Kentucky Law Journal
Founded in 1913, the Kentucky Law Journal is the national’s tenth-oldest continually published law review. We publish four print issues each year, plus timely scholarship online.
Edited by students with guidance from a faculty advisor, KLJ features work from leading scholars and original student work on a wide range of legal topics. Our mission is to advance legal thought, train the next generation of attorneys, and spark meaningful debate.
Online Originals
Schaeffer’s piece argues that Kentucky should adopt a statutory scheme to facilitate the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) similar to the one recently promulgated by the Virginia legislature. SMRs are advanced nuclear fission reactors that are smaller than traditional nuclear power plants. Their scale and modular nature makes them especially optimal for efficiency. With the proliferation of Kentucky's industrial sector, SMRs will play a crucial role in providing cost-effective electricity which will maximize Kentucky's economic output.
Student Blogs
With the unpredictable nature of childbirth, it is no shock that surrogacy and the laws governing it are equally unique. With no overarching federal legislation, states differ on how they treat surrogacy agreements, compensation for the surrogate mother, and how the intended parents are to establish legal parentage. KLJ Volume 114 Staff Editor Olivia Kiser evaluates the nations legal landscape on surrogacy and advocates for the Commonwealth of Kentucky to pass more legislation to address growing concerns in this area.
The Jones Act was enacted to protect maritime workers injured in the course of their employment. However, evolving case law has eroded that protection, leaving inland river workers in a statutory gray area. KLJ Volume 114 Editor Emma James analyzes the narrowing definition of “seaman” and advocates for reform to realign the Jones Act with its original purpose.
Taylor Swift’s newest album, The Life of a Showgirl, has once again placed Swift at the center of public discussion as accusations of copying have surfaced because of the apparent similarities between her new tracks and other popular songs. These allegations raise fundamental questions about what standard courts should use when evaluating claims of copyright infringement in mainstream music. KLJ Staff Editor Claire Irish dives into copyright law and the legitimacy of the claims against the pop superstar in her new piece.
The history of Kentucky’s juvenile system has always been turbulent, filled with allegations of abuse, promises of change, and a never-ending cycle. One perpetual problem is the state’s continued unstructured implementation of solitary confinement, which has recently raised concerns from the Department of Justice. KLJ Volume 114 Staff Editor Alexandra Wesley explores this tumultuous history and advocates for a ban on solitary confinement as a form of punishment in the Commonwealth’s juvenile detention system.
Wearable devices, such as Fitbit, allow users to collect and access vast amounts of personal health data, enabling them to monitor everything from sleep patterns to brain activity. While these wearables provide undeniable benefits, they may pose a constitutional hazard. Once this data is shared with a third party, it is no longer protected under the Fourth Amendment and is fair game for government agents. KLJ Volume 114 Staff Editor Maggie Dowdy advocates for greater protections for Americans health data in our digital age.