Class of 2026 Grad Leads Tulane Law Review into its Historic 100th Volume
When Caitlin Phillips arrived at Tulane Law, she had no idea what “law review” was. Three years later, Phillips is ending her law school career as Editor-in-Chief of the Tulane Law Review.
“I had no clue what ‘journal’ was because I’m a first-generation lawyer,” said the soon-to-be law graduate. “My Legal Research and Writing fellows pitched it to us and started telling us this is something you should be interested in.”
That encouragement led Phillips to compete in the Tulane Law flagship journal’s write-on competition, ultimately landing her the role of junior member during her second year of law school. After months of diligent editing and writing, Phillips was elected as Editor-in-Chief of the journal’s 100th volume.
“The 100th volume was a momentous occasion for the journal,” Phillips said. “The journal has seen lots of challenges and making it to 100 volumes is a huge deal. It’s such an honor to be able to direct that volume.”
Phillips and her team knew the Law Review deserved special commemoration, so they asked faculty advisor Professor Ron Scalise to write a comprehensive history of its 100 years. That piece was placed before Issue One of Volume 100, setting the tone for the landmark edition.
“We hope that this history acts as a piece of institutional knowledge that can be passed down to future editors,” Phillips said.
Phillips admits she had no formal leadership experience before stepping into the role, so heading up such a large organization was a learning experience.
“There are 58 people on the Law Review who are doing all sorts of activities,” she said. “Being able to be sensitive to their challenges and hear their thanks when we're able to get an extension or pick up the slack on something was very rewarding.”
Despite this being her first foray into leadership, Phillips ended up being a natural fit.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with Caitlin over the last year,” Professor Scalise noted. “She’s a consummate professional, a natural leader, an incredibly hard worker, and a delightful person all around.”
For many of Tulane Law graduates, Commencement means saying goodbye to classmates and friends. But not for the senior board members of the journal: all six of them will be clerking at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Phillips will clerk for Chief Judge the Hon. Wendy Vitter (L ‘86) alongside the journal’s Senior Notes and Comments Editor, Taylor Chozick.
“I’m so thrilled that more and more students are interested in clerking,” Phillips said, “and that I’ll get to continue the work with them all next year.”
