SCLawReview.org Law Journal for the University of South Carolina

Web-Based Law Journal for the University of South Carolina

Description

The principal legal publication in South Carolina, dedicated to advancing legal scholarship and providing a platform for critical legal discourse, built on a custom WordPress website.

Technologies

Custom WordPress theme, JavaScript (Custom Footnote Display), WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards, Microsoft Word Integration, DisplayGround Page Builder™.

Problem

The South Carolina Law Review faced significant challenges with their outdated website, particularly in ensuring accessibility for users with disabilities:

  • The site was a disorganized mix of different post types, pages, and reliance on third-party software.
  • They required WCAG 2.1 accessibility compliance to meet university standards.
  • They needed a seamless way to import journal entries from Microsoft Word, including intact footnotes.
  • The annual handoff of website management from one group of editors to another was cumbersome, leading to inconsistencies and inefficiencies.

Solution

We developed a custom WordPress website tailored to their unique needs:

  • Custom Footnote Display: Built a JavaScript-based tool enabling editors to easily import journal entries from Microsoft Word while preserving all footnotes and displaying them in a clear and professional format.
  • WCAG 2.1 Compliance: Ensured the site adhered to rigorous accessibility standards required by the university, making it fully accessible for users with disabilities.
  • Content Organization: Cleaned up and restructured existing content into a consistent and intuitive format, simplifying navigation and usability.
  • Video Library for Editors: Created a private library of instructional videos to guide editors on managing and updating the site, ensuring a smooth annual transition between editorial teams.

Organizing Content by Volumes, Issues, and Articles

To align with the organizational structure common to law journals, we implemented a custom content management solution within WordPress:

  • Volume and Issue Hierarchies: Established a clear structure where content is grouped by Volume and Issue, making it easy to manage and navigate.
  • Article-Level Customization: Designed article templates to include metadata such as author names, abstracts, and publication dates, ensuring consistency across all journal entries.
  • Streamlined Workflows: Created intuitive tools for editors to add and organize content, reducing the complexity of managing multiple levels of hierarchy.
A screenshot showing the front end of the website, with Volumes and Issues organized in an accordion-style layout, allowing users to quickly browse and access content in an intuitive and structured manner.

Content, Accessibility, and Usability as Pillars

While content, accessibility, and usability were the primary focus of this project, we ensured that these functional requirements did not compromise the visual appeal of the site. Within this framework, we delivered an aesthetically pleasing design that:

  • Reinforces the professional and scholarly identity of the South Carolina Law Review.
  • Features a modern layout with clean typography and a balanced color palette.
  • Enhances user engagement while maintaining a focus on functionality and inclusivity.
A homepage screenshot of the South Carolina Law Review website analyzed using the WAVE accessibility tool. The image highlights WCAG compliance with labeled elements such as ARIA roles, labels, and other accessibility indicators. The design includes a navigation bar, a prominent title, and a banner featuring a well-lit exterior shot of the Joseph F. Rice School of Law.

Footnote Functionality

After discovering the functionality on one of our earlier projects, the law school approached us to implement a similar solution for their site. They were particularly impressed by how the feature simplified importing journal entries from Microsoft Word while preserving footnotes.

We not only replicated the functionality but also improved its accessibility, ensuring compatibility with WCAG 2.1 standards. This enhancement made it easier for editors to manage their work while ensuring that users with disabilities could interact seamlessly with footnoted content.

A screenshot of an article from the South Carolina Law Review website titled

Key Results/Impact

  • The website now meets accessibility requirements, ensuring inclusivity and a user-friendly experience for users with disabilities and all visitors.
  • Journal entry management has been streamlined, saving editors significant time and reducing errors.
  • A clear, intuitive content structure enhances the experience for both users and editors.
  • The instructional video library has simplified the handoff process, ensuring continuity and ease of management.

Takeaways

This project emphasized the importance of aligning technical solutions with organizational needs. By simplifying their processes and creating tools to support their workflows, we enabled the South Carolina Law Review to focus on what they do best—providing a platform for critical legal discourse.

See the live website

A webpage screenshot of the Fourth Circuit Surveys archive from the South Carolina Law Review website. The page features a prominent header titled