Positions

At the beginning of each semester, Line Editors (non-masthead) and Article Editors are appointed for each Article and Note. Digest positions are also filled throughout the year.

Descriptions of Elected Positions

If you are interested in running for a position, be sure to reach out to the masthead member(s) currently holding the position to find out more about the role and responsibilities.

Any individual may run for multiple Masthead positions. Please note that some positions are considered traditional 3L positions, whereas for other positions there is a strong preference for rising 2Ls. These preferences are usually not absolute, with the exception of the Managing Editor position, which is only open to rising 2Ls.

Editor-in-Chief (EIC)

Description: The EIC(s) is/are responsible for assuring smooth day-to-day operation of JOLT and for implementing any long-term initiatives. For the print journal, EIC(s) make(s) the final decision during the article selection process and also make(s) significant substantive edits to all articles before, during, and at the end of the editing process. The EIC position is a significant time commitment throughout the year, including during the summer and school breaks. The time commitment means that it is highly encouraged that EICs run as a slate; however, this is not a requirement. We invite rising 3Ls to run for this position.

Qualifications: EIC candidates should have served in some masthead capacity in their 2L year; AE experience is also highly recommended. Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a willingness to take the initiative are very important. Strong editing skills are also important; the EIC(s) is/are ultimately responsible for the accuracy of the print journal.

If you are interested in running for this position, please email the current EIC(s).

Executive Editor

Description: The Executive Editor is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the article editing process. Responsibilities include drafting the editing calendar, staffing the article teams, and supervising the Article Editors. The Executive Editor works closely with the Article Editors to ensure that the article teams successfully complete each stage of the editing process. He or she also works with the EIC(s) to provide substantive feedback on the articles at several stages in the editing process. This position has been filled by a single person in the past. Slates are not currently permitted. We invite rising 3Ls to run for this position.

Qualifications: Experience as an Article Editor for at least one semester is required. Communication skills and the ability to stay organized and on schedule are very important to this position.

If you are interested in running for this position, please email the current Executive Editor.

Submissions Editor

Description: The Submissions Editor position has both managerial and substantive components. The Submissions Editor is responsible for managing the Submissions Managers & Submissions Committee, which assist the Editor in deciding which articles to recommend for acceptance to the EIC(s) and which articles to reject. The Submissions Editor corresponds with authors we are considering accepting, particularly near expedite deadlines. He or she also selects which submissions will be reviewed by the Submissions Managers & Committee. Slates are not currently permitted. We prefer a rising 3L to run for this position, but we also invite rising 2Ls to run for this position as well.

Qualifications: Experience as a Submissions Manager or on the Submissions Committee is strongly preferred. An interest in law and technology scholarship (and some knowledge of current hot topics) is also strongly desirable. Organizational and leadership skills are very important for this position; the Submissions Editor is responsible for keeping on top of expedite deadlines and obtaining the feedback necessary from the Submissions Managers & Committee for making article recommendations. This position requires substantial commitment immediately after elections, so candidates should be prepared to hit the ground running if elected.

If you are interested in running for this position, please email the current Submissions Editor.

Symposium Editor

Description: The Symposium Editor is responsible for two different workstreams: coordinating and overseeing the symposium essay editing process and planning the spring symposium. For the symposium essay editing process, the Symposium Editor drafts the editing calendar; corresponds with the essays’ authors; and supervises the Symposium Article Editors. He or she also selects the Symposium Article Editors and works with the EIC(s) to provide substantive feedback on the essays at several stages in the editing process. For the symposium planning process, the Symposium Editor works with the EIC(s) to select the symposium topic for the spring and coordinates the planning process with the professors organizing the symposium. We invite 3Ls to apply for this position.

Qualifications: Experience as a Symposium Article Editor or an Article Editor for at least one semester is required. Experience as both is recommended. Communication and organization skills are very important to this position.

If you are interested in running for this position, please email the current Symposium Editor.

Digest Executive Editor

Description: The Digest Executive Editor, working with with the Content and Comment Editors, is responsible for all aspects of JOLT Digest operations. This includes recruiting and supervising Digest Article Editors and Contributors; doing final edits of Digest posts; and refining the process for generating Digest content. The Digest Executive Editor works closely with Digest Article Editors to help them locate new content and review posts, and with the Technology Editors to ensure that the technical aspects of the Digest run smoothly. Slates are not currently permitted. We prefer a rising 3L to run for this position, but we also invite rising 2Ls to run for this position as well.

Qualifications: Previous Digest experience is very valuable for this position, as you will need to quickly understand the Digest process. Previous JOLT editing experience, either as an LE or an AE, is also helpful. You will need good time management and communication skills, as you will be working with many people to get Digest posts turned around very quickly.

If you are interested in running for this position, please email the current Digest Executive Editor.

Managing Editor

Description: The Managing Editor position is a two-year role. Each year, we elect a rising 2L, who serves jointly with the Managing Editor elected the previous year. Responsibilities include organizing the fall career panel, liaising with sponsors, managing JOLT's budget, and advising the EICs by acting as a repository of institutional knowledge. Slates are not permitted for this position. Due to the two-year commitment the role entails, only rising 2Ls are invited to run for the position.

Qualifications: Involvement with JOLT as a 1L is strongly preferred. Candidates should be interested in the business side of the journal rather than, or in addition to, the article selection and editing process. As the Managing Editors are responsible for JOLT's finances, candidates should be comfortable with numbers and Excel.

If you are interested in running for this position, please email one of the current Managing Editors.

