Enhancing Recognition and Compensation for Law Journal Editors: ABA's Resolution

The American Bar Association (ABA) has made a valuable recommendation to enhance the recognition and compensation for students undertaking leadership positions within law reviews or other academic journals. Recently endorsed by the ABA's House of Delegates, which holds the authority to establish policy, this resolution acknowledges the demanding nature of these roles and their potential impact on a law student's future career trajectory.
 

Law reviews and academic journals, significant scholarly platforms within the realm of law, are primarily overseen by students. The role of an editor in these publications entails a substantial investment of time and effort, rendering it a noteworthy credential for aspiring legal professionals. This new resolution encourages law schools to adopt measures that offer compensation or academic credit for these responsibilities, acknowledging their valuable contribution to a student's comprehensive educational experience.
 
The resolution shines a light on the existing landscape, noting that while several law schools already provide academic credit or modest stipends to law review editors, some institutions offer inadequate compensation or do not provide any at all, in contrast to the ABA's recommendations. In support of this resolution, the Virgin Islands Bar Association submitted a comprehensive report citing ABA guidelines, which advocate allocating one academic credit for every 42.5 hours of work.
 
The resolution urges law schools to adopt these practices to create a more inclusive environment for law journal editors, especially those from diverse or economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Often, students who must work part-time jobs to sustain themselves encounter challenges in committing to law review positions due to the considerable time commitment these roles entail.
 
This issue became particularly prominent when executive boards of seven law journals at the New York University School of Law conveyed their concerns to the dean. Their request was twofold: provide compensation for law review efforts or extend the maximum permissible academic credits. At the time, NYU Law did not grant second-year students any academic credit for participating in law review activities, and editors were only awarded one or two credits based on their workload.
 
Though NYU Law refrained from commenting on the ABA's resolution or its policies, the resolution's report emphasizes that law schools offering compensation or academic credit do so in recognition of the rigorous demands associated with law journal involvement, which often restrict students from engaging in external employment. This constraint is not limited to the academic year but frequently extends into a portion of the summer break.
 
The resolution effectively acknowledges the dedication demanded by engagement with law reviews and academic journals, aiming to bridge the gap in compensation and recognition across different law schools. By formalizing this recommendation, the ABA aims to cultivate an inclusive and supportive environment for all students aspiring to hold editorial roles in legal publications. This step aligns seamlessly with the evolving landscape of legal education and underscores the importance of experiential learning within the legal field.