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.
The Student Bar Association is a self-governing organization with a council composed of seven representatives from each of the three classes plus a president and two vice-presidents elected by the student body at large. The association acts generally for the student body in Law School matters. The officers and council of the association appoint the student members of various Law School committees. These committees play an important role in the governance of the Law School, and the student committee members work to ensure representation of student views in this process.
Student Organizations
A wealth of specialized student interest organizations provide outstanding opportunities to explore your interests with your fellow students. In addition, there are many student activities, such as law journals, mock trial, and moot court that build legal skills, and activities such as the Dean's Cup and Law Revue that are great ways to meet people and have fun. Here's more information about the organizations and activities at the UW Law School.
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 Bar
Association/Law Student Division (ABA/LSD)
Membership in the Law Student Division of the American Bar
Association provides a number of immediate and tangible benefits.
Membership includes subscriptions to the ABA Journal and the
award-winning magazine, The Student Lawyer . The dues also entitle
students to Hertz car rental discounts, low rates on preliminary
multistate bar exam courses, reduced ABA section memberships and
eligibility for medical and life insurance at low group rates.
American Civil
Liberties Union (ACLU)
The American Civil Liberties Union is a group whose primary goal is
to protect our civil liberties, as set out in the constitution and
the Bill of Rights. The ACLU was formed in 1920, and has been the
party to more litigation in the protection of the people, rather
than for their repression.
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.
Delta Theta
Phi
The Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity, International, founded in 1900,
is one of the three leading professional law fraternities in the
world. It has over 100 active student senates (chapters), over 100
alumni senates and more than 100,000 initiated members. Membership
in Delta Theta Phi is open to all students enrolled in fully
accredited law schools.
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.
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.
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.
J. Reuben Clark Law Society (JRCLS)
The J. Reuben Clark Law Society (JRCLS) is an international law
society composed of professionals and law students who seek to
affirm the strength brought to law by a lawyer's personal religious
convictions. Members strive through public service and professional
excellence to promote fairness and virtue founded upon the rule of
law.
Jewish Law
Students Association (JLSA)
The Jewish Law Students Association serves as a forum for
addressing concerns of Jewish students and sponsors several social
activities each year.
Korean Law
Students Association (KOLSA)
KOLSA brings together Korean Law Students by sponsoring several
social activities each year.
Health Law Students Association
Latino 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.
Student Hurricane Network - UW Chapter (SHN-UW)
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
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.
Wisconsin Sports Law Society
Founded in 1989, the Wisconsin Sports Law Society seeks to promote
the University of Wisconsin Law School as a forerunner in sports
law. Many notable alumni currently lead the sports law field. The
Society sponsors a speaker program where practitioners,
academicians and athletes address the current topics in sports law.
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.
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 of Madison.