The application process consists of an anonymous write-on competition, with grades playing no role in the consideration of membership.

Among United States law journals, CLR is ranked fifth by Washington and Lee University Law School[1] and fifth by a professor at the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication.

It is the ninth-oldest surviving law review published in the United States.

A companion volume, the California Law Review Online, was launched in 2014, followed by a podcast in 2021.

These publications feature shorter articles, essays, blogs, and audio content.