The Loyola of Los Angeles Entertainment Law Review has been in production since 1981. ELR has established a reputation as the authoritative source of professional and scholarly articles on entertainment, sports, and intellectual property law. ELR is distinctive among law reviews and legal journals because it is one among few scholarly publications dedicated exclusively to legal development in these fields. ELR’s readership includes leaders in many segments of the entertainment world, including judges, educators, lawyers, agents, managers, and artists. ELR is able to retain its preeminence in the industry through its close contacts and continuing relationships with those at the forefront of legal developments.
What is Entertainment Law?
Entertainment law is a vast subject area encompassing complex legal issues of constitutional law; anti-trust litigation; bankruptcy; contracts; corporation law; communication regulation; sports arbitration; and intellectual property rights, such as copyright and trademark. As the world becomes technologically interconnected, entertainment issues have broadened to an international scope, encompassing international trade and taxation, finance, and immigration. ELR is committed to examining these areas, as well as their impact on communications and the arts.
Our Membership Policy
The ELR editorial board seeks qualified, dedicated, and hard-working staff writers to contribute to the journal’s continued success. Each year, ELR selects 30-35 staff writers (subject to change) to join in the publication of three issues. Each staff writer, with the guidance of an editor, must write a case note or comment on a relevant issue in the entertainment field. The process of writing the article includes topic research, consultation with law professors and other subject matter experts, producing at least three drafts within established deadlines, and demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the Harvard Bluebook.
Additionally, each staff writer must contribute a minimum of three hours per week to office work. Assignments include researching and editing both outside articles and student-written notes or comments to prepare them for publication. Staff writers are also required to complete cite-checking assignments to verify the substantive and technical accuracy of the article. These assignments begin fall semester and continue throughout the school year under strict deadlines. Staff writers participate in at least three production days during the school year. Production days, which are generally held on weekends, are devoted to proofreading articles for grammatical and footnote corrections prior to publication.
ELR membership is a commitment that lasts throughout the academic year. Staff writers who wish to remain on ELR after their first year must apply for an editorial position for the following year. Each spring, members of the current editorial board will select new editors on the basis of the applicant’s individual qualifications, performance as a staff writer (including adherence to deadlines), and demonstrated interest in the field of entertainment law.
Advantages of Membership on ELR
Each staff writer who satisfactorily completes a note or comment fulfills Loyola Law School's mandatory writing requirement (see Student Handbook for details). In addition, each staff writer receives two units per semester, contingent upon satisfactory completion of their ELR duties. Each editor who fulfills their obligation receives three units per semester.
Additionally, through journal participation, staff writers gain enhanced opportunities for future employment. ELR endeavors to publish student articles that meet requisite high standards of legal writing. Analytical, research, and writing skills are refined through cite-checking assignments and the development of a note or comment. Student articles, in final form, demonstrate strong writing ability and make excellent writing samples for prospective employers.
In addition to resume value and development of important lawyering skills, ELR membership provides camaraderie through regular interaction among intelligent students with similar interests; periodic ELR-sponsored social events; and the opportunity for contact with entertainment industry professionals.
What to Expect
All members are required to attend an orientation prior to the beginning of fall semester. In addition to their aforementioned duties, staff writers will complete their note or comment during fall semester, which allows the editorial board to incorporate selected staff writer articles into later issues.
ELR encourages all students interested in an entertainment-related field to select the Entertainment Law Review as their first choice. We welcome the opportunity to work with you on exciting new legal issues. Please feel free to visit our offices, located on the second floor of Casassa, or talk to any current staff writer or editor.