The University of Houston Law Center extends learning beyond the classroom with a full range of student organizations, extracurricular activities, alumni networking opportunities and interscholastic competitions. Student groups represent special interests and provide important avenues to help law students succeed. Many arrange mentoring programs and match first-year students with second- or third-year students or working professionals. Others coordinate resume-writing workshops, guest speaker forums, preregistration discussions of specific course offerings, or law-related charitable efforts that benefit the community. Student groups recognized by the Law Center include:
Advocates
Alicia White |
Executive Chair |
The Advocates is a student-run law school organization that is devoted to developing oral advocacy and improving trial and appellate presentation skills through mock trial and moot court competitions. The Advocates provide students with an opportunity to experience litigation and to develop the advocacy tools used by practicing attorneys.
Aggie Bar Association
Dr. Pamela May |
President |
The Aggie Bar Association promotes the unity of Former Students of Texas A&M University who attend UHLC. The organization intends to meet this goal through social events, fundraising, community service, networking opportunities, and informational meetings.
Agricultural Law Association
Hannah Sliva |
President |
The Agricultural Law Association is an organization that is committed to engaging and informing others about the law and policy of the agricultural and food communities. Our goal is to educate law students about the importance of agriculture and provide networking opportunities in the field. No background in agriculture is required to join, all are welcome.
American Constitution Society for Law and Policy
Madison Oswald |
President |
The American Constitution Society for Law and Policy (ACS) is one of the nation's leading progressive legal organizations. Founded in 2001, ACS is a rapidly growing network of lawyers, law students, scholars, judges, policymakers and other concerned individuals. Our mission is to ensure that fundamental principles of human dignity, individual rights and liberties, genuine equality, and access to justice enjoy their rightful, central place in American law.
ACS aims to revitalize and transform the legal and policy debates occurring in law school classrooms, federal and state courtrooms, legislative hearing rooms and the media. Through student and lawyer chapters all across the country, and programs and projects at both the national and local level, ACS:
Asian Pacific American Law Students Association
(formerly Asian Law Students Association (ALSA)
Bien Pancipanci III |
President |
The Asian Pacific American Law Students Association is an organization of students who share an interest in Asian American and Pacific Islander affairs. The organization shares as a forum for exchanging views concerning the AAPI community - both abroad and domestically. Topics of discussion include affirmative action, immigration reform, and available employment opportunities.
Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN)
Carmen Patino Urdaneta |
President |
The AIPN Student Club is to raise awareness of and encourage participation in the educational, mentoring, and networking opportunities available through membership in the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators. This organization is a non-profit organization founded in 1981 to enhance the professionalism of cross-border energy negotiators throughout the world. AIPN is now comprised of more than 4,500 members in over 90 countries, representing numerous international oil and gas companies, host governments, law firms, and academic institutions, including the University of Houston Law Center.
The Association of Women in Law (AWIL)
Rida Sarwar |
President |
The Association of Women in Law (AWIL) is an organization at the UH Law Center that provides female UHLC students with guidance, support and encouragement during their years in law school. AWIL also gives its members an opportunity to better serve their community and strives to provide a forum for law students to become familiar with women's issues in the legal profession.
Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
Obateniola (Teni) Fayiga |
President |
The Black Law Student Association (BLSA) is the local chapter of the National Black Law Students Association. BLSA fosters and encourages the success of Black law students in law school and the legal community. Seeking to utilize the talents and resources of its members, BLSA promotes and encourages professional competence, community service and meaningful change in the local community.
Christian Legal Society (CLS)
Bradley Edrington |
President |
This a religious student organization organized to promote the concept of the Christian lawyer and help Christian lawyers integrate their faith with their professional lives. The organization provides a forum for the discussion of problems relating to Christianity and the law, and with bar associations and other organizations in asserting and maintaining high standards of legal ethics.
Corporate & Taxation Law Society (CTLS)
Gabriella Sterritt |
President |
The Corporate & Taxation Law Society is an organization dedicated to promoting the fields of Corporate and Tax law to students of the Law Center. The organization seeks to meet this goal through facilitating informative meetings, providing guidance, and promoting awareness of legal opportunities in the community.
