Student Organizations
Overview
KU Law students take full advantage of opportunities outside of the classroom.
There are dozens of student organizations in the law school alone and more than 600 across campus. More than social clubs, many of these groups contribute dollars and hours of service to the university and Lawrence communities.
KU Law student organizations cover a wide range of interests and affinities. These groups provide leadership, community service and academic opportunities for students.
Find more information about student organizations at KU Law on this page. For more information about campus-wide organizations, visit Rock Chalk Central, the student organization directory for the University of Kansas.
Members of OUTLaws & Allies at the Diversity in Law Banquet
Students at the International Law Society welcome picnic
Members of the First Generation Professionals organization
Student Organizations at KU Law
The Asian Law Students Association (ALSA) embodies the bond and support of the Asian community within the legal profession. Its main goals include educating and advising society, and in particular the legal profession, of Asian culture, difficulties and prospects within this field.
President: Sim Johal
The mission of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) is to articulate and promote the educational, professional, political, and social needs and goals of Black law students and students of color. This includes creating opportunities for all students to interact with, and learn from, the experiences of minority students through shared social and community activities. The association is also dedicated to advocating for the needs of fellow students, increasing the admission of minority students, and fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for students.
President: Donald Pinckney
The Business and Tax Law Society is a legal society that emphasizes community involvement in tax law and business education. The society is also dedicated to networking with legal professionals in the business, bankruptcy and tax sectors.
President: Tyler Hellenbrand
Christian Legal Society is dedicated to serving Jesus Christ through the practice and study of law, the defense of religious freedom and life, and the provision of legal aid to the needy.
President: Evan Bolton
The Energy and Environmental Law Society was founded by KU Law students interested in environmentalism. It brings together a wide coalition of students and faculty to explore environmental law, conservation, and energy issues. ELS is committed to helping students effectively and intelligently use the law in the service of the environment through hosting speakers, advocating for causes, and collaborating with groups throughout the university, Kansas and the world in their effort to address environmental issues.
President: Kyler Jackson
The University of Kansas student division of the Federal Bar Association represents the FBA to law students, stimulates law student interest in FBA activities and coordinates programs.
President: Cathryn Lind
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies is a group of conservatives and libertarians interested in the current state of the legal order. It is founded on the principles that the state exists to preserve freedom, that the separation of governmental powers is central to our Constitution, and that it is emphatically the province and duty of the judiciary to say what the law is, not what it should be. The Society seeks both to promote an awareness of these principles and to further their application through its activities.
President: Noelle Daniel
First-Generation Professionals is an organization designed to benefit KU Law students who are either first-generation college students or first-generation law students. This organization helps prepare first-generation professionals for entry into the legal field.
President: Leah Hodges
The Hispanic American Law Students Association (HALSA) is an organization interested in promoting awareness and education regarding the Hispanic culture. The organization's main events consist of sharing part of the Hispanic culture with other students through different activities such as dancing socials and food competitions. Additionally, the group always tries to host a community event that gives everyone the opportunity to give back to the community.
President: Trey Duran
The Dwight D. Eisenhower International Law Society was formed more than three decades ago. The organization sponsors visiting and local speakers to discuss current topics in international and comparative law, varying in a wide range of topics, in order to inform and promote international legal issues. Officers for the International Law Society gather and disseminate information about job opportunities in international law and business as well as host informational meetings about study abroad opportunities that might help in such endeavors. The organization helps provide support for the Jessup Moot Court Competition, which is sponsored and hosted by the International Law Students Association.
President: David Halliwell
The mission of the Jewish Legal Society of the University of Kansas is to embody, promote and foster the Jewish community at the University of Kansas School of Law through the exploration and sharing of Jewish theological traditions, legal ideas and culture.
President: Samuel Golino
The Kansas Law School Military & Veterans Society is a law school organization open to all students, regardless of military experience. The organization's focus is to provide legal assistance for veterans through the legal aid clinic. KU MLS also does fundraising and volunteer work for local veterans and veterans initiatives. KU MLS provides mentorship and guidance to veterans interested in applying to law school.
President: Catherine Stephens
Kansas Law School Military & Veterans Society organization page
The purpose of KUPCS is to promote awareness of current legal issues concerning privacy, cybersecurity and technology.
