Founded in 1997, The Journal of Law in Society (JLS) is a student-managed publication of Wayne State University Law School that provides scholarly discourse on the intersection of law and society. Each year, the JLS identifies a range of issues affecting Detroit and other parts of the world, and then publishes articles that address those issues within their social context. By way of research and scholarship, the JLS aims to connect Detroit to broader national and international discourse, as well as serve as an educational and practical tool for its audience.

Many law students lose sight of why they came to law school. JLS is a scholarly dialectical forum for students who come to law school with a passion to redress social injustices. As the scholarly arm of the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights, JLS not only builds awareness about issues affecting Detroit, but also makes connections with scholars, jurists, legal practitioners, community organizations and students who are the front lines of researching, combating and solving these problems every day.

JLS will publish two issues a year. Each will address a specific legal question in relation to a cutting-edge social issue. JLS also will publish a symposium issue that includes articles from participants of the JLS's annual symposium.