Student Organizations

The mission of the American Constitution Society is to harness the values of compassion and respect for each individual, and to re-incorporate them into American law and politics, in order to build a stronger and more decent national community. We seek to restore the fundamental principles of respect for human dignity, protection of individual rights and liberties, genuine equality, and access to justice to their rightful—and traditionally central—place in American law. We want to strengthen the intellectual underpinnings of—and the public case for—a vision of the law in which these values are paramount. Our goal is a rekindling of the hope that by reason and decency, we can create an America that is better for us all.

We in APALSA strive to advocate for the Asian Pacific American community in the College of Law and beyond. We work to bring attention and understanding to Asian and Asian American issues and culture, and to provide an academic support system for all students to connect with the APALSA community.

Our mission is to:

• Create a community of support through shared goals
• Ensure a method of communication and collaboration between law students and fellow organizations
• Promote Asian Pacific American causes and changes in the legal community
• Act as a liaison between students and Asian Pacific American attorneys
• Encourage the pursuit of a legal education and career for underrepresented groups

The Black Law Students Association (BLSA) is a professional organization committed to furthering the academic, professional, and cultural needs and goals of Black, indigenous, persons of color (BIPOC) students at the college of law.

As an affiliate of the National Black Law Student Association (NBLSA), the largest student-run organization in America that has over 200 chapters at law schools throughout the country, representing almost every ABA accredited law school, plus several non-accredited law schools.

Our chapter focuses on articulating and promoting the needs and goals of BIPOC law students to effectuate change in the legal community. We are organized to empower students with the knowledge and resources to be successful students, mentors, and professionals in the legal community and we have an extremely supportive alumni base. BLSA’s mission is to strive for excellence and balance within the legal community through professionalism, respect, and hard work as a cohesive unit. BLSA has various resources to aid your academic success and hosts a variety of social functions for non-academic enjoyment. In the past, BLSA has been awarded organization of the year due to its outstanding community involvement.

Further, BLSA has participated in a variety of community service projects, the Annual Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition along with numerous other competitions, and BLSA highlights its achievements through its Annual Black History Month Dinner

The goal of the Catholic Law Students Association is to build fellowship and bridge divides that would otherwise separate College of Law students.

The Corporate Law Society’s mission is to provide every student with a look into the depth that corporate law practice covers. We strive to put on events that show students various practice areas while also providing alumni engagement. Corporate law can include both transactional as well as litigation and we hope to help students realize their potential in whichever practice their interests take them. By engaging as many students and alumni as possible we hope to form a larger and stronger Syracuse network in the corporate setting.

Disability Law Society is an organization of Syracuse University College of Law students who are working to create and support a positive climate toward disability that values individual difference.

Our goals are:

• To raise awareness about disability within the College of Law and greater Syracuse University community.
• To support students who have disabilities; who are interested in pursuing a joint degree related to disability studies; and/or who are
• To provide information and assistance to students, faculty and staff members in the COL and SU community regarding disability; and,
• To provide COL students the opportunity to volunteer in the disability community of the local Syracuse community.

The Entertainment and Sports Law Society is open to all Syracuse law students who possess a sincere interest and dedication to the professions of entertainment law and sports law. ESLS organizes an annual student-run Symposium, which welcomes experts from across the entertainment and sports sectors.

We’ve all sat through Thanksgiving dinner…it’s easy to see why Family Law is a growing dynamic, encompassing Adoption Law, Elderly Law, Poverty Law, Disability Law, Divorce Law, Wills & Estates, Child Welfare, and much, much more.

The Family Law Society collaborates with the Center for Family Law and Social Policy to familiarize and to introduce students into the field of Family Law. Through luncheons with family court judges to guest speakers, lectures, seminars, workshops and volunteer activities in the Syracuse community, we provide students with the opportunity to explore the many different facets of Family Law.

We welcome all College of Law students interested in learning more and becoming involved with family law issues. We’re saving you a seat at our table!

Membership
All Syracuse University College of Law students interested in learning more and becoming
involved with family law issues.

