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Thought Leadership on Policy Issues

Journal of Law and Public Policy

About the Journal of Law and Public Policy

The St. Thomas Journal of Law and Public Policy (JLPP) is a student-run journal that promotes modern legal thought through analysis of contemporary public policy. It raises awareness and provides expert thought on timely public policy issues by utilizing several forums, including academically rigorous symposia, publication of articles and community events. It integrates all viewpoints to sharpen and improve the public policies of the state and federal governments of the United States of America.

By strengthening professional relationships, utilizing practical skills for the workplace and stimulating scholarly discussion, JLPP seeks to provide students with an opportunity to develop their critical research and writing skills and to make a meaningful contribution to legal professionals and American society.

Call for Papers: “Agriculture and Food Policy”

The University of St. Thomas announces a Call for Papers for its Spring Symposium, entitled "Agriculture and Food Policy," to be held on April 10, 2026 online via Zoom. Papers are welcome addressing the following itemized themes or other related matters.

Few important questions of public policy are less debated and more taken for granted than agriculture and food policy. This Symposium is intended to remedy this deficiency. It invites papers that address the following aspects of agriculture and food policy.
  1. We have seen in recent years the emergence of hedge funds that focus on purchasing large tracts of farmland for the purpose of bringing the land under the control of large institutional investors. Similarly, we have also seen the emergence of corporate ownership of farmland. Within this new matrix, does the small family farmer still have a place? And if family farming is threatened, then what of rural communities? What is the future of rural communities in a world where agriculture is increasingly conducted by large economic players?
  2. Modern farming, often conducted at industrial scale, results in a great number of what the economists would call “externalities.” There are significant environmental concerns with the conduct of industrial-scale farming, including the discharge of air and water pollutants; and the excessive use of water. The odors of many farming operations, and public health issues associated with their operation also raise questions about public nuisance law.
  3. The use of seed by farmers now also comes with legal liabilities. Seed was once assumed to be a public good, generally available to all. With the rise of artificially-modified crops, seeds now often assume the character of a private commodity, the use of which comes with substantial restrictions – on resale; on replanting; and on transfer. What is the proper balance to be struck for an equitably-operating seed market?
  4. It is also the case that many persons live in so-called deserts. These “deserts” may include rural areas, where one may need to travel a substantial distance for shopping; or in low-income urban areas, in which major food retailers have chosen not to locate stores. What are the appropriate remedies for such deficiencies? Should municipalities operate city-owned grocery stores? Should government provide greater support for the creation and maintenance of food cooperatives?
  5. International trade poses a final concern for agricultural and food policy. We have seen in recent months the international purchase and sale affected by tariffs in recent months. These agricultural products include, most prominently soybeans, but also include pork; poultry; beef; and other foodstuffs. What should be American policy towards global markets in food and agricultural goods?

Submission Guidelines & Timeline:

Interested parties should submit proposals no later than March 20, 2026 to Professor Charles J. Reid, Jr., at cjreid@stthomas.edu. Professor Reid’s direct phone line is (651) 962-4974.

Symposium:

We ask that contributors present remarks of fifteen or twenty minutes in length. We anticipate four panels of three or four panelists each, and a keynote speaker. We expect that contributors will prepare papers of publishable academic quality for inclusion in a forthcoming issue of the University of St. Thomas Journal of Law and Public Policy. The deadline for completed papers is June 30, 2026.

Thank you for your interest!