Criminal Law Association
Hannah Pipes |
President |
Several UHLC students go on to practice law in the criminal field or to work for criminal law judges as clerks. The Criminal Law Association will provide a central forum for those students to discuss the issues facing judges and criminal lawyers and how the field is evolving. The goal of the Criminal Law Association is to promote exploration and discussion about significant topics in criminal law by creating opportunities for UHLC students interested in criminal law by hosting speakers, holding networking events, providing career-oriented programs, and engaging in volunteer community service. Criminal Law Association further aims to connect UHLC students from diverse backgrounds who may have contrasting career goals but share a common interest in criminal law.
Disability Law Society
Jane Foreman |
President |
Disability Law Society (DLS) is a disability affinity student organization committed to fostering community and promoting inclusive practices at the University of Houston by advocating for disability diversity in legal education. UHLC students with disabilities and their allies gather to share a common interest in accessibility and disability law. Through networking, mentorship, and advocacy, DLS assists UHLC students learn more about the constantly changing landscape of disability theory and law, with a goal to remain informed and to repay that knowledge back into the community. We are looking to streamline processes to initiate positive change in our law community, by providing resources and a space to openly discuss a vision for an accessible and inclusive campus.
Energy and Environmental Law Society (EELS)
Emily Wells |
President |
The Energy and Environmental Law Society introduces the burgeoning fields of environmental and energy law to its members, as well as addressing all aspects of the professions. ELS is active in community service by performing pro bono research and assisting in activities such as the Texas Coastal Cleanup.
Evening Law Students Association
Julia Harriman |
President |
The purposes of the Evening Law Student Association (ELSA) are: 1) promote and foster development of the members through organizational activities, mentoring of new members, interaction with the Houston legal community and other worthy enterprises: 2) to provide a forum for the membership to discuss current issues; and 3) to provide a mechanism for the evening students of the University of Houston Law Center to formally present their concerns to the Deans, Faculty and Staff.
The Federalist Society
Josiah Plumley |
President |
The Federalist Society is a group of conservatives and libertarians interested in the current state of legal order. The Society seeks to promote an awareness of the principles that the state exists to preserve freedom, that the separation of 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.
First-Generation Law Students (First-Gen)
Ainsley Cindric |
President |
First-Generation students at the University of Houston Law Center are a diverse body of students who are the first in their family to attend law school, or first to attend college altogether. In contrast to their peers, First-Generation law students have little to no guidance throughout school and their careers, and they often come from low-income or working-class backgrounds. As a result, First-Generation law students face a unique set of challenges and inequities inherent to pioneering the legal profession, often finding themselves at a disadvantage due to a lack of a financial safety net, an unfamiliarity with the nuances of law school and legal vocations, an inability to find commonality during social events and interviews, and a lack of mentorship and resources to confront obstacles. With the goal of empowering First-Generation law students to succeed, law students at the University of Houston Law Center have joined to form the student organization First-Generation Law Students. By providing opportunities for mentorship and exposure, this organization aims to equip First-Generation law students with the knowledge, resources, and connections to develop a solid foundation for a successful career in law.
Health Law Organization (HLO)
Sarah Douglas |
President |
The Health Law Organization (HLO) is an organization for students who share an interest in legal issues related to health and the health care industry. HLO provides a forum for discussion of the legal, medical, and ethical issues that pertain to health law and policy and participates in community outreach and public service events.
Houston Business and Tax Law Journal
Mona Deo |
Editor in Chief |
|
Spencer Russo |
Managing Editor |
The Houston Business and Tax Law Journal is a student-edited journal focusing on the areas of taxation, intellectual property law, and a wide variety of business law topic such as antitrust, bankruptcy, corporate law, labor and employment, mergers and acquisitions, and securities. The HBTLJ serves the local and national legal communities through its publications and compliance database. HBTLJ’s goal is to facilitate academic discussion and provide insight into practical application of the law, while providing its members with the opportunity to develop their legal research and writing skills.
