Student Activities

Student Bar Association

The Student Bar Association (SBA) is the student government at the law school. All law students are members of SBA. In a school-wide election, the law school student body elects SBA's Board of Governors, which acts as a liaison between the student body and the law school administration and the University. SBA hosts weekly social events throughout the year, an annual costume party, and an annual semiformal. SBA also operates a student consignment-based book exchange, Student Org Central, and many other services for students of the law school.

Aggie Law Students Association

The Aggie Law Students Association is an organization for graduates and supporters of Texas A&M University who now attend the law school. The group provides support for fellow members of the Twelfth Man and exemplifies the traditions and camaraderie of Texas A&M.

American Constitution Society for Law and Policy

The University chapter of the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy (ACS) was formed in 2001 to add a progressive, human dimension to the law school dialogue. The ACS is a national organization made up of law students, lawyers, and others who are working to ensure that the fundamental principles of human dignity, individual rights and liberties, genuine equality, and access to justice occupy a central place in American law.

Asian Law Students Association

The Asian Law Students Association (ALSA) is dedicated to addressing the interests and concerns of the Asian American community at the law school. Open to all members of the law school community, ALSA sponsors a variety of activities to meet students' social and academic needs. ALSA participates in the National Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (NAPALSA). The group's e-mail address is alsa@mail.law.utexas.edu.

Assault and Flattery

A tradition begun in 1953, Assault and Flattery (A&F) is the musical theatre company at the law school. Each spring, A&F satirizes the law school through a student-written, student-directed musical comedy revue, generally based on popular films and Broadway musicals. A&F includes a Skits troupe, an a cappella singing group named Medley, and the actors, singers, and dancers of the Main Show. A&F also sponsors parties, happy hours, and karaoke nights.

Austin Young Lawyers Association—Student Chapter

Members of the Austin Young Lawyers Association share the continued vision of justice through service to the profession and the community.

Board of Advocates

The Board of Advocates promotes development of practical skills in oral and written legal advocacy and sponsors a wide range of activities designed to give participants realistic experience in trial and appellate advocacy, negotiation, and client contact. The top ten advocates in each graduating class are inducted into the Order of Barristers. In addition, the Niemann Cup, established by Stanley P. and Claudie P. Wilson in 1984, is awarded to the top advocate in each graduating class.

Teams compete in a wide range of interscholastic and intramural competitions, including mock trial, client counseling, alternative dispute resolution, and negotiation competitions. These competitions, with critiques and coaching provided by the legal community, promote the development of advocacy skills and provide important experiences for prospective practitioners.

Each year, students enter the American Bar Association National Appellate Advocacy Competition, Phillip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, American Trial Lawyers Association Student Trial Advocacy Competition, Texas Young Lawyers' Association's Annual National Mock Trial Competition, as well as others. Since 1999, the Board of Advocates' teams have won nine national championships and numerous regional championships and have been national finalists in several competitions.

Catholic Law Students Association

The mission of the Catholic Law Students Association (CLSA) is to allow law students to gather for personal development and conscious formation of their Catholic identity. CLSA gives individuals opportunities to participate in a faithful community, reflect on peace and justice issues, explore Catholic teaching and tradition, and engage in community service.

Chicano/Hispanic Law Students Association

The Chicano/Hispanic Law Students Association (CHLSA) is dedicated to addressing the needs of Hispanic law students. The organization is open to all members of the law school community. CHLSA provides various social and academic services, including an extensive outline library, academic sessions to discuss test-taking and studying strategies, résumé and career planning sessions, bar review scholarships, and a mentoring program with second- and third-year law students and the Hispanic Bar Association of Austin. CHLSA is committed to providing a support network that will help each student have an intellectually challenging and successful law school experience.

Christian Legal Society

The Christian Legal Society (CLS) is a nondenominational association of law students seeking friendship and encouragement and a refuge from the challenges of law school. Activities include weekly meetings followed by informal fellowships, Bible study groups, retreats, and special service projects. Meetings involve presentations by area attorneys, religious leaders, and CLS members, as well as other programs designed to meet the needs of members.

Concerned Students for LRAP

The mission of Concerned Students for LRAP is to advocate the establishment of a loan repayment assistance program at the School of Law, so that more law graduates can work in the public interest sector.

Domestic Violence Survivor Support Network

The Domestic Violence Survivor Support Network is devoted to helping survivors of domestic violence become economically independent. Because economic dependence is one of the main reasons individuals stay in abusive relationships, the organization's goal is to give survivors the tools to be self-sufficient. Members help clients learn to keep a budget, do safety planning, produce résumés, find jobs, and find daycare; members also act as advocates for clients in legal proceedings. In addition, the organization hosts a number of fundraisers each year to provide clients with emergency funds for urgent needs such as car repair and medical expenses.