The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies is an organization dedicated to bringing a conservative and libertarian perspective of the law to the College of Law. The Society brings speakers to campus and conducts other activities to debate and receive different perspectives about various legal ideals.

The First Generation Law Student Association (FGLSA) seeks to build a community of first generation law students facing similar obstacles during their law school careers. The FGLSA offers students an opportunity to connect with other students from a variety of backgrounds, gain mentors during the critical first year of law school, build a support system within the Syracuse University College of Law, and network with other first generation law students and attorneys who have successfully navigated many of the issues that first-year law students currently face.

We will work to make the transition into law school easier for first generation law students, identify the challenges that first generation students face, and develop tactics that incoming students can apply to overcome the unique obstacles that they may encounter. We will provide opportunities for first generation law students to build relationships with other current and former first generation law students at Syracuse University College of Law. All students are welcome to join.

IPLS seeks to:

• Promote the progress and understanding of science and the useful arts at the Syracuse University College of Law
• Increase interest in the broad field of Intellectual Property Law
• Expose students to the basic tenants and cutting edge of Intellectual Property Law
• Connect students with Intellectual Property practitioners to provide a realistic understanding of a career in Intellectual Property Law
• Engage with IPLS student members, the College of Law general body, and the broader Syracuse community regarding all areas of Intellectual Property Law

The Syracuse University College of Law International Law Society (ILS) is student founded organization dedicated to the education and involvement of the student body in the international legal community. ILS provides opportunities for students and faculty to engage with international cultures and legal systems.

Through film screenings, open discussions, and guest lectures ILS aims to provide a forum for students and faculty to engage with both topics and members of the international legal community. Additionally, ILS aims to give back by raising awareness of international issues and running fundraisers to donate to two charities, chosen by the society each year.

Mission Statement:

• Foster community within existing and future JDi classes:

-Identify and enhance ways to connect the individuals that make up this program.-Welcome new students to the program, including connecting incoming students with existing JDi students/alumni and resources for mentorship and other support.

• Act as liaison between JDi students and the on-campus community by:

-Working with on-campus student and faculty leaders to advocate for and facilitate access to School of Law extracurricular activities and other on-campus services.-Striving to innovate creative technology based logistical solutions that support that access.

-Fostering a sense of cultural connection between the JDi students and the residential community.

• Increase understanding and acceptance of flexible technology-based education within the legal education community at large.
• Form the foundations for a subset of the Syracuse Law Alumni community consisting of JDi alumni willing to support incoming students relative to the inherent challenges and opportunities associated with flexible legal education.
• Consistent with the innovative culture of Syracuse College of Law that brought the JDi program to fruition, strive for innovation in the legal profession at large to leverage technology to increase access to legal services in general and especially within underserved communities.

The Jewish Law Student Association (JLSA) is open to all students regardless of religious affiliation. JLSA is a cultural, social, educational, and religious organization that reflects the varied interests of the Jewish student community of the Syracuse University College of Law. JLSA members participate in various cultural, social, and religious events and have an opportunity to meet and interact with members of the larger Jewish community in the University and Syracuse Area.

We in the Korean Law Students Association (KLSA) pursue a mission of providing a platform for the Korean community in the College of Law to academically support and professionally network with fellow students and alumni in the legal field. We strive to celebrate our cultural identity as we experience the undertakings of law school, and we work towards maintaining a memorable connection and environment with one another.

In KLSA, our mission is to:

• Embody a community of acceptance and support through shared experiences
• Facilitate communication and collaboration between the College of Law community
• Promote Korean causes and efforts in the legal community

The Latin American Law Student Association (LALSA) is a student-led organization created with the purpose of creating a space for law students of Hispanic and Latino descent at the College of Law where they can connect with other students of a similar ethnic and linguistic background. Our goal is to foster an environment of unity among our members and also to create a network of support to ensure the academic and professional success of one of the most underrepresented groups in the legal field.

In order to do so, we host social events to help our members get to know each other, invite speakers from outside the Law School to give talks on different topics, partner with legal organizations in the city to expose our members to attorneys in the field, and partner with other organizations in the College of Law with similar interests and affinities to ensure that all voices are heard.

