PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS

Because the Iowa Law Review is among the top fifteen most-cited American legal publications for student notes, writing for the Law Review is among the most challenging but rewarding experiences available to students at The University of Iowa College of Law. Among the benefits of joining the Law Review are:

• Substantive Projects. Students writing for the Law Review perform substantive tasks critical to producing a top-notch legal publication. We publish five issues per year—more than any other journal at the law school—which allows student writers ample opportunity to edit works by both students and professional writers.
• Get Published. Each year, Law Review publishes roughly twenty student notes from our writers.
• Sharpen Your Legal Skills. Student writers come away with comprehensive legal research experience, the ability to analyze complex legal issues with enhanced critical-reasoning skills, and a firm command of The Bluebook citation system, a standard in the legal community.
• Build Marketability. Competitive employers, both public and private, understand that Law Review experience is a sign of a student who shows initiative, patience, and legal ability. The Law Review also sees many of its alums go on to state and federal clerkships.
• Write About Anything. The Law Review is the only journal that accepts student-written notes on any legal topic.

The Write-On Process

The Law Review selects student writers based only on a write-on competition, which takes place after the first year of law school. The competition typically includes the following components:

• Comment. Write a closed-universe comment on a recent case.
• Bluebook. Edit an excerpt from a student note for Bluebook compliance, style, grammar, and spelling.
• Personal Statement. Write a short essay that will help us get to know you and what sets you apart.

The Law Review usually accepts between thirty-six and forty student writers. Applications are graded anonymously, and past applications are on reserve in the Iowa Law Library.