Journal Membership

2025-2026

Editor-in-Chief
Denley Wenner

Managing Editor
Danny Rodriguez

Articles Editor
Alec Singer

Publications Editor
Josiah Thomsen

Recruitment Chair
Sabrina Estes-Possia

Symposium Chair
Anna Larson
Jackie Moen

Senior Editors
Grace Castleberg
Elayna L. Chambers
Mickey A. Bernardi
Jocie Scherkenbach
Klara W. Beinhorn
Blair Kirby

Associate Editors
Ben Basile
Emily Becker
Ronde Berry
Riley Carlson
Anna Dyrbye-O'Hare
Connor Edrington
Larissa A. Ernst
Evan Esslinger
David Flynn
Jack Frundt

Associate Editors
Jillian Gamble
Sukaina Jaffri
Trevor Loeb
Jacob Ludwig
Sydney M. McGinn
Anna Neumeister
Tara Niebeling
Tyler M. Okemwa
Maggie Opperman
Clare Palen
Sophia Perri
Matt J. Possis
Mollie Ryan
Anna G. Shane
Alyssa Vanornum
Tate Wishard

Join JLPP

The Law Journal and Journal of Law and Public Policy team up each year to hold a "write-on" competition through which both journals gain new members from the University of St. Thomas School of Law student body. The competition is held the week after 1L spring semester finals each year, and involves a 10-page closed memo assignment and an editing exercise.

Past JLPP Members

Volume 18 - 2024-2025

Editor-in-Chief: Anisa Omar

Managing Editor: Kira Hackett

Articles Editor: Colette Bruder

Symposium Editors: Lindsey Broda, Jenna Podgornik

Publications Editor: Meredith LaVine

Recruitment Chair: Michaela Messier

Senior Editors: Stephanie Nepper, Amanda Piel, TJ Reinhardt, Elena Senftner, Zac Spohn, Eva Stromgren

Associate Editors: Monali Bhakta, Klara Beinhorn, Mickey Bernardi, Grace Castleberg, Elayna Chambers, Anna Larson, Jackie Moen, Sabrina Possia, Bradley Reuter, Danny Rodriguez, Jocie Scherkenbach, Bobbie Chermbeck, Nate Shoemaker, Alec Singer, Tate Thielfoldt, Josiah Thomsent, Denley Wenner

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Charles J. Reid, Jr.

 

Volume 17 - 2023-2024

Editor-in-Chief: Mike Petschel

Managing Editor: Sunny Gaughen

Articles Editor: Emma Theis

Symposium Director: Olivea Boyer

Publications Editor: Mohamed Ibrahim

Recruitment Director: Ryan Neigbauer

Senior Editors: Hanna Day, Malcolm Deisz, Maria Golberg, Kenya HolderBecker, Taylor Nachtigal, Molly Schwandt

Associate Editors: Alex Kautza, Abdulla Ali, Lindsey Broda, Colette Bruder, Erika Clyma, Cameron Fair, Kira Hackett, Daisy Kabaka, Meredith LaVine, Alexis Locsin, Michaela Messier, Stephanie Nepper, Anisa Omar, Jenna Podgornik, John Pouchot, Brad Reuter, Elena Senftner, Zac Spohn, Eva Stromgren, Hafsa Warsamee, Sara Weber, Lauren Zimbeck

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Charles J. Reid, Jr.

Volume 16 - 2022-23

Editor-in-Chief: Taylor Daniels

Managing Editor: Olivia Kettleson

Articles Editor: Samantha Arndt

Symposium Director: Austin Northagen

Publications Editor/Recruitment Director: Chasse Thomas

Senior Editors: Maria Biasin, Brooklyn Calain, Alicia Johnson, Hannah Smith, HouPha Vang

Associate Editors: Olivia Boyer, Hannah Day, Malcolm Diez, Sunny Gaughen, Maria Golberg, Keven Green, Kenya Holderbecker, Mohamed Ibrahim, Alex Kautza, Jiayuan (Kirby) Li, Taylor Nachtigal, Ryan Neigbauer, Mike Petschel, Molly Schwandt, Emma Theis

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Charles J. Reid, Jr.


