Research Guide for Law Co-curricular Organizations: Write-on Competition

1. Complete the Procertas Bluebooking Modules 1 & 2 (list of all skills covered in each training module). Also suggest completing Bluebooking Module 3 if time allows.

• Don't have a Procertas account or forget your password? Request one here.

• Exercises don't have to be completed all at once, you can work on them over time and also refer back to them during the actual competition.

NOTE: the Law School's subscription to Procertas expires June 1st so these modules will only be available until that time.

2. Attend the Ready, Set, Write-On session on Wednesday, April 9th from 4 - 5 Pm in Room 202. 

3. Attend the Journals + Competition Teams Information Session (date TBD)

4. Attend the How to Write a Casenote Session (Date TBD)

5. Check out the Bluebooking Resources tab for more resources to get you ready for the Editing Test portion of the competition.

Casenote Examples from Villanova Journals and Law Review:

Note that the published casenotes are full casenotes--for the Write-On Competition you are asked to draft only the Background and Critical Analysis sections.

Ready, Set, Write-On Session: April 9, 2025, 4 - 5 PM in Room 202

• Representatives from the law review provided an overview of both the law review and the write-on competition which is how staff writers are selected for journal membership
• Will provide details about all components of the competition, due dates and other relevant information
• Will be recorded and the recording posted here
• Profs. Kearney, and Voegele will review tips for organizing and writing your competition submission

Write-On Registration: April 11th  @ 12 AM - April 18th @ 11:59 PM

• You must register during this time period to participate in the competition - registration link will be available here starting on April 11th.
• You will be assigned a number to ensure your submissions are anonymous. The numbers are assigned manually so registrations received after business hours will be processed the following morning (Friday night submissions will be processed on Monday)--please do not resubmit the registration form multiple times.
• You'll be enrolled in a Blackboard course after registration--materials for the competition will be posted there once the competition starts (see dates below)

Journals + Competition Teams Information Session  (Date TBD )

• Will be held via Zoom Representatives from the Journals, Moot Court, Trial Team and Negotiations Teams discussed their organizations, their summer competitions and their membership selection process.
• Looking for the registration forms for Moot Court or Trial Team? Their registration links will be posted below once they are available. 

How to Write a Casenote Session - (Date TBD)

• Will be held via Zoom and recorded

• This session will be hosted by Villanova Law Review's Executive Editor, Villanova Law Review's Managing Editor of Research and Writing, and Villanova Law Review's Managing Editor of Operations. The session gives students an idea of what submissions should include and tips for managing content on a digital platform.

  In addition to the "How to" session, there will be a Q & A after the meeting to answer any questions students have about writing a casenote or the summer competition generally.

TENTATIVE DATE: May 11th @ 9 AM; Competition Begins

• Blackboard page will appear at this time

Tentative: Write-on Competition Due Dates:

• May 18, 2025: Editing portion (Bluebook Quiz) of the Writing Competition DUE

• May 25, 2025: Abbreviated Casenote portion of the Writing Competition DUE

Questions?  

Please contact the competition email:  competition@law.villanova.edu

More about the selection process for the Law Review and the other two journals can be found in the Student Handbook. 

See the Bluebooking Resources tab for additional materials including interactive lessons.