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Student Organizations
Going to law school is not just about classes and case books. It is meeting people, exploring different areas of law and getting involved in the legal community. With over 40 unique law student organizations, journals and teams from which to choose, USD School of Law offers ample opportunities to enrich your legal education, become a part of the USD law community, experience the legal "real world" and network with professionals working in your chosen field—all before graduation.
The Student Bar Association (SBA) is the umbrella organization for the student-run organizations at the University of San Diego School of Law. The various groups sponsor networking events, provide study assistance, represent group concerns, sponsor speaker programs, participate in and sponsor competitions, host social activities and promote community relations.
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Advocates for Children and Education (ACE)
ACE seeks to promote the welfare and education of children. Our main objective is to provide interested students, faculty, and staff with opportunities to connect with and positively impact children in the local community. We have volunteer opportunities available in the areas of juvenile delinquency, special education, and general mentoring and advocacy. We also provide resources and information about careers in child advocacy and education law.
Crawford High School Academy of Law Visit
We have partnered up with Law Student Affairs to help aspiring high school students, from Crawford Academy of the Law, get a small taste of what it is like to be a law school student. During this event, you will have the opportunity to discuss with the students what it is like to be a law student, what steps you took to get to law school, and what advice you wish you had while you were in high school. Additionally, you will help the students think like actual lawyers by putting on a small interactive presentation. Afterwards, lunch will be provided where you can mingle with the students. This is followed by a tour of the beautiful USD campus.
Pro Bono hours are rewarded for your time which includes the training video that you are required to watch. This should amount to about 6-7 hours of pro bono hours for just one event! There is potential to earn even more pro bono hours if you help organize and plan the presentation for the students.
If you are interested in being a part of the Crawford Academy event feel free to contact:
Jacob Yang: jacobyang@sandiego.edu
Education Liaison Program
The Education Liaison Program collaborates with the San Diego Public Defender's Office to pair law students with juvenile offenders who need support in school. ACE members receive training in education law and work directly with students and parents to help children improve school performance. All cases are referred by public defenders. ACE advocates send periodic updates to the PD's office and, when appropriate, appear at juvenile court hearings to support parents and students.
If you are interested in being a part of the Education Liaison Program event feel free to contact:
Carson Williams: carsonwilliams@sandiego.edu
Education Rights Holder Program
Local judges appoint ACE volunteers to hold education rights for students in foster care, until social workers find someone to permanently hold education rights. As temporary education rights holders, volunteers are the main educational advocates for their students and have the legal authority to make all education-related decisions. Usually, holders come in when parental rights have been terminated or when the court deems that the minor’s parents can't make decisions for their child anymore. The program works directly with the Public Defender’s office. Our case load requires us to review school documents, interview the minors, make plans for their success and to attend court hearings for the minor.
If you are interested in being a part of the Education Rights Holder Program feel free to contact:
Simone Leonard: usd.ace@gmail.com
SMART Program
The SMART program occurs once each semester. The program is designed to help teens that have committed a misdemeanor offense and participate in the Youth Court Diversion Program to remove charges off their record. Law students volunteer to facilitate and work one-on-one with these teen offenders from the community. The program covers and focuses on various topics, including healthy relationships, the criminal justice system, seeking appropriate role models, decision-making, and setting goals. The goal of the program is to help prevent the teens in attendance from a cyclical life of crime through hands-on activities and group discussion.
If you are interested in being a part of the SMART Program event feel free to contact:
Natasha Pulido: npulido@sandiego.edu
Mitzi Miranda: mmiranda@sandiego.edu -
American Constitution Society (ACS)
The mission of the American Constitution Society is to reincorporate values of compassion and respect for each individual in American law and politics, in order to build a stronger national community. We believe in the fundamental principles of respect for human dignity, protection of individual rights and liberties, genuine equality, and access to justice. We believe these principles are integral to understanding the Constitution and should form a starting point for enactment and interpretation of the law.
