Student Organizations
Student Organizations
American Civil Liberties Union
American Constitution Society
Asian Law Students Association
Black Law Students Association
Business Law Forum
Christian Legal Society
Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty
Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity
The Environmental Law Society
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies
Health Law Society
Hispanic Law Students Association
Intellectual Property Law Society
International Human Rights Society
International Law Society
Irish Law Society
J. Reuben Clark Law Society
Jus Vitae of Notre Dame
Legal Voices for Children & Youth
Married Law Students Organization
Military Law Students Association
Native American Law Students Association
Phi Alpha Delta
The Public Interest Law Forum
Social Justice Forum
Sports, Communications and Entertainment Law Forum
St. Thomas More Society
Student Bar Association
Women’s Legal Forum
American Civil Liberties Union
Officers:
President: James Mitchell
Officers Elect 2013-14:
President: Kelly Herson
Vice President: April Kentala
Treasurer: Julian Kurland
Secretary: Ellen Wang
Events Coordinator: Micah Kanters
Advisor: Joseph Bauer
American Constitution Society
The American Constitution Society for Law and Policy (ACS) is one of the nation’s leading progressive legal organizations. Founded in 2001, ACS is comprised of law students, lawyers, scholars, judges, policymakers, activists and other concerned individuals who are working to ensure that the fundamental principles of human dignity, individual rights and liberties, genuine equality,and access to justice are in their rightful, central place in American law. The American Constitution Society is a non-partisan, non-profit educational organization. We do not, as an organization, lobby, litigate or take positions on specific issues, cases, legislation or nominations. We do encourage our members to express their views and make their voices heard. For more information, go to http://acslaw.org.
Officers:
President: Rachel Hanley
Vice President: Sarah Iftekhar
Secretary: Maryam Arfeen
Treasurer: Ryan Fagan
Officers Elect 2013-14:
President: Meseret Araya
Vice President: Diva Kass
Secretary: Matt Jones
Treasurer: Colin Littlefield
Advisor: Jay Tidmarsh
Asian Law Students Association
Asian Law Students Association advocates the needs and concerns of Asian Americans at the Notre Dame Law School. Its purpose is to foster an environment of understanding and fellowship among various groups within Notre Dame, as well as at other law schools. ALSA also strives to assist members in their academic, cultural and social interests. ALSA is a member of the National Asian Pacific American Law Students Association and maintains a relationship with the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area.
ALSA emphasizes the importance of diversity and promotes recruitment of Asian Americans from all parts of the country. Membership is open to all students at the Notre Dame Law School with an interest in the purposes and activities of ALSA.
Go to ALSA website
Officers:
President: Hobin Whang
Vice President: Preetha Jayakumar
Treasurer: Daniel Ko
Secretary: Lynn Hsieh
Alumni Chairs: Anthony Chanrasmi, Radhika Sarkar
Social Chairs: Lynn Hsieh, Ngadi Kponou
Community Chair: Jeremy Lee
Officers Elect 2013-14
President: Jessica Mark
Vice President: Eir Nakamura
Secretary: Jae Kim
Treasurer: Leslie Vaughn
Advisor: Lloyd Mayer
Black Law Students Association
Since 1972 Notre Dame’s Black law students have been organized as a chapter of the Black Law Students Association. The purposes of BLSA are to articulate and promote the professional needs and goals of Black American law students; to foster and encourage professional competence; to focus upon the relationship of the Black attorney to the American legal structure; and to instill in the Black attorney and law student a greater awareness of and commitment to the needs of the Black community.
Go to BLSA website
Officers:
President: Adreanne Stephenson
Vice President: Lauren Lyman
Treasurer: Jessica Mendoza
Secretary: Veronica Couzo
Community Chair: Armando Cordoves
Admissions Liaison: Patricia Duret
Academic Chair: Bryce Rucker
Advisor: Dwight King
Business Law Forum
The Business Law Forum (BLF) exists to advance the interests of students who want to learn more about becoming a practicing business lawyer. BLF activities vary from year to year based on the interests of the membership.
Officers
President: Sarah Iftekhar
Vice President of Prof. Dev.: Maureen McCluskey
Vice President of Operations: Christa Riggins
Vice President of Int. Affairs:
Vice President of Ext. Relations: Kramer Rice
Vice President of Finance: Peter Reinsel
Advisor: Julian Velasco
Christian Legal Society
The Notre Dame Christian Legal Society (CLS) consists of Notre Dame law students and professors committed to reflecting Christian principles in their lives and in the legal profession. CLS sponsors lectures on topical subjects, from the right-to-life issue to the Christian lawyer’s responsibilities in the profession. Other CLS activities include Bible studies, fellowship activities, Christian service projects and seminars sponsored by the national CLS organization.
