Letter from the Editor-in-Chief Daniel Mathew

Dear Readers,

I hope this message finds you well and your loved ones in good health as we navigate the start of the fall semester from our homes and apartments in Baltimore, across the U.S., and around the world. For most of us, the changes in our day-to-day lives occasioned by the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis represent a plane of uncertainty: as seniors we look on anxiously to the spring semester and wonder whether the global health situation will permit universities to resume in-person activities so we can celebrate graduation on campus with our families, say goodbye inperson to many dear friends, and revisit the places where we’ve made so many memories. As juniors, we cope with the challenge of cancelled study abroad plans and similarly look forward to reuniting with our peers in the spring. As freshmen and sophomores, we express our disappointment in not being able to attend classes inperson and form the networks and friend groups that define our social experience at Hopkins. Nevertheless, our executive board believes the transition to remote instruction and virtual administration of club activities presents us with a distinctive opportunity to reimagine how we operate, connect, and achieve: we envision an increasingly interconnected experience for our members even as they find themselves physically further apart.

Over the past two years, I have watched the organization grow from a young student venture seeking to unite the pre-law community on campus to the established, fastgrowing, and impactful organization it is today. Our commitment to engaging young voices and providing accessible, informed, and thought-provoking legal analysis would not be possible without the creativity, ambition, and resourcefulness of our exceptional staff writers and editors. You honor the best of our tradition and give powerful expression to our core values of scholarship, originality, and the free exchange of ideas.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our outgoing Editor-in-Chief Ian Elliott, who has worked tirelessly to elevate the Law Review’s tradition of excellence and from whom I have learned much about such diverse areas as event design, networking, and leadership. I also express my deep gratitude to Kiana Boroumand, the founder and first leader of JHULR whose advice, oversight, and willingness to help have remained a constant resource to me throughout my time with the Law Review. As I transition from the role of Director of Programming to the sole Editor-in-Chief for the 2020-21 school year, I look on with excitement to the amazing publications, fantastic events, and incredible memories we are destined to create.

Best, Daniel Mathew Editor-in-Chief