Environmental Law Society

The Environmental Law Society (ELS) organizes educational, volunteer, career-oriented, and recreational events related to environmental and natural resources law. The organization hosts speakers on a variety of environmental topics and coordinates attendance at regional and national environmental law conferences. It sponsors hiking and camping trips, participates in community events, and serves as an informal forum for students to acquire and exchange information about the practice of environmental law. ELS has promoted environmental law at the law school by improving the school's environmental curriculum and initiating its plastic and aluminum recycling program.

Family Law Association

The Family Law Association aims to facilitate communication between practicing family law practitioners and law students interested in various issues in family-related law, including marriage, divorce, custody and visitation, family support, adoption, child welfare, domestic violence, elder law, and estate planning.

Human Rights Law Society

The Human Rights Law Society seeks to educate members on current international and national human rights issues and to increase awareness of these issues among the law student community. It serves as a networking group for students who plan to pursue careers in human rights law.

Intellectual Property Law Society

Intellectual property law, the law of patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets, is currently the area with the greatest market demand. The Intellectual Property Law Society exists to inform and assist students interested in the practice of intellectual property law. The society offers regular guest speakers, opportunities to visit with local intellectual property lawyers, and broad ranging information about the area, including the Patent and Trademark Office examination and career options.

JD/MBA Association

The University of Texas JD/MBA Association is a resource for students pursuing or interested in the law and business dual degree program.

Jewish Legal Society

The Jewish Legal Society (JLS) strives to create a Jewish community within the law school. Engaging students and faculty members, JLS plans a variety of events, including student/faculty dinners, happy hours, and holiday celebrations. In addition, JLS cosponsors events with other Jewish graduate student groups on campus and Jewish young professional groups in Austin.

LDS Law Students Association

The LDS Law Students Association provides a forum in the law school community for friends and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and promotes Christian values in the practice of law.

Legal Research Board

The Legal Research Board (LRB) is an organization of University law students chartered by the State Bar of Texas to provide legal research and prepare legal memoranda for licensed attorneys. Founded in 1961, the LRB is one of the oldest student-run legal research organizations of its kind in the country. The primary purpose of the LRB is to refine the research and writing skills of its members by giving them opportunities to work on actual problems in consultation with practicing attorneys.

Middle Eastern Law Students' Association

The purpose of the Middle Eastern Law Students' Association is to gather students of Middle Eastern background and those interested in the Middle East to foster dialog and to promote understanding. The group seeks to educate both members and others about cultural and academic opportunities related to the Middle East.

National Lawyers Guild

The National Lawyers Guild is a national network of more than five thousand lawyers, legal workers, law students, and jailhouse lawyers that has provided legal support to virtually every campaign for economic, social, and political justice in this country since 1937. The programs of the University chapter of the guild reflect the diverse interests of progressive students at the law school and provide a forum for action on a variety of issues. Activities include guest speakers, meetings with alumni, symposia, workshops, and volunteer legal aid projects. Students may take part in guild activities beginning in their first semester.

OUTLaw (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Law School Alliance)

OUTLaw seeks to promote the interests of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered students at the School of Law. Membership is open to all law school students, faculty members, and staff members, regardless of sexual orientation. OUTLaw organizes social activities and works to raise awareness of gay and lesbian issues by hosting panel discussions and guest lectures on campus. Informally, OUTLaw acts as an academic and professional support network for law students who are interested in matters that affect the gay community.

Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International

The mission of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International is "to form a strong bond uniting students and teachers of the law with members of the Bench and Bar in a fraternal fellowship designed to advance the ideals of liberty and equal justice under law; to stimulate excellence in scholarship; to inspire the virtues of compassion and courage; to foster integrity and professional competence; to promote the welfare of its members; and to encourage their moral, intellectual, and cultural advancement; so that each member may enjoy a lifetime of professional and public service."

Phi Delta Phi

Phi Delta Phi International Legal Fraternity, established in 1869 to promote a higher standard of professional ethics, is one of the oldest legal organizations in North America. During the past two decades, Phi Delta Phi's reputation as an organization devoted to legal excellence has begun to spread to Mexico and Europe. The University chapter, Roberts Inn, was established at the University of Texas School of Law in 1910.

To be eligible for active membership, a law student must be of good moral character and in good academic standing at a law school in which a student inn is located. First-semester students may participate in select inn activities pending second-semester initiation. To be admitted to Roberts Inn, the student must have the required grade point average.

