Solicitations
Prospective Member Information
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Solicitations

The Whittier Journal of Child & Family Advocacy accept articles for evaluation for future issues of the Journal. The publication welcomes submissions discussing a legal point of interest relating to either children or families.

Whittier Law School features one of the most racially diverse law school student bodies, and it is fitting that we devote attention towards the many racial, gender and social inequalities that affect families and/or children The Journal also look for articles and policy discussions based on specific statutes that have either an adverse or positive effect, or both, on children or families. Examples of topics may range from discussions on the No Child Left Behind Act to the effect changes in the Social Security system may have on the incomes of families. Finally, the Journal is also interested in receiving articles on topics about upcoming U.S. Supreme Court cases deciding matters that will have an impact on the rights of children and their families.

All submissions are considered on a rolling basis, and may be submitted by U.S. Mail or electronically, in Microsoft Word or WordPerfect format, to the attention of the Solicitations Editor. Articles sent via U.S. Mail must be sent in either Microsoft Word or WordPerfect format upon formal acceptance for publication. All submissions must be typed and double-spaced with footnotes conforming to proper ALWD citation format. The author’s name, professional and/or academic affiliation, address, email contact, and telephone number should appear on the first page.

For additional questions about topics or to submit an article electronically, please contact the Solicitations Editor by email at WJCFA@law.whittier.edu. To submit an article by mail, please send to:

Solicitations Editor
Whittier Journal of Child & Family Advocacy
Whittier Law School
3333 Harbor Boulevard
Costa Mesa, California 92626

We look forward to receiving your submission.

Prospective Member Information

What is the Whittier Law Journal?

The Whittier Law Journal is an Honors Organization and publishes one of the school’s two major legal analysis publications. The Whittier Law Journal publishes the Whittier Journal of Child & Family Advocacy which creates national recognition for Whittier Law School.In its fifth seventh year of publication, the Law Journal focuses on scholarly research and writing, and provides students with a phenomenal opportunity to develop the research skills critical to practicing law and saving time uncovering relevant legal material.

Why Should I Join the Whittier Law Journal?

• Being a member of the Law Journal provides several benefits: • Develop the extensive research and meticulous writing skills critical to practicing law
• Receive the distinctive honor of working on a nationally recognized law journal.
• Receive one un-graded unit per semester towards graduation,
• Opportunity for publication in an upcoming edition.
• Ability to apply for positions on the editorial board upon successful completion of membership requirements.

How Do I Apply?

Each Fall and Spring semester, the Law Journal holds new member information sessions. Watch for fliers in your mailboxes and posted on campus to announce these session. You may also stop by the Journal office next to Room 2 for more information.

May I take the Journal for Semester Units?

• Absolutely. Members of the Journal are strongly encouraged to enroll in the Law Journal for units each semester throughout their membership. Junior and Senior members are eligible to take the Law Journal for 1 unit each semester, while editors are able to enroll in the Law Journal for 2 units. It is a great way to add units towards graduation.

What are the Grade Requirements to Join?

There are three ways to gain membership to the Law Journal:
· Option 1: Grade-On: Students must have at least an 83 cumulative G.P.A. to automatically gain Membership in the Whittier Law Journal. Transfer students are eligible for membership with an 83 cumulative G.P.A.
· Option 2: Legal Skills Grade-On: Students must have at least an 86 in their first-year Legal Skills course, or a first-and-second year cumulative Legal Skills grade of 86, to gain automatic membership, as long as their overall cumulative G.P.A. is 80 or higher.
· Option 3: Write-On Competition: All students who are ineligible to grade-on must participate in the write-on competition, provided they have an overall cumulative G.P.A. of 80 or higher. The write-on competition is open to all students in good academic standing.

NOTE: All applicants must have completed at least 19 units, and have at least two semesters remaining at Whittier Law School.

How Does the Write-On Competition Work?

• The write-on competition requires candidates to draft a 5-page memo on a legal topic and is designed to gauge a candidate’s abilities in legal writing, analysis, and citations format. It must be completed by all candidates in good academic standing who are ineligible for grade-on consideration.
• The memo should follow the procedural format taught in the first year Legal Skills courses, and all citations should comply with proper ALWD format (however, all case names should be italicized rather than underlined).

Do You Need Any Particular Expertise in Child or Family Law in Order to Join?

• No. Membership on the Journal is open to all students in good academic standing, regardless of their career focus. Candidates should focus primarily on citations/writing quality and research skills.

What are the Time Requirements in Joining the Law Journal?

• The first week of membership, all new members are required to take part in our “Orientation Week.” Candidates will then be required to complete cite-checking assignments throughout the semester, which should take approximately 5-8 hours a week. For the month prior to finals, junior candidates will focus exclusively on completing atheir research article. This can be a time-consuming, but if planned for appropriately, it can be completed with minimal disruption to one’s scheduleand with. plenty of time to prepare for finals!

How do I get my research paper published in the Law Journal?

• If your article is of a publishable quality as determined by our evaluation board, then we will be happy to consider your work for an upcoming edition!

What are the differences between the Law Journal and Law Review?

• The Law Journal and the Law Review are separate publications here at Whittier Law School. Both publications are Honors Organizations, and have grade-on options and write-on competitions,. However, they have different policies and publication schedules... While Law Review publishes a wide variety of work, the Law Journal is more of a specialty publication, focusing on child and family issues.

How difficult is it to become an Editor?

• Candidates must first successfully complete the curriculum as Candidate/Jr. Member. Once you become a Senior Member, you are eligible to run for an editorial position, as long as you have at least two semesters remaining. All editorial positions are selected through an election process.

Do Employers look at Law Journal Membership?

• Absolutely. Membership on the Law Journal probably be one of the first topics they mention on your resume. Law Journal membership helps distinguish applicants as having advanced research and an extensive knowledge of citation format: two vital aspects of professional-quality legal writing.

Subscriptions

The Whittier Journal of Child & Family Advocacy staff publishes biannually in June and January. Subscriptions are $25.00 per volume or $12.50 per issue, and will be automatically renewed unless the subscriber provides timely notice of cancellation. Please address all correspondence, including reprint requests, advertising, and other business inquiries to:

Managing Editor
Whittier Journal of Child & Family Advocacy
Whittier Law School
3333 Harbor Boulevard
Costa Mesa, California 92626

New volumes begin each fall. Each volume consists of two issues (Fall and Spring).

Please make checks payable to “Whittier Journal of Child & Family Advocacy” or bill through a subscription agency (e.g. Hein, EBSCO, etc.).

Members

Whittier Journal of Child & Family Advocacy
Editorial Board

Editor-in-Chief
Carolyn Lopez

Executive Editor
Katie Armstrong

Managing Editor
Sara Rafiee

Articles Editors
Elysha Pel
Craig Dunlap

Solicitations Editor
Melissa Dimmick

Research Editor
Christeena Mills

Associate Editor
Angelica Ramos

Faculty Advisor
Jacqueline Gentry

Secretary
Mary James