Meet the New Leaders of the Virginia Law Review

Laura Toulme, a second-year student at the University of Virginia School of Law, is the new editor-in-chief of the Virginia Law Review.

Toulme and the managing board were selected by the outgoing board after an application and interview process. The 29 second-year law students began their new roles on Feb. 14.

Laura Toulme ’20

The journal, now in its 106th year of publication, is one of the nation’s most prestigious academic publications.

Toulme answered a few questions about herself and shared tips for the journal tryout process, which starts on March 1. Personal statements are due on Feb. 28.

Hometown: Atlanta

Prior education: B.S. in biology and psychology, University of Georgia

Prior work experience: Assistant paralegal, Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell in Denver (2015-16), legal intern, Environmental Defense Fund in Boulder, Colorado (summer 2018)

Future career plans: This summer, I will be working for Jenner & Block in D.C. After graduation, I look forward to clerking for Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III of the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Favorite law class or subject: I particularly enjoy classes about the government’s interaction with individual rights and learning the why behind our legal approach. Some of my favorite classes have included Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Criminal Investigation, Religious Liberty and Advanced Criminal Law. 

Other activities at the Law School: I am on the boards of the Feminist Legal Forum and the Virginia Environmental Law Forum, a coach with the Extramural Moot Court Team and a member of the North Grounds Softball League. I also do directed research regarding sexual assault reform.

Goals for the Virginia Law Review: The outgoing managing board did a lot of great work this year, and we’re thrilled to carry the mantle forward. We want to continue publishing the highest quality legal scholarship from professors, students, judges and practitioners. We’re particularly excited to implement our new membership process, which will allow us to consider the complete picture of every candidate. The personal statement gives students the opportunity to explain how their unique perspective — whether it be social identity, academic experience or work experience — will contribute in a meaningful way to the review. It is essential for the review to reflect the diverse perspectives and opinions of our law school and the legal profession so that we can meaningfully engage with and support diverse legal scholarship. Our prior success demonstrates that when we have student editors who are passionate about legal scholarship, the review flourishes.

Advice for 1Ls: For the journal tryout, it's essential to rest both before and during the tryout weekend. While the weekend is long, you’ll burn yourself out if you don’t take care of yourself. Secondly, I always find it helpful to approach daunting tasks like a puzzle. Bluebooking can be like a game, and tackling a new legal argument is rewarding as you discover the twists and turns. Thirdly, please be sure to submit your personal statement by Thursday, Feb. 28, at 8 p.m. All 1Ls must submit a personal statement to be considered for membership. Everyone has the tools to succeed on the tryout, so be sure not to take yourself out of the running with an untimely submission.

Finally, remember why you came to law school and that everyone has different conceptions of success. While membership on the review is one form of success in law school, there are so many ways to thrive and give back to our community. School is busy, and it can be easy to only focus on yourself. But it's important to step back and take time to help others, whether that's through pro bono, running a student organization or being an especially helpful study buddy. Those are the things that make UVA so special.

Rounding out the remainder of the managing board are:

Managing Editor
Kareem W. Ramadan

Articles Development Editors
Henry J. Dickman
Hanaa Olivia Khan

Notes Development Editor
Anna R. Noone

Membership & Inclusion Editor
Alexandra D. Butler

Online Development Editor
N. Mika Bray

Assistant Managing Editor
Dana A. Raphael

Lead Executive Editor
Amanda Swanson

Articles Editors
Justin W. Aimonetti
Alex C. Boota
Michael C. Dingman
Jessica L. Joyce
Jackson A. Myers
Mark H. Russell
K. Bradford Sears
Christiana Zgourides

Notes Editors
Nicholas G. Carey
Raymond M. Gans
Clayton Patrick Phillips
M. Christian Talley

Online Editors
Margaret L. Booz
Ben Lucy

Executive Editors
Nicholas S. Allen
Nicole D. Gilson
Julian Yigal Kritz
Mariette G. Peltier
Diane M. Philips
Edward A. Wixler II