of the note and the quality of the Blue Book quiz, etc. That is if you have to write on. So your URM status would have no effect on being selected for the journal.

Even a lot of secondary journals do blind submissions to avoid students playing favorites with their friends, and at some schools it's even an honor code violation to know the names of the applicants before grading is completed.

As for grading on, at some schools, especially T2s, URMs are scarce because many such students tend to have issues with legal writing.

[DavidYurman85]

someone in another thread mentioned that hls maintains a select number of spots for diversity.

[heathbar88]

I really hope other law schools don't think about doing this...horrible idea.

[sumus romani]

Both Penn and NYU have de facto diversity quotas for LR. For each school, in addition to submitting a writing sample, you must also submit a personal statement. Some people get on to LR based primarily on their personal statements. At least at NYU, for a student to be eligible for LR because of his or her personal statement, he or she must be in a certain percentage of the over for grades and writing submission (something around top %50 or so). So it is not just the personal statement that gets one on to LR, but it can go a very long way for some people.

[Kohinoor]

Both Penn and NYU have de facto diversity quotas for LR. For each school, in addition to submitting a writing sample, you must also submit a personal statement. Some people get on to LR based primarily on their personal statements. At least at NYU, for a student to be eligible for LR because of his or her personal statement, he or she must be in a certain percentage of the over for grades and writing submission (something around top %50 or so). So it is not just the personal statement that gets one on to LR, but it can go a very long way for some people.

UVA is similar but requires top third, which begs the question, if I'm a URM in the top third at UVA, why would I ever bother with law review?

[d34d9823]

Both Penn and NYU have de facto diversity quotas for LR. For each school, in addition to submitting a writing sample, you must also submit a personal statement. Some people get on to LR based primarily on their personal statements. At least at NYU, for a student to be eligible for LR because of his or her personal statement, he or she must be in a certain percentage of the over for grades and writing submission (something around top %50 or so). So it is not just the personal statement that gets one on to LR, but it can go a very long way for some people.

UVA is similar but requires top third, which begs the question, if I'm a URM in the top third at UVA, why would I ever bother with law review?

If you have ambitions beyond just a good job, you should still go for law review. It's a gold star people will look at for the rest of your life.

For all of the T14 I've seen this info on, there is a diversity quota.

[bradley]

Why don't you worry about writing a good submission instead of trying to figure out if you can slack off just because of the color of your skin? Diversity quotas for Law Review are not cool. Just think of all those more worthy candidates being left off and losing employment opportunities to somebody who isn't as qualified.

[Kohinoor]

Both Penn and NYU have de facto diversity quotas for LR. For each school, in addition to submitting a writing sample, you must also submit a personal statement. Some people get on to LR based primarily on their personal statements. At least at NYU, for a student to be eligible for LR because of his or her personal statement, he or she must be in a certain percentage of the over for grades and writing submission (something around top %50 or so). So it is not just the personal statement that gets one on to LR, but it can go a very long way for some people.

UVA is similar but requires top third, which begs the question, if I'm a URM in the top third at UVA, why would I ever bother with law review?

If you have ambitions beyond just a good job, you should still go for law review. It's a gold star people will look at for the rest of your life.

For all of the T14 I've seen this info on, there is a diversity quota.

How are you defining quota?

[Hiei]

Both Penn and NYU have de facto diversity quotas for LR. For each school, in addition to submitting a writing sample, you must also submit a personal statement. Some people get on to LR based primarily on their personal statements. At least at NYU, for a student to be eligible for LR because of his or her personal statement, he or she must be in a certain percentage of the over for grades and writing submission (something around top %50 or so). So it is not just the personal statement that gets one on to LR, but it can go a very long way for some people.

UVA is similar but requires top third, which begs the question, if I'm a URM in the top third at UVA, why would I ever bother with law review?

For top litigation firms law review can be make or break when it comes to hiring--even for a URM in the top 1/3 of the class ( for Williams and Conolly you want law review or a secondary journal whether you are a top 1/3 URM or not). For transactional firms you are right in thinking that it probably wouldn't be worth the hassle. If I'm blessed enough to end up top 1/3 at UVA I will definitely do my best to write a personal statement good enough to get me onto Law Review. To not even try would always leave me wondering "what if?".

