Editor's Note Vol. 16 No. 1

Abstract

I am proud to present the first issue of Volume XVI of Boston College’s Bellarmine Law Society Review. This edition marks my final issue as Editor-in-Chief, as well as Jessica Orrell’s final issue as Managing Editor, as we graduate from Boston College this May. We are both deeply grateful for our time at Boston College and for the opportunity to contribute to the Review— it has been a truly rewarding experience that has taught us so much about the law, legal scholarship, and the process of academic publishing. We would also like to thank our graduating Associate Editors—Sarah Patel, Lily Hillis, and Lola Milazzo—whose dedication and hard work over the years have been instrumental in shaping the publication into what it is today.

For this spring edition, we feature four papers from outstanding authors at Boston College and beyond, each engaging with pressing legal questions. First, Zade Hirsch of Boston College examines the legal and economic performance of medical malpractice damages caps, arguing that while such caps modestly reduce certain payouts, they function primarily as a redistributive mechanism and fail to address broader drivers of healthcare costs. Next, Audrey Brower of the University of Michigan offers a joint economic and legal analysis of Cavalleri v. Hermès International (2025), contending that the alleged tying practices reflect consumer preferences for exclusivity rather than unlawful anticompetitive conduct. Third, Zoe Wen of Georgetown University explores the fallibility of eyewitness memory, integrating psychological and neuroscientific research to demonstrate how memory can be distorted and proposing evidence-based reforms to improve the reliability of testimony. Finally, Kate Kissel of Boston College reevaluates the fair use doctrine in the context of LLMs, arguing for a more balanced application of the four factors under Section 107 to better protect authors’ rights in an evolving technological landscape.

Taken together, these contributions reflect the Review’s commitment to interdisciplinary legal scholarship, drawing on insights from economics, neuroscience, and beyond. This issue also highlights our continued effort to broaden the Review’s reach, featuring work from authors outside the Boston College community while maintaining a strong foundation within it. The volume of high-quality submissions this cycle was remarkable, and the pieces selected here exemplify the rigor, thoughtfulness, and contemporary relevance we strive to uphold.

Finally, we are pleased to announce that Syesha Swani will serve as the next Editor-in-Chief, with Genevieve Morrison as Managing Editor. We are confident that under their leadership, the Review will continue to grow in both scope and impact. To our readers, whether new or longstanding, thank you for your continued support. We hope you enjoy this edition of the Bellarmine Law Society Review.