Ep 124: Understanding the World of Law Review and Bluebooking with Reni Biswas
In this insightful episode, LoVetta engages in a compelling conversation with Reni, a dual-degree law student pursuing a JD from Pace Law School and a Master's in Environmental Management from the Yale School of Environment. Reni shares her enriching journey, shedding light on the significance of law review and the intricate world of bluebooking in legal research and writing. From discussing the selection process for law review articles to addressing the need for equity in legal scholarship, Reni provides valuable insights into how law students can navigate the complexities of academia and contribute to shaping critical thinking in the legal field. The episode explores the role of law review in fostering precision and accuracy in legal arguments, offering practical advice for first-year law students entering the realm of bluebooking.
Reni Biswas
Reni Axelrod is a Joint Degree J.D. and Master of Environmental Management candidate at the Yale School of Environment and Pace Law School. Her professional focus lies at the intersection of public health, human rights, and systems thinking. As a dual degree she seeks to apply an interdisciplinary approach as a future human rights and environmental lawyer to address the right to clean water and sanitation. Prior to law school, she obtained a Master of Public Health at Columbia University and B.S. in Bioengineering.
Episode Highlights
Exploration of the significance of law review in legal education and its role as a platform for publishing scholarly articles on policy and legal issues.
Insights into bluebooking, the citation format used in legal research, and its importance in maintaining accuracy and precision in writing.
Reni's explanation of the selection process for law review articles, emphasizing the importance of grades and writing competitions.
The need for more inclusivity and equity in law review participation to ensure equal access to legal writing and research skills.
Reni's perspective on how law review contributes to critical thinking by identifying gaps in legal systems and advocating for change.
Suggestions for making bluebooking more accessible, including continued education beyond the first year of law school and engaging with librarians for support.
Encouragement for law students to embrace the learning process, seek peer review, and practice precision in legal writing for academic and professional success.
Tweetable Quotes
“Embrace the process, embrace making mistakes because it’s from making the mistakes in your own writing that you are going to become better. Every mistake, every memory, every lesson learned points you in a new direction, giving you a perspective you didn’t have before. In the journey of bluebooking and legal research, every mistake is valuable, and those are the moments that stay with you, shaping your growth and proficiency. Don’t be afraid; there are people there to help you learn these rules. ”