Notes and Comments

A Note is a single piece of scholarship, approximately 30–35 pages, that is published in the print version of the Journal. A Comment is a shorter piece, approximately 15–20 pages, that is published in the Journal’s online publication, Caveat. 

Associate Editors are required to write a Note or Comment of publishable quality during their time on the Journal. Each Note and Comment must explore a legal issue and propose a novel reform to resolve that issue. Writing original scholarship provides Journal members with a unique opportunity to contribute to critical conversations about pressing legal problems and encourages them to think critically about how the law can and should be reformed. 

The Journal Accepts Notes and Comments From:

  • Current Journal members, including members of the Managing Editorial Board and Notes Office
  • Journal alumni who submit within one year of graduation
    • After that year, alumni may not submit to the Notes Office but may submit to the Articles Office and to the Online Office.
  • Michigan Law 2Ls and 3Ls

Current students and recent graduates who have published a Note or Comment with the Journal may submit a second piece for publication, but the selection committee will prioritize pieces by authors who have not yet published with the Journal. 

Submission Process

To be considered for publication in the Journal, Notes must be submitted to our Executive Notes Editor by 11:59 p.m. ET on the applicable call date (see below). Late submissions will not be accepted or considered. Each submission must contain:

  1. A Note must contain a title, abstract, introduction, conclusion, and appropriate structure (i.e., Parts I, II, and III);
  2. A short paragraph summarizing the scholarship already published on the topic and how the submission adds to, or is distinguished from, this literature;
  3. A list of names of any Journal members who may recognize the work or topic; and
  4. A preemption check (only applicable to current Journal members).

Call Dates for Volume 58

Check back here soon or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to find out when our Notes submissions window will be open.

If you have any questions about Notes submission or selection, please contact the Notes Office.