Tips For Getting Published

by Danny Wang
LCS Grad Fellow

Even if you did not write for Golden Gate University’s Environmental Law Journal or Law Review, there are still numerous opportunities to get an article published. Publishing an article will enhance your resume, improve your writing skills, and will even expand your professional network.

Why Should I Get Published?

Publishing an article provides many benefits.

1) Demonstrates to Employers that You are a Good Writer
Writing is the single most important skill for a lawyer to possess, and having an article published is an excellent way of proving you have this ability. In addition, you can even utilize your article later as a writing sample when applying for jobs.

2) Reveals to Employers a Genuine Interest in a Specific Area of the Law
Nowadays employers sort through hundreds of resumes and job applications, so they are searching for applicants that are able to show a serious commitment to a particular area of law. If you are published in an area in which you are seeking to practice, your article featured on your resume will differentiate you from the rest of the crowd, and your chances of finding employment are increased.

3) Creates Opportunities to Meet other Lawyers
As you begin selecting your topic (to be discussed next) or your actual writing process, you have an easy excuse to contact lawyers in the field of law your article revolves around. Lawyers should be happy to speak with you about recent developments in the law or field questions from you if you tell them you are writing an article, and that you are hoping to quote them (with their permission). Not only do lawyers like to talk, they also certainly enjoy seeing their names in print. You can even follow up your initial conversations with requests for an informational interview. If you are published, remember to bring a copy of the article for the lawyer you interviewed.

How Do I Pick a Topic?

Asking lawyers in the practice area you are interested in about recent developments in the law is one way to identify a topic to write about. Another good source of potential topics can be found in advance sheets; they are the reports of judicial decisions that are published in a paper edition before the decision is published in an official reporter. Advance sheets can be found in the law library or in the Federal Reporter (covering only cases in the federal circuit court of appeals). Feel free to also ask former professors or people in your professional network about topic ideas.

Where Can I Get Published?

Many legal publications are usually searching for and would welcome your contribution. Keep in mind that you probably will not be financially compensated, but you will receive the benefits discussed above. Review publications that you are interested in writing for, as this will help you determine if your article is appropriate for that particular publication. Here are some examples of where you can start looking.

1) American Bar Association
Start by visiting the ABA website and glance at the list of various sections, divisions, and committees at www.abanet.org/membergroups.html. These groups publish journals, newsletters, and magazines. Committees within each member group also publish their own newsletters. Once you identify your target publication, contact the editor and inquire about the possibility of submitting a short article on a significant recent development relating to that committee’s field of law.

2) State Bar Association
Repeat the steps above when contacting your local bar association about contributing an article for publication.

3) Blawgs (Legal Blogs)
Whereas publishing on a blawg may not extensively help develop your career in the long-run, there are many blawgs out there in the cyber universe that are always seeking new content and contributions. One helpful website that lists hundreds of blawg sites and divides blawgs into specific practice areas can be found here.