Public Interest Law Association

Since 1995, the Public Interest Law Association (PILA) has sought to create a student forum for education, discussion, and involvement with public interest law and ideas. Through its annual Public Interest Law Conference, a brown bag lecture series, a mentorship program, and other social and academic activities, PILA provides information to students on opportunities in public interest law careers, helps students to meet other students interested in public interest issues, and works with the law school administration to create and improve existing public interest programs. All students are welcome to join.

Samsara Yoga Club

Samsara Yoga Club promotes the practice of yoga at the law school and encourages balance between individuals' professional and personal lives. The club offers classes at the law school to help students cope with the tension and confusion that may build up as they go through each day.

South Asian Law Students Association

The organization provides a supportive community for incoming students, encourages South Asian involvement and success in the legal arena, promotes awareness of South Asian cultures and issues, and actively participates in efforts to improve the community.

Street Law

Street Law, started at Georgetown Law School in 1972, sends law student volunteers into local schools to teach practical participatory lessons about law-related topics and personal rights.

Student Animal Legal Defense Fund

Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF) provides a forum for education, advocacy, and scholarship aimed at protecting the lives and advancing the interests of animals through the legal system and at raising the profile of the field of animal law.

Student Recruitment and Orientation Committee

The Student Recruitment and Orientation Committee (SROC) is open to students interested in meeting new and potential law students. SROC introduces potential students and entering freshlaw students to the law school through a number of projects; these include freshlaw orientation, fall open house, UT Undergraduate Day, spring phonathon, Prospective Students Day, law school tours, and new student contact buddies.

Texas Federalist Society

The Texas Federalist Society promotes awareness of the founding principles of the United States, including the principles of freedom and separation of governmental powers, by bringing esteemed nonpolitical speakers to the law school to speak on federalism and the rule of law.

Texas JuJitsu

Texas JuJitsu is devoted to developing and encouraging fitness, confidence, camaraderie, and work/life balance for students at the law school through the practice of Brazilian jujitsu. The organization holds weekly practices and competes in local and regional tournaments.

Texas Law Fellowships

Texas Law Fellowships (TLF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that sponsors public interest fellowships for law students. Every year since 1986, TLF has raised money from the law school and statewide legal communities to fund internships in areas of public interest for which interns would not otherwise be paid. TLF strives to create an environment at the School of Law in which students can fully, effectively, and easily serve the public interest.

Texas Law Republicans

The Texas Law Republicans exists to create a forum for Republican law students at the School of Law.

Texas Law Veterans Association

Texas Law Veterans Association (TLVA) is a nonpartisan veterans support organization. The purpose of TLVA is to create a networking forum among law school veterans and family members of veterans, disseminate information on veterans benefits, and advocate for veterans wherever the need arises.

Thurgood Marshall Legal Society

The Thurgood Marshall Legal Society (TMLS) is the law school affiliate of the National Black Law Students Association. The purpose of TMLS is to foster legal, cultural, and social awareness among black law students. To achieve this goal, TMLS maintains a variety of subcommittees that address such areas as academics, public relations, community service, career placement, alumni relations, and fundraising. TMLS actively recruits African Americans into the law school community and promotes an atmosphere at the law school that is conducive to their academic and professional success.

US–Mexico Bar Association—Student Chapter

The goal of the US–Mexico Bar Association—Student Chapter is to develop and promote understanding of the legal systems and practices and the cultural differences of the two nations; and to exchange professional information among its members about issues of law that affect common interests such as commerce, investment, and immigration.

Women's Law Caucus

The Women's Law Caucus (WLC) reflects both the diversity and the growing influence of women at the School of Law. Founded in 1972, WLC is one of the largest volunteer student organizations at the law school. Activities range from professional development and academic support to social events and golf lessons. Because membership is open to all law students, WLC is a diverse group with equally diverse concerns and activities.

As women are increasingly represented in the legal profession, their influence grows in all areas of the profession. Networking is a way for women who have achieved success to provide the benefit of their experience to those just entering the profession. Some of WLC's networking opportunities include activities with the Travis County Women Lawyers Association, Wine About Law School, Women and the Law Panel, and a seasonal golf clinic and tournament with members of the local bar.

WLC provides many social and academic activities for students, such as a personal safety seminar, StressBusters Fair, examination preparation seminar and outline bank, big-sister mentoring program with first-year students, happy hour mixers, and a first-year summer internship advice seminar. WLC is active in raising money for charities and in volunteering with local service organizations, such as AngelTree, Women's Advocacy Project, SafePlace, and the Survivor Support Network.