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Appellate Moot Court Board
The Appellate Moot Court Board is dedicated to fostering the development of appellate advocacy skills among our students. Members of the board receive training from professors and attorneys experienced in legal writing and appellate argument. The Moot Court Board hosts two intramural competitions each year, the Alumni Moot Court Tournament and the Paul A. McLennon, Sr., Honors Moot Court Competition. These competitions are open to all second- and third-year USD law students. The National Criminal Procedure Competition attracts teams from across the United States to compete in a rigorous tournament judged by leading criminal law experts and judicial officers in San Diego. Members of the Executive Board are also selected to compete in intercollegiate national tournaments. Competing members can receive academic credit. Please visit the Appellate Moot Court Board website for more information about the program.
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Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA)
The USD Asian Pacific American Law Students Association services as an academic, social, and professional resource for law students. Our goal is to expand our social and professional network and strengthen our ties with the Asian American legal communities in San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles. We work to promote a greater understanding of the diverse culture and rich history of our students.
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Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
In addition to promoting the purpose of the National Black Law Student Association, the purpose of USD BLSA is to utilize the resources of USD School of Law and the legal community to articulate and promote the educational, professional, political, and social needs of the black law students at USD; facilitate discourse and professionalism among all law students; and instill a greater sense of commitment to the needs of the black community.
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Business Law Society (BLS)
Our purpose is to facilitate open dialogue in various areas of business and transactional law, to provide a forum for students to network both within the USD community as well as the surrounding legal community, and to educate interested students in specialized issues of business law.
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Christian Legal Society (CLS)
The purpose of the Christian Legal Society is to inspire, encourage and equip Christian law students, both individually and in the community, to proclaim, love and serve Jesus Christ. We exist to tangibly serve others and provide a Christian community on campus. Mentorship programs, service activities, speaker meetings, and events are available to all.
Organization contact
Name
- Maryam Atty and Stefan SeperCo-Presidents usdchristianlegal@gmail.com
Web pages
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Client Advocacy Team (CAT)
The Client Advocacy Team seeks to: 1) Foster and encourage the development of client advocacy skills among USD law students. 2) Ddevelop and maintain USD's reputation for excellence in client advocacy training in the professional and academic communities. 3) Host and administer interscholastic client advocacy competitions, and sponsor teams to represent USD in interscholastic client advocacy competitions hosted by other institutions. 4) Maintain an active role in the affairs of USD that impacts the professional development of its students in matters relating to client advocacy.
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Consumer Attorneys of the University of San Diego (CAUSD)
The Consumer Attorneys of the University of San Diego (CAUSD) provides resources to students interested in pursuing legal careers as advocates for the wronged, injured, and victimized. We facilitate consumer attorney career opportunities through forming alliances with members of the professional community, hosting guest speaker and networking events, and trough promoting a robust alumni network. Learn what it takes to hold corporate behemoths responsible for their conduct and how trial attorneys make our communities safer through the civil justice system.
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Criminal Law Society
The purpose of the Criminal Law Society is to provide professional development and networking opportunities for law students interested in criminal law. We promote the practice of criminal law through informational meetings, panels, and networking events. The Criminal Law Society was formed to provide a resource for students interested in pursuing criminal law on either the prosecution or defense side.
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Employment and Labor Law Society (EALLS)
We seek to provide students interested in employment and labor law with the opportunity to learn more about the field and to network with attorneys in the field.
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Environmental Law Society (ELS)
The purpose of the Environmental Law Society is to increase awareness of environmental issues and their legal, political and social implications; to provide students with practical experience in the field of environmental law; to create opportunities for students to connect with local attorneys and other professionals working in the field; and to encourage and organize green and sustainable initiatives on the USD campus and in the San Diego community.
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Federalist Society, The
The Federalist Society is dedicated to these principles: (1) the state exists to preserve the natural law of human freedom; (2) separation of governmental powers is central to the healthy functioning of the US Constitution; (3) the duty of the federal and state judiciaries is to say what the law is, not what it should be; and (4) active citizenship, intelligent discourse, integrity of leadership, cheerfulness, and generosity.
