UCLA Law Review

UCLA Law Review. It is a student-edited scholarly journal published at the UCLA School of Law. Established in the mid-20th century, it has grown into one of the most cited and influential legal periodicals in the United States. The journal publishes rigorous articles, essays, and commentaries on a wide array of legal topics, contributing significantly to academic and professional discourse.

History

The journal was founded in 1953, during a period of rapid expansion for the UCLA School of Law itself. Its creation was part of a broader movement to establish the law school's national reputation through scholarly publication. Early volumes featured contributions from prominent legal figures, helping to cement its academic standing. Over the decades, it has consistently published pioneering scholarship on critical issues, from the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to debates surrounding the First Amendment and administrative law. The journal has maintained its editorial independence while being an integral part of the intellectual life at UCLA.

Content and features

The journal publishes several volumes annually, featuring traditional articles, essays, and student-written notes. Its content spans numerous legal fields, including constitutional law, criminal law, intellectual property, environmental law, and critical race theory. A signature feature is its annual symposium issue, which gathers leading scholars and practitioners to examine a pressing contemporary topic, such as the implications of artificial intelligence on tort law or reforms to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The journal also operates an active online companion, the *UCLA Law Review Discourse*, which provides a platform for timely analysis of recent judicial decisions from the Supreme Court of the United States and major legislative developments like the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

Editorial process and membership

Editorial control is vested entirely in a board of student editors selected from the upper classes of UCLA School of Law. Membership is highly competitive, based primarily on academic performance in the first year, performance in a writing competition, and sometimes a review of a candidate's independent writing sample. The editorial process involves rigorous peer review and substantive editing of submissions from professors at institutions like Harvard Law School and Yale Law School, as well as from judges and practitioners. The editorial board includes positions such as Editor-in-Chief, Senior Articles Editor, and Executive Editor, mirroring the structure of other top journals like the Harvard Law Review and the Yale Law Journal.

Impact and recognition

It is consistently ranked among the top-tier general-interest law reviews in the nation. Its articles are frequently cited by federal courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States, various United States courts of appeals, and scholarly works. The journal's impact factor, as measured by services like the Washington and Lee Law School rankings, places it in the top 20 of all legal publications. Its scholarship often influences public policy debates and has been referenced in briefs before the International Court of Justice and in congressional testimony. This high level of recognition underscores its role as a vital forum for shaping legal thought.

Notable alumni

Alumni of the journal have achieved exceptional prominence across the legal profession, academia, and public service. In the judiciary, alumni include Stephen Reinhardt of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In government, notable figures include former United States Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and former United States Solicitor General Neal Katyal. The academic world counts scholars like Cheryl I. Harris, a critical race theorist at UCLA School of Law, and Eugene Volokh of the UCLA School of Law. Other distinguished alumni include Johnnie Cochran of the O. J. Simpson murder case and numerous partners at major firms like Latham & Watkins and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.

Category:Law reviews Category:UCLA School of Law Category:Publications established in 1953