Willamette University's law school established a publication called the Legal Handbooks in 1949.

[8] In October 2006, the journal sponsored a symposium on former Oregon Supreme Court justice and distinguished scholar in residence at Willamette, Hans A.

[10] The building was rededicated in a ceremony with Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as the guest of honor.

[12] The Willamette Law Review also sponsors symposiums on various legal topics each year,[13] and then publishes the resulting articles.

[15] The journal has been cited in a variety of publications including The Washington Quarterly,[16] The Oregonian,[17] and The Birmingham News to name several.