Call For Submissions

Submissions for the James Wilson Law Journal are

now open

About the Journal

The James Wilson Law Journal is the online law journal published by students

at the University of Pennsylvania in association with the James Wilson Law

Society. It publishes original, accessible and relevant articles by

undergraduate and postgraduate students from all universities on topics

reflecting contemporary ideas and relevant discussions on the law, both

American and international. The Journal aims to serve as an open and

accessible platform of interaction by connecting students with their peers,

leading academics and legal professionals across America.

Submissions

Students are encouraged to write about the contentious legal issues that

they’re passionate about and to explore the people and events that shape the

law. At this stage, the editorial team envisions three sorts of content:

Feature Articles (1200-1500 words): In a objective manner investigate a

particular contemporary legal issue, examine all the sides, and offer a

journalistic opinion. The focus should be on educating and reporting in an

engaging manner.

Opinion Piece (600-800 words): A subjective article professing and

advocating for a particular viewpoint on some legal issue or debate. The

emphasis should be on solid arguments and advocacy over merely presenting

information.

In The Law Today (150-300 words): These are just short and engaging pieces

on something interesting that has happened in the legal world. It can range

anything from summarizing an important recent Supreme Court decision, to

the bizarre, such as a particularly curious case or piece of legislation passed.

It doesn’t have to be relevant to national debate, only engaging to the lawminded

reader.

Style

The Journal’s content is to be written in a journalistic style. We believe this is

a more readable and engaging format for our audience. That means, no

lengthy footnotes or references – just interesting and relevant content.

Going Forward

Pitches (100-150 words) should be sent to pennlawsociety@gmail.com,

ideally containing what you plan to write about, what angle you intend to take,

and how to intend to argue the angle. We’ll get back to you as quickly as

possible, with whether we are interested in publication, and if so, the direction

we would like you to take the article. We will then provide a deadline for the

first draft and keep you involved in the editing process.