Prospective Members
We invite 1Ls and 2Ls to apply for staff editor positions on Vermont Law Review. You will receive 2 credits per semester for your first year on Law Review and 1 credit per semester for your second year on Law Review. Note that Vermont Law Review is committed to publishing high-quality manuscripts. Therefore, membership on the journal requires a substantial time commitment. Answers to our most frequently asked questions are below, and please feel free to contact us with any other questions.
What will my responsibilities be as a Staff Editor?
Staff editors have two main responsibilities, which include production work and writing a publishable note. Production work includes three phases, Cite Check, Line-by-Line, and Proof. During the cite check process, staff editors locate a copy of each source cited by the author, highlights assertions, and corrects any citation errors using Bluebook format. Should an assertion need support, staff editors may also perform research to find a source that supports the author’s assertion. Line-by-Line is where staff editors are paired with a partner and read the manuscript line-by-line to check for errors according to the Bluebook and Redbook formats. Finally, in the Proof phase, staff editors make a final read through of the manuscript to check for any facial errors.
In writing a publishable note, student notes must be 25-pages minimum, cite at least 30 different sources, and have at least 100 footnotes in Bluebook format. The Note must be of publishable quality and may be offered publication in the journal. Vermont Law Review also reserves the right of first refusal.
Can my Note satisfy my Advanced Writing Requirement (AWR)?
Yes, your Note can satisfy your AWR requirement – please talk to the Registrar’s Office immediately if you plan to use your Note to satisfy this requirement. The Note will not retroactively fulfill this requirement should you decide at some later time that you want it to. You will also need to find a faculty sponsor and will likely have additional requirements or due dates throughout the semester.
How do I apply to become a Staff Editor?
To apply to become a staff editor, 1Ls, 2Ls, AJDs, and EJDs may take part in the write-on competition, which takes place at the end of the Spring semester. All students interested in membership are strongly encouraged to write-on as you will not know your final class rank and students who satisfactorily complete the write-on will be offered membership first. Membership spots are limited to a set number each year.
After evaluating write-on submissions, the remaining membership spots are filled based on class ranking, called grade-on. There is no set number of spots set aside for write-on invitations, so it is possible that all spots could fill up during the write-on round. In this case the grade-on round would not occur. Please note that 2Ls, AJDs, and EJDs are not permitted to use the grade-on option.
How will I know I have been offered Membership?
Invitations are sent by email during the summer. Please check your email daily, as you will only be given three days to respond. If you do not respond by the date indicated on your invitation, your offer will be rescinded.
How do I participate in the Write-On Competition?
Write-On packets are distributed by email at the end of the Spring semester and are due approximately one week thereafter. The minimum time commitment to complete the write-on is an estimated 40 hours. Students are encouraged to start and complete the write-on after finals are complete. The write-on packet consists of three parts: (1) Bluebooking, (2) Editing a manuscript, and (3) Case Comment. In the bluebook section, you will be asked to construct footnotes in correct Bluebook format. Then, you will edit a manuscript by correcting errors in the text and footnotes according to the Redbook rules of style and grammar. Finally, you will be asked to research and write 7-10 pages analyzing a case. Grading is based on the quality and creativity of the comment, research conducted, correct use of grammar, and the proper use of Bluebook citation format. Please note that this competition is subject to the Vermont Law School Honor Code.
What will I need to complete the Write-On Packet?
To complete the Write-On Packet you will need a copy of the Bluebook and the Redbook. These may be found in the library during library hours if you do not own copies. You will also need the Write-On Packet. The packet will be posted on a specified TWEN site, where you will be able to download it. No hard copies will be distributed. Please read the instructions that accompany the Write-On Packet as failure to adhere to the instructions may result in disqualification, and at a minimum, will result in fewer awarded points.
How do I submit the Write-On Packet once I’ve completed it?
Generally, the Case Comment and Bluebooking sections must be emailed as a PDF attachments and the manuscript section must by hand delivered or mailed. Specific instructions for submission will be distributed with the Write-On Packet. Please follow the instructions for submission carefully.
Can I apply to both the Vermont Law Review and the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law?
There is a single write-on competition for both the Vermont Law Review and the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law. You may submit to either journal or both journals, but may only accept one offer. Membership on both journals is not allowed.