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Assuming I don't write on to law review I have the choice between a secondary Journal or RA for next year.

Honestly I rather take the RA position. My Con Law prof (booked his class) asked If I wanted to help him research a few hours a week during the year. He is researching topics I'm interested in, clerked for Scalia, I think this might be a better opportunity then cite checking for one of my schools few secondary journals. What does TLS think? Will employers think look down at me choosing to RA over a journal.

I could do both, but I'm not sure I'd want to commit more time.

(Also waiting on Moot Court selection, but my school has a small moot court team so its unlikely imo.)

Theres this thread which seems to imply that journals aren't super important, especially if you have other strong extracurriculars. In any case, grades are much more important anyway. http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=264204

Also theres a discussion kinda going on in the CLS thread which makes it seem like you should journal if everyone else is, because otherwise it looks weird. http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... start=3775.

I'm still not quite sure what to make of it.

Calbears123 wrote:Assuming I don't write on to law review I have the choice between a secondary Journal or RA for next year.

Honestly I rather take the RA position. My Con Law prof (booked his class) asked If I wanted to help him research a few hours a week during the year. He is researching topics I'm interested in, clerked for Scalia, I think this might be a better opportunity then cite checking for one of my schools few secondary journals. What does TLS think? Will employers think look down at me choosing to RA over a journal.

I could do both, but I'm not sure I'd want to commit more time.

(Also waiting on Moot Court selection, but my school has a small moot court team so its unlikely imo.)

Do both. First, you need to do a journal. It is true that being on a secondary journal will probably not give you a boost, but not being on one looks bad. Second, the amount of work between a secondary journal and being an RA should be very manageable.

If you are limiting yourself to one of the two, then take the research assistant position since it interests you more than participating on a secondary journal. Also, don't underestimate the value of your professor's recommendation & connections when seeking a law firm position.

Secondary journals are helpful if in an area of law in which you want to practice. Always helpful if you get published.

Why are you assuming no LR? If you booked a class, my guess would be grades aren't holding you back there. Are you self-selecting out of it?

RA doesn't take up any time. LR/Journal is frontloaded because the learning curve is steep and then backloaded for when your note/comment is due. It's 100% doable to do both.