An important indication of the breadth of interest within the student body is the range of extracurricular activities and organizations in which students participate. University of Wisconsin Law School students have a wide range of choices and are active participants in many organizations ranging from professional groups to intramural sports. And if no organization exists to suit your particular needs and interests, we encourage you to start one. In recent years, students have begun a criminal law association, an alternative dispute resolution society, and an organization for non-traditional students, to name a few.
Student Organizations
Student Bar Association (SBA)
The University of Wisconsin Law School Student Bar Association is the representative
organization for the law school's student body. We represent students in dealing
with the faculty and adminstration. Our goal is to make the law school the best
place it can be by providing a number of services and resources for the law
students.
American Constitution Society
The American Constitution Society for Law and Policy is a national organization
of law students, law professors, practicing lawyers and members of the community.
We want to help revitalize and transform legal debate, from law school classrooms
to federal courtrooms.
Asian Pacific American Law Students
Association/South Asian Law Students Association (APALSA/SALSA)
APALSA/SALSA provides academic, career and social support to its members by
sponsoring activities, working with the Law School faculty and administration,
collaborating in efforts of other student organizations, and acting as a forum
for addressing concerns of Asian Americans.
Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
The University of Wisconsin Black Law Students Association (UWBLSA) is a chartered
member of the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) which exists to
serve the educational, social and professional interests of Black law students
across the country.
Business & Tax Law Association (BATLAW)
The University of Wisconsin Business & Tax Law Association promotes and
enhances the study and practice of business and tax law. The BTLA also encourages
high standards of academic achievement as well as social interaction with other
law students, faculty, and the professional community. Several faculty members
and some of the largest law firms in Wisconsin are included in BTLA's membership.
Children's Justice Project
The Children's Justice Project brings together people interested in promoting
justice for children and juveniles, including the rights of children and juveniles
in the legal, educational, health care, and social services systems. The Project
does this through interdisciplinary advocacy and study.
Christian Legal Society (CLS)
CLS is a small, informal, interdenominational group of students who meet on
a regular basis for bible study, "roundtable" exchanges on various topics, not
necessarily Law School related, and most importantly, fellowship.
Democratic Law Student Association (DLSA)
The Democratic Law Student Association is an organization of students interested in furthering the
Democratic Party through volunteering and political action. We have a mailing list that informs about
our coming events and speakers.
Elder Law and Estate Planning Society (ELEPS)
The Elder Law and Estate Planning Society is committed to providing aforum for law students interested in elder law and estate planning to engage in a dialogue regarding the needs of individuals as they age, their families grow, their needs change, and they plan their futures. ELEPS provides its members with resources for their education, and strives to connect its members with attorneys through speaking engagements, community outreach programs, and social events.
Environmental Law Society (ELS)
The Environmental Law Society welcomes all students interested in the
application
of law to environmental issues at the state, national, and
international levels. The Society studies all sides of the issues
because it recognizes that environmental
law applies to both those interested in classic environmental
preservation,
as well as persons whose activities create environmental impacts.
Federalist Society
The UW Law School's chapter of the Federalist Society is a group of conservatives
and libertarians interested in the current state of legal order. It is founded
on the principle 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.
Health Law Student Association
(HLSA)
The Health Law Student Association provides resources, networking
opportunities, and a forum to discuss legal issues for students interested
in health and public health law. We seek to prepare our members for careers
in these fast-growing fields.
Indigenous Law Students Association (ILSA)
ILSA is an organization which provides a forum for discussion and dissemination
of current Indian Law topics. Anyone with an interest in Indian Law is invited
to become a member. ILSA also provides support to its members by maintaining
study groups, and assisting with job searches. Through its annual Coming Together
of the Peoples Conference, ILSA provides ongoing outreach to the U.W. community
and the legal community at large.
Intellectual Property Students Organization (IPSO)
The Intellectual Property Students Organization has been formed to convey to
all interested law students the field of Intellectual Property Law. Its primary
purpose is to provide topical seminars, discussions, and other events relating
to Patent, Copyright, and Trademark Law.