Our mission is to provide a safe and educational space that supports Middle Eastern law students and create awareness for the issues the community faces.

The Military and Veterans Law Society, formerly VISION, was created with the aim to better serve the local veteran population in Syracuse and the surrounding areas. The Military and Veterans Law Society provides veteran legal support and services, community outreach, and veteran policy research to support various veteran issues. The Military and Veterans Law Society strives to better connect the College of Law with our veteran population.

The National Security Student Association (NSSA) creates a learning environment in which students participate in meaningful discussion on emerging challenges in national security law and policy.

Outlaw is an organization for queer; gender, romantic, and sexual minority (GSRM); and HIV-affected members of the College of Law community, as well as their supporters and friends.

Our mission is to foster an inclusive and welcoming queer community at the College of Law by connecting ourselves within and beyond our campus. As a social, professional, and intellectual home to prospective, current, and past members of the College of Law community, we aim to provide a consistent and sustainable network of support. We sponsor numerous educational and social events throughout the year that unite us with each other and in solidarity with other underrepresented communities on campus.

Phi Alpha Delta Law (PAD) unites students, faculty, and alumni in professional service and social activities. PAD encourages members to promote the ideals of liberty and equal justice under the law, to stimulate excellence in scholarship, and to foster integrity and professional competence. With almost 200 chapters in the country, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity has prominent members in the legal and political community illustrating its purposes of professionalism and integrity in their careers. As one of the largest organizations within the College of Law, we enable our students to develop skills of service to other students, the College of Law, the community, and the profession.

In addition to the contacts and bonds that our members form, the benefits of membership include: participation in a mentoring program with second and third-year law students, personal assistance and advice about test-taking and outlining skills, discounts on restaurants, Bar preparation courses, and everyday needs; as well as recommendations for programs and tracks not readily known to all College of Law students. After law school, all PAD members are offered admission to the United States Supreme Court Bar after 3 years of practice,

The Carmody Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta at Syracuse Law accepts applications throughout the year and recruits and initiates students in the fall and spring semesters. Students are required to pay national dues and maintain good academic standing in order to participate.

The origin of the term “pro bono” comes from the Latin phrase pro bono publico, which means “for the public good.” In the legal profession, pro bono services are performed by an attorney for free or for a substantially reduced fee to assist people with limited means. As leaders, attorneys have an ethical responsibility to their communities, and often, a professional obligation, to perform pro bono work. Syracuse University College of Law’s Pro Bono program is designed to provide professional engagement opportunities to students and to serve the community. To that end, the College of Law uses Rule 6.1 of the American Bar Association’s Model Rules of Professional Conducts a framework for the Program.

The Syracuse University College of Law Pro Bono Program is a student-lead initiative that supports connections between law students and legal volunteering opportunities in the community. Our goal is to connect you with opportunities to perform pro bono service, which is overseen by an attorney. Typically, these attorneys work for one of the local legal aid organizations. Participating in pro bono is great for giving back, networking, learning about the community, and getting a feel for different practice areas.

The College of Law and the Pro Bono Advisory Board (“PBAB”) work hard to find as many opportunities as possible. These include legal pro bono and community service activities. The Board will communicate these opportunities to the student body through regular emails. There is a General Interest Meeting every fall where every student can hear more about different opportunities at the College of Law and in the greater community.

The College of Law, Pro Bono Advisory Board, Student Bar Association, and other student organizations provide many community service opportunities as well. These may include volunteering at an animal shelter, blood drives, food drives, GED Tutoring at Auburn Correctional Facility, and many more. Student organizations host various community service and pro bono opportunities as well. Be sure to connect with them directly to let them know of your interest. Students are encouraged to create new opportunities for pro bono and community service.

The South Asian Law Student Association (SALSA) at the College of Law seeks to promote and improve the university’s diversity initiative. The organization holds events to promote and educate South Asian culture by events. Some of these events that promote and educate about South Asian culture have included a movie night where a South Asian movie is played and Indian food is served, Diwali celebration, and Henna night. All currently enrolled students are encouraged to join in celebrating South Asian culture.