Volume 11 - 2016-17

Editor-in-Chief: Patrick O'Neill

Managing Editor: Myriah Bielinski

Articles Editor: Jennifer Parell

Symposium Director/Public Relations Director: Derek Stewart

Recruitment Director/Treasurer: Taylor Hein

Publications Director: Liz Vadakara

Secretary: Holly Ryan

Senior Editors: Brittany Dingman, Chelsea Barr, Sarah Bryant, Lauren Clements, Clinton Stroeing, Janelle Chambers, Eric Penniston, Sheilagh Leary, Nicole Raebel, Clarice Fredrickson, Hannah Hanlon, Megan Oliver, Molly Sigler, Sam LeVahn, Zach Sutherland

Associate Editors: Molly Beckius, Andrew Carballo, Kourtney Chrastek, Aileen Conway, Peter Dotson, Connor Doyle, Dorothy Summers, Sam Evans, Kathleen Goerke, Francine Kulpic, Jackie Leffner, James Lopez, Leah Miller, William Reynaga, Kelsie Stahl, Vanessa Uko, Cody Dorumsgard, Danielle Liebl, Elizabeth Runde, Anna Street

Board of Advisors: Professor Teresa S. Collett, Professor Robert J. Delahunty, Professor Michael S. Paulsen, Dr. Charles Reid Jr.

Volume 12 - 2017-18

Editor-in-Chief: Mohammed Abumayaleh

Managing Editor: Molly Beckius

Articles Editor: Connor Doyle

Symposium Director: Andrew Carballo

Publications Director: Leah Koch

Recruitment Director: Kelsie Stahl

Secretary: Francine Kuplic

Senior Editors: Kourtney Chrastek, Aileen Conway, Cody Dorumsgaard, Peter Dotson, Sam Evans, Kathleen Goerke, Jacqueline Leffner, Danielle Liebl, James Lopez, William Reynaga, Elizabeth Runde, Anna Street, Dorothy Summers, Vanessa Uko

Associate Editors: Jacob Behmer, Jayanti Biswas-Diener, Kristen Bolanos, Alexander Christians, Samuel Courtney, Ryan Deschene, Michelle Fournier, Ransford Frimpong, Luke Greiner, Breanna Halyburton, Lindsay Hewitt, Dillon Lang, Ann Lisowski, Ashley Menzel, Kyle Peterson, Brianna Shareef, Matthew Smaron, Joseph Stuhlmann, Emiliee Walters, Olivia Weber, Bridget Welter

Board of Advisors: Professor Teresa S. Collett, Professor Robert J. Delahunty, Professory Michael S. Paulsen, Dr. Charles Reid, Jr.

Volume 13 - 2018-19

Editor-in-Chief: Olivia Weber

Managing Editor: Emilee Walters

Articles Editor: Ryan Deschene

Symposium Director: Bridget Welter

Publications Director: Ann Cecka

Recruitment Director: Kristen Bolanos

Secretary: Kyle Peterson

Senior Editors: Jacob Behmer, Lakshmi Biswas-Diener, Alexander Christians, Samuel Courtney, Michelle Fournier, Ransford Frimpong, Luke Greiner, Breanna Halyburton, Lindsay Hewitt, Dillon Lang, Ashley Menzel, Brianna Shareef, Matthew Smaron, Joseph Stuhlmann

Associate Editors: Anne St Amant, Colby Boman, Georgia Brattland, Jacqueline Congello, Edward Davalle, Matthew Dobson, Zach Franks, Amanda Gonzalez, Elise Heifort, Jacob Daniel Hoffman, Paul Hultgren, Mikael Ingvaldson, Brittany Kennedy Kristina Keppeler, Christoph Moschen, Maxwell Reibel, Tamara Zemen

Board of Advisors: Professor Teresa S. Collett, Professor Robert J. Delahunty, Professor Michael S. Paulsen, Dr. Charles Reid, Jr.

