Meet the Editor: 2L Will Dooling, Minnesota Journal of Law, Science & Technology

We recently asked the incoming editors-in-chief of Minnesota Law’s four law journals to share a little bit about their backgrounds, interests, and plans. Today, we focus on Will Dooling, who was elected editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Journal of Law, Science and Technology for the 2019-20 academic year.

“Meet the Editor” series
Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska

Previous Education: B.A. (History and Communication), Saint Louis University; M.A. (Library and Information Science), University of Wisconsin-Madison

Pre-Law School Work Experience:

  • Science, Literature, and History Teacher, The Edge—Kaohsiung, Taiwan
  • Research Intern, Center for Media and Democracy—Madison, Wisconsin
  • Library Reference Associate, University of Nebraska-Lincoln—Lincoln, Nebraska
  • Librarian/Information Literacy Instructor, Creighton University—Omaha, Nebraska

Career plans/objective: I cannot say for sure. I love criminal law, and I love appellate work, so probably something in that area, but you never know.

Favorite class: Criminal Procedure is by far the most interesting subject I’ve studied in law school.

Favorite non-journal activity: My favorite non-journal law school activity has been my work in the Criminal Defense Clinic.

Something you enjoy in your free-time: In my spare time, I design and play “interactive fiction” games. These games are basically computer games that have no graphics, only text. It is a great way to experiment with the art of storytelling—which of course is quite applicable to law.

Favorite inspirational quote: “When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.” —Hunter S. Thompson

Plans or goals for your Journal during your time as editor-in-chief: I hope to continue producing high-quality legal scholarship, and have fun in the process. I am particularly hopeful that I can increase the journal’s readership among the general public. I think people outside of the legal academic world care about what we have to say, and I want to do more to reach out to them.

Advice for others looking to rise to a leadership role on a law journal: In law school, it is very easy to get wrapped up in individual achievement, but success in the “real world” is almost always about working well in a group. Find some friends, study with them, and help each other succeed. You will learn more by helping others learn, and you will succeed by helping others succeed.