Former law students/now attorneys . . .

Do you recommend that I get on a journal or compete for law review (I am eligible)?

How important is it that I am member of a journal for getting a job or anything else?

I just don't know if I want to do it.

ABSOLUTELY.

It's extremely important and makes you much, much more marketable. It's something you will always have on your resume. This is even more important if you aren't in a top 10 or top 20 school.

I went to Hofstra, which is a second tier (ugh, sometimes third tier) law school, but I was top of my class and Law Review, so I was able to compete with the ranks of Harvard grads when applying for jobs. I now work for one of the largest and best law firms in the world. (Sounds more impressive than it is - I'm a slave to the billables!)

Journal work is tough - and I'm not going to lie. It's not fun... but it's such an important thing to put on your resume if you can. It's really viewed very, very highly. I hated every minute I was on Law Review (okay, the happy hours were fun and the people were great, too, but the work was tough and sometimes really boring). However, I do not AT ALL regret being on a journal. It opened a TON of doors for me.

Good luck!!!


(ETA - Every law student should do their best to get on a journal. No, not everyone makes it and if you do make it, it's a ton of boring work... but it's good experience and enhances your resume by leaps and bounds. Even after you start work, particularly if you work for a big firm in any litigation-related field, it will help you out. There are many senior attorneys who prefer to work with junior associates who were on law review or a journal because in a way, it's proof you can write well and that you did well in school. I'm not saying you can't get a job if you don't do it, but it's such a good thing to have if you're eligible. Keep up the hard work and best of luck in law school!)

I'm actually the manager of legal recruiting at a big corporate law firm and yes, law review is something that is thought of very highly when we review resumes. That's not to say that we don't interview students who are not on law review, but as Kara points out, it definitely sets you apart and it also gives us insight into how hard working you are.

If you have the opportunity to do it, definitely do so.

YES!!!!!

Being on a journal is not fun AT ALL, but the truth is, it is so helpful in getting a job, especially if you write an note.... and even more so if you are looking to litigation work (which I dont do). I work at one of the top firms in NY and they also look very favorably on journal work, especially law review! Good luck!

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Posted by Audreygirl

Thanks ladies. I knew it was good to get on a journal, but I wasn't sure just HOW important it is. Is it accurate to assume that journal experience would be most relevant for my first job and not as relevant for any subsequent jobs?

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To a small extent... but don't underestimate how incredibly important that first job is either.

Andsubsequent jobs will take it into consideration as well.

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Posted by Kara and Todd

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Posted by Audreygirl

Thanks ladies. I knew it was good to get on a journal, but I wasn't sure just HOW important it is. Is it accurate to assume that journal experience would be most relevant for my first job and not as relevant for any subsequent jobs?

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To a small extent... but don't underestimate how incredibly important that first job is either.

Andsubsequent jobs will take it into consideration as well.

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Thanks for the feedback. Based on what you've all said, I think I will try to do the competition.

Yes, definately TRY to get on the journal because it looks good on the resume especially early on in your career. However, if you do not get on the journal it is definately not the end of the world, especially if you do not want to go the big firm route.

I have been practicing for around 8 years now and can say that at this point in my career firms do not care what I did in law school as my work experience is what they are looking at. However, when you are in school the journal can definately help you at an interview.

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Posted by tbone66

Yes, definately TRY to get on the journal because it looks good on the resume especially early on in your career. However, if you do not get on the journal it is definately not the end of the world, especially if you do not want to go the big firm route.

I have been practicing for around 8 years now and can say that at this point in my career firms do not care what I did in law school as my work experience is what they are looking at. However, when you are in school the journal can definately help you at an interview.

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I'm glad you wrote about this b/c I was wondering if it's as important if I don't want to do big firms - which I don't want to do. Based on what everyone has said, I think I will compete, even though I don't want to go to a big firm.

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Posted by Audreygirl

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Posted by tbone66

Yes, definately TRY to get on the journal because it looks good on the resume especially early on in your career. However, if you do not get on the journal it is definately not the end of the world, especially if you do not want to go the big firm route.

I have been practicing for around 8 years now and can say that at this point in my career firms do not care what I did in law school as my work experience is what they are looking at. However, when you are in school the journal can definately help you at an interview.

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I'm glad you wrote about this b/c I was wondering if it's as important if I don't want to do big firms - which I don't want to do. Based on what everyone has said, I think I will compete, even though I don't want to go to a big firm.