Volume 14 - 2020-21

Editor-in-Chief: Jack Buck

Managing Editor: Carl Erickson

Articles Editor: Michael Pfau

Podcast Editor: Timothy Anderson

Symposium Director: Allison Cole

Recruitment Director: Amanda Pilon

Compliance Chair/Secretary: Shannon Eckman

Treasurer: Jacob Grow

Senior Editors: Meghan Byrnes, Alexander Klein, Adam Pilon, John Dixon, Carolyn McDonnell, Marina Rizzo, Ellie Trebilcock, Max Donohue, Jordan Ortmeier, Jonathan Sturtz

Associate Editors: Kendall Hays, Andrea Meitler, Mara Stenger, Dalia Istephanous, Josie Rosene, Jill Strodthoff, Payton Yahn, Thomas Maigaard, Erica Saluta, April Turrito

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Charles J. Reid, Jr.

Volume 15 - 2021-22

Editor-in-Chief: Jack Buck

Managing Editor: Carl Erickson

Articles Editor: Michael Pfau

Symposium Director: Allision Cole

Podcast Editor: Timothy Anderson

Treasurer: Jacob Grow

Recruitment Director: Amanda Pilon

Compliance Chair/Secretary: Shannon Eckman

Senior Editors: Meghan Byrnes, John Dixon, Max Donohue, Alexander Klein, Carolyn McDonnell, Jordan Ortmeier, Adam Pilon, Marina Rizzo, Jonathan Sturtz, Ellie Trebilcock

Associate Editors: Kendall Hays, Dalia Istephanous, Thomas Maigaard, Andrea Meitler, Josie Rosene, Erica Saluta, Mara Stenger, Jill Strodthoff, April Turitto, Payton Yahn

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Charles J. Reid, Jr.


Volume 6 - 2011-12

Editor-in-Chief: Ruth Dapper

Managing Editor: Nathan Gallus

Articles Editors: Hayley Astrup, Ann LeBeda

Comments Editor: Amanda Fenolio

Symposium Editors: Emily Kerr (Spring), Jeffery Wald (Spring), Stephanie Gadow (Fall)

Publications Editor: Amanda Mortwedt

Fundraising Editors: Katherine Polking, Joseph Grodahl

Treasurer: Phil Stamman

Recruitment Editor: Eric Omdahl

Secretary: Phil Stamman

Senior Editors: Stephen Astrup, Subia Beg, Patrick Oxley, Katherine Polking, T.James Power

Associate Editors: Matthew Boleyn, Rachana Chhin, Elliot Huss, Emily Kerr, Jacob Koch, Nancy Ly, Roger Maldonado, Kathryn Mollen, Christopher Motz, Richard Sand, Jeffery Wald, Tracy Ystesund

Volume 7 - 2012-13

Editor-in-Chief: Christopher Motz

Managing Editor: Jeffrey Wald

Articles Editors: Roger Maldonado

Comments Editor: Rachana Chhin

Symposium Director: Elliott Huss

Publications Directors: Rick Sand, Kathryn Mollen

Senior Editors: Jacob Koch, Joseph Grodahl, Tracy Ystesund

Associate Editors: Lauren Anthone, Trevor William Carolan, Travis Clark, Cassandra Granos, Christina Hanson, Gabriel Horstman, Christine Hunt, Noah Jensen Tabor, Caitlan Karraker, Brandi Lawler, Leah Menden, Alex Monarez, Samuel Nelson, Joy Nissen, Christiana Nita, Neceda Nohrenberg, Lauren O'Neil, Sarah Orange, Natalie Peterson, Mardell Presler, Jamie Allen Reff-Wagner, Colleen Ritchie, Lucas Spaeth, Allan Tritch

Volume 8 - 2013-14

Editor-in-Chief: Sam Nelson

Managing Editor: Elliott Huss

Articles Editor: Leah Menden

Notes and Comments Editor: Sarah Orange

Symposium Director: Mardell Presler

Publications Director: Rachana Chhin

Recruitment Director: Colleen Ritchie

Secretary: Jamie Reff-Wagner

Treasurer: Christiana Nita

Public Relations Director: Sarah Schaefer

Senior Editors: Trevor Carolan, Caitlin Karraker, Christina Hanson, Lucas Spaeth, Lauren O'Neil, Joy Nissan

