The Journal of Maritime Law and Commerce

Welcome to the Journal of Maritime Law and Commerce (JMLC), a scholarly publication devoted to all aspects of admiralty and maritime law.

As of January 1, 2021, the JMLC is under new ownership at the Roger Williams University School of Law.

JMLC Co-Editors-In-Chief on Providence's commercial waterfront

Meet The Editors

The JMLC continues to be a professionally published journal with two Co-Editors-in-Chief: Justin Kishbaugh and Julia Wyman. The JMLC has a rotating staff of other editors and peer-reviewers in the field of maritime law.

Additionally, the JMLC has a cohort of student editors at the Roger Williams University School of Law who assist the Editors-in-Chief.

Meet the Editors
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Subscribe to the JMLC

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How Do I Get Involved Or Submit An Article?

Submit to the JMLC, become an editor or peer-reviewer, or a student editor.

Get Involved or Submit An Article
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Current & Past Editions

Please check back here for current, past, and upcoming editions of the JMLC.

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History

The Journal of Maritime Law and Commerce was founded in 1969 by George Jay Joseph, a Washington, D.C., lawyer who saw the need for a law review exclusively devoted to maritime law. Through a generous gift by the Joseph family in 2021, the JMLC transferred hands to the Roger Williams University School of Law.

History

Marine Affairs News

  • John A. Dorsey L'10

    John Dorsey L'10 Selected for U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Rhode Island

    Chief Judge David J. Barron of the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit announced on June 5 that John A. Dorsey L'10 has been selected to fill the upcoming vacancy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Rhode Island that will result from Judge Diane Finkle's retirement on September 8, 2025.

  • Deborah Gonzales wearing judicial robe in court with US flags behind her

    Up for a Challenge

    Deborah Gonzales L'07 began her legal career on the cleaning staff. “I’ve had every position, from the cleaning person, to the receptionist, to the secretary, to the paralegal, to the lawyer, to the partner, to the law professor, and now the judge,” Gonzalez says.

  • Book cover of Integrating Doctrine and Diversity: Beyond the First Year

    RWU Law Faculty Honored with National Award for Advancing Diversity in Legal Education

    Nicole P. Dyszlewski, professor and assistant dean for curricular innovation, and Suzanne Harrington-Steppen, clinical professor and associate director of pro bono programs, were recently named recipients of the 2025 Joseph L. Andrews Legal Literature Award from the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL). The award honors their co-editorship of the groundbreaking book Integrating Doctrine & Diversity: Beyond the First Year.

  • Female law student smiling at the camera

    Destined for Law: From Legal Dream to Valedictorian

    For RWU Law Class of 2025 valedictorian Ashley Kaplan, attending law school always felt like destiny. “Becoming a lawyer was one of my childhood dreams, and as my grandfather always wanted a lawyer in the family – and I am a smidge argumentative – it felt kismet for me to go to law school,” she says.