Student Membership

The Globe offers a variety of opportunities for Pacific McGeorge students to improve their legal advocacy skills in preparation for practice. Students also develop strong leadership skills by participating on the Board of Editors or as an associate editor during their last academic year. The Board of Editors, composed of seven students, manage the entire selection, editing, and publication process.

Second-year day (2D) and third-year evening (3E) Comment Staff Writers are expected to author a publishable article on a private international law topic of their choice, called a “comment” or “case note.” Comment Staff Writers must also participate in preparing scholarly works for publication by performing substantive, stylistic, and citation edits. Finally, these students are expected to participate, from time to time, in Globe events, including Pacific McGeorge Symposia and social gatherings.

In order to participate with the Globe, 2D/3E students ranking in the top-half of their class are invited to solicit for a Comment Staff Writer position at the beginning of the Fall semester. The Comment Department, along with its counterpart from the McGeorge Law Review, organizes an anonymous writing and editing competition called “Solicitation.” Solicitation is designed to identify the most qualified and motivated Pacific McGeorge students. The students who join the Globe Comment Department and successfully complete the course requirements receive two (2) pass or honors units, and are exempt from taking the Appellate Advocacy or International Advocacy courses normally required for graduation.

Why solicit? Participating on a legal journal as a Staff Writer is a very exciting part of a legal education. There are numerous benefits to journal participation, including:

Publication. Staff Writers have the unique opportunity to contribute directly the law journal’s substance. By editing articles for the Globe, Comment Staff Writers aid noted scholars and practitioners. Staff Writers also have the chance to author and publish their own academic works on private international law topics of their choice. The value of the opportunity to publish and contribute to a legal debate cannot be emphasized enough.

Skills and Career Building. Unquestionably, being a member of a law journal is an accomplishment virtually all employers seek. Students who have journal participation on their resume have a distinct competitive advantage, providing them with opportunities that may not be available without journal experience. Why is this so? Participating with Comment Staff improves essential advocacy and editing skills, familiarizes a student with popular legal citation formats, develops structured writing ability, and exposes students to exciting legal issues. Additionally, Staff Writers are members of a community of students working toward a common goal. Relationships formed during this experience will continue well into one’s professional career.

Academic. Comment Staff participation provides several academic advantages. In addition to receiving two (2) pass units and exemption from required coursework, Staff Writers who have successfully performed as such are eligible to apply for one of the seven Board of Editors positions and associate editor positions during their 3D/4E academic year.