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GOOD Guys in Law School (GOOD Guys)
Guys Overcoming Obstacles to Diversity (GOOD Guys) is an program designed to break the impasse in women's advancement by engaging people who have been missing from the conversation. We aim to engage law students in the discussion on diversity and inclusion in order to teach future leaders the importance of and ways to diversify the profession therefore improving the trajectory for women and diverse people in the law.
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Health Law Society (HLS)
The Health Law Society brings together students and members of the community to enhance understanding of health law issues. Our goal is to increase health law career opportunities by forming alliances with industry associations, hosting speaker events, creating a strong alumni network, and developing professional relationships with potential employers. We support and work to enhance the University of San Diego School of Law's reputation for excellence in health law academics. We maintain an active role in the affairs the university that impact the professional development of its students in matters relating to health law.
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Immigration Law Society (IMLS)
The purpose of the Immigration Law Society (IMLS) is to engage interested students in the practice of immigration law. IMLS seeks to provide opportunities for students to network with professionals, learn from panel discussions, and engage in other recreational activities. IMLS hopes to facilitate critical thinking on the topic of immigration and get students involved in the greater immigration law community.
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Intellectual Property Law Association (IPLA)
IPLA's purpose is to provide students interested in, or curious about, intellectual property law opportunities to learn about the variety of careers in the field. IPLA organizes social events that enable students to learn about and interact with IP attorneys. Additionally, IPLA offers students a chance to network and meet other students interested in IP law.
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International Law Society (ILS)
The mission of the International Law Society ILS) is to provide USD law students with insight into the practice of international law through panel discussions, networking events, and speaker series regarding various topics in international law. We hope to educate students, provide resources regarding career opportunities in international law, and work with USD to facilitate involvement with the San Diego community and the greater international community.
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J. Reuben Clark Law Society (JRCLS)
We affirm the strength brought to the study of law by a law student's personal religious conviction. We strive through public service and diligence in our studies to promote fairness and virtue founded upon the rule of law.
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Jewish Law Students Association (JLSA)
The purpose of JLSA is to represent the interests of Jewish students within the USD community through various events; educate the USD community; participate in and increase diversity initiatives; and promote the acceptance and inclusions of all minorities and religions.
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La Raza Law Students Association
The primary mission of the USD La Raza La Students Association is to articulate and promote the educational, professional, political and social needs and goals of Latinx law students. We strive to facilitate discourse and professionalism among all law students on campus and instill in all members of USD La Raza a greater commitment to the needs of the Latinx community.
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Law Students for Cross-Racial Understanding (LS4CRU)
The purpose of Law Students for Cross-Racial Understanding is to encourage law students to engage in sophisticated, high-level discussions concerning racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination in hopes of creating bridges of understanding. We also focus on spreading a message of unity and inclusion to high school students via facilitated weekly presentations based on selected readings.
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Middle Eastern Law Students Association (MELSA)
MELSA's purpose is to provide a supportive, pro-active environment to address the legal issues facing the Middle Eastern community, as well as to create a forum for networking between the organization's members and attorneys practicing in San Diego. Our mission is to stay connected and maintain a sense of unity, while fostering a mutual understanding between diverse cultures and backgrounds represented at the University of San Diego.
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Military Bar Association (MilBar)
The Military Bar Association (MilBar) is comprised of student veterans, potential JAGs, students interested in the military or military service in general, and those interested in serving the San Diego veteran community. MilBar connects interested students with the on-campus Veterans Clinic, where law students can intern for credit or volunteer pro bono hours. MilBar also connects students to the local legal community through mixers with the San Diego County Military Bar Association. Additionally, we give students the opportunity to volunteer at two annual events in San Diego that give homeless veterans access to resources they need ranging from dental services to legal help. MilBar is dedicated to serving our community, making lasting connections, and helping students pursue their professional interests.
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Motions
Our mission is to provide news, information, analysis and commentary to the students, faculty, staff and alumni of the University of San Diego School of Law and the general San Diego legal community. Because journalistic excellence is the foundation for our success, we pledge to seek and report the truth with honesty, accuracy and fairness.
