The Cumberland Law Review published its first volume in 1970. W. Stancil Starnes, '72, was one of the first editors of the Law Review and became one of the first Editors in Chief. He reflected on the inauguration of the school's flagship journal in the introduction to Volume 40, published in 2009–10, writing:

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The students from my class who were asked in the spring of 1970 to join what was then known as the Cumberland -- Samford Law Review participated in the actual publication of Volumes 1, 2, and 3. Those were heady days. We took great pride in the Law Review, and much effort went into sustaining its progress.

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We look forward to the next forty years with the certain conviction that the Cumberland Law Review will continue to reflect the great moment of Cumberland in the legal community.

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We strive to continue being, as Mr. Starnes wrote, "an integral part of the legal landscape of Alabama."