UMass Law News UMass Law News: UMass Law Review celebrates 20 years

Student-run publication launches Volume 21 with scholarship on AI, criminal justice, incarceration rights, and environmental law

The UMass Law Review recently celebrated 20 years of student-led legal scholarship on Thursday with the launch of Volume 21, Issue 1. 

The milestone marks two decades since the publication’s inaugural volume debuted in January 2006 under the institution’s predecessor, the Southern New England School of Law. Since then, the Review has served as a platform for rigorous academic analysis while elevating both professional and student voices. 

"For 20 years, the UMass Law Review has reflected the intellectual rigor, public service mission, and student leadership that define our law school," said UMass Law Dean Sam Panarella. "From its beginning, the journal has provided a meaningful forum for scholarship that addresses pressing legal issues and advances thoughtful reform. Volume 21 continues that tradition in a way that speaks directly to the challenges shaping our profession and our communities."

"For 20 years, the UMass Law Review has reflected the intellectual rigor, public service mission, and student leadership that define our law school. Volume 21 continues that tradition in a way that speaks directly to the challenges shaping our profession and our communities."

The launch event featured presentations from contributing authors and scholars whose work appears in the latest volume. Volume 21, Issue 1 explores timely legal issues including artificial intelligence and legal scholarship, criminal justice and public accountability, constitutional and incarceration rights, and property and environmental law. 

Attorney David Emerson presented "Criminal Justice Journalism: Maintaining an Informed Public," examining the evolving role of investigative journalism in exposing truth within the criminal justice system and its capacity to drive meaningful reform. 

Professor Michael Smith discussed "Generative AI and the Purpose of Legal Scholarship," contemplating how generative artificial intelligence may reshape academic writing and influence the future of legal scholarship.

"The strength of the UMass Law Review begins with the quality of the scholarship we publish," said Paul Riley '26, editor-in-chief of the UMass Law Review. "This volume reflects the insight of distinguished legal scholars and the exceptional work of our student authors. The journal launch gives our community the opportunity to hear directly from them, adding important context to the ideas explored in Volume 21."

Student authors Kaitlyn G. Girouard '26 and Tyler Grant '26 also presented their work. Girouard’s note, "The Case for a Right to Retrieve Wounded Deer Exception to the Right to Exclude," proposes a narrow exception to traditional property rights to reduce animal suffering and improve wildlife management. Grant’s note, "Behind Bars, Beyond Justice," examines the lack of workplace protections for incarcerated workers and advocates for extending occupational safety standards and workers’ compensation benefits to prison laborers.

"It is an honor to be published in the UMass Law Review, and it was a privilege to present my work alongside our professional authors," said Girouard. "From the initial offer of publication to the Journal Launch event, the Law Review team has shown extreme dedication to polishing my piece and giving me a platform to share it. I am grateful for all who attended the Journal Launch event and made it such a success."

UMass Law students, faculty, and staff interested in reading Volume 21, Issue 1 may receive a physical copy from the Law Library desk or access the article on Westlaw.