Notes & Comments Editor

Description: The Notes & Comments (“N&C”) Editor manages and directs the process for student writing in JOLT. The N&C Editor works closely with the student authors to shape and edit the Student Notes. The N&C Editor also works with the EIC(s) to decide which student articles to publish. Please note that the N&C Editor may be asked to participate in Executive Edits and Print Day, which occur towards the end of the semester (or in the case of Print Day, right after the semester ends). The selection of student notes finishes shortly after finals, so this position does require work over summer and winter break. Slates are not currently permitted. 2Ls and 3Ls are welcome to run for the position.

Qualifications: An interest in law and technology scholarship, and some knowledge of current topics, is strongly desired. An interest in the writing process and in how articles are shaped is crucial. Since Student Notes are written by members of JOLT, they reflect directly on how JOLT is perceived.

If you are interested in running for this position, please email the current N&C Editor.

Operations Editor

Description: The Operations Editor is responsible for working closely with the EE to coordinate and manage the article teams. The Operations Editor updates the Subciter & LE Guides, trains the Subciters & LEs, and assists with the staffing of article teams. Slates are not currently permitted for this position. 2Ls and 3Ls are welcome to run for the position.

Qualifications: LE experience is strongly preferred, but not necessary. Attention to detail and strong organizational skills are important because of this position's responsibility for creating article teams, responding to changing needs in those teams (such as the loss of a subciter), etc.

If you are interested in running for this position, please email the current Operations Editor.

Outreach Editors

Description: Outreach Editors have several areas of responsibility: 1L outreach/mentoring, social events (parties/pub nights), and managing alumni relations. The Outreach Editors establish and maintain communications with a network of JOLT alumni, organize alumni events, and connect current JOLT members with alumni for career advice. The Outreach Editors also help to organize a 1L welcoming event presubcite, organize mentoring relationships between 1Ls and senior JOLT members, and take photos at JOLT events. Candidates commonly run as a two-person slate, but single candidates are also welcome to run for the position. Please set up a meeting with the new EICs once they are elected to talk about how they envision this role for the next edition of the journal. 2Ls and 3Ls are welcome to run for the position.

Qualifications: Outreach Editors must have strong organizational skills to coordinate events and maintain relations with alumni and 1Ls. Since Outreach Editors are often the face of the journal for these groups, a friendly and enthusiastic personality is also essential.

If you are interested in running for this position, please email the current Outreach Editors.

Speakers Editors

Description: Speakers Editors are responsible for bringing in outside speakers of interest to the JOLT member base and the law school community in general. The Speakers Editors manage all aspects of this process: selecting and inviting speakers, liaising with incoming speakers, handling the logistics for the events (publicity, room reservation, lunch orders, A/V, etc.) and the speakers (travel and accommodation), and running the events themselves. The Journal encourages invitations to a broad range of speakers (academics, practitioners, judges, politicians, etc.). The position can be filled by an individual or by a slate. 2Ls and 3Ls are welcome to run for the position.

Qualifications: Experience coordinating events is strongly preferred. An appreciation for hot topics in law and technology is essential for the selection of speakers. Organization is critical for this position, which requires timely correspondence with distinguished invitees and effective planning in advance of all events. The Speakers Editors should expect to work closely with the Communications Editor, especially for publicity.

If you are interested in running for this position, please email the current Speakers Editors.

Communications Editor

Description: The Communications Editor is in charge of publicizing JOLT events (through our newsletter, social media, flyering, chalking, etc.), setting up social gatherings such as happy hours, maintaining the JOLT calendar, and administrating the JOLT mailing lists (e.g., adding and removing members, screening incoming emails) and websites. The Communications Editor also works with organizations such as the Berkman Center and Petrie Flom Center to coordinate other tech-related events. Responsibilities will require the ability to quickly and efficiently handle email requests, but many tasks (e.g., chalking) can be delegated or shared. The Communications Editor may also be asked to help publicize JOLT events through Facebook and Twitter. Slates are not currently permitted, although candidates interested in running as a slate may e-mail the current EICs to ask for permission to run as a slate. 2Ls and 3Ls are welcome to run for the position.

Qualifications: Past experience with event planning and/or event publicity. The ideal candidate will be extremely organized and motivated to complete tasks without much supervision.

If you are interested in running for this position, please email the current Communications Editor.

Appointed Masthead Positions

In addition to the elected masthead positions, there are several appointed masthead positions.

Submissions Managers

Submissions Managers work under the Submissions Editor to manage the submissions process and the submissions committee. They evaluate submitted articles and make recommendations for which articles should be accepted.

Up to six Submissions Managers are appointed as needed. Contact the Submissions Editor for more information.

Production Editors

The 1L Production Editor role is a great way to become a part of the JOLT masthead and gain invaluable experience for upper-level masthead positions. Production Editors are in charge of the print formatting for our articles, so experience using advanced features of Microsoft Word is helpful. The position involves following a formatting guide and formatting one article during each of the two different sessions per semester (usually < 5 hours per session). Production Editors are expected to be an integral part of JOLT by attending events and getting to know the masthead. Production Editors are also expected to subcite first semester and subcite or Line Edit second semester, and may be asked to help publicize JOLT events or serve as readers for tech edits. Five to eight Production Editors are appointed at the end of the fall semester. Contact the Editors-in-Chief for more information.

This position is only open to 1Ls.

Technology Editors

Technology Editors have several responsibilities relating to the Journal's use of technology. Among other things, Technology Editors manage the JOLT website, HLS Intel, and other JOLT technology projects.

One Technology Editor is appointed in the spring semester, after elections, for a two-year commitment. Contact the Editors-in-Chief or current Technology Editors for more information.