Associate Editors: Felix Cannella, Daniel Erickson, Robert Fafinski, Ryan Gott, Brandon Hanson, Brad Johnson, James Kovacs, Willis Krumholz, Timothy LaCroix, Jessica Melheim, Nick Morgan, Ryan Ogren, Caroline Pratt, Stacey Pucko, Laura Reilly, Amy Robertson, Sarah Schaefer, Rachel Sebasky, Jennifer Shabel, Matthew Swiontek, Rachel Thurlow, Brian Tripp, Blaine White

Volume 9 - 2014-15

Editor-in-Chief: Sarah Schaefer

Managing Editor: Nick Morgan

Articles Editor: Michelle Olsen

Notes and Comments Editor: Tim LaCroix

Symposium Director: Brandon Hanson

Publications Director: Jim Kovacs

Secretary: Carrie Osowski

Treasurer: Felix Cannella

Senior Editors: Ryan Gott, Brad Johnson, Willis Krumholz, Caroline Pratt, Stacey Pucko, Amy Robertson, Brian Tripp

Associate Editors: Zuri Balmakund, Brooke Borkenhagen, Jordan Byhring, Chris Clark, Daniel Erickson, Robert Fafinski, Wes Harvey, Andrew Hoaglund, Hannah Lindeborg, Conor Marrinan, Jocelyn Norman, Jennifer Shabel, William Torhorst

Volume 10 - 2015-16

Editor-in-Chief: Conor Marrinan

Managing Editor: Jocelyn Norman

Articles Editor: Andrew Hoaglund

Symposium Director/Public Relations Director: Hannah Lindeborg

Publications Director: Mohammed Abumayaleh

Recruitment Director/Treasurer: Christopher Clark

Secretary: Holly Ryan

Senior Editors: Brooke Borkenhagen, Jordan Byhring, Wesley Harvey, R. William Torhorst Jr.

Associate Editors: Chelsea Barr, Myriah Bielinski, Sarah Bryant, Janelle Chambers, Lauren Clements, Brittany Dingman, Clarice Fredrickson, Hannah Hanlon, Taylor Hein, Sheilagh Leary, Sam LeVahn, Joshua Nuckols, Megan Oliver, Patrick O'Neill, Jennifer Parell, Eric Penniston, Nicole Raebel, Derek Stewart, Molly Sigler, Clinton Stroeing, Zachary Sutherland, Elizabeth Vadakara

Board of Advisors: Professor Teresa S. Collett, Professor Robert J. Delahunty, Professor Michael S. Paulsen, Dr. Charles Reid, Jr.


Volume 1 - 2006-07

Co-Editors-in-Chief: Daniel D. Ehrlich, G. Courtland Borle

Managing Editor: Thomas J. Alford

Articles Editor: Arica Bryant

Comments Editor: Nathan J. Goltz

Symposium Director: Christopher W. Huether

Publication Director: Jessica A. Stachnik

Fundraising Chair: Andrew A. Arndt

Recruitment Director: Andrew Sternke

Secretary: Andrew S. Kniffin

Senior Editors: Kathryn B. Fannon, David L. Hanson, Joshua Smith-Hanen

Associate Editors: Kelly Kirby, Mark F. Hastie, Kristina Miller, Ashlie Thomas, James T. Smith

Board of Advisors: Robert J. Delahunty, Teresa S. Collett, Scott W. Johnson, Dr. Charles J. Reid, Jr.

