How to Join Law Review
The staff of the Washington and Lee Law Review is made up of second- and third-year law students. Second-year students are chosen after participating in the annual “Write-On” competition that is held at the end of their first year. All first-year students who wish to be considered for the Law Review must participate in Write-On.
Write-On consists of two submissions: the mini-Note and the Bluebook quiz. The mini-Note is an annotated memo that tests a student’s ability to analyze issues and present a legal argument. The Law Review provides the problem along with all supporting cases and other sources that the student is permitted to consult. The Bluebook quiz tests a student’s ability to identify and correct Bluebook errors. The submissions are anonymous and are graded by the Law Review’s editorial board.
The number of second-year students invited to join the Law Review as Staffwriters depends on the class size. One-third of Staffwriters are chosen based only on their write-on scores. Another third are selected based on their first-year grades, Write-On scores, and an optional diversity statement. Finally, another third are chosen based on their Write-On score and an optional diversity statement. No positions are awarded to students based solely on their grades.
Write-On Dates
The 2022 Write-On Competition dates will be announced soon.
3L Publish-On
Rising third-year students may submit an academic writing to join Law Review the summer before their third year begins. They will join Law Review as a Lead Online Editor. The paper must be an academic writing between 20–40 pages that follows the Writing Guidelines, Bluebook, and Chicago Manual of Style. The paper must show exemplary mastery of academic writing and citation knowledge. Grades will not be considered in the Publish-On.
3L Publish-On Dates
The 2022 Publish-On will accept submissions until April 22.
Transfer Students
At this time, transfer students are unable to participate in Write-On.
