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I am a 2L and I am wondering if journal really matters for jobs because it is sucking up my time so I am thinking of leaving it.....any thoughts? (I am not trying to go for big law).

Well, I suppose it depends on what you want to do. But in general, I hear it really does matter. If you were fortunate enough to get on the law review, I wouldn't quit, if I were you. I don't know what you're planning to do, but law review opens a lot of doors and is one of the major ways that top students can set themselves apart from the rest.

Adjudicator wrote:Well, I suppose it depends on what you want to do. But in general, I hear it really does matter. If you were fortunate enough to get on the law review, I wouldn't quit, if I were you. I don't know what you're planning to do, but law review opens a lot of doors and is one of the major ways that top students can set themselves apart from the rest.

nope, no law review...a regular journal:)

kimins wrote:

Adjudicator wrote:Well, I suppose it depends on what you want to do. But in general, I hear it really does matter. If you were fortunate enough to get on the law review, I wouldn't quit, if I were you. I don't know what you're planning to do, but law review opens a lot of doors and is one of the major ways that top students can set themselves apart from the rest.

nope, now law review...a regular journal:)

Oh, well then... probably doesn't matter very much.

If you want to clerk, keep at it. Otherwise, the benefit may not be that great.

However, investigate the consequences of quitting--some schools have policies to prevent you from doing what you're talking about (since you theoretically took a spot someone else wanted, and they have counted on having your help in deciding how many people to accept).

Quit if you're unhappy and you don't want to go into academia. The school will probably have a policy saying you have to notify any employers to whom you submitted a resume saying you were on a journal.

I didn't do the writing competition at my school, and have so far only had one screening interviewer ask about a journal, and she didn't seem even remotely put off by my response.

I don't do a journal but I do a ton of clinics and volunteer stuff. No one has ever asked, and if they ever do I'll tell them it's because I wanted to focus more on clinical work. Some people might still care, but I don't anticipate it being a huge problem.

It's a prereq. for getting a clerkship, but if you don't have the grades, it's all just a moot point anyway.

I'd say do it - you never know where life will take you - maybe you'll graduate coif or something, and even if you didn't do law review - maybe you'll become an executive editor of a good journal, who knows..

Its an insurance policy to do it, although if you're miserable with the experience, and it is really affecting your studies, then maybe thats a different issue. As far as your school's policies on quitting a journal, check that - don't wanna get in trouble.

question about law review and academia: I understand that it's a strong signal, but given everything that I've read about how new hires are expected to have some published articles under their belts, does law review matter as much these days? Supposing one has a choice between allocating extra-curricular time to law review or to researching and writing, what's the smarter move?

re-applicant wrote:question about law review and academia: I understand that it's a strong signal, but given everything that I've read about how new hires are expected to have some published articles under their belts, does law review matter as much these days? Supposing one has a choice between allocating extra-curricular time to law review or to researching and writing, what's the smarter move?

LR. There is no debate.

OP. You should stay on, but just do a half-assed job at it. Secondary journals are pointless and people will be reluctant to throw you off unless you literally do no work. Secondary journals give you really no boost (like LR), but not having it is a negative.

If you do quit, don't call your employers and tell you did, even if the law school has the policy. Make them do it, if they wish (they won't).

re-applicant wrote:question about law review and academia: I understand that it's a strong signal, but given everything that I've read about how new hires are expected to have some published articles under their belts, does law review matter as much these days? Supposing one has a choice between allocating extra-curricular time to law review or to researching and writing, what's the smarter move?

These days, your research agenda and prior publications are more important than LR. But why only choose one? The market is so competitive; other candidates will have done both.

spanktheduck wrote:OP. You should stay on, but just do a half-assed job at it. Secondary journals are pointless and people will be reluctant to throw you off unless you literally do no work. Secondary journals give you really no boost (like LR), but not having it is a negative.

If you do quit, don't call your employers and tell you did, even if the law school has the policy. Make them do it, if they wish (they won't).

Right. Because screwing over the other people on the journal is awesome.

Every single employer I have interviewed with has asked me why I didn't do a journal. If you don't do it, come up with an explanation.

Makes no sense not to do a journal ITE... too many employers put it as a "plus" and some even require it.

Just because it doesn't provide a substantial boost doesn't mean that lack of it won't be an issue.

dresden doll wrote:Just because it doesn't provide a substantial boost doesn't mean that lack of it won't be an issue.

This, so very this. It's not a positive so much as avoiding a negative.

ResolutePear wrote:Makes no sense not to do a journal ITE... too many employers put it as a "plus" and some even require it.

I'll count not doing journal as a smart move as long as I end up getting some kind of job. It sounds really fucking boring.

Out of 20 screening interviews, only 2 asked me why I wasn't on a journal. I've done one CB so far and no-one there mentioned it/asked either.

I don't see why people are so reluctant to put in the time. I thought making this journal (a strong secondary) was a huge honor, and I will never begrudge a second of cite checking time when so many people I know who wanted journals didn't get them. Seriously, do it and be happy you got it.

Hey operasoprano, totally unrelated but i've noticed you seem to be an expert on Fordham. Has admission to the part time program gotten more competitive this year? I'd really like to go but have heard some discouraging stuff on this board. Thanks.

OperaSoprano wrote:I don't see why people are so reluctant to put in the time. I thought making this journal (a strong secondary) was a huge honor, and I will never begrudge a second of cite checking time when so many people I know who wanted journals didn't get them. Seriously, do it and be happy you got it.

Also, this.

OperaSoprano wrote:I don't see why people are so reluctant to put in the time.

Because I went to law school because law is fun, but journal is boring.

stressed2010 wrote:Hey operasoprano, totally unrelated but i've noticed you seem to be an expert on Fordham. Has admission to the part time program gotten more competitive this year? I'd really like to go but have heard some discouraging stuff on this board. Thanks.

Yes, they cut the program in half and are much more focused on people who plan to work all four years. I have super mixed feelings about this, because I loved my program and my class, but it seems it will be this way for the foreseeable future.