Virginia Environmental Law Journal
- VELJ is considered one of the world's top legal publications for environmental law. The Journal reliably publishes more frequently than any other specialty law journal at the University of Virginia. We have had a reputation for selectivity and quality production for decades.
- Our alumni work in a board array of practice areas around the world including all branches of state and federal government, private practice, and academia—we are proud to count more faculty members of the University of Virginia School of Law among our alumni than any other specialty law journal.
- We provide incoming 1L members with many opportunities for management and leadership. As a productive journal, we offer more opportunities to get involved and have a number of different ways for members to contribute.
- We have a supportive and collaborative editorial process. We want each of our members to have the opportunity to give input into our strategic direction and count on everyone to help us build on our ongoing success.
- We have fun: pot lucks, happy hours at local restaurants, hikes, visits to local farms, and our formidable softball team all bring our editors closer together.
- We collaborate with environmental law journals around the nation through the Environmental Law Review Syndicate and provide other student publication opportunities including notes pools and access to writing competitions. We offer a peer group of more experienced students for writing or academic assistance related to environmental law.
Why Should You Join?
One of the oldest legal journals at the University of Virginia School of Law, VELJ is entirely student-run. We select, edit, and produce every article, note, and essay published by VELJ and do so according to a tradition of excellence. Guided by ours and our environmental faculty’s interests, we actively seek out scholarship on environmental law and policy issues that are current and relevant. As a result, we publish scholarship that is used in both academia and practice, and we have fun in the process.
Benefits of Membership
Editors of VELJ receive several types of benefits, including academic enrichment, development of skills, and an opportunity to meet and socialize with similarly interested peers. The Journal provides an opportunity to enhance leadership, organizational, analytical, and writing skills beyond that provided by law school curriculum.
Students also have the opportunity to serve on the Senior Managing Board as a 2L or 3L. These experiences are academically challenging and professionally enriching. The Journal is operated by a non-profit corporation and students have the opportunity to serve as officers and directors, gaining valuable real-world experience operating a corporate enterprise.
Managing Board Positions that are open to 1Ls each spring include but are not limited to:
Students also have the opportunity to serve on the Senior Managing Board as a 2L or 3L. These experiences are academically challenging and professionally enriching. The Journal is operated by a non-profit corporation and students have the opportunity to serve as officers and directors, gaining valuable real-world experience operating a corporate enterprise.
Managing Board Positions that are open to 1Ls each spring include but are not limited to:
- Articles Editor (leads Editorial Board members through the substantiation and cite check process)
- Production Editor (edits articles for style and grammar)
- Articles Review Board (assists Submissions Editors in selecting pieces for publication)
- Associate Projects Editor (coordinates VELJ events and the annual Symposium)
Joining VELJ
While most students join VELJ in the second semester of their 1L year, any interested student (e.g. 2L, 3L, transfer, or LLM) who has completed the Unified Journal Tryout may apply.
During journal tryouts, please indicate your interest in VELJ. We welcome but do not require a personal statement. If you choose to provide a statement, please write no more than one page (single or double spaced), describing your interests, experience, or knowledge in the areas of environmental law, science, or policy. No formal training in these areas is required, but the Senior Managing Board looks to accept students who exhibit some interest in the environmental issues that reach all areas of legal practice.
If you have any questions or would like to talk about joining the Journal, please contact any member of the Senior Managing Board.
During journal tryouts, please indicate your interest in VELJ. We welcome but do not require a personal statement. If you choose to provide a statement, please write no more than one page (single or double spaced), describing your interests, experience, or knowledge in the areas of environmental law, science, or policy. No formal training in these areas is required, but the Senior Managing Board looks to accept students who exhibit some interest in the environmental issues that reach all areas of legal practice.
If you have any questions or would like to talk about joining the Journal, please contact any member of the Senior Managing Board.
