A timely submission focused on a current legal debate can increase your chances of getting published.
For many law students, being published in a law journal or review is a key milestone, signaling both academic achievement and professional credibility. But what does it entail? How does one get published? And how does the experience shape long-term career goals?
LL.M. Guide spoke with the editor-in-chief of the University of Dayton Law Review, Jonathan Huelsman, and the editor-in-chief of the Albany Law Review, Dana Wakeman, both third-year JD students.
Their perspectives offer insight into how students can participate in law journals, the expectations that come with the role, and the professional significance of the experience.
How to submit to law journals
The path to publication in law journals varies by institution, but most follow a similar structure that includes student writing, academic research, and professional scholarship.
At the University of Dayton, submissions are open to LL.M. students, along with second-year JD students, Ph.D. candidates from other institutions, and legal practitioners. Student work, known as comments, forms the core of the Dayton Law Review.
Students typically begin as staff writers in their second year, a trajectory that also led Huelsman to his current role as editor-in-chief.
“Students write a 40-to-60-page comment that is reviewed and graded by the editorial board at the end of the academic year. The strongest pieces are selected for publication in the following volume,” Huelsman explains.
In addition to student contributions, the journal publishes articles from professors, scholars, and practitioners. Articles may be submitted directly by email or through Scholastica, a platform commonly used for external authors.
Albany Law Review takes a broader approach, according to editor-in-chief Wakeman. Submissions are open not only to law students and legal professionals but also to academics from other disciplines. The journal receives work from LL.M. and Ph.D. graduates, as well as current students from Albany and other institutions.
Submissions are accepted via Scholastica, email, and internal student competitions, making the process more flexible than many students expect.
What makes for a compelling submission
At Dayton Law Review, clarity, relevance, and a fresh perspective are central to a strong submission. The editorial board looks for articles that are relevant to current legal debates, shaped by today’s political climate. Recent topics have included presidential veto power, immigration, and smart contracts.
