Prospective Members

LAW REVIEW MEMBERSHIP SELECTION

Membership on the University of Hawaiʻi Law Review is based primarily on performance in one of two Write-On Competitions. Students may also be admitted through class rank, but only if space remains after the Write-On Competitions conclude. Membership is open to 2L & 3L full-time students, and part-time students who have completed their 1L curriculum requirements.

Students are notified of their selection status during the summer. Those invited to join Law Review at the end of their 1L year must commit to a minimum of two years on Law Review. Those joining at the end of their 2L year commit to one year.

There are two ways to be selected for Law Review:

1. Casenote Write-On Competition (1Ls Becoming 2Ls)

Held in May following the end of spring finals, this competition is the primary path to membership. It consists of two parts:

  • A casenote (a piece of legal scholarship analyzing a recent case) graded by the Casenote Editors.

  • A technical edit exercise graded by the Technical Editors.

All students who have completed their 1L curriculum and have a GPA of 2.9 or higher are eligible to compete. Casenotes must be written using only the provided sources (no outside research). 

After the Write-On Competition, if any spaces remain, the Law Review will extend invitations based on class rank. However, participation in the Write-On Competition is highly encouraged as it is now the main route for admission.

2. Upper Division Write-On Competition (2Ls Becoming 3Ls)

Held in early June, this competition is for students who have completed their 2L year. It also has two parts:

  • Submission of a written work completed in for the Upper Division Writing Requirement (graded by Casenote Editors).

  • A technical edit exercise identical in format to the one used ins the Casenote Competition (graded by the Technical Editors).

Eligible student must have a GPA of 2.9 or higher. This is a one-year commitment

Additional Information

  • Membership is capped at 38 students per year.

  • No more than 25% of Law Review members may be Hawaiʻi Online J.D. (HOJD) students. The remaining 75% must be in in-person coursework.

  • Transfer students may participate in the Casenote Write-On Competition and are encouraged to do so.