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National Lawyers Guild (NLG)
The USD chapter of the National Lawyers Guild seeks to promote a progressive law practice and use law for the people. We seek to unite lawyers, law students, and legal organizations as an effective force in the service of people by valuing human rights over property interests. We will protect and foster the civil rights and civil liberties of all people. We will promote justice in the administration of the law.
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National Trial Team
USD’s National Trial Team trains students for regional and national trial competitions. Competing in five major tournaments each year, the team is dedicated to teaching the art of trial advocacy and molding strong future litigators. Members of the trial team are selected through participation in a spring intramural competition. The team is coached by seasoned attorneys with both mock trial and real-life litigation experience. Competing members can receive academic credit.
Organization contact
Name
- Haley ShumakerAssistant Director of Advocacy Programs hshumaker@sandiego.edu
- Professor Francis A. DiGiacco digiacco@gmail.com
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Older Wiser Law Students (OWLS)
The purpose of the Older Wiser Law Students is to provide law students that have commitments during the day an opportunity to get involved at the University of San Diego and greater San Diego legal community.
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Phi Alpha Delta (PAD)
Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity is a professional law fraternity. The purpose is to form a strong bond uniting students and teachers of the law with members of the legal community; to stimulate excellence in scholarship; to inspire the vitues of compassion and courage; and to foster integrity and professional competence. We promote professionalism and networking among law students and attorneys in the southern California region.
Organization contact
Name
- Katilyn FarrellJustice mccormickpad@gmail.com
Web pages
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Phi Delta Phi (PDP)
Phi Delta Phi (PDP) promotes the advancement of the highest intellectual, professional, and ethical standards within the University of San Diego School of Law community. Wigmore Inn and its members are charged with the responsibility to seek and promote excellence in scholastic and ethical standards in order to achieve this goal.
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Pride Law
USD Pride Law seeks a university and world community which respects and embraces the uniqueness and contributions of every individual. Pride Law affords an opportunity for sharing ideas and values from the traditions and history of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQIA) communities. We also seek to advance understanding of legal issues affecting the LGBTQIA communities and provide networking opportunities for law students in the San Diego community.
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Pro Bono Legal Advocates (PBLA)
PBLA is an organization dedicated to volunteering in the local community. We create and promote opportunities for law students to gain practical legal experience through community service. Through each of its programs, PBLA connects law students with opportunities to volunteer with various community organizations. These community organizations assist those in San Diego who might be lost in the legal system or who might not be able to afford competent counsel. Some of these programs are not specifically law-oriented for those who want to help in the local community.
Volunteering at the PBLA Clinics is one way students can earn pro bono hours which can count towards the USD Pro Bono Service Recognition.
Organization contact
Name
- Monet McCordChair Chair.pbla@gmail.com
- Mason BettancourtVice Chair vicechair.pbla@gmail.com
Web pages
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Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF)
The Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF) connects students who are committed to public interest to internships and careers where they can make a difference. We are a community of law students and alumni devoted to public interest advocacy.
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Real Estate and Land Use Society (RELUS)
The mission of the Real Estate and Land Use Society is to educate and facilitate interest in the different areas and issues in the area of real property and land use law; to provide a forum for professional development and networking opportunities within the USD community and surrounding legal community; and to promote the practice of real estate and land use law.
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Saint Thomas More Society (STMS)
We are a national Catholic society of judges, attorneys, public servants, law students, and others who work closely with the legal profession and the courts. The purpose of the St. Thomas More Society is to promote high ethical and moral principles in the legal profession. In addition, we aim to build a network amongst students and local attorneys who share in those same ethical values.
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Society of Changemaker Organizations (SCO)
The Society of Changemaker Organizations (SCO) is an assembly of USD law student groups focused on innovative legal solutions promoting social justice and public interest. As a designated Changemaker Campus, USD is part of a worldwide network of universities focused on social change and innovation, and many USD law students groups are already dedicated to creating change and helping under-served populations. SCO will connect and support these like-minded groups, foster networking, and cross-promote events, service opportunities, and shared resources.
