Letter from the Editor-in-Chief

JCEL's inaugural issue was published in December of 2009, paving the way as our nation's first law periodical focused exclusively on the legal aspects of the world's transition to a clean energy economy. During the 2015-16 year, JCEL finalized the process of going green by transitioning Volume 8 to an online version (paperless journal). The quality of this journal will continue the tradition of being a world-class publication on major issues and topics in climate change and energy law.

JCEL contains articles, comments and casenotes written by leading professors, practitioners and judges in their respective fields, as well as our very own University of San Diego School of Law students. Alongside the University of San Diego School of Law's Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC), JCEL co-hosts the University of San Diego's Annual Climate & Energy Law Symposium. Many of the Symposium's speakers also provide articles to be published in the journal. Although JCEL currently only publishes one issue each year since its inception, with each volume growing successively larger, it is our hope to add more issues to the publication cycle in future years.

Along with publishing an innovative journal in a burgeoning field, JCEL is equally as dedicated to innovating its publication process and being an environmentally friendly journal. JCEL's office is currently set up to run completely "paperless," providing digital file management to perform cite-checking functions. This system allows our members to work practically anywhere with an Internet connection, no longer tied down to inefficient scanning and printing systems. And in doing so, JCEL is able to save approximately six boxes of office paper each year as well as prepare its members for the "law firm of tomorrow."

Membership to JCEL is highly competitive and an honor conferred only on those students who have shown excellence in both legal writing and scholastic achievement. During the first year of JCEL membership, Associates are required to complete cite-checking assignments and write a student comment on an issue or topic related to climate or energy law. The topic chosen may be written in conjunction with a law school writing course. Comment Editors will work closely with Associates throughout the writing process to ensure that the student work is best prepared for publication in either JCEL or another journal.

If you have any questions or more information regarding JCEL, please contact us by email at usdlawjcel@gmail.com. Thank you for visiting our site.

Sincerely,

Allie Maggart
Editor-in-Chief
Volume 15