Osgoode Hall Law Journal Editor Recruitment
Updated August 2025
Why Join the OHLJ?
Student editors will gain exposure to contemporary legal scholarship and will quickly develop enhanced legal research and writing skills. Editors are responsible for everything from the editorial review of article submissions to the full editing of articles in preparation for publication. Through exposure to scholarly writing, editors will acquire an eye for high quality work and research, which provides an invaluable foundation for their own studies. Students will also find that the editorial board is a collegial, friendly, and non-competitive place where they will form relationships with students from other sections and years, Osgoode faculty, and academics.
After completing one year as an Associate Editor, students are eligible to apply for a Senior Editor position. Senior Editors earn course credits for their work on the Journal and write a book review, which may be selected for publication in the OHLJ. Senior Editors may also assume leadership positions on the editorial board.
Editor Selection Process
All interested first- and second-year JD students are invited to apply for a position as an Associate Editor with the OHLJ. The OHLJ selects approximately 20-25 Associate Editors in early September through a holistic application process. Prior editing experience is an asset but is not required.
We strongly encourage all students to attend our Open House, which takes place during the first or second week of the fall term (location, time, and date to be announced annually). Students will have an opportunity to meet Senior Editors, get an inside look at what working for the Journal is like, and receive helpful and important tips on the application process.
Application Requirements
As an Associate Editor, part of your job will be to assess the quality of scholarly writing. Senior Editors will also have the opportunity to publish in the Journal. Therefore, clear, concise, rigorous, and logical writing is an essential skill for OHLJ editors.
To be considered for the editorial board, your application package must include your resume (2 pages maximum) and a cover letter (1 single-spaced page) both in 12-point, Times New Roman font. Please do not include transcripts, LSAT marks, or grades of any kind, as they will not be considered.
Your cover letter should address the following questions:
- Why are you interested in becoming an editor, and how can you contribute to the OHLJ? Include editing and research experience; technical, publishing, or computer skills; or other relevant skills.
- Being an Associate Editor means working on a team. Do you enjoy being involved in collaborative projects? Please describe any such experiences.
- Being an Associate Editor requires you to manage your time well. Are you able to multitask and balance numerous commitments at once? Please describe any experience you have doing so.
- What do you think are the most important elements to consider when assessing the quality of an article submitted for publication? No research is required to answer this question. We are interested in your thoughts.
The OHLJ is committed to building a diverse editorial board and fostering inclusivity at Osgoode. Accordingly, we especially welcome applications from students from equity-deserving groups and encourage applicants to self-identify in their personal statements.
Students seeking accommodation in the application process can contact executiveeditor@osgoode.yorku.ca prior to the application deadline.
If you have questions about the OHLJ, please email them to piacente@yorku.ca or visit our website on the Osgoode Digital Commons.
