The Student Bar Association (SBA) is the student government, responsible for coordination of all student activities at the law school. Email: sba@wcl.american.edu
Action for Human Rights is a student organization that brings together students and faculty to promote awareness of domestic and international human rights issues and their legal implications. It provides a forum for discussion about different issues and encourages the WCL community to take action. The organization's main programs include: Human Rights Coffee Hour, Alternative Winter/Spring Break, Experiential Learning Projects, and STAND (Students Taking Action Now: Darfur). Email: ahr@wcl.american.edu.
The Administrative Law Review is published four times annually by the students of the Washington College of Law in conjunction with the American Bar Association's Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice. The ALR strives to develop legal research and writing skills of students while publishing articles that serve both practitioners and academicians. Each issue is a nexus of theory and practice containing articles by practicing lawyers, judges, and academicians. The ALR contains student comments and casenotes on administrative law issues. In addition, the ALR regularly publishes symposia, conferences, and meetings on current topics in administrative law. E-mail: alr-editor-in-chief@wcl.american.edu.
The Alternative Dispute Resolution Society seeks to promote student interest in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) at the Washington College of Law. The society will help students gain an understanding of and actively promote the use of ADR as an effective alternative to litigation. Students will have the opportunity to hear from prominent ADR experts in the field and to participate in local mediation trainings and competitions. The society will also participate in events sponsored by ADR groups at other area law schools. Email: adr@wcl.american.edu.
The American Constitution Society for Law and Policy is a national organization of law students, law professors, practicing lawyers and others. We want to help revitalize and transform the legal debate, from law school classrooms to federal courtrooms. We want to counter the dominant vision of American law today, a narrow conservative vision that lacks appropriate regard for the ways in which the law affects people's lives. We seek to restore the fundamental principles of respect for human dignity, protection of individual rights and liberties, genuine equality, and access to justice to their rightful-and traditionally central-place in American law. We want to strengthen the intellectual underpinnings of -- and the public case for -- a vision of the law in which these values are paramount -- on such issues as: privacy; freedom of speech; federalism; anti-discrimination and affirmative action; gay rights; a woman's right to choose; labor and consumer rights; protection of health, safety, and the environment; the death penalty; and the criminal justice system.
The American Jurist is an editorially independent student publication of American University's Washington College of Law. The Jurist has been awarded Best Magazine by the American Bar Association for the 2002-2003 academic year. E-mail: jurist@wcl.american.edu.
American University International Law Review. E-mail: auilr@wcl.american.edu.
The American University Law Review is both the oldest and the largest journal at American University's Washington College of Law. For more than fifty years, the Law Review has made valuable contributions to both the law school and the larger legal community. Each year, the Law Review's approximately one hundred student team publishes six books that are distributed nationwide and abroad to law school libraries, private law firms, public legal organizations, and individual subscribers. The Law Review is also accessible on Westlaw® and Lexis®. E-mail: lawrev@wcl.american.edu.
The Arab Law Students Associaiton (ALSA) provides WCL students with a forum in which to stimulate thought and discussion about issues affecting the Arab communities throughout the world and to explore the intersection between Arab cultures and the law. ALSA is also dedicated to increasing diversity in the field of higher education with a special emphasis on the legal profession, from the student body of law schools, to the number of law professors, to the academic study of Arab issues, and to the number of legal professionals where Arabs are underrepresented. Email: alsa@wcl.american.edu
The Asian-Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA) represents the Asian community of the law school and seeks to promote a greater understanding among all peoples. The programs of APALSA address a wide range of issues of concern to the entire law school community and especially the Asian community. Programs include speakers on current issues of interest and social events with APALSAs of other area law schools. Email: apalsa@wcl.american.edu
The Black Law Students Association (BLSA) promotes a fuller understanding of the legal and social issues of special concern to the Black community and Black law students. The programs of BLSA focus on increasing the number and quality of Black attorneys and legal advocates and increasing awareness in the law school community at large of the special problems facing the Black community. Programs include publication of a newsletter, a series of speakers and tutorial sessions, and various cultural, social, and educational events. Email: blsa@wcl.american.edu
The Business Law Brief is a student-run publication devoted to articles discussing the synergy between the legal profession and the business community. The Brief will endeavor to showcase the expertise and resources of the Washington College of Law within the business law community by providing its readers with interesting articles on significant current developments in business law and related fields. E-mail: businesslawbrief-editor-in-chief@wcl.american.edu
The Business Law Society’s mission is to provide a forum for law students interested in all aspects of business law. The Society provides law students with access to alumni who are working in the area of business law and with access to information concerning business law courses, programs and information regarding the study of business law and future careers in business law. Finally, the Society offers a venue for discussion of current business law issues. E-mail: bls@wcl.american.edu
The Christian Legal Society (CLS) joins diverse groups of WCL students to explore experiences and tensions between the Christian faith and academic and professional life in the legal field. Our local chapter program focuses on bible study, service projects, contact with local Christian attorneys and events on current religious issues relating to the law. Our mission is to provide the context for exploration of religious and academic issues in an environment of fellowship and support. Email: chrls@wcl.american.edu
The Communications Law Society is a group organized to bring together students interested in communications law. It provides a forum for members to network with communications attorneys in the Washington, DC area and for students to share their experiences from working in the field. CLS acts as a liason to the Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA) and brings practioners to WCL to discuss current issues in communications law.