The Syracuse Public Interest Network, (“SPIN”), is a student-run organization at the Syracuse University College of Law committed to fostering the careers of students who intend to advocate for the public interest. Through a variety of programming, SPIN seeks to instill a sense of passion for pro bono efforts and community service in the students at the Syracuse University College of Law, as well as create a public interest network for students to connect with alumni, practitioners and the community.

SPIN raises money to provide grants for College of Law students with SPIN Fellowships, who are employed during the summer in the public interest legal field. Broadly defined, public interest employment includes public service, government work, judicial clerkships, and Fellowships. Public interest organizations tend to represent people and issues that might otherwise lack meaningful representation in the legal system. The necessity of such representation cannot be emphasized enough; because without public interest organizations, the nation’s legal system would serve only those who can afford counsel.

Public interest practice is often considered work done in pursuit of individual or group concepts of justice, equity and advancing the public good, rather than for purposes of commercial or personal gain. Public interest practitioners strive to remedy social and legal injustices, consistent with their values and political perspective. By supporting students who would otherwise be financially unable to accept positions in the public interest sector, SPIN increases legal services to those who cannot afford to hire an attorney themselves.

The Syrian Accountability Project (SAP) is an internationally recognized cooperative effort between activists, non-governmental organizations, students, and other interested parties to document war crimes and crimes against humanity in the context of the Syrian Crisis.

The project aims to produce non-partisan, high quality analysis of open source materials and to catalogue that information relative to applicable bodies of law; including, the Geneva Conventions, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and Syrian Penal Law.

The SAP primarily creates documentation products in a narrative and graphical format, as well as a quarterly and annual trend analysis of ongoing crimes. Furthermore, the SAP publishes issue-specific white papers. Its clients include the Syrian National Council, United Nations, U.S. Department of State, and the International Criminal Court.

The Women’s Law Students Association provides a forum for the discussion and advancement of women in legal education and the legal profession. It creates a graduate network to enable women in the legal profession and in law school to learn from and support one another, and to address societal impacts of women on the law.

Don’t see a student organization that captures your interest? Consider starting a new one!

If you would like to start a new student organization, here are the steps:

1. Set up an appointment with the Director of Student Affairs (Suite 220 | 315.443.1146) to discuss the organization and review the approval process.
2. Assemble at least 15 students to support the creation of your new student organization.
3. Select and confirm a faculty advisor.
4. Fully complete the Student SBA Addendum.
5. Draft a constitution or bylaws.*
6. Submit the completed Addendum and organization constitution to the SBA Secretary.

After you have fully completed the above steps, you will be scheduled to appear at the next meeting of the SBA. You will be asked to present the purpose, goals, objectives, and intent of your organization. The SBA may ask follow up questions based on your presentation. Please review the organization recognition guide [PDF].

If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact the Office of Student Affairs at 315-443-1146, or lawstudentaffairs@law.syr.edu

*The constitution must contain (but is not limited to) the following information:

A. Purpose. Describe the purpose of the organization.

B. Membership. A statement of open membership to all Syracuse University College of Law Students who have paid their activity fee; and further that the organization shall not discriminate regardless of race, color, sex, handicap, age, or political and religious affiliation in any of its policies, procedures or practices.

C. List of Officer Positions. Each organization must have at least two officers, including:

i. A President or Chair who will serve as the liaison between the organization and the Office of Student Affairs. This person will be the primary contact for all things relating to the student organization.
ii. A Treasurer or financial officer who will be the primary contact for the organization’s budget. This person will be responsible for signing all reimbursements and tracking the budget progress of the organization.

D. Method for electing officers.

E. The need and function of the Faculty/Staff Advisor.

F. A statement regarding the supervising authority and an agreement to comply with SU and College of Law Policies & Procedures, along with federal, state and local laws.

G. Process for amending the constitution.

H. Use the available sample constitution as a guide.

• Financing Workshop
• Orders and Reimbursement Guide
• SU Employee Expense Reimbursement Form
• Basic Budget Template