AboutSally A. Kane Expertise As a recent law school graduate who excelled in law school, I can answer questions regarding the law school experience including preparing for and applying to law school, excelling in law school, law review, legal writing tips, the law school curriculum, exam success, financing law school, balancing work and school, clerkships and externships, job interviewing and more. I do not answer homework questions.
Experience I have thirteen years’ experience in the legal field, ten as a litigation paralegal and three as a corporate attorney. During law school, I juggled many priorities including a full time job, law school and a newborn baby. In law school I served as a law review editor, wrote for student publications and completed two externships, one with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and one with the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Publications I have published law and career related articles in a variety of publications including Legal Assistant Today, The Legal Intelligencer, Juris and The Journal of Legal Nurse Consulting.
Education/Credentials I possess a B.A. in Writing from Edinboro University, a Paralegal Certificate from Duquesne University and a J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law.
Expert: Sally A. Kane Date: 3/17/2008 Subject: Law Review vs. Internship
Question I was invited to participate in scholarly writing, which leads to Law Review. I am starting my 2nd year of Law School in May and planning on graduating in December '09. I would begin Law Review in August '08 and end in April '09. I am curious if Law Review is worth the effort and possibly having to give up some internship opportunities. I am in school year round, so I do not have a full summer off for internships. Would I be able to balance Law Review and a "light" internship? In that final year (after Law Review) I am required to have an externship. Is this enough work experience on my resume? Is it more beneficial to not participate in Law Review and just have work experience? If you could give me your opinion, that would be great. Thanks!
Answer Dear Ross,
Congratulations on being accepted to participate on Law Review! I would highly recommend that you accept the offer to join Law Review. Law Review is generally viewed as a prestigious distinction and may significantly expand your interview opportunities and employment prospects.
You should have enough time to participate in Law Review and perform and internship or externship. While I was in law school, I served as a Law Review editor and completed an externship with the Third Circuit. My externship was only a 10-hour per week commitment.
If you must choose one over the other, I would recommend Law Review over work experience. Law Review can open many doors for you that work experience may not.
