Prospective Editors

What is the High Tech Law Journal? The Santa Clara High Technology Law Journal is an independent, self-supporting scholarly publication that publishes four issues per year. The Journal was founded by students in 1984 and has since achieved national and international distribution and recognition as a leading publication focusing on cutting-edge technological and legal issues. The Journal's subscribers include: The United States Supreme Court, The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Apple Corp., IBM Corp., numerous law firm libraries and many premier national and international universities.

What are the eligibility requirements? Full-time and part-time 2Ls, and part-time 3Ls are eligible to become associates. To complete the associate process and become an editorial board member, a student must have achieved a cumulative SCU GPA of at least 3.00. The GPA requirement is necessary either after the completion of your 2nd or 3rd semester, if a 2L; after your 4th or 5th semester, if a part-time 3L.

I do not have a technical background, can I still participate? Yes, absolutely. Because there is such a broad spectrum of legal issues affected by technology, a technical background is not necessary to be a Journal associate. The focus is on legal, not technical, analysis. An interest in the relations between law and technology is sufficient.

What do I have to do to become an editor? Associates are students working toward fulfilling the requirements to become an editor on the Journal. Associates must:

Attain a 3.0 GPA by the required semester.
Complete all of the milestone assignments.
Complete a minimum of 50 hours 40 of which must be production hours.
Submit a 20 to 40 page comment of publishable quality.

Upon completion of these requirements an associate will go through an interview process. Participation in the Journal's associate process is an excellent way to practice the level of detail awareness and teamwork desired by employers. Associates will further refine their skills in Bluebook editing, increase research experience, and gain a greater familiarity with cutting-edge legal problems. A student is not an associate until the first milestone has been turned in.

Will I get credit for being an associate? You will not receive academic credit for your hours worked while an associate. However, once you become an editor, you have the option of receiving up to four units for the 300 hours you are required to work as an editor. You will be charged tuition for these units just as you would be for any other course.

More questions?

Please feel free to contact the Senior Comments Editor, Xhavin Sinha (xhavin.sinha@htlj.org).