Organization contact
Name
- Hunter TerryPresident hterry@sandiego.edu
- Francesca SparacoVice President fsparaco@sandiego.edu
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Sports and Entertainment Law Society (SELS)
SELS is a student-run organization dedicated to providing information, career support, and social activity for students interested in sports and entertainment industry careers. We are committed to increasing student exposure to the industry. We seek to achieve our goals by arranging guest speakers that will examine topical issue in sports and entertainment law. Through these events, our organization strives to provide a realistic introduction to the entry level sports and entertainment law market for today's law student.
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Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF)
SALDF is dedicated to providing a forum for education, advocacy, and scholarship aimed at protecting the lives and advancing the interests of animals through the legal system. We also aim to raise the profile of the field of animal law.
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Student Bar Association (SBA)
All law students are members of the Student Bar Association (SBA). The SBA is the student government of the School of Law. The Executive Board consists of the President, Vice President, Vice President of Student Organizations, Secretary, and Treasurer. Also part of the SBA council are elected representatives from each class year and registered student groups. First-year representatives are elected at the beginning of the fall semester, one representative per section. An LLMC representative is also elected at the start of the fall semester.
SBA members act as the official student representatives and advocate for student interests on many different issues. The SBA is responsible for appointing student representatives to the various law school and university committees.
The main goal of the SBA is to represent and serve the student body. To that end, it must determine what university events and issues affect law students, ensure that law students are represented on those issues, and advocate their interests.
Organization contact
Name
- Madison LathemPresident usdlawpres@gmail.com
- Yasmine KalhorVice President usdlawvp@gmail.com
- Robert PonceVice President for Student Organizations usdlawvpoforg@gmail.com
- Sarah EarlyTreasurer usdlawtreas@gmail.com
- Lexy HannaSecretary usdlawsec@gmail.com
Web pages
Office
Warren Hall, The Writs Room 114F -
Tax Law Society (TLS)
The focus of the Tax Law Society is to educate and generate interest in law students about the different areas and issues in tax law; to create opportunities for law students to network with tax practitioners and professors; and generate interest in pursuing graduate tax degrees.
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Transactional Law Team (TLT)
The Transactional Law Team (TLT) competes in various transactional meets. We provide a forum for students to hone their corporate and transactional law skills, to learn transactional research and drafting, and to further develop their negotiation techniques. TLT members become familiar with the details of a corporate transaction or deal and will have the ability to apply those skills to the practice of corporate or transactional law in their future careers.
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USD Law Democrats Club (USD Law Dems)
The USD Law Democrats seek an open dialogue among members of the USD community - graduate and undergraduate students, faculty, administration, staff, and alumni - in order to foster a productive discussion with the goal to encourage and spread progressive values. The USD Law Dems wish for all members to be politically active and involved in issues they are passionabe aout throughout their careers in law. To that end, we organize speakers, panel discussions, special campaigns, and social hours for members and non-members alike.
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USD Law Republicans (USDLR)
USD Law Republicans promote free enterprise, economic growth, liberty, a strong national defense, and the rule of law through reasoned debate. We organize networking sessions, panel discussions, speaking events, and volunteer activities in the San Diego Community.
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Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot (VICAM)
The Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot (VICAM) Team competes in the area of international commercial law and arbitration, specifically at the the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Vienna, Austria and Hong Kong. The mission of the team is to foster the development of international legal writing, arbitration, and oral advocacy skills among its members; to promote professionalism and academic excellence; to employ the talent and coaching of the faculty; to maintain the school's outstanding reputation through international competitions; and to keep pace with the advancements of international law and commerce.
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Women's Law Caucus
The goal of the Women's Law Caucus is to bring together the community of USD law students interested in exploring the wide spectrum of legal issues affecting women. We actively accomplish this goal by 1) facilitating increased awareness and understanding of these issues through club-sponsored events; 2) empowering future female leaders and enhancing the role of women in the legal community; 3) promoting awareness of various social, economic, legal and political issues that impact women; and 4) increasing the potential of the student body to effect meaningful change, both within the USD community and the community at large.