Jewish Law Students Association (JLSA)
JLSA works to maintain a social, cultural and religious Jewish presence
at the University of Wisconsin Law School. JLSA membership and
activities are open to all law students. Our activities include
lectures, community service projects, networking events, holiday
observances, fundraisers and social outings.
Latino/a Law Student Association (LLSA)
The Latino Law Student Association encourages and promotes the discussion of
Latino issues.
Law School Family Association
The Law Student Family Association exists to support law students, their spouses
or partners, and children by providing social and networking opportunities,
including family-friendly events, child care information, and other resources
designed to serve the needs of student families.
Law Students for Reproductive Justice (LSRJ)
Law Students for Reproductive Justice is the local chapter of a national law student organization committed to furthering reproductive rights and increasing the understanding of reproductive justice issues. LSRJ encourages a broad discourse beyond the pro-choice v. pro-life debate, exploring the entire spectrum of reproductive justice issues.
Legal Information Center (LIC)
Formerly known as the Community Law Office, LIC provides free legal
assistance to University students and low income Madison residents in
the areas of landlord-tenant, small claims, employment, consumer,
divorce, residency, misdemeanor information, name change, contracts and
traffic law. LIC is staffed primarily by law student volunteers.
Students interested in volunteering can attend a training session in
the beginning of the fall or spring semester.
Middle Eastern Law Students Association (MELSA)
The Middle Eastern Law Students Association seeks to promote greater understanding
of Middle Eastern cultures, politics and legal institutions. The group is designed
to serve as a discussion forum for students of Middle Eastern descent as well
as those interested in the region to exchange ideas and opinions. MELSA hosts
a variety of educational events including, colloquia, political discussions, and documentary
and other films highlighting the social and political dynamics of the Middle
East. MELSA also hosts a number of social outings including dinners and parties
featuring Middle Eastern cuisine and music. The group welcomes anyone with an
interest in the Middle East to join.
National Lawyers Guild (University of Wisconsin Law School Chapter)
The Madison Chapterof the NLG is a community chapter with both lawyers and law
student members. The National Lawyers Guild is a nationwide organization of
lawyers and law students dedicated to working for social justice. Formed in
1937 as the first racially integrated bar association in the country, the Guild
tries to bring together all those who recognize the importance of safeguarding
and extending the rights of workers, women, farmers, and minority groups upon
whom the welfare of the entire nation depends; who actively seek to eliminate
racism; who work to maintain and protect our civil rights and liberties; and
who view the law as an instrument for the protection of the people, rather than
their repression.
PTLaw (Part Time Law students)
The PTLaw group is for all students who are now (or plan to become, or at least
sympathize with) Part Time students.
Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF)
Much of the work of this group involves pledge drives and fund-raising to provide
scholarships for students to work on public interest law issues. PILF has also
created a Loan Repayment Assistance Program.
QLaw (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Law Students)
QLaw is a student organization dedicated to serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community at the University of Wisconsin Law School. QLaw strives to make the UW Law School a more open, hospitable and welcoming environment for LGBT students through collaboration with the administration and other student organizations. QLaw seeks to educate the law school community by increasing LGBT visibility and raising awareness of issues that affect us while providing support and networking opportunities for LGBT law students. QLaw aims for a diverse organization that reflects the composition of the larger community of LGBT people and their allies. Everyone is welcome to participate.
Sports and Entertainment Law Society
The Sports and Entertainment Law Society is an organization that programs panels, events, and educational and networking opportunities in order to promote a better understanding of sports and entertainment law by students at the University of Wisconsin Law School. This society seeks to build a bridge between University of Wisconsin Law Students and others who can offer academic and career advice in the Sports and Entertainment Law sectors.
Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF)
UW Law's Student Animal Legal Defense Fund works to educate future lawyers about
the needs of animals (non-human) and their human companions in our legal system.
The group hosts speakers, presents movie screenings and alerts the UW community
to animal welfare issues in Madison and beyond.
Unemployment Compensation Appeals
Clinic (U Clinic)
The Unemployment Compensation Appeals Clinic is staffed by volunteer student
advocates who assist clients in obtaining unemployment compensation benefits.
Student advocates work closely with supervising attorneys and gain litigation
and case management experience while helping those in need of benefits who cannot
afford representation.