Houston Journal of Health Law and Policy
Abel Chacko |
Editor in Chief |
|
Kara Taylor |
Managing Editor |
The Houston Journal of Health Law and Policy ("HJHL&P") publishes issues devoted to health law and policy topics each year. HJHL&P is operated by student editors and candidates, with the assistance of faculty editor Professor Jessica Mantel, J.D. HJHL&P publishes an annual symposium issue in the spring. Student candidates also write articles, which may be published in HJHL&P's issues. HJHL&P provides members with many networking opportunities with local health law attorneys during the year. Student members are selected from the top thirty-three percent of the class, those who received grades of A or A- in their Legal Research & Writing classes, and through the Law Center's annual write-on competition. Members typically have either a background in health care or a strong interest in the field. Review students. The Review serves the local and national legal communities through its publications, but also provides its members with an opportunity to perfect their research, writing, and organizational skills.
Houston Journal of International Law
Rida Sarwar |
Editor in Chief |
|
Alexis Kulik |
Managing Editor |
The Houston Journal of International Law is a scholarly legal journal that is published three times annually. Each issue includes articles by leading legal scholars, book reviews by both scholars and legal practitioners, and student- written case notes and comments on topics of international legal significance.
Houston Law Review
Sofia Winograd |
Editor in Chief |
|
Brady Mills |
Managing Editor |
The Houston Law Review is a student organization that publishes quarterly issues annually, in addition to a symposium issue each spring. The Houston Law Review contains articles on current legal issues written by academicians, judges, practicing attorneys, and other legal scholars, as well as selected Law Review students. The Review serves the local and national legal communities through its publications, but also provides its members with an opportunity to perfect their research, writing, and organizational skills.
If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice
Rhonda Hassan |
President |
If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice is a national network of law students and legal professionals who work together because reproductive justice does not just happen. We believe that achieving reproductive justice will take thoughtful action and strategic activism: acknowledging the intersection of identities, collaborating across disciplines, and working toward a critical transformation of the current legal system. Because ensuring that all people have the right to decide if/when/how to create families depends entirely on if, when, and how hard we fight.
In Loco Parentis
Paige Chovanec |
President |
In Loco Parentis (ILP) offers supports to parent-students attending the University of Houston Law Center. ILP aims to provide resources and opportunities tailored for parents that will help support them in their personal and educational success.
Intellectual Property Student Organization (IPSO)
Shayaan Kamal |
President |
The Intellectual Property Student Organization is an association student working in conjunction with the Institute for Intellectual Property and Information Law, the greater UHLC community, and the Houston bar to foster the professional development of its membership. IPSO members have opportunities to network with leading Houston attorneys, interact with IPSO alumni, and leverage a wealth of materials and venues designed specifically to help members find employment.
International Law Society (ILS)
Albert Baaklini |
President |
The International Law Society is an organization of students sharing an interest in international law and affairs. ILS endeavors to integrate students into this increasingly vital area of law by providing a forum for domestic and foreign students, practitioners, and academics to exchange ideas and opportunities in international law.
Jewish Legal Society
Cole Deutch |
President |
The Jewish Legal Society is the Jewish Law Students Group at the University of Houston Law Center. We bring together Jewish and non-Jewish law students, attorneys, judges, and others for networking and fostering a strong legal community.
Journal of Consumer and Commercial Law
Heather Erickson |
Editor in Chief |
|
Rosel Flores |
Managing Editor |
Journal of Consumer & Commercial Law is one of the few publications in the country devoted to issues related to consumer law. The Journal has been in existence for more than twenty years and is published four times a year. It is the official publication of the Consumer Law Section of the State Bar and is distributed to more than 2000 lawyers, judges, and law professors. Membership is open to any student following the completion of the first year of law school.
Latinx Law Students Association (LLSA)
Giancarlo Yaquinto |
President |
The Hispanic Law Students Association (HLSA) is an organization dedicated to promoting a more successful representation of Hispanics in the legal profession and community as a whole. The organization strives to meet these goals through facilitating Hispanic students’ transition into Law School, providing guidance, and fostering social awareness in the community.