[LAWLAW09]

Why don't you worry about writing a good submission instead of trying to figure out if you can slack off just because of the color of your skin? Diversity quotas for Law Review are not cool. Just think of all those more worthy candidates being left off and losing employment opportunities to somebody who isn't as qualified.

Smile friend. It's going to be ok.

[Hiei]

Why don't you worry about writing a good submission instead of trying to figure out if you can slack off just because of the color of your skin? Diversity quotas for Law Review are not cool. Just think of all those more worthy candidates being left off and losing employment opportunities to somebody who isn't as qualified.

They are not "quotas" in the sense that you are thinking. If you meet a certain (rather high) GPA threshold then that combined with a good personal statement emphasizing your diversity may get you onto law review.

[Kohinoor]

Both Penn and NYU have de facto diversity quotas for LR. For each school, in addition to submitting a writing sample, you must also submit a personal statement. Some people get on to LR based primarily on their personal statements. At least at NYU, for a student to be eligible for LR because of his or her personal statement, he or she must be in a certain percentage of the over for grades and writing submission (something around top %50 or so). So it is not just the personal statement that gets one on to LR, but it can go a very long way for some people.

UVA is similar but requires top third, which begs the question, if I'm a URM in the top third at UVA, why would I ever bother with law review?

For top litigation firms law review can be make or break when it comes to hiring--even for a URM in the top 1/3 of the class ( for Williams and Conolly you want law review or a secondary journal whether you are a top 1/3 URM or not). For transactional firms you are right in thinking that it probably wouldn't be worth the hassle. If I'm blessed enough to end up top 1/3 at UVA I will definitely do my best to write a personal statement good enough to get me onto Law Review. To not even try would always leave me wondering "what if?".

But if you could get the same result from law review or a secondary journal, why choose law review and have to write a note?

[Doritos]

Both Penn and NYU have de facto diversity quotas for LR. For each school, in addition to submitting a writing sample, you must also submit a personal statement. Some people get on to LR based primarily on their personal statements. At least at NYU, for a student to be eligible for LR because of his or her personal statement, he or she must be in a certain percentage of the over for grades and writing submission (something around top %50 or so). So it is not just the personal statement that gets one on to LR, but it can go a very long way for some people.

UVA is similar but requires top third, which begs the question, if I'm a URM in the top third at UVA, why would I ever bother with law review?

For top litigation firms law review can be make or break when it comes to hiring--even for a URM in the top 1/3 of the class ( for Williams and Conolly you want law review or a secondary journal whether you are a top 1/3 URM or not). For transactional firms you are right in thinking that it probably wouldn't be worth the hassle. If I'm blessed enough to end up top 1/3 at UVA I will definitely do my best to write a personal statement good enough to get me onto Law Review. To not even try would always leave me wondering "what if?".

But if you could get the same result from law review or a secondary journal, why choose law review and have to write a note?

Prestige has to be a factor. Having "Notes Editor - blah blah Law Review " on your resume/firm bio looks nice

[Kohinoor]

Prestige has to be a factor. Having "Notes Editor - blah blah Law Review " on your resume/firm bio looks nice

So... prestige for the sake of prestige?

[Hiei]

Both Penn and NYU have de facto diversity quotas for LR. For each school, in addition to submitting a writing sample, you must also submit a personal statement. Some people get on to LR based primarily on their personal statements. At least at NYU, for a student to be eligible for LR because of his or her personal statement, he or she must be in a certain percentage of the over for grades and writing submission (something around top %50 or so). So it is not just the personal statement that gets one on to LR, but it can go a very long way for some people.

UVA is similar but requires top third, which begs the question, if I'm a URM in the top third at UVA, why would I ever bother with law review?

For top litigation firms law review can be make or break when it comes to hiring--even for a URM in the top 1/3 of the class ( for Williams and Conolly you want law review or a secondary journal whether you are a top 1/3 URM or not). For transactional firms you are right in thinking that it probably wouldn't be worth the hassle. If I'm blessed enough to end up top 1/3 at UVA I will definitely do my best to write a personal statement good enough to get me onto Law Review. To not even try would always leave me wondering "what if?".