The Criminal Law Brief (CLB) is a new publication dedicated to the complex and constantly evolving world of the criminal justice system. Our audience includes judges and practicing attorneys, students with a strong interest in criminal law, and professors of varied criminal law disciplines. We are dedicated to an open and balanced dialogue on all aspects of criminal law representing all possible perspectives." crimlawsubmissions@wcl.american.edu
The Criminal Law Society seeks to explore the diverse and ever-changing world of the criminal justice system. We are committed to encouraging a broad, inclusive and engaging dialogue on all aspects of a discipline that touches all level of society. The CLS works to provide students with opportunities to interact with professionals in the criminal justice system through a series of panel discussions on campus, networking events and off-site events. Email: crimls@wcl.american.edu
The Environmental Law Society (ELS) addresses issues in environmental, natural resources, and energy law and increases student interaction with the professional and academic communities. The ELS Action Committee was established recently to promote and encourage environmental awareness on campus and to help clean up our own community. Email: els@wcl.american.edu
The Equal Justice Foundation (EJF) is part of a national organization of law students working for equal access to justice issues. The chapter at the Washington College of Law raises funds to support students who volunteer for summer legal positions in public interest organizations. EJF also sponsors speakers who lecture on a variety of public interest issues. Email: ejf@wcl.american.edu
The Evening Law Student Association (ELSA) is the only student organization dedicated specifically to the needs and interests of evening students at the Washington College of Law. ELSA is committed to providing useful professional, academic, and social opportunities for evening students, as well as to increasing awareness, interaction and integration of evening students with all members of the WCL community. Email: elsa@wcl.american.edu
The Federalist Society is a student organization whose purpose is to foster critical thought and debate about the application of conservative principles to the law. It embraces the doctrines espoused within the Federalist Papers, especially the separation of powers and the primacy of the Constitution. It also places a premium on individual liberty, traditional values, limited government, judicial restraint, and the rule of law. The society intends to keep the student body of WCL informed and involved in these principles by sponsoring debates, speakers, and informal discussions on various topics of interest to law students and members of the legal community. Email: feds@wcl.american.edu
The Getting Out Older Club (GOO) is a student organization focusing on the needs of "non-traditional students" at WCL. Many of our members are second-career law students, returning students, married, have families, or have other extra demands on their time. Our membership is self-identifying and we welcome anyone who is interested in joining. Our primary goal is to insure that law school is a rewarding and successful experience for older law students. GOO provides a forum for expressing the needs & concerns of non-traditional law student, as well as for sharing professional and personal experiences. We welcome families, spouses & significant others. GOO seeks to provide both a social and academic support network for our members & their loved ones. Email: goo@wcl.american.edu
The Health Law and Justice Initiative (HLJI) seeks to promote health from a rights-based approach by encouraging professional development, expanding WCL's health law curriculum, and raising community awareness of the right to health. HLJI sponsors panel discussions with practicing attorneys and professors; organizes community service events; and hosts "downtown practitioner meetings" which give students the opportunity to meet with practicing lawyers at the places of work to discuss current issues and career development. Email: hlji@wcl.american.edu
In the spring of 2007, Health Law & Policy became the first publication disseminated by American University Washington College of Law dedicated to the rapidly emerging and increasingly prominent field of health law.
