NAELA Journal Article Guidelines

Guidelines for Article Submissions
Guidelines for Case Notes
Guidelines for Book Reviews

Guidelines for Article Submissions
NAELA Journal publishes substantive articles on topics of interest in elder and special needs law. The NAELA Journal Editorial Board welcomes manuscript submissions year-round with the following guidelines:

  • Most articles are between 4,000 and 10,000 words, including citations.

  • For initial approval of publication, you may submit a one- to two-page outline of the intended manuscript and a list of sources. Alternatively, you may submit your final paper for consideration.

  • Articles should incude a one-paragraph abstract that summarizes the article's key points, conclusions, and recommendations.

  • NAELA Journal policy is to give priority of consideration to original work not previously published. If the proposed work has been previously published, or something very similar, please provide a copy and explain why the NAELA Journal Editorial Board should consider republishing your work.

  • Please use the Associated Press Stylebook for text and the ALWD Guide to Legal Citation for footnotes. See the citation tip sheet in right column.

  • A table of contents will be generated from the main headings and subheadings in your article, so it is not required to submit a table of contents, but the heading levels should be clearly identified.

  • Authors should provide a brief biography for publication in the article.

  • NAELA Journal Editorial Board members review all submissions for suitability, and they provide feedback and direction to potential authors. Author(s) will be notified if the outline/article submitted is accepted or not, or if changes should be made for further consideration of the article for publication. Submission does not guarantee publication. NAELA Journal reserves the right to reject any article submitted for publication whether solicited or not.

  • NAELA Journal articles accepted for publication will be assigned to a NAELA Journal editor who will work with the author(s) to make any necessary changes to prepare the article for publication. Articles will be edited for clarity and to fit the publication’s editorial style and length requirements. In addition, all first-person references and references to the author’s organization, products, or clients may be deleted at the editor’s sole discretion.

  • Each author will be required to sign a standard author agreement that acknowledges the material submitted is authentic, and grants NAELA the proper permissions to publish such article. The agreement, however, does not change copyright, which is maintained by the author(s).

Transmittal
Materials should be emailed as a .docx file to Susan Simolunas, NAELA Publisher.

Response
The editorial board responds to each submission after it has been evaluated. Decisions for inclusion in each issue begin at least nine months before publication. Please note that even where a proposal has been accepted, the editorial board must reserve the right to decline publication as necessary.


NAELA Journal Case Note Submissions
The NAELA Journal Editorial Board encourages case note submissions with the following guidelines:

  • Case notes are generally 4,000 words or less, including citations.

  • It is a significant state or federal case that is of importance or interest to attorneys practicing elder and special needs law.

  • The case will not be appealed further, either because it was decided by the highest appellate court or because the appeal period has ended.

  • It clarifies an issue or, in exceptional cases, muddles an issue that was thought to be eternally resolved.

  • Reference is made not only to the state law it follows, but also variations in other jurisdictions.

  • It analytically proves why the case is significant, e.g., why following it might change our practices or our clients’ rights.

  • It analytically shows how the court might have decided differently, but what factors drew it to its actual decision.

  • NAELA Journal policy is to give priority of consideration to original work not previously published. If the proposed work has been previously published, or something very similar, please provide a copy and explain why the NAELA Journal Editorial Board should consider republishing your work.

  • Please use the Associated Press Stylebook for text and the ALWD Guide to Legal Citation for footnotes. See the citation tip sheet in right column.

  • NAELA Journal Editorial Board members review all submissions for suitability, and they provide feedback and direction to potential authors. Author(s) will be notified if the outline/article submitted is accepted or not, or if changes should be made for further consideration of the article for publication. Submission does not guarantee publication. NAELA Journal reserves the right to reject any article submitted for publication whether solicited or not.

  • Case notes accepted for publication will be assigned to a NAELA Journal editor who will work with the author(s) to make any necessary changes to prepare the article for publication. Articles will be edited for clarity and to fit the publication’s editorial style and length requirements. In addition, all first-person references and references to the author’s organization, products, or clients may be deleted at the editor’s sole discretion.

  • Authors should provide a brief biography for publication in the article.

  • Each author will be required to sign a standard author agreement that acknowledges the material submitted is authentic, and grants NAELA the proper permissions to publish such article. The agreement, however, does not change copyright, which is maintained by the author(s).

Transmittal
Materials should be emailed as a .docx file to Susan Simolunas, NAELA Publisher. 

Response
The editorial board responds to each submission after it has been evaluated. Decisions for inclusion in each issue begin at least nine months before publication. Please note that even where a proposal has been accepted, the editorial board must reserve the right to decline publication as necessary.


NAELA Journal Book Review Submissions
The NAELA Journal Editorial Board encourages book review submissions with respect to topics generally relating to older adults, people with disabilities, health care and health law, legal matters pertaining to older adults and people with disabilities, biographies of notable figures in those fields, and works of general interest touching on those fields.

Book reviews are generally 1,000 to 5,000 words in length. Book review proposals should be emailed to Susan Simolunas, NAELA Publisher. Please provide the following information:

  • Book author(s), full title, ISBN #, publisher, and publication date. 
  • Brief summary of subject matter (a very short "elevator pitch" as to the relevance of the book).
  • Outline of the major points of your review (optional).
  • The anticipated audience that would benefit from reading your review and the book.
  • Any special knowledge, expertise, or connection to the book, its author, or its subject matter.
  • NAELA Journal policy is to give priority of consideration to original work not previously published. If the proposed work has been previously published, or something very similar, please provide a copy and explain why the NAELA Journal Editorial Board should consider republishing your work
  • The date when we can expect a full draft.

Once a proposal has been accepted:

  • When writing your book review, please use the Associated Press Stylebook for text and the ALWD Guide to Legal Citation for footnotes. See the citation tip sheet in right column.

  • Submission does not guarantee publication. NAELA Journal reserves the right to reject any article submitted for publication whether solicited or not.

  • Book reviews accepted for publication will be assigned to a NAELA Journal editor who will work with the author(s) to make any necessary changes to prepare the article for publication. Articles will be edited for clarity and to fit the publication’s editorial style and length requirements. In addition, all first-person references and references to the author’s organization, products, or clients may be deleted at the editor’s sole discretion.

  • Authors should provide a brief biography for publication in the article.

  • Each author will be required to sign a standard author agreement that acknowledges the material submitted is authentic, and grants NAELA the proper permissions to publish such article. The agreement, however, does not change copyright, which is maintained by the author(s).

Transmittal
Materials should be emailed as a .docx file to Susan Simolunas, NAELA Publisher.

Response
The editorial board responds to each submission after it has been evaluated. Decisions for inclusion in each issue begin at least nine months before publication. Please note that even where a proposal has been accepted, the editorial board must reserve the right to decline publication as necessary.


For More Information
Contact Susan Simolunas, NAELA Publisher

Citation Tip Sheet
(Adobe PDF File)