North Dakota Law Review FAQs

MEMBERSHIP

Are there only a certain number of spots on Law Review?

No. The North Dakota Law Review extends membership to a candidate who successfully completes the write-on exercise, including a memorandum and Bluebook citation exercise. There is no set number of spots, such as only the top 10 highest scores being offered membership. We encourage all candidates to put in their best possible effort when completing the write-on exercise.

Is there a GPA requirement or separate grade-on process for Law Review?

No. The North Dakota Law Review solely utilizes the write-on process to decide membership. You can participate in the write-on exercise regardless of your GPA or class rank. We encourage all interested students to participate in the write-on exercise; please do not self-eliminate based on your GPA or class rank.

Can I be off campus for a semester and be a Member?

Yes. You are eligible to be a Member even if you are going to be off campus for a semester, such as for the legislative externship in Bismarck. Second-year students that are Members of Law Review will still be eligible for a Board of Editors position in their third year, regardless of their physical presence on-campus.

What are some of the benefits of being a Member of the North Dakota Law Review?

A Member of North Dakota Law Review can expect many benefits. First, you have the opportunity for your work to be published. Law Review provides one of your first opportunities for your work to be circulated and recognized in the legal field. Second, you will be able to say you were a member of the Law Review for your entire career. Many attorneys have their Law Review membership listed on their firm biographies years into their career. Third, many employers look for Law Review membership and are eager to talk to you about your experience. Many of your experiences on Law Review are relevant to the skills that employers look for, and it is a great talking point. Finally, North Dakota Law Review has its own office in the library where Members are welcome to socialize and do homework between classes. There are certainly more benefits to membership on the Law Review, and these are not exhaustive.

How much work should I expect as a Member of the North Dakota Law Review?

Members of the North Dakota Law Review are expected to make meaningful contributions to the journal. Members will write two major pieces - a Case Comment, beginning in the summer and ending in September, and a Note, beginning in late October and ending in February. Members also assist with verifying citations for articles that will be published. The workload is manageable, and the Student Articles Editor works closely with Members of Law Review to ensure their Case Comments and Notes are completed in a timely manner.

What do I have to do to become a Board Member?

A Member who completed all required responsibilities will be eligible to apply for a position on the Board of Editors. The 2021-22 Board of Editors will decide the 2022-23 Board of Editors following an application and interview process. Any Member who is not on the Board of Editors will be an Associate Editor in their third year. A student who joins the North Dakota Law Review in their third year (the summer following their second year) will only be able to achieve the role of Member.

WRITE-ON

What does the write-on exercise consist of?

The write-on exercise consists of a closed-universe memorandum and a Bluebook citation exercise. The memorandum is intended to measure the candidate’s legal writing, analysis, and citation skills. The Bluebook citation exercise consists of properly formatting citations to ensure the Member can do the important work of verifying citations for articles that will be published.

What are the deadlines for the write-on exercise?
The Write-On exercise materials will open to applicants on Monday, May 10th at 8 a.m. These materials will be posted on the North Dakota Law Review TWEN page. The deadline for submission is Friday, May 28th at 10 p.m. The applicant's materials will be submitted on TWEN.

Do you know who I am when grading the write-on exercise?

No. The Board of Editors scores the write-on exercises and decides members anonymously. The write-on materials have rules for candidates to follow in order to ensure anonymity and the integrity of the write-on process. In turn, the Board of Editors evaluates each received candidate for membership with the utmost fairness.

When will I hear back on whether I made the North Dakota Law Review?

The Board of Editors anticipates membership decisions will be made by late June. The Editor in Chief will email all candidates to notify them of the Board’s decision.

CREDITS / GRADING

How many credits do I receive?

Members receive 3 credits total – 1 in the Fall, 2 in the Spring. These are out-of-class credits. Associate Editors in their second year of membership receive 1 credit per semester. Those on the Board of Editors receive 2 credits per semester.

How is it graded?

Law Review is graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis. S/U grading means the credits count towards graduation, but do not affect your GPA. A Member who completes writing assignments in a timely manner and makes a good faith effort as to writing a high-quality piece, as well as fulfills other membership obligations, will receive an S.