Improve student‐edited law journals: Eliminate the acceptance period

Key points The vast majority – and the most prestigious – of US law journals are edited by law students, without peer review. Overwhelming numbers of simultaneous submissions contribute to over‐reliance on author credentials for article selection. Authors ‘trade up’ by leveraging offers to publish with higher‐ranked journals. Law journals should learn from literary reviews, which expect immediate acceptance of offers. The elimination of acceptance periods would reduce simultaneous submissions and optimize matching between manuscripts and journals.