Student Organizations
Overview
Discover a vibrant array of student organizations at KU Law, where students take full advantage of opportunities beyond the classroom. With dozens of groups within the law school and more than 600 across campus, these organizations offer more than social clubs—they contribute both dollars and hours of service to the university and Lawrence communities. Whether you're interested in advocacy, networking, community service or other passions, KU Law student organizations provide leadership, academic enrichment and meaningful opportunities to make an impact.
Student organizations at KU Law report to Erin Kelley-Garrison, the assistant director for Academic & Student Affairs. For inquiries about joining or regarding current student organizations, please reach out to Erin directly at ekg@ku.edu. She can provide guidance and support to help you get involved and make the most of your experience.
Organizations must be open to all currently enrolled KU students, with the option to include faculty and staff members who are not serving as the organization’s advisor. Membership in an organization may be restricted based on specific criteria, such as enrollment in a particular degree program, shared interests, a minimum GPA requirement, and/or a required number of credit hours to join and maintain membership. However, organizations may not restrict membership based on any protected identity under KU’s non-discrimination clause.
Student Involvement Resources
Hosting an event with alcohol? This form ensures compliance with University policies and helps us support your event safely and responsibly. Reach out to Erin Kelley-Garrison at ekg@ku.edu for guidance. Remember to submit your Alcohol Approval Request Form at least four weeks in advance.
Planning an event with outside food? Please be sure to file a food exemption form before ordering your food!
Have a new leadership board? Complete the New Office Form to update the law school’s records. For assistance or more information, contact Erin Kelley-Garrison at ekg@ku.edu.
The Office of Student Affairs at KU Law provides comprehensive support and resources to enhance student experiences and success. From academic advising to career guidance and beyond, we are dedicated to fostering a supportive environment where every student can thrive. Connect with us to explore opportunities, access services and make the most of your law school journey at the University of Kansas.
Contact: ekg@ku.edu
Location: 1535 W 15th St, Suite 212 Lawrence, KS 66045
Our co-sponsorship and funding program is designed to support student organizations in creating engaging, inclusive and impactful events and initiatives. By applying for funding, you can gain the resources needed to bring your innovative ideas to life while furthering the mission, vision and values of our office. Have questions? Email Erin Kelley-Garrison at ekg@ku.edu or Leah Terranova at leaht@ku.edu.
Rock Chalk Central is your gateway to explore and join student organizations, events and activities at the University of Kansas. Discover diverse opportunities to engage, connect and make a difference across campus. Accessible and user-friendly, Rock Chalk Central is where Jayhawks come together to enhance their college experience.
The Student Involvement and Leadership Center at KU empowers Jayhawks to discover their passions and develop leadership skills. Through a variety of programs, resources and support, students can explore, engage and grow both personally and professionally. Whether you're interested in joining organizations, volunteering or honing leadership abilities, SILC is here to guide and enrich your journey at the University of Kansas.
Contact: silcfront@ku.edu
Location: 1301 Jayhawk Blvd, Kansas Union Room, 400, Lawrence, KS 66045
Student organizations are eligible to apply for travel funding to support one student per organization each year. Organizations can receive up to $400 in funding to help cover travel expenses for conferences, competitions or other relevant events. This funding is a great way to enhance your organization's involvement and representation at key events. Apply online. Questions? Please contact Erin Kelley-Garrison at ekg@ku.edu.
Elm Beck, L'24, at the 2024 Diversity Banquet hosted by the Native American Law Students Association (NALSA).
Students, alumni and staff at the First Generation Professionals networking event.
Students involved in OUTLaws & Accomplices during the 2023 Student Org Fair.
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: Elizabeth Zhang
The Balance and Well-Being organization's purpose is to create a safe space at KU Law for students to connect, discuss mental health and learn wellness habits for life.
President: Will Orlowski
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: Mkilar Otte
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: Gabby Phillips
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: Taylor Cleveringa
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: Emily Moyes
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: Kelli Ludlum
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: Naomi Franklin
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: Kathleen Siderchuk
The University of Kansas Chapter of the National Hispanic Law Student Association (HALSA) is dedicated to the education, engagement and empowerment of aspiring members of the Hispanic legal community. HALSA is an advocate for issues that impact the broader Latino community and aims to foster the exchange of ideas and celebrate cultural heritage. HALSA is open to all students interested in joining.
President: Paulina Rivera-Soto
The Intellectual Property Law Association strives to promote intellectual property issues across the student body, the state bar and beyond; bring together various facets of intellectual property, including patents, trademarks and copyrights; provide a forum for open dialogue on current intellectual property issues and their future impact on the practice of law; and foster rapport between students and professionals in the field.
President: Thomas Ward
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: Allen Colombo
We affirm the strength brought to the law by a lawyer's personal religious conviction. We strive through public service and professional excellence to promote fairness and virtue founded upon the rule of law.
President: Ian Englebright
Jewish Legal Society (JLS) aims to support Jewish law students by providing a space to celebrate Jewish holidays, connect with the greater Jewish community of Lawrence/Topeka/Kansas City and advocate for social justice. JLS is open to law students of all backgrounds.
President: Wren Browne
The Kansas Law School Military & Veterans Society (KU MLS) 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: Cody White
Kansas Law School Military & Veterans Society organization page
The University of Kansas Chapter of National Native American Law Students Association (NALSA) 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: John William Harris
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 that recognition and support of non-traditional law students at KU Law. NILA is open to all students and encourages membership of both traditional and non-traditional law students.
President: Jude Lane
OUTLaws & Accomplices 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: Corrine Yoder-Mulkey
The 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: Evan Norkey
The Sports Law Society (SLS) 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: Andrew Gagnon
Sports Law Society organization page
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. Throughout the year, we will host speakers to talk about faith and law, as well as keep students informed of local Catholic lawyer networking events.
President: Vincent Schiffiano
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: Sam Palumbo
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: Josh Hukill
Traffic Court organization page
The Trans Law Student Association (TLSA) was founded to create a space where trans, non-binary, genderqueer and all other gender non-conforming law students at the University of Kansas School of Law can gather, reflect, advocate and support our unique needs within the law school.
The objectives of TLSA are to:
- Create a student organization with a targeted approach to advocacy for trans, non-binary, genderqueer and all other gender non-conforming law students at KU Law.
- Advocate for the needs and rights of trans, non-binary, genderqueer and all other gender non-conforming people both inside KU Law and within the larger community.
- Build institutional knowledge surrounding the experiences of trans, non-binary, genderqueer and all other gender non-conforming law students so that knowledge may span generations, rather than a three-year cycle before students graduate, taking that institutional knowledge along with them.
- Sharpen our personal politic and theory as trans, non-binary, genderqueer and all other gender non-conforming law students by engaging in continued education and community building.
President: Kas Caton
Trans Law Student Association 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: Hayley Engelland
Women in Law organization page
KU Law Events Calendar
