The Oregon Advocate, which is student-founded and produced, provides undergraduates with experience in academic writing and an open arena to discuss topics related to the field of law. Katz says although the journal is not quite comparable to a full law review that is produced by law school students, he felt that outstanding undergraduate students were capable of doing similar work. While it is rare to find an undergraduate publication on a college campus, Katz says it is absolutely unheard of to find a journal of law in undergraduate circles. Katz has been told by many sources that the Oregon Advocate is the only undergraduate journal of law in the entire nation.
Students write and edit the articles, case notes and book reviews that appear in the journal.
He says the project gives students the opportunity to improve their writing skills, and it also gives the editors the practical experience that will help them should they work on law review journals or other publications in the future. In addition to the student staff members, a journalism graduate student assists with copy editing, and three UO faculty members serve as advisors to the editorial board. Professor Klonoski, who serves as the primary advisor, says the Oregon Advocate is unique. Through his many years of teaching political science, Klonoski has seen student-created political science journals emerge, but this is the first time he has seen an undergraduate law journal. Julie Novkov, an assistant professor of political science who also serves on the editorial board, says the students are gaining invaluable experience in designing and implementing major research and editorial projects.