Journal Write-Ons

This note is to encourage all 1Ls (and 2Ls not currently on a journal) to consider completing the summer write-on packets for whichever journal you are interested in. The summer write-on competition for all journals will begin right after finals. Instructions for completing the packets can be found on the intranet under the ‘Write-On competitions’ link in the left column under “Student Activities.” The instructions for this year will be updated shortly (possibly during finals). Each journal has slightly different instructions, so please read them carefully, but the general process will be to add the Write-On Competition as a course on TWEN and then download the packet for the journal(s) you wish to compete for. Deadlines for each journal are likely to be the same date, approximately 4 weeks after finals to complete your submission. Yes, that’s work to do right away in summer, but it’s not that hard if you start early. Some journals, including the Environmental Law Journal (ELJ), accept the Law Review packet in lieu of the specific journal packet. That way if you are writing the Law Review packet, you don’t have to write another to submit to those journals that accept it. Additionally, there should be an info session held soon for all journals. Expect notice to be posted on the intranet.

2Ls: Afraid of being ‘bored to death’ third year (likely not)? Some journals, including ELJ, encourage 3Ls who are not yet on a journal to write on this year. It gives you a chance to fulfill your writing requirement via the comments the junior members write in the spring.

Specifically regarding the ELJ, we will be accepting up to 20 new members via the write-on competition. Our journal provides great flexibility in subject matter as we allow students to choose, with some limitations, their own cases for the fall Case Notes and topics for the spring Comments. This can cover environmental issues from classic pollution topics, to wildlife and habitat protection, to environmental justice and equity concerns (such as impacts of environmental laws on economic and social minority groups). This provides great flexibility to choose a topic you will enjoy writing about. If you have any questions about the ELJ or the write-on process, please feel free to contact next year’s ELJ Editor-in-Chief, Kirk Tracy (ktracy@tulane.edu).