Officers:
President: Ryan Larson
Acting President – Fall Semester: Michael Buschbacher
Secretary: Lesley Chmell
Treasurer: Michael Wrapp
Advisor: Lloyd Mayer
Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty
Advisor: Jay Tidmarsh
Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity
Officers:
Advisor: John Robinson
The Environmental Law Society
Officers:
President: Annette Allard
Vice President: Jose Torres
Officers Elect 2013-14:
President – Marie Hollister
Vice President – Lisa Meissner
Treasurer – Christian Struven
Public Relations Coordinator – Ellen Wang
Events/Speakers Coordinator – Ryan Granholm
Sustainability Coordinator – Elizabeth Pfenson
Advisor: John Nagle
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy
Studies is comprised of law students interested in the current state of the legal order who believe that principles and legal rules strongly influence the direction of societal development, and in doing so, can secure or impede individual rights and liberties. The Society is founded on the principles that the state exists to preserve freedom, that the separation of governmental powers is central to our Constitution, and that the province and duty of the judiciary is to say what the law is, not what it should be.
The Society seeks to promote an awareness of these principles and to further their application through its activities. These activities include national symposia, a speaker’s bureau highlighted by the John M. Olin lectures in law, public interest research and litigation, and publishing newsletters. The national journal of the Federalist Society is the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy. Members receive subscriptions to this journal and the Society news-letter and are also eligible for scholarship money to attend conferences.
Officers:
President: Joe DeCenzo
Vice President: Pat Bottini
Treasurer: Jason Blakely
Program Director: Stephanie Maloney
Communications Director: Michael Patlan
Expense Director: Andy Mathews
PR Director: Pat Cassidy
Program Coordinator: Liz Farrington
Volunteer Coordinators: Adam Mathews, Kristian Mukoski
Advisor: Randy Kozel
Website: http://www.nd.edu/~fedsoc
Health Law Society
Officers Elect 2013-14:
President: Jae Kim
Vice President: Adam Pretty
Secretary: Kerri Rowe
Treasurer: Tyler Earnest
The Hispanic Law Students Association
The Hispanic Law Students Association (HLSA) promotes the professional needs and goals of the Hispanic law student. HLSA fosters an environment supportive of mutual understanding and fellowship within the University of Notre Dame and the Law School community, while raising awareness of the achievements and concerns of the Hispanic community.
Membership includes students who are bilingual and bicultural. HLSA considers diversity an asset, instilling values of cultural and racial sensitivity and allowing service as a bridge between Hispanic Americans and non-Hispanic Americans. For these reasons, the organization seeks not to isolate Hispanic students, but to organize activities within the Law School community to apprise other students about Hispanic issues.
Officers:
President: Puertin Fernandez
Vice President: Andrew Turnier
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Advisor: Jimmy Gurule
Intellectual Property Law Society
Intellectual Property (IP) law issues can affect virtually anyone or any organization, including business entities, artists, inventors, programmers, researchers, and web designers. Major areas of IP law include copyright, patent, and trademark, and touch science and technology, the arts and literature, and small and large businesses. The reach of IP law is expanding in a global economy, and the creation, management, and transfer of IP assets are growing more complex. Such growth is accompanied by a considerable need for Notre Dame to become more active in the education, research, and practice of IP law. IPLS aims to foster leadership in, promote intellectual curiosity about, and encourage dialogue on IP law by providing a forum for intellectual inquiry. The Society challenges its members to engage educators and practitioners as well as each other in learning about the various areas of IP law. By hosting professionals in academia, government, and the private sector at the Law School, the group and its members seek to stay current with IP law developments and learn of available resources that may be valuable both during school and following graduation.
Officers:
President: William Collins
Vice President: Robert Ward
Secretary: Adam Mathews
Treasurer: John Burke
Advisor: Mark McKenna
International Human Rights Society
The International Human Rights Society (IHRS) is a student group of J.D., LL.M., and J.S.D. students interested in learning about, promoting, and discussing international human rights law. IHRS is proud of the diversity of life and work experiences its members bring to the group and share. IHRS sponsors speakers and functions throughout the year and hosts an annual wine and cheese social for members. Many IHRS events are held in conjunction with the Center for Civil and Human Rights in the Law School.
