Is law journal worth it?

Asked by: Jules Cole  |  Last update: February 24, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (67 votes)

Yes, a law journal is generally considered worth it for the significant resume boost, enhanced legal writing/editing skills, networking, and potential job opportunities (especially for clerkships and big law), though it's a major time commitment and its necessity depends on your specific career goals, with some arguing its prestige is slightly waning in certain fields. It helps you stand out, develop attention to detail, and build connections with faculty, alumni, judges, and scholars, making it a strong asset for many legal careers, particularly judicial clerkships and traditional firm jobs.

What are the benefits of the law journal?

While Law Review is typically the most selective, all journals offer valuable opportunities to: Deepen your expertise in a particular legal area. Hone your legal writing and editing skills. Publish your own student note or comment.

Should you do a journal in law school?

You absolutely should join a secondary journal if you can't make your main law review. The point with being on law review is that employers want to see if you can write. Membership on a journal is a signal that you've at least taken the time to do rigorous research on a topic and work on your writing.

Does law review look good on a resume?

Yes: Law review is going to be worth the grind to have the resume boost, but that only matters if you have decent grades in the first place.

Is it prestigious to be published in a law review?

Thus, publishing in a flagship law review is often seen as more prestigious than publishing in a specialized journal. On the other hand, the student editors of specialized journals may have more interest and therefore more expertise in their special areas.

Penn Law students discuss the value of law journal experience

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How hard is it to get published in law review?

Publishing Law Review Articles

It can be a lengthy and frustrating process because the competition to publish is very stiff, but if you feel that you have a unique piece that adds to the dialogue of the discipline, it may be worth your time to submit your work to other legal publishers.

What percent of people quit law school?

Law school dropout rates vary significantly, but recent data for ABA-approved schools shows low overall attrition (around 1.66%), with higher rates (over 6% for 1L) at less selective or unaccredited schools, especially for students of color, driven by academic pressure, mental health, and finances, with first-year attrition being most common. More selective schools with higher GPA entry requirements tend to retain students better.
 

Is being on law review a big deal?

Yes, being on Law Review is a very big deal in law school, signifying high academic achievement and providing a significant career boost, especially for big law firms and federal clerkships, due to the intense training in legal writing, editing, and attention to detail it offers, though its importance can vary slightly depending on your specific career goals. It's a prestigious credential, often requiring top grades or excelling in a competitive write-on competition, and demonstrates a commitment to excellence. 

Is a 3.7 GPA worth putting on a resume?

Yes, a 3.7 GPA is generally worth putting on your resume, especially if you're a recent graduate with limited experience, as it signifies strong academic performance and competitiveness for roles in fields like finance, consulting, or law. Include it in the education section, but remove it once you have several years of relevant work experience, as your professional achievements become more important. 

What is the difference between a law journal and a law review?

Law journals typically publish legal scholarship around a particular subject, while a law review is a general-subject journal and publishes legal articles of all kinds.

Did Kim Kardashian do a law degree?

No, Kim Kardashian does not have a traditional law degree (Juris Doctor) because she didn't attend law school; instead, she completed California's Law Office Study Program (an apprenticeship) to qualify for the state bar exam, a path similar to her late father, Robert Kardashian, though she still needs to pass the actual bar exam to be a practicing lawyer.
 

What is the dark side of journaling?

The dark side of journaling involves getting trapped in rumination, amplifying negativity, reliving trauma without support, and creating a false sense of accomplishment without action, leading to increased self-criticism, anxiety, or isolation if done without balance, intentionality, or awareness of its potential pitfalls like excessive dwelling or becoming a passive observer.
 

What's the hardest class in law school?

The hardest law school subjects vary, but Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, and Property are consistently cited as top contenders, especially in the first year, due to abstract concepts, complex rules, and interconnected details. Advanced courses like Federal Courts, Tax Law, and Evidence are also known for their difficulty, involving dense statutory interpretation, complex codes, and intricate rules.
 

Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?

Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially Big Law partners, senior corporate counsel, specialized litigators, and successful solo practitioners in high-value fields like IP or medical malpractice, though this is not the norm for all attorneys, with median salaries being much lower. Reaching this income level requires specialization, strategic business growth, marketing, and often working in major markets, with top-tier law firms (Big Law) offering high starting salaries and significant bonuses that can push senior associates past the $500K mark.
 

Which job is best after a law degree?

  • ADVOCATE : - Out of the many opportunities after LLB, advocacy is the most recognized profession chosen by LLB graduates. ...
  • LEGAL ADVISOR : - A legal advisor is a highly sought after profession. ...
  • TEACHER : - ...
  • LEGAL ANALYST : - ...
  • LEGAL RESEARCHER : - ...
  • GOVERNMENT SERVICES : - ...
  • CORPORATE COUNSELLOR : - ...
  • COMPANY SECRETARY : -

Is a 3.3 GPA impressive?

A 3.3 GPA is generally considered good and above the national average (around 3.0), showing solid "B+" effort, making it suitable for many state universities and mid-tier colleges, but it's often not strong enough for highly selective schools like Ivy Leagues, where a stronger GPA plus compelling essays and extracurriculars are needed; it's also respectable for some jobs and scholarships, but may limit highly competitive internships or STEM programs.
 

Is a 3.7 GPA good for Harvard?

A 3.7 GPA is generally considered low for Harvard, as admitted students typically have GPAs above 3.9 (unweighted) or 4.1 (weighted) and are in the top 10% of their class, but getting in with a 3.7 is possible if you have extraordinary extracurriculars, unique achievements, or strong essays to compensate, though it's statistically very difficult given Harvard's holistic review and ~3-4% acceptance rate. 

Is a 3.5 GPA impressive?

Yes, a 3.5 GPA is generally considered good to very good, placing you above the national average and making you competitive for many colleges and scholarships, often earning honors like "cum laude," though its value varies depending on your specific goals (e.g., selective grad school vs. general undergrad) and the rigor of your courses.
 

Why is law review so prestigious?

Law review articles often express the thinking of specialists or experts with regard to problems, in a legal setting, with potential solutions to those problems. Historically, law review articles have been influential in the development of the law; they have been frequently cited as persuasive authority by courts.

Is law going to be replaced by AI?

No, AI won't fully take over law but will fundamentally transform it by automating routine tasks, increasing efficiency, and augmenting lawyers, making tech-savvy lawyers more valuable, while lawyers who don't adapt risk being left behind; AI handles data analysis, contract review, and research, but human judgment, contextual understanding, and complex argumentation remain essential for client counsel and strategic decision-making, shifting the focus to higher-value work and potentially changing billing models. 

Are attractive lawyers more successful?

Attractive attorneys are significantly more likely to win their cases than their less attractive counterparts. The odds ratio reveals that a one-unit increase in an attorney's image-based attractiveness score makes the attorney 1.135 times more likely to win a case. This is a similar size to the judge-level effect.

What was Barack Obama's LSAT score?

Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed he scored very highly (likely above 170, potentially near perfect) to gain admission to Harvard Law School despite a lower undergraduate GPA, suggesting he was in the top few percentile of test-takers for his application year. While no official number exists, analyses point to a score in the top tier (e.g., 94th-98th percentile) to overcome his GPA for admission to a top-ranked program like Harvard.
 

What do the top 1% of lawyers make?

The top 1% of lawyers earn well into the high six figures to millions annually, with top "Big Law" associates hitting $400k+ quickly, and partners/specialists (like patent attorneys) exceeding $500k-$1M+, depending heavily on location, firm size (Big Law pays most), and specialization (corporate, IP, tax). Entry-level salaries at top firms can start around $215k+, while partners in successful firms can earn $500k to over $1M. 

Has Kim Kardashian taken the LSAT?

Kim takes the California Bar Exam's “baby bar” without completing a bachelor's degree or taking the LSAT. Kim continues to balance her legal pursuits with media and business ventures, using her platform for criminal justice reform advocacy.