But if you could get the same result from law review or a secondary journal, why choose law review and have to write a note?

At the top lit firms you can't get the same result--for most of the vault 10 yes--but not for the top litigation firms (Munger, Williams and Connolly, Susman, Irell, Kellog Huber etc.)

[Doritos]

Prestige has to be a factor. Having "Notes Editor - blah blah Law Review " on your resume/firm bio looks nice

So... prestige for the sake of prestige?

Yes. haha I am thinking more along the lines of since you are up there why not go for the gold? It seems that Law Review is the law school gold and if you already worked so hard for the grades to even be in contention why not put in a bit more effort just to say you did it? It's like climbing the 2nd tallest mountain the world (K2 according to wikipedia) vs climbing Mt. Everest.

[Kohinoor]

Prestige has to be a factor. Having "Notes Editor - blah blah Law Review " on your resume/firm bio looks nice

So... prestige for the sake of prestige?

Yes. haha I am thinking more along the lines of since you are up there why not go for the gold? It seems that Law Review is the law school gold and if you already worked so hard for the grades to even be in contention why not put in a bit more effort just to say you did it? It's like climbing the 2nd tallest mountain the world (K2 according to wikipedia) vs climbing Mt. Everest.

I guess... I still don't quite get the mentality here.

[GeePee]

All star trolling as usual.

[Hiei]

Prestige has to be a factor. Having "Notes Editor - blah blah Law Review " on your resume/firm bio looks nice

So... prestige for the sake of prestige?

Yes. haha I am thinking more along the lines of since you are up there why not go for the gold? It seems that Law Review is the law school gold and if you already worked so hard for the grades to even be in contention why not put in a bit more effort just to say you did it? It's like climbing the 2nd tallest mountain the world (K2 according to wikipedia) vs climbing Mt. Everest.

I guess... I still don't quite get the mentality here.

See my last post again.

[Charles Barkley]

Why don't you worry about writing a good submission instead of trying to figure out if you can slack off just because of the color of your skin? Diversity quotas for Law Review are not cool. Just think of all those more worthy candidates being left off and losing employment opportunities to somebody who isn't as qualified.

I wish blatant racists like this would start being banned. This type of talk should not be tolerated.

[d34d9823]

Why don't you worry about writing a good submission instead of trying to figure out if you can slack off just because of the color of your skin? Diversity quotas for Law Review are not cool. Just think of all those more worthy candidates being left off and losing employment opportunities to somebody who isn't as qualified.

I wish blatant racists like this would start being banned. This type of talk should not be tolerated.

I think it's a valid viewpoint (not mine). Affirmative action basically says that people with lower scores make it over people with higher scores. That seems unfair on the face of it. To defend affirmative action, I think you have to argue for a compelling interest in diversity (my viewpoint).

[noquieromas]

A recent(ish) U of C grad and current law prof (at a D.C. school, I believe) recently gave a talk on getting into academia and the importance of law review.

He started the talk by first lavishly praising U of C's law review for maintaining its "tradition of excellence." At first, he referred to affirmative action only directly, talking about how "fair" the selection process is at U of C (top 10% grade wise + top 10 on the writing competition). He then segued into a screed against Harvard Law Review, which (according to him) has "destroyed its reputation" by accepting all sorts of "unqualified" people via affirmative action.

People in the room started wincing. A few people walked out.

He then gave a series of examples to illustrate how -- I shit you not -- the Harvard Law editors he's dealt with allegedly don't understand basic grammar and punctuation. Yes, his proof of the apparent decline of Harvard Law Review is that they disagree with him about the use of dashes in compound adjectives.

I for one was not surprised when he name-dropped clerking for Scalia.

[trialjunky]

Why don't you worry about writing a good submission instead of trying to figure out if you can slack off just because of the color of your skin? Diversity quotas for Law Review are not cool. Just think of all those more worthy candidates being left off and losing employment opportunities to somebody who isn't as qualified.

Smile friend. It's going to be ok.

Lol! Bradley, calm it. You are assuming things and you know what they say about assuming...

[Kohinoor]

2 BLSA members made law review from our year. Uh, congrats to me are decidedly not in order.