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I was hoping to get some advice on whether publishing law review articles might, in some instances, actually hurt one’s candidacy for a BigLaw job. Let’s say a T30 law grad with no law firm experience clerks for Dist. Ct. --> COA and, while clerking, publishes several law review articles that deal with abstract conlaw issues. Will these types of impractical publications lead large law firms to ding this candidate as a head-in-the-clouds lawprof wannabe, or are the publications still a net positive? Neutral? Assume these publications are in the flagship journals of Tier 2 schools. Is this a situation where maybe 1 or 2 wouldn’t hurt, but 3 or 4 would attract negative attention?

If more info is needed to give an informed answer, I’ll do my best to provide it. But hopefully this is enough to get the ball rolling.

Anonymous User wrote:I was hoping to get some advice on whether publishing law review articles might, in some instances, actually hurt one’s candidacy for a BigLaw job. Let’s say a T30 law grad with no law firm experience clerks for Dist. Ct. --> COA and, while clerking, publishes several law review articles that deal with abstract conlaw issues. Will these types of impractical publications lead large law firms to ding this candidate as a head-in-the-clouds lawprof wannabe, or are the publications still a net positive? Neutral? Assume these publications are in the flagship journals of Tier 2 schools. Is this a situation where maybe 1 or 2 wouldn’t hurt, but 3 or 4 would attract negative attention?

If more info is needed to give an informed answer, I’ll do my best to provide it. But hopefully this is enough to get the ball rolling.

Simply, no.


The only situation I could imagine a law review publication hurting you is if, for instance, you practice in Texas and write a piece called "Why Fracking is Bad" or something that goes completely counter to the industry you are trying to work in.

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JusticeJackson wrote:Why do you even need to put it on your resume? In law school, before I had any idea what I wanted to do with my degree, I published a note on some obscure patent bullshit. As soon as I realized I had no interest in patents, that was gone.

Patents might be a little different if you're trying not to get shoe-horned. In general firms will assume good things about having publications (smart, write well, gunner tendencies, etc).

lol only neurotic law students would think of this question. the shoes you wear to your interview are more likely to affect your big law prospects.

Anonymous User wrote:I was hoping to get some advice on whether publishing law review articles might, in some instances, actually hurt one’s candidacy for a BigLaw job. Let’s say a T30 law grad with no law firm experience clerks for Dist. Ct. --> COA and, while clerking, publishes several law review articles that deal with abstract conlaw issues. Will these types of impractical publications lead large law firms to ding this candidate as a head-in-the-clouds lawprof wannabe, or are the publications still a net positive? Neutral? Assume these publications are in the flagship journals of Tier 2 schools. Is this a situation where maybe 1 or 2 wouldn’t hurt, but 3 or 4 would attract negative attention?

If more info is needed to give an informed answer, I’ll do my best to provide it. But hopefully this is enough to get the ball rolling.

Publish as much as you can but only list one or two on your résumé. Yes there is a chance a few firms may find you too academicy. And the firms that like to see a publication aren't going to give you extra points for having four pubs over two.

Why don't you just write about the area(s) you want to practice in?