Whittier Law School - Career Services

Whittier Journal of Child and Family Advocacy
"Whittier Law Journal Honors Society"

The Whittier Journal of Child and Family Advocacy is one of only a handful of law school publications that focus exclusively on child and family issues. A student-run publication, the Journal incorporates scholarly articles featuring discussions on child and domestic abuse, neglect, delinquency, education, welfare, child custody and support, family planning, genetics, community property, as well as all other topics related to children and families--who are some of the most vulnerable segments of society. By this, the Journal furthers the cause of child and family advocacy by serving as an invaluable resource for scholars, lawyers and judges working in the field.

General Contact Information
Laura Rauch
Editor-in-Chief
Whittier Journal of Child & Family Advocacy
Whittier Law School
3333 Harbor Boulevard
Costa Mesa, California 92626
Phone: (714) 444-4141, ext. 316
Fax: (714) 444-3230
WJCFA-EIC@law.whittier.edu

The Whittier Journal of Child & Family Advocacy is now accepting articles for evaluation in the Spring 2006 issue. The publication is looking to have its biggest and best issue this upcoming semester, and welcomes you to submit an article, submission, essay, or other work discussing a legal point of interest relating to either children or families.

This semester, the Journal hopes to devote three individual sections of our publication, in addition to all other articles, to specialized discussion of topics that focus specifically on 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. Second, the Journal is also looking 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. Third, the Journal is also interested in receiving 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, and to the attention of the Solicitations Editor. Articles sent via U.S. Mail will have to 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 submitting articles in general, please feel free to contact Christina Curtis by email at WJCFA@law.whittier.edu. We look forward to receiving your submission.

· The Whittier Law Journal is an Honors Organization and one of the school’s two major legal analysis publications. In its fifth 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. The Whittier Law Journal publishes the Whittier Journal of Child & Family Advocacy which creates national recognition for Whittier Law School.

· Gain substantial legal research and writing experience that is an excellent addition to anyone’s resume, especially coming from a smaller legal institution like Whittier.
· Joining the Journal also allows you to take one un-graded unit per semester towards graduation, and for the opportunity to be considered for publication in an upcoming edition.
· Candidates who successfully gain membership to the Law Journal may apply for positions on the editorial board.

· Just fill out the form on the front of this packet and return it to the box outside the Law Journal Office, located right next to Room 2 and across from the CCR Office in the front of the school, by Friday, September 9th.
· If you qualify as a grade-on candidate as mentioned below—Congratulations—you’re first assignment is to show up to the meeting on September 12th.
· If you do not meet the grade-on requirements mentioned below, you must submit a short five-page memo for the write-on competition, discussed below, to be considered for membership.

· Absolutely. Candidates for the Journal are strongly encouraged to enroll in the Law Journal for units this and every semester throughout their semester. 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 without having to enroll in additional graded classes.

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 Journal 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, gain automatic membership so long as their overall cumulative G.P.A. is 80 or over.
· Option 3: Write-On Competition: All students who are ineligible to grade-on must participate in the write-on competition. This semester, the write-on competition is open to all students in good academic standing.

NOTE: The Law Journal will accept either cumulative GPA for second year students. All applicants must also have completed at least 19 units, and have at least two semesters remaining at Whittier Law School.

· 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 and are ineligible for grade-on consideration. The write-on assignments must be completed and turned in by September 9th @ 6:00 via email, but may be turned in earlier than that. Results from the write-on competition will be sent to you via email on Sunday, September 11th. If you receive an invitation to join, you will be expected to attend our Orientation Week the following week. The write-on competition is separate from the Research project that will be required later on in the semester.
· The memo itself 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).

· Absolutely not. 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.

· The first week of membership, September 12th-14th, all new members are required to take part in our “Orientation Week.” Candidates will then be required to complete cite-checking training exercises throughout the semester, which should not take more than 5-8 hours a week. For the month of November, candidates will focus exclusively on completing a research article. This can be a time-consuming process, but if planned for appropriately, it can be completed with minimal disruption to one’s schedule. The research article is due in late Nov., giving everyone plenty of time to prepare for finals!

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

· The Law Journal and the Law Review are separate publications here at Whittier Law School. Both publications have grade-on options and write-on competitions, however, the policies for both differ, as mentioned above. While Law Review publishes a wide variety of work, the Law Journal is more of a specialty publication.

How difficult is it to become an Editor?

· Candidates must first successfully complete the curriculum as Candidate/Jr. Member. This semester and next, the Law Journal is looking to greatly expand its operation. As the program expands, more editorial positions will be offered.

· Absolutely. It will 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.

Yes. Stop by and see us on either of the following dates:
· Monday, August 29th, 6:00 in the Law Journal office, next to Room 2.
· Thursday, September 1st, 12:00 in the Law Journal office, next to Room 2.

The Whittier Journal of Child & Family Advocacy staff publishes biannually in May and December. 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 the mailing address above, Attention of the Managing Editor.

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.).

THE INTENTERNATIONAL ABDUCTION OF INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN…………………The Honorable Judge Veronica Torrez and Tina Burleson

EMILY Q’s STORY: USING MEDICAID LITIGATION TO EXPAND POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONS FOR CHILDREN IN THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM…………………………………………………………………..Melinda Bird

LAWMAKING BY PUBLIC WELFARE PROFESSIONALS…………..Margaret Brinig, Gerald Jogerst, Jeanette Daly, Jeffrey Dawson and Gretchen Schmuch

IS IT POSSIBLE TO REFORM A CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM? AN EVALUATION OF THE CURRENT PROGRESS THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND THE ADVOCACY STRATEGIES THAT LED TO REFORM………………Shimica Gaskins

THE ETHICAL AND MORAL CONSIDERATION PRESENTED BY LAWYER/SOCIAL WORKER INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATIONS……………………………………………………..Maryann Zavez

ONCE A WOMAN ALWAYS A MAN? WHAT HAPPENS TO CHILDREN OF TRANSEXUAL MARRIAGE AND DIVORCES?..................................Marika Kitamura

IN RE MARRIAGE OF LA MUGSA: REDEFINING “MOVE-AWAY” CASES IN CALIFORNIA……………………………………………….………..…Jenn McCartney

MARTYRS, THE MEDIA AND THE WEB: EXAMINING A GRASSROOTS CHILDREN’S RIGHTS MOVEMENT THROUGH THE LENS OF SOCIAL MOVEMENT THEORY……………………………. Barbara Bennett Woodhouse and Sarah Rebecca Katz

Whittier Journal of Child and Family Advocacy "Whittier Law Journal Honors Society"

Whittier Journal of Child and Family Advocacy
"Whittier Law Journal Honors Society"