How to Cite a Law Review Article in Bluebook Format

Understanding Law Review Citations in Bluebook

Law review articles are essential sources in legal research and scholarship. These peer-reviewed publications contain scholarly analysis, commentary, and case law discussion. Bluebook format provides detailed citation rules for legal publications, and proper law review citations are critical for legal writing and academic integrity.

Basic Law Review Citation Format

The standard Bluebook format for law review articles is: Author First Name Last Name, Article Title in Small Caps, Volume# Journal Name Page# (Year).

Include the complete author name, article title in small caps, volume number, journal title (often abbreviated), starting page number, and publication year in parentheses.

Law Review Article with Author Name

Complete law review article citation:

John Smith, Evolving Standards of Constitutional Interpretation, 127 HARV. L. REV. 1234 (2024).

The author’s full name appears first, the article title in small caps is italicized, the volume number precedes the journal title, and the page number appears after the title.

Multiple Authors

For law review articles with multiple authors:

Jane Doe & Robert Johnson, The Future of Corporate Law, 89 YALE L. REV. 456 (2024).

Include all author names connected with “and” or an ampersand.

Law Review with Page Range

When citing a specific page within a law review article:

Smith, Constitutional Due Process, 127 HARV. L. REV. 1234, 1240 (2024).

The first page number follows the journal title; the specific page cited appears after a comma.

In-Text Citations for Law Review Articles

In Bluebook format used in legal writing, citations appear in footnotes rather than parenthetical in-text citations:

John Smith, Evolving Standards of Constitutional Interpretation, 127 HARV. L. REV. 1234 (2024).

For subsequent citations, use a shortened form:

Smith, Evolving Standards, 127 HARV. L. REV. 1234.

Examples for Different Law Review Types

Harvard Law Review

Note: Sarah Mitchell, Privacy Rights in the Digital Age, 138 HARV. L. REV. 789 (2024).

Yale Law Journal

Note: Michael Chang, Administrative Power and Regulatory Constraints, 133 YALE L.J. 456 (2024).

Columbia Law Review

Note: Patricia Williams, International Trade and Intellectual Property, 124 COLUM. L. REV. 234 (2024).

University of Chicago Law Review

Note: David Lee, Economic Analysis of Contract Law, 91 U. CHI. L. REV. 567 (2024).

Law Review Comments and Notes

For student-written comments or notes:

Note: Comment, The Implications of Recent Supreme Court Decisions, 115 YALE L.J. 789 (2024).

Include “Note” or “Comment” to indicate the type of student writing.

Online Law Review Articles

For law review articles accessed online:

Smith, Constitutional Interpretation, 127 HARV. L. REV. 1234 (2024), https://www.harvardlawreview.org/.

Include the URL if the article is accessed from the journal’s website.

Using GenText for Law Review Citations

GenText simplifies law review citation in Bluebook format by organizing author information, article titles, and publication details. The tool ensures proper abbreviation of journal titles and correct formatting of citations.

Common Bluebook Citation Abbreviations

Common law review abbreviations used in Bluebook citations:

• HARV. L. REV. (Harvard Law Review)
• YALE L.J. (Yale Law Journal)
• COLUM. L. REV. (Columbia Law Review)
• U. CHI. L. REV. (University of Chicago Law Review)
• STANFORD L. REV. (Stanford Law Review)

Bibliography vs. Footnote Format

In Bluebook legal writing, law review citations appear in footnotes rather than a traditional bibliography. However, if a bibliography is required:

Smith, John. “Evolving Standards of Constitutional Interpretation.” Harvard Law Review, vol. 127, 2024, pp. 1234–1247.

Common Citation Mistakes

• Incorrect capitalization: Article titles in Bluebook should use small caps, not standard title case.
• Missing page numbers: Always include the starting page number and specific pages cited.
• Abbreviated journal titles: Use proper Bluebook abbreviations for journal names.
• Incorrect author name order: Always use first name, last name order for the first author.

When to Cite Law Review Articles

Law review articles are crucial sources for:

• Legal analysis and interpretation
• Commentary on recent court decisions
• Examination of legal doctrines
• Scholarly perspective on statute and regulation
• Historical development of legal concepts

By following Bluebook guidelines for law review citations, you maintain academic integrity in legal scholarship and ensure readers can verify your sources.