Oklahoma Journal of Law & Technology
HOW TO WRITE A STUDENT eBRIEF
In order to keep pace with the break neck speed of innovation and to keep our readers informed about the latest technological issues to intersect with the law, the Oklahoma Journal of Law and Technology (OKJOLT) will feature a new format for legal writing: eBriefs - short studies of timely issues pertinent to pending legal cases and emerging trends. An eBrief is a thoughtful and informative analysis of a recent case, debate, proposed bill or administrative policy. EBriefs will add an element of newsworthiness to OKJOLT by combining the timeliness of a journalistic article with the scholarly analysis of a traditional legal work. Topical coverage will include eCommerce, Cybercrime, Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks, Antitrust, Trade Secrets, Biotechnology, Telecommunications, and other Emerging Technologies.
EBriefs should be easily readable and appeal to a broad audience including practitioners, students, scholars, judges and policymakers. Like a newspaper or magazine article, a good eBrief will first peak the readers interest and then go on to fully educate the reader about the given topic. To write a good eBrief, a student should first give the background of a timely, technology-related issue, then choose a side within the issue and persuasively explain why this side has the stronger argument. The authors should then address recent scholarly arguments in the area and conclude with a discussion of potential outcomes and implications.
OKJOLT's main goal is to provide an opportunity for ALL OU Law students to participate in Legal Research and Writing. As such, OKJOLT invites and encourages ALL students (1Ls, 2Ls and 3Ls) to submit an eBrief or Student Note for consideration of publication. Students who take the time to write a clear and concise eBrief, following the guidelines provided, will likely have their work published online.
Writing an eBrief
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Topics - You choose the topic for your eBrief according to your
research interests. An eBrief may fit neatly into one or more of the topical
categories above or it may relate more generally to emerging technology and its
effect on the law. OKJOLT will post a list of "papers in progress" to keep students
informed and to avoid "double coverage." Once you have decided on a topic, please
email OKJOLT so that we can add your title to the list of topics being covered.
Need ideas for potential research topics? Visit these sites: (Links marked with an asterisk (*) open in a new window.)
- Length - There is no maximum word or page limit for eBriefs. OKJOLT encourages authors to cover topics thoroughly as eBriefs will be used as reference materials for educational and research purposes. A typical eBrief will range from 7 - 10 pages in length and must include footnotes. Please remember students may also submit research projects of 15 or more pages for consideration under the category of "Student Notes.'
- Bluebook - Even though eBriefs are short in comparison to full-length Notes and Articles, eBriefs are legal scholarship and must be Blue Book compliant. Authors must take time to thoroughly edit and bluebook their work.
If you need help constructing your eBrief or have questions about this new format, visit the OKJOLT office (located on the 3rd floor in the Law Review Suite) or email OKJOLT at okjolt@ou.edu.