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I think it's still important and very helpful even if you don't want to go the big firm route. It makes you much more marketable. No, it's not the end of the world if you don't make a journal, but it's a big deal and an honor to make one, so definitely give it a shot! The market for small firms, legal aid, etc. is all highly competitive - it's not just the big firms! Anything you can do to stand out, show you have a good work ethic, and show you possess good legal skills is key. Again, don't beat yourself up if you don't make it b/c you will certainly possess skills and characteristics that will make you stand out apart from the journal, but it's always good to have that journal experience... And I have to say, if you want to go into litigation, it will help your skills!

Maybe it will only come up at interviews during your first few years of practice -- but landing a good first job at a great firm makes all those subsequent jobs easier to obtain... so don't underestimate the importance of landing a good job.

No, it's not the end of the world if you don't make a journal, but it's worth it to try - and do your best! Good luck! Remember to relax and have fun in law school, too! (I know, easier said than done, but try!)

Good luck to you!!

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Posted by Snickers76

FH is an attorney and he was on Law Review. He still talks (brags) about it to me...

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Not much to brag about - it's like getting duped into doing MORE work for FREE! (I hated law review. I'd do it again if I had to, but I hated it! ) And they call us the smart ones.

DITTO on what all the ladies have said before me.

In the end - it's better to do the competition and have the option of getting on the journal than to regret it later. I think this is just one of those times that having more choice is DEF. a good thing.

Also, I think it's helpful to be on a journal whether you go to a big or small firm. A bunch of my friends work at small firms and their journal experience was as helpful for them as it was for me b/c: 1. it gave them something to talk about on their job interviews; 2. one of my friends had her note published which is ALWAYS a huge plus; 3. b/c the competitions are usually based on a combination of grades/writing - it shows that you have respectable grades/writing which is always important for lawyers; 4. you could become an editor of some sort on your journal and firms often like to see people taking those types of leadership roles as well.

Hope this helps!

Good luck - law school can stink sometimes but the perks are nice afterwards :)!

It really does depend on what you want to do when you graduate but I think anything that helps you stand out from your peers is helpful.

Try to do either law review, journal work, moot court or a clinic while you are in law school.

I did Moot Court and it was the best thing I could have done. It taught me many practical skills and was a lot of fun as well.

Good Luck with your Finals!

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Posted by Toots123

It really does depend on what you want to do when you graduate but I think anything that helps you stand out from your peers is helpful.

Try to do either law review, journal work, moot court or a clinic while you are in law school.

I did Moot Court and it was the best thing I could have done. It taught me many practical skills and was a lot of fun as well.

Good Luck with your Finals!

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One of my biggest regrets about law school, besides law school itself LOL, is not trying out for moot court. I litigate now and am in court all the time. I wish I had learned how to handle myself and effectively argue while I was still in school. It's much harder to learn how to do that now when I'm surrounded by 'good old boys' and much more experienced attorneys. It can be very intimidating. I highly recommend participating in moot court. It will also just help you to sharpen your overall communication skills with your adversaries and colleagues alike.

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Posted by thelastresort

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Posted by Toots123

It really does depend on what you want to do when you graduate but I think anything that helps you stand out from your peers is helpful.

Try to do either law review, journal work, moot court or a clinic while you are in law school.

I did Moot Court and it was the best thing I could have done. It taught me many practical skills and was a lot of fun as well.

Good Luck with your Finals!

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One of my biggest regrets about law school, besides law school itself LOL, is not trying out for moot court. I litigate now and am in court all the time. I wish I had learned how to handle myself and effectively argue while I was still in school. It's much harder to learn how to do that now when I'm surrounded by 'good old boys' and much more experienced attorneys. It can be very intimidating. I highly recommend participating in moot court. It will also just help you to sharpen your overall communication skills with your adversaries and colleagues alike.

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I have been thinking seriously about trying out for Moot Court and I plan to do a clinic next year. I competed in a Moot Court Competition a few weeks ago and I looooooved the experience. It was a ton of work, but I would love to do it again. I'm not sure if I want to do litigation, though it is a definite possibility, and I think that being a member of Moot Court will help my skills. And, like you said, I felt tons of pressure, just in a competition environment, from things like 'good old boys'. It was pretty intimidating.