The Human Rights Brief is a publication of the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at the Washington College of Law. The Human Rights Brief reports about developments in international human rights and humanitarian law, as well as provides concise legal analysis of current human rights issues. E-mail: hrbrief@wcl.american.edu
The Immigrants' Rights Coalition (IRC) is a student organization dedicated to defending and promoting the rights of immigrants. We organize several events each semester, including community service opportunities, experiential learning projects, and lunchtime discussions with legal practitioners and representatives from the immigrants' rights advocacy community. We work on a range of topics that affect the lives of immigrants, such as health, education, labor, trafficking, asylum, and detention. Email: immigrantrights@wcl.american.edu
The Intellectual Property Law Society (IPLS) seeks to encourage and promote student interest in intellectual property law. In addition to providing a forum for the exchange of information and ideas in intellectual property law, the IPLS sponsors speakers, seminars, and conferences that cover a wide variety of current topics in patent, trademark, and copyright law. The organization also participates in events sponsored by counterpart organizations at other area law schools. Email: ipla@wcl.american.edu
The International Law Society (ILS) promotes student involvement in and understanding of issues of importance to the international legal community. ILS secures prominent speakers on a wide variety of topics and sponsors an annual career forum in international law. ILS also coordinates the Jessup International Moot Court Competition. ILS is a member of the International Law Students Association. Email: ils@wcl.american.edu
The LLM Executive Board - WCL ILSP promotes communication and social exchange among its members and the law school community and provides a forum for sharing ideas, expectations, concerns, and experiences associated with the program. It also seeks to maintain contact with alumni/alumnae of the program and to generate publicity for the program. Activities include seminars, symposia, and conferences. Email: llmboard@wcl.american.edu
The International Trade Law Society ("ITLS"), established in Fall of 2005, exists to promote discussion of international trade law issues and to help students explore careers in international trade law. ITLS sponsors discussion forums on topics such as NAFTA, anti-dumping laws, and the World Trade Organization. ITLS strives to provide a balance of views and discussions of trade issues all over the world and all types of trade agreements. The organization also provides its members with information on obtaining a career in international trade.
The Islamic Legal Forum addresses issues concerning Islamic Law, Muslims in the United States, various issues of International Law as they relate to Muslim countries, and provides spiritual support for Muslim law students. A new but viabrant organization, the Islamic Legal Society seeks to bring an awareness of Muslims in the legal community and understanding of the Islamic faith. E-Mail: islamiclaw@wcl.american.edu
The Israel & Law Society provides a forum to discuss legal and human rights issues in Israel, as well as to raise awareness of cultural and historical events of interest to the WCL community. Topics of interest include gay rights, Israel's quest for peace, women's rights, Supreme Court jurisprudence, religious rights, and security. Contact Robert Tanenbaum at israellaw@wcl.american.edu for any questions or to arrange a co-sponsorship.
The Washington College of Law Chapter of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society (JRCLS) represents those law students who are members of or interested in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The Law Society is guided by the philosophy, personal example, and values of its namesake, J. Reuben Clark.
E-mail: jrc@wcl.american.edu.
The Jewish Law Students Association (JLSA) provides a forum for WCL students to share and discuss issues of concern to today's Jewish law students. JLSA's programs reflect Jewish academic, social, and cultural interests. JLSA provides speakers and other events that present Jewish and Israeli perspectives toward legal, political, and other significant issues. The group also hosts social events for Jewish law students. Email: jlsa@wcl.american.edu
The Journal of Gender, Social Policy & the Law was founded in 1992 to provide a forum for those interested in gender issues and feminist legal studies. In 1998, the Journal expanded its mission to include social policy as well as gender issues. Our current approach reflects our intent to fill a void in legal scholarship by providing an opportunity for academic discussion that is otherwise overlooked by traditional journals. By focusing on gender and social policy issues, we are committed to creating a dialogue among disparate social, economic, and gender groups in order to find our common humanity under the law. E-mail: genderlaw@wcl.american.edu.
The Labor and Employment Law Society aims to establish a functional and social organization to address labor and employment issues at large, and to maintain a network for the benefit of LEL members and the greater labor and employment law communities at large. LEL works with the faculty, staff, alumni, and other student organizations to provide information and professional resources targeted to students interested in careers in labor and employment law; mobilize the interested student population to advocate for issues relevant to labor and employment law; create networking opportunities within the legal community, leveraging WCL alumni; plan and organize relevant events and discussion panels; and provide a forum for students with similar interests. For more information or to get involved, please contact labor@wcl.american.edu and sign up for our listserv on TWEN.
