2008 Write-On Information

2008 Case List / Write-on Criteria / Writing a Case Note

Application Procedure

The Editorial Board will select next year's Public Land and Resources Law Review staff based on the quality of note submissions.  The Public Land & Resources Law Review believes writing samples provide the most reliable indication of an individual’s research and writing abilities. 

Case notes will be evaluated based upon issue analysis, writing composition, note organization and citation accuracy.  Selected attorneys and professors may also evaluate the submissions at the discretion of the 2007-2008 Editorial Board.

An applicant must submit a note on a case approved by the 2007-2008 Editorial Board.  The Board will provide a pre-approved case list Thursday, May 24 which will be posted online [click here for case list].

Please do not discuss your note with anyone or have anyone edit or "read-over" your note. Direct specific questions about your case note only to Helen Thigpen at: helen.thigpen@umontana.edu. She will strictly maintain your anonymity during the write-on process.

Case notes should be approximately fifteen to twenty pages in length.  The case note must be typed, double-spaced and use footnotes rather than in-text cites.  Use the ALWD Citation Manual for guidance on citation and style. 

The case note is due no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 3, 2007. Please e-mail one copy of your note to Helen Thigpen as an attachment at the above listed address. Your name and any identifying information will be removed before the notes are reviewed by the rest of the Editorial Board.

There is no predetermined set number of staff positions available on the Public Land and Resources Law Review. The Law Review encourages all interested law students to apply.  Ideally, the Editorial Board will offer staff positions to all candidates with qualifying submissions.

The 2007-2008 Editorial Board will review submitted case notes in July and notify write-on candidates of selections in a timely fashion.   

 

A Note on Case Notes

A note analyzes a recent court decision or statute and its legal context.  This generally means examining the relationship between the decision and existing case and/or statutory law as well as the impact on future law. 

In contrast, a "comment" deals with an entire area of law, discussing important issues, cases, and legislation within that area, and an "article" is an essay written by a legal scholar or practitioner.

Cases suitable for notes have one or more of the following characteristics: they represent important changes in the law, reinterpret old law and concepts, have significant effects on that area of law, or display notable or controversial judicial reasoning. You should focus your analysis here.

We strongly recommend you read several notes before starting work on your submission, especially notes previously published in the Public Land and Resources Law Review.  We do not expect your submission to be as polished as a note published in a law review.  A sample case note previously submitted and accepted is on reserve in the library for your reference.  Please note the previous submission was not perfect in terms of composition or citation structure.

Some cases selected by the Editorial Board may have rather lengthy opinions.  Do not be intimidated; simply focus on one or two issues in the case.

Please consider joining The Public Land & Resources Law Review.   We hold diverse viewpoints, but share a passion for natural resources and the environment.   We will accept as many high-quality case notes as are submitted.  

Good luck!

The Public Land & Resources Law Review Editors and Staff