President: Cortez Downey
The purpose of the Mindfulness in Law Society is to improve the mental well-being of students at the University of Kansas through mindful practice. Mindful practice in this context includes secular meditation and mindfulness in all of its forms, and specifically mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) meditation techniques and yoga. Society members participate in these mindful practices in order to reduce their stress levels, increase their focus and deepen their self-awareness within a supportive community.
President: Brett Hallagan
The University of Kansas Chapter of National Native American Law Students Association is dedicated to promoting Native American law student involvement in both the academic and legal communities involved with KU Law and the Lawrence area. Another main goal of KU NALSA is to educate the public and fellow students on the legal and political issues affecting Native Americans every day. The organization is focused on promoting the study and development of Federal Indian Law, Tribal Law and traditional forms of governance.
President: Kevin Barnett
The Non-Traditional Law Students Association (NILA) offers non-traditional students an opportunity for networking, professional development, socializing and performing community service. A highly diverse group of students are identified as “nontraditional” at KU, not as a label, but to provide a way for the university and the Green Hall community to recognize and provide additional outreach and engagement opportunities to this broad group of students. The purpose of NILA is to further the recognition and support of non-traditional law students at KU Law.
President: Stephany Rohleder
OUTLaws & Allies is a group for those affiliated with the University of Kansas School of Law who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ+) and for ally classmates and faculty who support their LGBTQ+ colleagues.
President: Heddy Pierce-Armstrong
Public Interest Law Society (PILS) is a group of law students who are dedicated to public interest law or have a desire to know more about public interest. PILS facilitates events that encourage student participation and learning in a variety of public law areas such as criminal defense or prosecution, nonprofit litigation, legal aid work, government work, or pro bono practices.
Additionally, PILS is committed to providing financial support to its members through stipends when possible. PILS also hosts and contributes to pro-bono events to allow law students the opportunity to gain valuable skills in different public interest areas.
President: Erin Nisly
The St. Thomas More Society is a community of law students who are practicing members of the Roman Catholic Church, and welcomes anyone who wants to connect with Catholic members of the legal profession and grow deeper in the faith. The St. Thomas More Society seeks to continue to grow the already robust Catholic legal community as well as shed light on important intersections between the Catholic faith and the law.
President: Noelle J. Daniel
The Sports Law Society of KU provides education and networking opportunities to students interested in the area of sports law. The SLS attends and participates in educational and informative events in order to share the different ways to work with sports through a legal degree. The group also organizes networking functions to help members meet with attorneys and other professionals practicing or working in different areas of sports law.
President: Kristen Andrews
Sports Law Society organization page
The Student Bar Association (SBA) is the organization of all students at the University of Kansas School of Law. The General Board is the governing and legislative body of the Student Bar Association. The General Board of the Student Bar Association has an affirmative duty to actively and vigorously represent student opinions to the administration and the faculty, to coordinate student activities, to acquaint law students with the nature and activities of the American Bar Association and the Kansas Bar Association, to enhance the reputation of the University of Kansas School of Law, and to promote and further the welfare of the student body. The General Board serves independently from, and equal to, the administration and faculty of the School of Law.
President: Karsyn Dahl
The Student Intellectual Property Law Association (SIPLA) is a student group that strives to:
- Promote intellectual property issues across the student body, to those of the state bar, and beyond
- Bring together many facets of intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights
- Provide a forum that promotes an open dialogue of current issues in intellectual property and exposes how these issues will affect the practice of intellectual property law in the future
- Promote rapport between students and professionals in the intellectual property field
President: Eric Kershen
The KU Court of Parking Appeals is a quasi-judicial board that reviews appeals as a court of equity, weighing the interests of the State of Kansas and the university in promoting safe, orderly, and effective traffic operations against any mitigating circumstances surrounding the appellant’s violation.
Any first-, second- or third-year law student may apply to be an attorney. Any second- or third-year law student may apply to be a judge.
Chief Justice: Tatum Gibbar
Traffic Court organization page
Women in Law is an organization that promotes leadership and active involvement through community service and social engagement. Women in Law focuses on the challenges that face women in the legal field but is open to all law students who are invested in the equality and progress of all, regardless of gender.
President: Bridget Beran
Women in Law organization page
Forms for Student Organizations
Visit the KU Law student resources SharePoint site for current versions of:
- KU Law Student Organizations Handbook
- New Officer Form
- Alcohol Approval Request Form
Additional information and resources for student organization members are available through KU's Student Involvement and Leadership Center.
KU Law Events Calendar