The Lambda Law Society was founded in 1984 as a political, educational, and social organization to provide information on Gay-related legal issues, eliminate stereotypes about homosexuals, and foster a positive image of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual people throughout the law school community. Lambda is also affiliated with the Washington, D.C., attorney organization, GAYLAW. Programs include speakers involved in current legal issues, films, panel discussions, and social events. Membership in Lambda is open to all students, regardless of sexual orientation. Email: lambda@wcl.american.edu
The Latina/Latino Law Students Association (LaLSA) provides a forum for Latina/Latino issues-international and domestic-that are important to WCL students. Since its main objective is to promote Latina/Latino awareness within the legal community, LaLSA has programs designed to assist students in all aspects of student life, from law school admissions to life after graduation. Programs include networking opportunities, speakers, seminars, and debates on Latina/Latino issues. Email: lalsa@wcl.american.edu
The Law and Government LL.M. Executive Board at American University Washington College of Law was created for the purpose of offering a community of support and enrichment to the LL.M. students in the program. The Board is made up of current LL.M. students coming from a variety of backgrounds and bringing with them a vast amount of life experiences.
The Law and Government Society is a student organization at the Washington College of Law which seeks to encourage and strengthen awareness of the law in its relation to the state, society, government institutions, and the polity as a whole. The Society works to foster the academic, intellectual, and career goals of its members and the students of the Washington College of Law as a whole. Email: lgsociety@wcl.american.edu
LINK (Linking Communities for Educational Success) was founded in 1999 by a group of students from American University's Washington College of Law. The primary objective of LINK is to support junior high school students and their community in their pursuit of academic, social, and community development. In collaboration with administrators, teachers, and students, LINK provides both direct services to the students and support services to their schools.
The Media & the Law Society is a membership-driven organization that explores issues facing legal and media professionals. As the media plays an increasing role in the legal community, the Society is committed to creating a better understanding of the interplay between these sometimes complementary - and often competing - societal players by providing educational and networking opportunities for students interested journalism, legally strategic public relations, and the media's role in affecting public policy. Email: mls@wcl.american.edu
The Mock Trial Honor Society seeks to promote student interest and encourage skills development in all aspects of trial advocacy at the Washington College of Law. The student-run group helps students achieve these goals by sponsoring competitive teams for many national and regional inter-school trial competitions and has enjoyed a very successful record of placing highly at the competitions it enters. Members of the Mock Trial Honor Society are selected through an abbreviated trial competition each spring and earn the opportunity to be placed on the highly selective competitive teams. The Mock Trial Honor Society also works closely with the Trial Advocacy Program at WCL to educate its members and the students of the entire school on effective trial practice and techniques. E-mail: mocktrial@wcl.american.edu
The Modern American is the Washington College of Law's student-run publication dedicated to diversity and the law. This publication will analyze the legal system's treatment of racial, sexual, ethnic, and other underrepresented people and we intend to present an analysis of the current social and legal remedies for minority issues. Our philosophy is to present a balanced perspective and encourage all articles regardless of the political or social leaning. E-mail: tma@wcl.american.edu.
The Moot Court Society is a student-run organization that coordinates and organizes intra- and interschool student competitions in appellate and trial advocacy. The board sponsors two intraschool competitions each year: the Alvina Reckman Myers First-Year Moot Court Competition and the Upper-Class Moot Court Competition. The board also sends student teams to moot court and trial competitions nationwide. In addition, the board hosts a national moot court competition, the Burton D. Wechsler First Amendment Moot Court Competition, for law students from across the country. Email: moot@wcl.american.edu
The Multicultural & International Student Organization (MISO) provides a host of institutional and cultural factors accompanying the J.D. curriculum that make it harder for students with an international or multicultural background to fully achieve their academic potential. Our organization has the mission of bringing greater awareness of these issues in our law school community. Email: miso@wcl.american.edu
The National Lawyers Guild (NLG) is a nationwide alternative bar organization for progressive lawyers. Since its founding in 1937, the guild has provided legal support to numerous social, political, and economic movements. The guild has also played a critical role in the development of progressive legal institutions and doctrines and has been the conscience of the bar in the United States. NLG campus activities include sponsoring fora and speakers on topics pertinent to maintaining civil rights and liberties, contributing to lobbying efforts, and participating in relevant demonstrations, such as support for D.C. statehood, Gay and Lesbian rights, and police brutality issues. Email: nlg@wcl.american.edu
The National Security and Law Society (NSLS) strives to create an effective, non-partisan forum for informed discourse on U.S. national security policy and foreign affairs. Our tri-fold mission is (a) to foster interest in, and understanding of, the legal aspects and ramifications of national security by sponsoring speakers and programs concerning the many issues covered by this umbrella; (b) to aid members in their pursuits of careers in these fields; and (c) to contribute to the development of national security law. If you are captivated by intelligence activities, counter-terrorism, classified information, electronic intercepts, or related issues, then this is the group for you. Email: nsls@wcl.american.edu.
Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International, Louis Dembitz Brandeis Chapter. The purpose of this Fraternity shall be 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 honorable professional and public service. Motto: "Service to the Student, the Law School, the Profession and the Community". Email: padelta@wcl.american.edu
Phi Delta Phi International Legal Fraternity, established in the year 1869 to promote a higher standard of professional ethics, is among the oldest of legal organizations in North America. The Fraternity was established only six months after the Columbus, Ohio Bar Association and nine years before the American Bar Association. It holds a unique position in the history of the North American bench, bar and the law schools. During the past two decades, Phi Delta Phi's reputation as an organization devoted to legal excellence has begun to spread into México and Europe. Email: PDP@wcl.american.edu
Poverty Law Society purpose is to revive the field of poverty law at WCL, encourage a deeper understanding of domestic poverty issues among law students, foster ambitious thinking on the ways in which lawyers can work to address the systemic roots of poverty, and highlight the legal and policy aspects surrounding poverty. We believe that we as lawyers can do more to make a difference, and that poverty is an injustice. Email: Mary Ashby Brown, at mashbybrown@yahoo.com
The Washington College of Law (WCL) Republican National Lawyers Association chapter was founded in Fall 2005 as a medium for Republican students to network with Republican lawyers in the DC area and to get involved in the GOP.
The Society for Justice in Palestine/Israel has been established to disseminate information about the situation in Palestine/Israel, and inform WCL students, faculty and friends about human rights abuses and war crimes occurring as a result of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land and lives. The society seeks to inform the public about various ways to get involved in the struggle for freedom and justice in Palestine, and especially in creating ways to work for an immediate end to the Israeli Occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, ensure the implementation of all UN Resolutions and international law applicable to the question of Palestine, bring human security to both Palestinians and Israelis, support equitable economic development, protect human rights and human dignity, irrespective of race, religion, gender or nationality, and promote coexistence between all peoples living in the region. Email: sjp@wcl.american.edu
The South Asian Law Students Association (SALSA) is an organization of law students interested in South Asian Affairs. Our goal is to create greater awareness of South Asian issues by organizing seminars, conferences, and community service activities, engaging in academic debate, and celebrating cultural and religious festivals. Email: salsa@wcl.american.edu
The Sports & Entertainment Law Society seeks to provide students who have an interest in sports or entertainment law with a mechanism to become involved in and acquire a greater knowledge of the issues in these fields. The society sponsors numerous activities, both intra- and interschool, to familiarize students with the unique type of law practiced in these very specialized fields. ESLS also cosponsors a career forum in which participants are given an opportunity to hear and speak with practitioners currently working in these areas of the law. Email: sports@wcl.american.edu
The Street Law Program introduces young people to practical legal problems, contemporary legal issues, and the ramifications of breaking the law in order to function as citizens in all aspects of everyday America.
The mission of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund is to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system. We are interested in the many ways that animals are involved in and affected by the legal system. Animal law overlaps with areas of criminal law, family law, environmental law, and many other areas. We are a student chapter of the national group Animal Legal Defense Fund. For more information, email us at AnimalLaw@wcl.american.edu.
Students United support at-risk youth in their academic and life ventures by fostering positive relationships between law students and residents at Oak Hill Youth Center. As role models, law students will lend guidance and support to Oak Hill residents while residents are detained and also during their reintegration into the community.
Sustainable Development Law & Policy (SDLP) publishes articles and essays that focus on reconciling the tension between environmental health and economic sustainability. It embraces an interdisciplinary focus to provide a fuller view of current legal, political, and social developments. Our mission is to provide timely information and analysis of important issues relating to sustainable development law and policy. We hope to serve as a valuable resource for practitioners, policymakers, and others involved in or interested in sustainable development throughout the world. E-mail: sdlp@wcl.american.edu
The Washington College of Law Democrats supports the philosophy and candidates of the Democratic Party. In order to support all efforts to increase the participation of law students in Democratic affairs, the WCL Democrats seeks to educate and train its members so that they may be better able to educate students about the philosophy of the Democratic Party, assist in the election of Democratic candidates, and affect political change on the local, state, and national level. Email: stewart.holland@gmail.com
The Women's Law Association (WLA) is concerned with legal, social, cultural, educational, and political issues affecting all persons, especially women. Programs include speakers fora, film festivals, and the annual Founders Day celebration. WLA also raises funds for its three scholarships-the two Mussey-Gillett Scholarships and the Marie Bottineau Baldwin scholarship-in honor of WCL's founding mothers and the first woman of color to graduate from the law school. Email: wla@wcl.american.edu
