During the early 1990's, Clark Johnson, J.D., Ph.D., was teaching "Psychiatry and the Law" at the Detroit College of Law (now the Michigan State University College of Law). Following a particularly interesting lecture, several students stayed after class to talk with Dr. Johnson regarding questions concerning Dr. Johnson's doctoral dissertation. Following this impromptu meeting, John DeLuca, then a student and now an attorney, approached Dr. Johnson and inquired if he could read the dissertation. It was agreed and delivered to him a few days later. After Mr. DeLuca read the work, he suggested the possibility of converting the paper into a law review article. He also indicated that he had discussed the topic with some friends in college, and an interest in issues concerning medicine and the law seems to have been spontaneously born.

In a short time, additional discussions occurred and students asked why there couldn't be a new society within the College focusing on problems and issues arising at the interface of medicine and law. To test the student waters, a competition was held consisting of writing briefs and making oral arguments before a three-judge panel, whereby students could compete for a thousand dollars in prizes. The competition was held in the Moot Court Room and the judges consisted of one physician, one student, and Dr. Johnson. The winners were determined, the prizes paid, and the first meeting of what was dubbed the Medical Legal Society followed, with beverages appropriate to the situation. It was a smashing success, and the Society was born. The Medical Legal Society has existed continuously since its inception, often being the largest of all student activities over the years. Mr. DeLuca was the Society's founder, and, by election, also its first president.

It was not long before a group of members from the newly formed Medical Legal Society, including Johnathan M. Ricci (President), Anthony J. Eppert (Editor-in-Chief), D. Scott A. Frazier (Managing Editor of Production), Joan R. Schliem (Chief Editor of Articles), and Thomas P. Mitchell (Chief Editor of Casenotes), gathered in Professor Johnson's office and suggested that the journal be formed. Funding was promised, and from there the Society members organized themselves, and the Journal, with great struggle, was born. Within a year, the first issue was ready to go to print. As the titles of the first articles reveal, from the beginning the Journal has prided itself in publishing differing points of view on a wide range of topics. The rest is history.

DR. CLARK C. JOHNSON: FACULTY ADVISOR AND FRIEND TO THE JOURNAL

Dr. Clark C. Johnson, affectionately known as Dr. J. to most of his students, served as the faculty advisor to the Michigan State University Journal of Medicine and Law from its inception in 1997 until May 2005. Dr. Johnson was instrumental in securing funding for the Journal, advising members about how to solicit articles from authors, and supporting members both professionally and personally. Always willing to lend a hand or a piece of wisdom to his students, Dr. Johnson often remarked that "practicing law is like having a front row seat to the greatest show on Earth." He also never let his students forget that as future attorneys, they were "foot soldiers of the Constitution." Though officially retired as the Journal's faculty advisor, Dr. Johnson continues to keep a watchful eye over the publication.

Dr. Johnson received his B.A. from the University of Michigan; his J.D. from Wayne State University; a legal certificate from Harvard Law School; his Ph.D. in psychology from Wayne State University; and his LL.D. from the Michigan State University-DCL College of Law. Dr. Johnson served as Assistant Attorney General of Michigan and was partner in the law firm of Schmidt, Nahas, Coburn, and Johnson. He joined the Law College faculty in 1973 and served as Associate Dean from 1984 to 1985. He has published in the areas of commercial law and medicine and the law. He currently teaches Equity, Contracts, Commercial Transactions, Secured Transactions, and Mortgages, among others.

FOREWORD (from Volume I, Issue I)

The Medical-Legal Society was formed in the Spring 1996 by John DeLuca. From this Society, a group of students formed the Journal of Medicine and Law. This Journal was created to explore the ever expanding medical issues confronting attorneys and medical professionals with goals of pursuing and examining how medicine and law intersect. In order to actualize this intent, articles are written with both a medical and legal perspective by professionals from each field. These combined articles accentuate society's present day concerns regarding health care, legal rights and the impact of legislation on medicine.

The Journal of Medicine and Law wishes to take this opportunity to thank Dean Jeremy Harrison for his continued commitment to student organizations. This Journal also wishes to thank Dr. Clark Johnson for his tremendous support, valuable input and enthusiastic encouragement. Also a special thanks is given to Brian Ferencz for the use of his artistic talents in designing the cover, Joe Hinger for his technical support and Richard Wade for his insight.

—The Members of the Journal of Medicine and Law

Citing the Journal

For citations, please cite the Journal as: Mich. St. U. J. Med. & L. [formerly J. Med. & L.])