Law Review Managing Editor - worth the time or not?

[brewha]

Law Review Board elections are coming up. I'm batting around the idea of running. But I'm debating whether or not it will be worth my time. I have a job already. I'm probably going to be published. Good grades. So do I really need it? Can anyone give me a good reason for taking on a managing editor position? Thanks.

I wouldn't vote for you.  Hope this helps.

Ha!

I agree with everyone else...you don't seem to even want the position, save for the resume bullet. Now if you think you will benefit yourself by using the position as a learning experience or will be applying to some clerkship/academic position in the future, then go for it.

Remember, there might be others on the Journal that aren't as set jobwise and others who would actually WANT the position.

Hm. How would I know if I WANT the position without hearing about all of the benefits? If I don't know if I want it yet, I'm not exactly sure how anyone else could come to the conclusion that I don't. And I thought I made it clear that it would absolutely NOT be for the resume bullet. I've got 15 years of work experience - I don't "need" another bullet. BUT if I could help shape the reputation of the school, do something of value for my fellow-students, continue to hone my leadership skills, it may be entirely worth it. If editor in chief is not a good opportunity to do those types of things (and it's been debated among my fellow staff members as to whether the position can actually accomplish these things), then is there a point, BESIDES having another bullet on my resume, to hold the position? I was just looking for a laundry list of benefits.

The issue is this - I'm tired. It's been a rough year for me. I've been through a lot personally, and I have to decide if really want a rest next year before I go head first into my career, or if I want to keep my foot on the gas pedal. I am sorry if I have not been clear, but I would be doing this for reasons entirely unrelated to building my resume. But if having the position cannot do something for me other than that, I really have to think twice about it.

At this point, I would not only not vote for you... but I would also strongly consider campaigning against you.

[midjeep]

Well there is no way for us to analyize your concerns and goals regarding YOUR journal. Each school treats its journal differently, the amount of responsibilty and accomplish factor you seek may not be available at your journal - you need to ask the current editors for their take on your concerns.

Now in general, if you want to change the reputation of your school and do something meaningful with the experience, that will be up to you. It sounds like you are already burned out and seeking a last-ditched effort to revitalize the 1L mojo - being an editor might give you a jump start OR it might make your last year an ever-living hell.

Sorry if this is vague, but it is very difficult to tell you what you should do when:
1) We don't know the status of your journal (how it is run)
2) Whether you have the energy to work as an editor
3) We don't know what are your realistic expectations of an editor are

[slacker]

Hm. How would I know if I WANT the position without hearing about all of the benefits? If I don't know if I want it yet, I'm not exactly sure how anyone else could come to the conclusion that I don't. And I thought I made it clear that it would absolutely NOT be for the resume bullet. I've got 15 years of work experience - I don't "need" another bullet. BUT if I could help shape the reputation of the school, do something of value for my fellow-students, continue to hone my leadership skills, it may be entirely worth it. If editor in chief is not a good opportunity to do those types of things (and it's been debated among my fellow staff members as to whether the position can actually accomplish these things), then is there a point, BESIDES having another bullet on my resume, to hold the position? I was just looking for a laundry list of benefits.

The issue is this - I'm tired. It's been a rough year for me. I've been through a lot personally, and I have to decide if really want a rest next year before I go head first into my career, or if I want to keep my foot on the gas pedal. I am sorry if I have not been clear, but I would be doing this for reasons entirely unrelated to building my resume. But if having the position cannot do something for me other than that, I really have to think twice about it.

Given your concerns, it seems like the people to speak with about this are the people at your school who have been involved in the leadership of the journal. I would presume that you've been on the journal if you're now thinking of running for the editorial board; didn't this give you an idea of the journal and its workings? Did you ever speak to the people on the editorial board? Did you ever observe how things were running and think of ways to improve the process? All of this seems like pretty basic stuff when evaluating the issue.

While you speak of "what you can do for the journal", your tone still sounds like you don't really want it, whatever that might or might not be that needs doing.

[xferlawstudent]

Chief Justice John Roberts was the Managing Editor of his law review.  Do you think he wasted his time?  Geez Jerk

***in case you can't tell I'm joking

[loki13]

Wait, let me be your campaign manager!

Vote for amityjo!

Now, a Q&A with your candidate:

Do you want to edit the law review?
"I don't know if I want it yet"

Do you need to edit the law review?
"I don't "need" another bullet [for my resume]"

Do you care about the law review at all?
"But if having the position cannot do something for me... I really have to think twice about it."

But c'mon, it would be cool, right?
"I don't need my ego stroked."

Trying and caring and wanting is so 2k. Vote slack. Vote flannel. Bring back Kurt Cobain. And vote amityjo for law review!

[brewha]

Wait, let me be your campaign manager!

Vote for amityjo!

Now, a Q&A with your candidate:

Do you want to edit the law review?
"I don't know if I want it yet"

Do you need to edit the law review?
"I don't "need" another bullet [for my resume]"

Do you care about the law review at all?
"But if having the position cannot do something for me... I really have to think twice about it."

But c'mon, it would be cool, right?
"I don't need my ego stroked."

Trying and caring and wanting is so 2k. Vote slack. Vote flannel. Bring back Kurt Cobain. And vote amityjo for law review!

Omg, you are so hired as my campaign manager!!

[loki13]

Brewha,

I would consider it an honor of utmost distinction to be your campaign manager. After you are elected as the editor, suggest you run the following articles in the new, slacker-friendly Law Review (sub-title, "Cite-checking? We don't need no steekin' cite checks!"):

1. The Federalist Jurisprudence of Clarence Thomas, or why Judicial Review is Unconstitutional
2. You Can't Get Tha-ah from He-ah: The Compendium of Memorable Souter Opinions (this would be the empty notes page)
3. Exotic Dancing as Inherently Expressive Conduct Protected by the 2nd Amendment (Right to Bare Arms)
4. History of the 3rd Amendment in American Jurisprudence in the 20th Century, by amityjo
5. Suing Phillip Morris and Issues of Causation- Was Smoking the Butt For Cause of Cancer?
6. The Rule of Imputation (or how the ABA stopped at j)- You can't have sex with your client, and you shouldn't have sex with your partner, but you can have sex with your partner's client

[brewha]

Brewha,

I would consider it an honor of utmost distinction to be your campaign manager. After you are elected as the editor, suggest you run the following articles in the new, slacker-friendly Law Review (sub-title, "Cite-checking? We don't need no steekin' cite checks!"):

1. The Federalist Jurisprudence of Clarence Thomas, or why Judicial Review is Unconstitutional
2. You Can't Get Tha-ah from He-ah: The Compendium of Memorable Souter Opinions (this would be the empty notes page)
3. Exotic Dancing as Inherently Expressive Conduct Protected by the 2nd Amendment (Right to Bare Arms)
4. History of the 3rd Amendment in American Jurisprudence in the 20th Century, by amityjo
5. Suing Phillip Morris and Issues of Causation- Was Smoking the Butt For Cause of Cancer?
6. The Rule of Imputation (or how the ABA stopped at j)- You can't have sex with your client, and you shouldn't have sex with your partner, but you can have sex with your partner's client

#6 is the winner!  Unfortunately, I have no money to pay you.  I do, however, have an extensive collection of Billy Idol records... which I'm sure you'll agree is more than adequate compensation.