Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law - Beus Center for Law and Society Snell & Wilmer Plaza
Jurimetrics Journal

Student Editor Membership Process

Overview

2024 Write-On Competition

Dates for the 2024 Write-On Competition to be announced..

Each spring, Jurimetrics solicits applications from first-year students at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University to serve as Associate Editors. All applicants must be in good standing with ASU Law to serve as Associate Editor.

The application process consists of the Write-On Competition and submission of supplemental application materials. The Write-On Competition consists of a (1) closed memorandum and (2) Bluebook quiz. The supplemental application materials consist of (1) a signed grade release form, (2) an anonymized resume, and (3) an anonymized statement of interest (note: while applicants should emphasize any interest in science and technology issues, previous experience in these fields is not required).

Once the Write-On Competition and supplemental application materials are received, the Executive Board reviews each application for various criteria. Specifically, the supplemental application materials are examined for, among other things, exhibited an interest in Jurimetrics, legal writing ability, previous editing/publishing experience, academic and professional backgrounds, and expected future fields of practice. Typically, 30–36 students are extended invitations to become Associate Editors. The components of the application and their applicable weights shall be as follows:

  • The write-on memorandum:* 20%
  • The Bluebook citation exam: 25%
  • GPA through Spring 15%
  • 1L writing grades: 10%
  • Statement of interest: 15%
  • Resume: 15%

*Write-On exams are anonymously graded using ASU Exam numbers.

Transfer students may also serve as Associate Editors. Applicants must submit their overall law school GPA, writing grades for both semesters of 1L year, a resume, a statement of interest, and a writing sample to the current Jurimetrics Editor-in-Chief. The statement of interest should not exceed two double-spaced pages. The writing sample should not exceed 12 double-spaced pages. The components of the application and their applicable weights shall be as follows:

  • 1L writing grades and GPA: 30%
  • Statement of interest: 20%
  • Resume: 40%
  • Writing sample of no more than 12 double-spaced pages: 10%

Transfer students in good standing with ASU Law are eligible to serve as Associate Editors.

All applicants will submit all supplemental application materials to the Jurimetrics folder on TWEN on a date to be announced.

Associate Editor Responsibilities

Associate Editors have three primary responsibilities. First, they write a publishable quality article, called a “Note" or "Comment,” during their first year on Jurimetrics. Associate Editors may write their Note or Comment on a topic of their choosing, but are heavily encouraged to choose a topic that involves the intersection between law, science, and technology.

A Note is a piece of academic writing that analyzes or critiques a recent case or piece of legislation, and its impact on a specific area of law (involving science and/or technology). A Comment is a student-authored piece of legal writing which discusses and analyzes in depth an original legal issue or problem involving science and/or technology. A Comment should advance a particular area of legal scholarship beyond its current state, make a detailed argument, and provide persuasive evidence for each of its conclusions.

Each Associate Editor shall submit drafts of his note/comment throughout the fall and early spring semester, according to a schedule circulated by the Senior Notes & Comments Editors. Each Associate Editor works with a faculty member who has expertise relevant to the area of the Associate Editor’s article. Associate Editors will also receive individualized feedback from a designated Note & Comment Editor—a second-year member of the Jurimetrics editorial staff. Additionally, Associate Editors may seek out editing help from other resources (e.g., a writing instructor).

Second, Associate Editors shall participate in the production of Jurimetrics by cite checking articles that have been chosen for publication. When articles are submitted, it is the responsibility of the Editorial Board to determine whether the length, topic, and quality are appropriate for publication in Jurimetrics. After articles have been accepted for publication and edited for style and content, Associate Editors ensure that the citations are accurate and support the propositions for which they are cited. This includes locating and pulling sources and performing cite checks in accordance with instructions provided by the Editor-in-Chief and the Senior Executive Editors.

Third, all Associate Editors will serve on a committee. Each committee is chaired by a Third-Year Editor. Each committee has a defined purpose and initial action items to address. These committees meet between 1–3 times a semester to discuss progress that has been achieved, identify action items, and distribute work.

Additionally, Associate Editors attend a series of seminars in the fall and early spring to acclimate to Jurimetrics, to assist them with the publication process, learn how to use their journal experience in future jobs, and to network with attorneys in science and technology-related fields.

Why join Jurimetrics?

Jurimetrics is a forum for the publication and exchange of ideas and information about the relationships between and among law, science, and technology. It is the oldest and most widely circulated peer-reviewed journal in its field and proud to be the official journal of the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Science & Technology Law. Currently, Jurimetrics is cosponsored by ASU Law’s Center for Law, Science & Innovation (LSI). Jurimetrics provides scholars and researchers with a wealth of thoughtful articles, and is frequently cited in state and federal court opinions, legal treatises, textbooks, and scholarly articles. These distinctions support Jurimetrics’ claim of being the premier journal of law, science, and technology.

Jurimetrics provides a variety of academic benefits to students. An Associate Editor’s completion of his Note or Comment requirement in accordance with ASU Law’s Independent Study policy (1) fulfills the student’s Graduation Writing Requirement and (2) qualifies the editor for course credit. Consistent with ASU Law’s existing Independent Study policy, this course credit can be graded or Pass-Fail at the discretion of the faculty member supervising the student editor’s note or comment.

For many students, the process of producing an article of publishable quality for a peer-reviewed journal such as Jurimetrics is the single most rewarding and most educational experience of their law school careers. Additionally, Jurimetrics editors have the opportunity to work with authors on cutting edge analysis of legal and policy questions that implicate the intersection of law, science, and technology; form strong connections with LSI-affiliated scholars; interact with fellow law students and faculty who hold similar interests; and network with successful Jurimetrics and LSI alumni.

For additional information about being a Jurimetrics Associate Editor, please contact Editor-in-Chief Gabriella Ahles at gahles@asu.edu.