Wisconsin Agricultural & Food Law Society (WAFLS) The Wisconsin Agricultural & Food Law Society aims to promote
discussion and raise awareness of legal issues relating to agricultural
systems and food production. WAFLS also seeks to provide networking
opportunities for students, professors and professionals.
Wisconsin International Law Society (WILS)
The Wisconsin International Law Society provides a forum for people and ideas
involving international legal issues by getting together experts in diverse
fields for informal discussion and cordials. WILS also invites students from
several continents to join in the exploration of fine Madison pubs.
Women's Law Student Association (WLSA)
The Women's Law Student Association sponsors a variety of activities for all
women studying at the UW Law School. WLSA tries to make the time spent in Law
School more interesting and more humane. WLSA presents several speakers, lobbies
for women faculty hiring, produces a monthly newsletter, sends members to the
National Women and the Law Conference, and much more.
Law School Activities
Journals
There are three student journals that give students an opportunity to assist
with and contribute to the Law School's scholarly publications. These publications
provide invaluable training in legal research and writing.
- The Wisconsin Law Review is a student-run journal of legal analysis and commentary that is used by professors, judges, practitioners, and others researching contemporary legal topics. The Law Review, which is published six times each year, includes professional and student articles, with content spanning local, state, national, and international topics. In addition to publishing the journal, the Law Review sponsors an annual symposium at which leading scholars debate a significant issue in contemporary law. Students earn membership on the Law Review through a writing competition at the end of their first year.
- The Wisconsin International Law Journal, established in 1982, is written by both professionals in the field and by law students. The student-edited journal offers articles of scholarly and practical interest in various areas of international law. Student members of the journal edit articles of scholarly and practical interest in various areas of international law and draft articles for submission and possible publication. Each spring, the Journal staff coordinates a conference on recent topics of interest in international law.
- The Wisconsin Journal of Law, Gender & Society, open to all students, is a student-edited journal, national in scope, which publishes contributions from students, teachers, and practitioners. This journal, established in 1985, publishes contributions from faculty, students, and practitioners on a wide-range of legal topics. Its focus is on scholarship that examines the intersection of law and gender with issues of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation.
Moot Court & Mock Trial Programs
Moot court and mock trial competitions at the University of Wisconsin Law School
provide outstanding opportunities for students to gain experience with brief
writing and oral advocacy. Students learn practical skills and work as a team
to present their case.
- The Moot Court Program is a mock appellate advocacy program. First-year students are selected for moot court through competitive tryouts in the spring of their first year. The Moot Court Board organizes, promotes, and supports the intramural and intercollegiate moot court competitions, and annually sends dozens of UW law students to competitions at law schools across the country. Each spring, the Law School also hosts the Evan A. Evans Competition, a moot court event in which students from around the country argue a constitutional law case.
- Mock Trial gives students the opportunity to try a lawsuit in regional and national competitions against teams from other law schools. The teams are coached by experienced litigators from the Law School and practicing bar.
- The Wisconsin International Commercial Arbitration (ICA) Moot Team fosters the study of international commercial law and arbitration to resolve international business disputes. The group recruits, trains, and prepares participants for two annual competitions, one in Vienna, Austria and another in Hong Kong, China.
Activities
Stuart's Law Revue
The Law Revue Show, the Law School's annual comedy and musical production, celebrated
its 25th anniversary in 1996. No member of the legal community is safe when
the all-student band and cast take to the stage. It's the funniest legal event
in the seventh circuit, now in its second quarter century. Join the show--it's a blast!
The Dean's Cup
The University of Wisconsin Dean's Cup is an annual competition between the
students of the University of Wisconsin Medical School and Law School. The purpose
of the competition is to foster camaraderie between the two schools and to give
back to the community through local charities. Dean's Cup events span the spectrum
of competition, from basketball, golf and ultimate, to euchre, chess and "bar
trivia." More importantly, the schools compete in a food drive supporting the
Salvation Army, a blood drive through the American Red Cross, and T-shirt sales,
proceeds from which are donated to the Dane County Rape Crisis Center, and the
Ronald McDonald House of Madison.
