Law students earn their spots on the editorial board of the SJPJ
Mercer Law students Addison Robinson, ’25, and Samantha Archer, ’26, have been selected to the editorial board of Volume XVI of The Southern Journal of Policy and Justice (SJPJ). A prestigious legal publication that seeks scholarly works from outstanding students, professors, and practitioners, SJPJ is a vehicle for important legal commentary on social, economic, and political issues affecting the Black community.
The editorial team for this volume is comprised of applicants from The Southern Region of the National Black Law Student Association’s (SRBLSA) participating law schools, including 36 local chapters in four subregions. SRBLSA’s membership consists of more than 800 of the most sought-after, talented law students in the country.
Dean Karen J. Sneddon offers praise and support for these students. As she shared, “Their work as editorial board members of this important journal promotes the exploration of critical topics in a thoughtful manner that will advance key discussions across the country from the moment of publication and for years to come. Their willingness to share their expertise is recognized and valued.”
Third year Mercer Law student Addison Robinson was selected as publication editor for the SJPJ editorial board. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Africana studies and journalism and her MBA from Mercer University. Today she serves as the 2024-2025 chair (54th) of the Southern Region of the National Black Law Student Association, working with law students and BLSA chapters across 10 states and territories in the South; as a BARBRI (the leading continuing legal education company in the country) student representative; and a Lexis student representative. She is founder of Ace Visuals LLC, a freelance photography business providing portraits and events coverage across the state of Georgia.
According to Robinson, the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) works to increase the number of culturally responsible Black and minority attorneys who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.
“It is an honor to extend my service to the Southern Journal of Policy and Justice,” Robinson said. “It is important to me that I am occupying space to engage in the legal analysis of issues impacting minorities through legal writing and representing Mercer Law School and Mercer’s BLSA chapter while doing so.”
Second year law student Samantha Archer is serving as a senior staff member on the SJPJ editorial board. She earned her undergraduate degree in political science at the University of Georgia. This summer she served as an intern at Martin Snow LLP, where she was exposed to a wide array of legal areas, including family law, probate, insurance defense, and contracts. The second half of her summer was spent in a study abroad program in The Hague, Netherlands.
As recruitment chair for Mercer’s BLSA chapter and executive secretary for the executive board, Archer stresses that the organization continuously explores new ways to encourage the growth of Black students in the legal profession. BLSA, she says, plays a vital role in fostering a supportive environment for Black and minority law students throughout their legal education and careers and provides mentorship, academic resources, professional development opportunities, and a community of like-minded individuals who face similar barriers. Archer also serves as a Lexis representative for Mercer Law and is a member of the Business, Bankruptcy, and Tax Law Society (BBTLS).
Established in 1978, the Black Law Students Association is one of the largest and most active organizations on Mercer Law School’s campus today. For the fourth year in a row, Mercer’s BLSA chapter was awarded Small Chapter of the Year for the Southern Region of the National Black Law Student Association.
