Student Organizations

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. 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[DOC] as a guide.

6. Submit the completed Addendum andorganization 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

​Financing Workshop[PDF]

Orders and Reimbursement Guide[PDF]

SU Employee Expense Reimbursement Form[XLS]

Travel Reimbursement Request Form[XLS](For Travel On or Before 12/31/2017)

Travel Reimbursement Request Form[XLS](For Travel On or After 1/1/2018)

Basic Budget Template[XLS]

Executive DIrector: Joseph Mallek

ACS is committed to fostering a progressive vision of the law on issues across the policy spectrum, including access to the courts; anti-discrimination and affirmative action; civil liberties; consumer rights; criminal justice; disability rights; freedom of speech; gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights; international human rights; immigration; open government; labor law; the political process; privacy; protection of health, safety and the environment; and women’s rights and reproductive freedom.

President: Troy Parker

APALSA’s goals are:

• to encourage communications between law students and to associate law students who share similar goals
• to serve as a liaison between Asian Pacific American attorneys and law students
• to influence the legal community to bring about meaningful change to meet the needs of the Asian Pacific American community
• to encourage Asian Pacific Americans to consider law as a career.

APALSA sponsors guest speakers at the College of Law, as well as social functions.

Membership
Open to all law students.

President: Lisa Liu

As an organization, The Black Law Student Association (BLSA) is committed to providing support and encouragement in order to help facilitate a smooth adjustment process. The National Black Law Student Association (NBLSA) is the largest student-run organization in America and has over 200 chapters at law schools throughout the country, representing almost every ABA accredited law school, plus several non-accredited law schools. 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 participated in a variety of community service projects and the annual Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition.

Membership
Open to all students who have an interest in the African American legacy and culture, and in furthering the success of African Americans in the legal field.

President: William Wolfe

President: Matthew Barroner

Mission Statement

The Syracuse University Corporate Law Society is committed to actively preparing its members for successful careers in the area of corporate law, as well as introducing the field of corporate law to members exploring the practice. By encouraging interaction between students and professionals, the Corporate Law Society strives to introduce its membership to all aspects of the law as it pertains to the corporate world. This organization is dedicated to the continuing education of its members and the law school community at large, which it accomplishes in several ways. First, a speaker series comprised of various corporate law practitioners reveals the intricacies of corporate law to Society members. Second, alumni events encourage networking outside the law school environment. Third, interaction and collaboration among leaders, members and other student organizations supports networking within the law school setting. Fourth, the Society supports the Syracuse community and charitable organizations by organizing members to volunteer in service activities.

In March of 2004, the Corporate Law Society created the Corporate Law Society Scholarship Fund. This Fund is the first of its kind in the 109-year history of the College of Law. Beginning in 2004, the Fund awards $500 to a first-year law student for his or her exhibited interest in the area of corporate law.

Finally, the Corporate Law Society seeks to address the immediate and individual needs of its members as they arise. The Society promotes collegiality and encourages a supportive network among its members. Although active contribution by all members is not mandatory, it is strongly encouraged so students may realize the opportunities this Society offers its members. Members can fully participate in developing new ideas and opportunities for the Society.

The Corporate Law Society is dedicated to the success of our members in law school and in law practice.

President: Chitra Dave

President: Maddie Sheffield

President: Lillie Heigl

Presiden Audrey Fick

President: Chandler Jacobs

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.

President: Mike Lawson

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.

President: Alexis Mitchell-Dugan

Current Contacts: Jimmy Thyden

Kristine Bialy-Viau

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 Federalist Society brings speakers to campus and conducts other activities to debate and receive different perspectives about various legal ideals.

Membership
Open to all law students.

President: Maria Freitas

The Intellectual Property Law Society (IPLS) is designed to promote and to foster interests in the Intellectual Property field, which include patent, trademark, and copyright matters. IPLS members benefit from speakers practicing in a wide variety of IP fields, and from roundtable discussions with upper class students who have interviewed and worked in IP. IPLS sponsors trademark and patent moot court teams, and its members often work with the College’s Law and Technology Management program and Technology Transfer Center, where students work on real IP legal issues.

Membership
Open to all students (regardless of undergraduate major).

President: Christina Brule

Presidents: Madeline Cardona & Zach Sonallah

President: Matt Marcellino

Current Contact: Tiffany Love

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.

President: Benjamin Kaufman

EIC: Maggie Redden

EIC: Jeanine Cryan

President: Hee Seung (Ethan) Song

LALSA is a student-run organization that strives to provide professional, academic, and social support for students of Latino descent and the greater law school community. We provide a space for students to engage with issues affecting our communities through discussion, service, socials, and workshops. Our goal is to ensure the academic, professional, and social success of our members.

contact: lalsa@law.syr.edu

President: Patricia Cardona

Fellow: Eddie Zaremba

The Mindfulness in the Law Society at the College of Law seeks to improve the overall wellness of students through the practices of meditation and mindfulness. Members of the Mindfulness in the Law Society participate in contemplative practices, including yoga and breath based meditations, with the goals of reduced stress, increased focus, and greater self-awareness. By incorporating the skills of meditation and mindfulness in the everyday stress of law school and the legal environment, students will have the opportunity to improve professional skills and maintain personal wellness. All students are welcome and we encourage every student to pursue a mindfulness practice!

President: Genna Armich

President: Dwij Patel

OutLaw is a student group at Syracuse University College of Law that holds events focused on laws and policies affecting LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) persons in the United States. Whether gay or straight, liberal or conservative, we welcome you to add your voice to what we hope to be an honest and ongoing discussion on LGBT legal issues.

President: Brenna Mason

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.

Justice: Crystal Torres

President: Lydia Parenteau