Northeastern University Undergraduate law review

Welcome to NUULR, Northeastern University’s inaugural undergraduate law review! We’re dedicated to fostering legal scholarship among undergraduates, providing a platform to publish insightful research and perspectives on critical legal issues. Join us in exploring the world of law and academic discourse.

Print Edition

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ISSUE 5

Introducing Issue 5

Dear Reader,

On behalf of the editorial board of the Northeastern University Undergraduate Law Review (NUULR), I am thrilled to present Issue 5. Each piece in this collection explores the push and pull of Reform vs. Reality, examining the limitations of existing legal frameworks while proposing thoughtful and innovative paths forward.

In “The 4B Movement in South Korea: A Critique of Law as a Tool of Substantive Equity,” Marli Mason examines why, despite robust formal legal protections, many South Korean women have chosen to withdraw from interactions with men and join the 4B global feminist movement. Through a rigorous analysis of legal cases, she argues that societal and governmental indifference to women’s struggles has directly contributed to the emergence of feminist movements such as 4B and calls for both cultural and legal shifts in South Korea.

In “On Matters of State Courts Preserving Electoral Justice,” Jennifer Yu contends that, despite constitutional and statutory protections, equal voting representation, particularly for minority voters, remains far from guaranteed. In light of federal judicial inaction, she argues that state courts must play a more significant role in addressing the conditions that lead to vote dilution.

In “Sign Here: Consent, Coercion, and the Fiction of Voluntary Departure in U.S. Immigration Law,” Sofia Flores draws on philosophical frameworks of structural injustice and immigration ethics to demonstrate that so-called “voluntary departure” is often anything but voluntary. She ultimately calls for a broader reexamination of consent within the U.S. immigration system.

In “The Legal Permissibilities and Boundaries of Offshore Investments in Private Equity,” Charline Apard analyzes the rise of offshore private equity funds and the challenges posed by their inherent opacity. To mitigate fraud and other illicit activity, she advocates for the strengthening and modernization of existing financial regulatory frameworks.

In “Intent Without Impact: Structural Inequality and the Limits of Equal Protection,” Shriya Kashyap traces the evolution of Fourteenth Amendment jurisprudence, arguing that its focus has shifted from addressing systemic inequality to scrutinizing the intent of decision-makers. She proposes both doctrinal and legislative reforms, such as expanding disparate impact frameworks, to realign Equal Protection with its original purpose.

We are proud to present Issue 5: Reform vs. Reality. Here’s to a bright – and reformed – future, for NUULR and beyond.

Sincerely,