There was no grand plan, no secret conspiracy. It just happened.

For the first time in the history of the Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment and Technology Law (JETLaw), an all-female board will be at the helm this fall.

Given the long history of male-dominated law school journals, the news is significant. It’s also notable that the journal is focused on technology, a sector that has struggled to attract and retain women.

Top/L-R: Emily Lipka, senior managing editor; Natalie Pike, senior notes editor; Erin Meyers, editor in chief; Alyx Eva, senior articles editor. Bottom/L-R: Barrett Lingle, senior development editor; Madison Crooks, senior publication editor; Caroline Cartwright, senior managing editor; Reem Blaik, executive editor.

Reem Blaik, the incoming JETLaw executive editor, said it may be the first time in Vanderbilt University Law School’s history that a law journal’s board has been all female.  She was surprised as anyone when she realized that all her new colleagues on JETLaw are female.

“We had no idea that it would turn out that way,” said Blaik.

JETLaw, which turns 20 this year, is an official, highly ranked, student-run publication of Vanderbilt University Law School focusing on technology, intellectual property, and entertainment law. Rankings of scholarly journals by Washington and Lee put JETLaw fifth in Intellectual Property, fourth in Science, Technology, & Computing, and second in Arts, Entertainment & Sports.