Applicants Sought for New Matter Editorial Board Positions for 2020-2021

The Executive Committee of the Intellectual Property Law Section of the California Lawyers Association is seeking interested members to apply for appointment to the Editorial Board of the Section’s print publication New Matter. The positions to be appointed are Associate Production Editor and Associate Acquisitions Editor. A description of the duties and obligations for each of these positions is set forth below. 

If you are currently a member of the IP Section and are interested in being considered for one of these positions, please provide the following information to Section Coordinator John Buelter (john.buelter@calawyers.org) no later than September 15, 2020:

1. a statement of interest setting forth the reason you want the position and why you should be selected for it; 
2. a resume providing general information about your legal and publishing background; 
3. a work product /writing sample; 
4. letter(s) of recommendation (optional). 

Please let us know if you would be willing to work with the New Matter team as an articles editor if you are not selected for a position. Article editing is a wonderful way to get involved with New Matter and assume increasing responsibility. 

Duties and Responsibilities of New Matter Editorial Board Members

Associate Production Editor

The Associate Production Editor will be responsible for assisting the Production Editor with all aspects of production of New Matter. This includes working with the Editor-in-Chief to plan the layout of the publication, and working with printers and outside consultants to publish and distribute the publication. The Associate Production Editor will help establish and distribute a timeline for producing each issue, and work with the editorial staff, including the Production Coordinator, to ensure production milestones are met in a timely fashion. The Associate Production Editor will review and approve all galley proofs in a timely manner to meet set publication deadlines. 

The Associate Production Editor serves on the Editorial Board, attends meetings and teleconferences of the Editorial Board, and works with the Editor-in-Chief and other members of the editorial staff on miscellaneous issues as they arise.

The Associate Production Editor must be a member of the IP Section at the time of application and continuing throughout the term of appointment. He/she should have strong writing and editing skills and be detail-oriented. The Associate Production Editor sits for a term of one year (beginning with the October issue, and ending with the July issue), renewable upon application and appointment by the Executive Committee.

Associate Acquisitions Editor

The Associate Acquisitions Editor helps obtain articles, news, announcements, and other material for publication in New Matter. The Associate Acquisitions Editor typically will obtain material for publication by the following means: 

• Contacting potential authors about writing for New Matter; 
• Approaching speakers at conferences and seminars to contribute articles; 
• Canvassing the Interest Groups of the Intellectual Property Section for periodic committee reports; 
• Working with the Executive Committee members and Interest Group chairs to contribute and/or obtain articles for publication; 
• Receiving and initially reviewing unsolicited articles that are submitted; and 
• Serving as liaison with the California Lawyers Association staff to acquire meeting announcements and other news to publish in New Matter. 

The Associate Acquisitions Editor will also assist the Acquisitions Editor in acquiring photographs, biographical information, releases, and other information and/or documents needed from authors and others as necessary for publication of New Matter. 

The Associate Acquisitions Editor serves on the Editorial Board, attends meetings and teleconferences of the Editorial Board, and works with the Editor-in-Chief and other members of the editorial staff on miscellaneous issues as they arise.

The Associate Acquisitions Editor must be a member of the Intellectual Property Law Section at the time of application and throughout the appointment period. He/she should have strong interpersonal skills and should be familiar with the field of intellectual property law and its sub-specialties. The Associate Acquisitions Editor serves for a term of one year (beginning with the October issue, and ending with the July issue), renewable upon application and appointment by the Executive Committee.