Joining BJIL

How Do I Join?

BJIL always has a table in the activities fair at the beginning of the fall semester. Please swing by to chat with our editors and sign up! Interested students are also more than welcome at all our general meetings -- watch the hallways and the BBB for notices. If you missed us at the beginning of the year please send an email to bjil@law.berkeley.edu with "membership application" in the subject heading. In the body of the message please include all of your contact information (full name, address, email, and phone) and your class year. Upon receipt we will set up a membership file and get you started!

Why Join?

The Berkeley Journal of International Law is proud to be an organization open to the entire Boalt community. We welcome interested students from all course levels and degree programs at the law school. Working on BJIL offers students a unique opportuntity to be involved in the production of high level legal scholarship, and to learn about the most cutting edge issues in international law. Students can expect to gain significant experience in important writing and legal practice skills such as citation form, Bluebook usage, substantive editing, and technical editing (grammar, punctuation, etc.). Journal membership is also a highly valued experience for legal employers of all sorts, and a virtual requirement for federal judicial clerkships.

Our Community

The experience of BJIL membership transcends the production work that we do. As a BJIL member you will be a part of one of Boalt's largest and most active communities. In addition to several social gatherings, we host a variety of events throughout the year including job panels, presentations by scholars, receptions with faculty members, and a symposium. We are more than colleagues, we are a community of friends, here to help and support each other throughout our law school careers and beyond. Being a member of any journal, and BJIL especially, gives 1Ls an opportuntity to meet, bond with, and learn from the 2Ls and 3Ls in the community. Please feel free to swing by our office (374 Boalt Hall) or contact any one of our editorial board members to ask about the Journal.

What's Involved?

BJIL requires each member to complete five editing packets per semester and five hours of miscellaneous journal service. The basic membership requirement is designed to reflect 25 hours of work per semester. Members may, but are not required to, complete an additional two packets and one hour of miscellaneous service to achieve the special designation "assistant editor." The service requirement can be satisfied in a variety of ways, including by attendance at BJIL speaking and social events.