President: Joseph Miller
Vice President: Emily Nickles
Officers Elect 2103-14:
President: Alan Sears
Vice President: Krissie Connolly
Secretary: Lynn Alazem
Treasurer: Natalie Miller
Speaker Committee Chairman: Jessica Binzoni
Advisor: Paolo Carozza
International Law Society
Notre Dame’s Society of International Law, organized in 1971, is an affiliate of the American Society of International Law Societies (ASIL). The primary objective of the society is to contribute to the development of international law by fostering interest and understanding in the field. The society sponsors a Symposium at the Law School every year on international law and affairs which in recent years has included State Department officials, international lawyers, distinguished professors, and UN Officials. The society also aids students who seek careers as international lawyers. Members of the society participate in the annual Jessup International Moot Court competition.
Officers:
President & Editor-in-Chief: Alyssa Shaughnessy
VP of Event Planning: Seara Sullivan
Treasurer: Geoffrey Miller
Officers Elect 2013-14:
President: Sarah Reimers
Vice President: Matt Arth
Treasurer: George Lilov
Advisor: Mary Ellen O’Connell
Irish Law Society
Officers:
President:
Advisor: Robert Rodes
J. Reuben Clark Law Society
Officers:
President -
Advisor: Christine Venter
Jus Vitae of Notre Dame
Mission Statement:
The members of the Jus Vitae Association of the Notre Dame School of Law are committed to the principle that the right to life is inherent and inalienable in every innocent human being and cannot be abridged by any action of the government or any group of citizens. Its members are united to promote, uphold, and defend the sanctity of all human life from the moment of conception to the point of natural death. Its members pursue this by means of public education and community service.
Officers:
President: Kelli Mulder-Westrate
Vice President: Tim Cantu
Secretary: Aaron Lumpkin
Treasurer: Kevin Murphy
Officers Elect 2013-14:
Aaron Lumpkin—President
Stephanie Maloney—Vice President
Andy Hatfield—Secretary
Kevin Murphy—Treasurer
Advisor: O. Carter Snead
Legal Voices for Children and Youth
Legal Voices for Children and Youth (LVCY) exists to promote knowledge, awareness, and skills relating to the legal representation of children. The society sponsors speakers who educate the Notre Dame Law School community on various legal issues and occupations relating to children. The society also aids students in pursuing related careers through creating awareness of such careers and funds for related summer employment.
Officers:
President: James Feigenbaum
Vice President: Christina Margiotti
Treasurer: Chelsey Kelso
Community Service Chair: Nicole Kratzer
Program Office: Maggie Tagu
Officers Elect 2013-14:
President: Charles Vargo
Vice President: Sarah Gallo
Secretary: Jason Becker
Treasurer: Kevin Battle
Advisor: J. Eric Smithburn
Married Law Students Organization
Officers:
President: Pat Bottini
Vice President: Nathan Catanese
Secretary/Treasurer: Sarah Iftekhar
Advisor: Nicole Garnett
Military Law Student’s Association
This organization was formed to promote community among Veterans and active duty personnel at the Notre Dame Law School, to promote awareness of military-related issues among the Law School Community, to foster a military-related alumni network, and to provide charitable services to veterans and others living in Michiana. We are especially active in the Toys for Tots drive during the Christmas season. Membership is open to any interested member of the Notre Dame/St. Mary’s community. Prior military service is not necessary.
Officers:
President: Chris Holmes
Vice President: Dan Daugherty
Advisor: Peter Horvath
Native American Law Students Association
Officers:
President: Stacy Schauvliege
Vice President: Stephen Schnelker
Treasurer: Andrew McKeon
Secretary: Andy Hatfield
Advisor: Rick Garnett
Phi Alpha Delta (Hoynes Chapter)
Notre Dame has an organized chapter in Phi Alpha Delta, a professional fraternity which concerns itself with presenting law students varying opportunities to complement law school education.
Go to website
Officers:
Justice: Caroline Zogas
Vice Justice: Charles Rodriguez, Libby Klesmith
Treasurer: Anthony Rooney
Clerk: Janae Lopes
Marshal: Dennis Malloy
Advisor: Jeff Pojanowski
The Public Interest Law Forum
PILF, the Public Interest Law Forum, is an organization whose purpose is to promote awareness of and interest in public interest law among NDLS students, faculty and administration. PILF defines “public interest law” broadly in recognition of the wide variety of career opportunities typically encompassed within the category of “public interest law,” including careers as legal services providers, criminal defenders and prosecutors, government attorneys, judicial clerks, and attorneys for non-governmental and non-profit organizations. PILF organizes fundraisers to raise money for public interest fellowships which allow NDLS students to intern during the summer for public interest agencies that cannot afford to pay interns. Finally, PILF plans talks and discussions by professors, NDLS graduates, and others on public interest law topics.
Membership in PILF is open to all NDLS students and faculty.