Volume 2 - 2007-08

Editor-in-Chief: James Smith

Managing Editor: Ryan Inman

Articles Editors: Renee Carlson, Kelly Kirby

Comments Editor: Annie Mullin

Symposium Director: Nicole Concordia

Publications Director: Nate Dahl

Fundraising Directors: Kristina Miller, Megan Heller

Recruitment Director: Ashlie Thomas

Secretary: Erin Lord

Senior Editors: Kelly Binford, Andrew Kniffin, Nick Micheletti, Colin Mueller

Associate Editors: Jessica Blanner, Sarah Bohman, Rachel Broten, Tim Brovold, Joseph Buri, Brian Ellsworth, Blair Gisi, Gretchen Hieb, Michael Kemp, Allison Luse, Tom Mastroianni, Geoff Saltzstein, Paula Schmidt, Katie Seidel, Meghan Tumility

Board of Advisors: Robert J. Delahunty, Teresa S. Collett, Michael Stokes Paulsen, Dr. Charles J. Reid, Jr.

Volume 3 - 2008-09

Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Concordia

Managing Editor: Andrew Kniffin

Articles Editor: Erin Lord

Comments Editor: Rachel Broten

Symposium Director: Megan Heller

Publications Director: Sarah Bohman

Fundraising Chairs: Michael Kemp, James Wasserburger

Recruitment Director: Jessica Blanner

Treasurer: Timothy Coulter

Secretary: Alicia Long

Senior Editors: Joseph Buri, Timothy Brovold, Allison Luse, Paula F. Schmidt, Meghan Tumilty

Associate Editors: Elizabeth Anderson, m boulette, Marina Caeiro, Alan T. Heavens, Joseph Librande, James Long, Matthew Perkins, Amy Pokora, Emily Pokora, Matthew Roby, John Sandy, John A. Wehrly

Board of Advisors: Robert J. Delahunty, Teresa S. Collett, Michael Stokes Paulsen, Dr. Charles J. Reid, Jr.

Volume 4 - 2009-10

Editor-in-Chief: John M. Sandy

Managing Editor: James Long

Articles Editors: John A. Wehrly, m boulette

Comments Editor: Matthew Perkins

Symposium Director: Alan T. Heavens

Publication Director: A. Elizabeth Burnett

Fundraising Directors: Brian Gross, Alicia Long

Recruitment Director: James Wasserburger

Treasurer: Kevin Evers

Secretary: Alicia Long

Senior Editors: Ryan Hansch, Joseph Librande, Simeon Morbey, Christina Pisani, Lucas Vebber, Marina Caeiro, Mary Fenske, Elizabeth Murray, Paul Olin, James Olsen, Matthew Roby, Christopher Truso, Peter Williams, Lucas Wilson

Associate Editors: Benjamin Noffke, Anthony Nagorski, Amanda Lentz, Therese Bart, John Foss, Joel Addington, Jessica Ranfranz, Kate Marion, Bryan Huffman, Charles Heaton, Adam Terwey, Jenny Frederick, Daniel Mikkelson, Kreg Wagner, Susan Ronau, Lilian Monfort, Krista Griffith, Catherine Clifford

Volume 5 - 2010-11

Editor-in-Chief: Lily Monfort

Managing Editor: Paul Olin

Articles Editors: Mandy Kopnick, Susan Grassel

Comments Editor: Kreg Wagner

Symposium Director: Tony Nagorski

Publication Director: Therese Bart

Secretary/Recruitment Director: Jessica Ranfranz

Senior Editors: Benjamin Noffke, Daniel Mikkelson, Jackie Fox, Joel Addington, Adam Terwey, Jenny Frederick, Catherine Clifford, Krista Griffith, Michael Dolphin

Associate Editors: Nathan Gallus, Ruth Dapper, Stephanie Gadow, Timothy Scott, Mike Kodada, Subia Beg, Kurtis Young, Phil Stamman, Amanda Mortwedt, Elyssa Banwell, James Power, Kaylyn Sudik, Michael Nadimi, Stephen Astrup, Katherine Polking, Ann LeBeda, Whitney Krogman, Amanda Fenolio, Patrick Oxley, Joseph Grodahl, Eric Omdahl, Lee Peterson, Hayley Astrup