Having an Article Published in a Scholarly or Professional Publication

Business Newspapers

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A partner and accomplished attorney at Keating, Muething, and Klekamp, PPL, Bethany Palmer Recht has nearly 15 years of experience practicing at firms in California, Massachusetts, and Ohio. Experienced in insurance coverage and mass tort settlement trusts, Bethany Recht is the co-author of the article, “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,” which appeared in the January 2009 issue of Los Angeles Lawyer.

Publishing a scholarly article is extremely helpful for a young lawyer’s career. Listed below are three tips to follow to get your work published.

1. Be mindful of publishing timelines. Though law reviews accept submissions at any time, most seriously consider them at two main times: during the month of March and from late August until early September. Consider creating a timeline for yourself so your article can be completed in time for these two submission periods.

2. Choose the right topic. Focus on subjects you are passionate about that are relevant to your practice area. This builds your credibility as an author and motivates you in your research. Consider also how many articles have been written about your chosen subject, as your article is more likely to be published if it is on a relatively new and unknown topic. Don’t forgot to consider your employer when choosing a topic; avoid anything that may seem controversial or offensive to your clients and colleagues. Many employers have policies in place dealing with employee authorship, and some may have clearance procedures or internal review requirements.

3. Stay on track and do your research. Keep a writing schedule and seek opinions from your colleagues, family, friends, or even former law professors. Also, make sure you read up on the different requirements for submissions to journals and submit to several for the best chance at publication. If your article is repeatedly rejected for publication, let it sit for a while and come back to it to reassess and make appropriate changes.