Officers:
President: Nathan Catanese
Vice President for Fundraising: Mike Grathwol
Vice President for Speakers: John Lisy
Secretary: Erinn Rigney
Officers Elect 2013-14:
President: Diva Kass
Vice President of Speakers: Melinda Cook
Vice President of Fundraising/CDO Liaison: Meghan Rigney
Vice President of Communications: Katie Jo Baumgardner
Secretary: Michelle Letourneau
2L Representative: Jessica Ettinger
Advisor: Robert Rodes
Social Justice Forum
Established in 1983, the Social Justice Forum exists to promote and encourage social responsibility within the Notre Dame Law School and to create and maintain a network of concerned individuals who are willing to work toward social justice. To these ends, students and faculty members have sponsored speakers and community service projects, proposed changes in curriculum structure and placement programs, and helped to establish the Notre Dame Law Student Sponsored Fellowship.
Officers:
President: Arthur Gregg
Vice President: Stephen Degenaro
Advisor: Patricia Bellia
Sports, Communications and Entertainment Law Forum
The Sports, Communications, and Entertainment Law Forum (SCELF) is an organization that strives to provide students at Notre Dame Law School with opportunities to learn about and discuss pertinent issues within this area of the legal industry. SCELF’s mission is to educate, attract highly-experienced legal practioners as speakers, and generate awareness of available career paths in these legal fields.
President – Meghan McMahon
Vice President – Christopher Trahos
Vice President – Veronica Cuozo
Treasurer – Nick Kamenjarin
Director of Public Affairs – Christina Stylianou
Secretary – Matt Saur
Officers Elect 2013-14:
President – Alex Karasik
Vice-President – Sports – Christina Stylianou
Vice -President-Entertainment/Communications – Nico Howard and Matt Sauer
Treasurer – Taylor Marr
Public Relations – Justin Bryant and Dalton Patterson
Secretary – Steve Astringer
Advisor: Ed Edmonds
St. Thomas More Society
The mission of the St. Thomas More Society of Notre Dame is to foster full integration of our Catholic faith into the daily practice of law, and thereby to emulate St. Thomas More, the patron saint of lawyers. We strive to fulfill this mission by:
- Facilitating access to the sacraments of the Church
- Providing a forum for Christian fellowship, prayer, and growth
- Regularly offering lectures and discussion opportunities on matters of faith and morals, especially as they pertain to our vocations in the law
- Offering opportunities for public service
- By living lives worthy of the title Christian and by holding fast to and proclaiming, in season and out of season, the teachings of the Gospels and the Magisterium of the Church, in the likeness of our patron, St. Thomas More, under the protection of Our Blessed Mother and St. Joseph, and for the Glory of Christ our King
Our activities are open to Catholics and non-Catholics alike. We hope that participation in these activities will make us better equipped to bring Christ’s light to the world through our vocation to the legal profession. For more information, please contact us via email.
Officers:
President: Alex Blair
Vice President: Daniella Palmiotto
Secretary: Stephanie Maloney
Treasurer: Elizabeth Farrington
Sacristan: John Gerardi, Joseph Ganahl
Officers Elect:
President: William McClintock
Vice-President: Krista Pikus
Secretary: Joey Hess
Treasurer: Paul Quast
Spiritual Chair: Sylvia Costelloe
Service Chair: Maria Doerflinger
Social Chair: Stephanie Brennan
Student Bar Association
The Student Bar Association is the student government at the Law School; all students are considered members. The association performs various tasks related to student life, both social and academic, such as orientation, appointment of students to various faculty committees, intramural athletics and several social functions throughout the year. More generally, the officers attempt to represent student interests in any matter of sufficient importance. At the national level, the association is a member of the Law Student Division of the American Bar Association.
Officers:
President: Lamar Winslow
Vice President: Pauline Bui
Secretary: Alex Blair
Treasurer: Tim Chapman
Officers Elect 2013-14:
President: Ashley Wood
Vice-President: Michael Mogavero
Secretary: Rachel Hanley
Treasurer: Lauren Mogavero
Advisor: Richard Garnett
Women’s Legal Forum
The Women’s Legal Forum exists to promote discussion and understanding of legal issues affecting women and of issues affecting women lawyers and their
colleagues. We fulfill this purpose through educational events, community service and the promotion of debate and discussion within the law school community.
Go to website
Officers:
President: Lisa Pollack
Vice President of Funds:
Vice President of Events: Nikki Watson
Vice President of Community Service: April Kentala
Vice President of Public Relations: Laura Pollard
Officers Elect:
President – Erin Davis
Vice President of of Public Relations – Rachael Winkler
Vice President of Events – Erin Wurst
Vice President of Funds – Kensi Wolgamott
Vice President of Community Service – Julie Kadish
Advisor: Amy Barrett