Law Center Veterans Association
Amy Abbott |
President |
The purpose of the Veteran Society is to encourage and provide informed discussion regarding issues of law, primarily focusing on current legal issues affecting the veteran community. The veteran society is not an advocacy organization and will not take positions as an organization on any issues, instead providing viewpoints from all sides of a given issue. In addition, the Veteran Society will work to enhance students' career opportunities after law school by networking with current and former military members.
Museum & Cultural Heritage Law Society
Darby Linn |
President |
The Museum & Cultural Heritage Law Society (MCHLS) is a student organization at the University of Houston Law Center dedicated to exploring the intersection of law and cultural preservation. Our society brings together law students who are committed to understanding and safeguarding the diverse cultural heritage of our world. Through engaging discussions, guest lectures from experts in the field, and social events, MCHLS aims to deepen knowledge of legal frameworks governing museums, art, archaeology, and cultural artifacts.
Muslim Legal Society
Sarah Siddiqui |
President |
The Muslim Legal Society exists to promote the voices of Muslims in the legal profession and to create a forum for campus-wide discussion of topics related to the local, national, and international Muslim community.
National Lawyers Guild
Jane Foreman |
President |
The National Lawyers Guild is an association dedicated to the need for basic change in the structure of our political and economic system. We seek to unite the lawyers, law students, legal workers, and jailhouse lawyers of America in an organization that shall function as an effective political and social force in the service of the people, to the end that human rights shall be regarded as more sacred than property interests. Our aim is to bring together all those who regard adjustments to new conditions as more important than the veneration of precedent; 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 seek actively to eliminate racism; who work to maintain and protect our civil rights and liberties in the face of persistent attacks upon them; and who look upon the law as an instrument for the protection of the people, rather than for their repression.
Order of the Barons
Graysen Mechler |
Chief Baron |
The Order of the Barons is the student-run scholastic honor society of the University of Houston Law Center. The purpose of The Order of the Barons is to recognize outstanding students who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in their law studies.
OUTLaw: Students for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Concerns
Aimee Demby |
President |
OUTLaw: Students for LGBTQ Concerns is an organization devoted to the issues of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender students at the law school. All students are welcome to join regardless of sexual orientation.
Public Interest Law Organization (PILO)
Abigail Mathew |
President |
The Public Interest Law Organization provides support to students who choose to pursue a career in public interest law or want to make service a large part of their private practice. PILO administers a voluntary pro bono program recognized by the Dean, funds as many grants as possible to financially support students who work in the public interest during the summer and provides information on possible job opportunities to the students.
Sports and Entertainment Law Organization (SELO)
Rachel Ann Regner |
President |
The Sports and Entertainment Law Organization (SELO) is an organization of students that focuses on career prospects and opportunities in the field of Sports Law and Entertainment.
Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
Trinity Tang |
President |
The Student Animal Legal Defense Fund of the University of Houston Law Center is dedicated to the goals of educating the law school and surrounding community about forms of institutionalized animal abuse, and engaging in projects that combat that abuse. The Student Animal Legal Defense Fund of the University of Houston Law Center is equally dedicated to protecting the lives and advancing the interests of animals through the legal system. The activities of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund at the University of Houston Law Center shall include, but not be limited to: hosting speakers, debates, and conferences on current issues in animal rights and animal welfare law; carrying out research projects for lawyers and organizations promoting animal welfare and animal rights litigation; networking with students at other law schools, colleges, universities and high schools; conducting educational events such as information tables and video screenings on pertinent issues; and advocating on behalf of vegetarian/vegan students within our law school.
Student Bar Association (SBA)
Duncan Reedyk |
President |
The Student Bar Association (SBA) at the University of Houston Law Center is the official student government organization. Dedicated to serving the needs and concerns of the student body, SBA acts as the primary voice and advocate for students within the Law Center community. By representing student interests to faculty, administration, and external entities, SBA plays a crucial role in shaping the academic and social environment at the Law Center. Serving as the umbrella organization for all student groups, SBA fosters a sense of community and facilitates various programs and events throughout the year to promote student well-being and success.
