Dear Tennessee Law Review Community,
When I stepped into this role, the Journal was in an era of change. Under the leadership of Virginia Saylor, our editorial process changed, we started an online presence, and we refined our case note publication process. Put simply, I knew I had big shoes to fill, and I felt the weight of continuing that momentum while honoring the Journal’s legacy.
This year, we took bold steps forward. We grew our online presence substantially and created an online forum for our alumni. In addition, we created a clerkship program for our members, launched a series of “Law Review Live” events, and hosted our first ever 2L Case Note Colloquium. As I reflect on the growth of the Journal this year, I am proud of what we have accomplished together. In high school, I had a teacher who said that you should always “leave a place better than you found it.” It wasn’t perfect, and there were plenty of mistakes along the way, but I am confident that our efforts have made the Journal a better place.
As I graduate, I will carry with me many of the lessons I learned from this role. First, leadership is rarely about having all the answers. It’s about listening to many voices, many of which might change your perspective. Second, it’s okay to make mistakes. There were times I had to make a final call with no perfect solution in sight. Those moments demanded courage and trust in those around me. Third, a big part of leadership is navigating conflict. This requires patience and a willingness to understand others. I look forward to carrying these lessons into my legal career.
I am confident that the Journal is in excellent hands with Layton Coker and Megan McQueen, who will carry the Journal forward with vision, work ethic, and intelligence, and excellence. Thank you to every reader, colleague, and author who helped shape this journey. Your support and trust has meant more than words can express.
Sincerely,
Kailyn Stone
Editor-in-Chief, 2024-2025
tennesseelawreview.org 