The journal was established in 1924 as a collaborative effort between law students and members of the local bar.

Members are selected using a competitive process, which takes into account an applicant's first-year grades, performance in a writing competition, and potential to contribute to diversity on the journal.

[8] On October 6, 2018, a group called "Faculty, Alumni, and Students Opposed to Racial Preferences" filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the review over discrimination against white males in selecting staff editors and articles to publish.

[11] The Supreme Court of the United States declined to review the case.

[12] Prominent alumni of the New York University Law Review include: The journal has published the following notable articles:[17]