UWLaw:
Student Journals and Organizations

All offices are located in William H. Gates Hall.

Please contact to update information on this page, or for help with your student organization website. For more information on how to start a new student organization, contact the Student Bar Association.

• Affiliated Student Organizations
• Minority Student Organizations
• Student Journals & Boards
• Student Legal Action Projects
• Student Societies, Forums & Clubs

Affiliated Student Organizations

Advocates for the Arts

Advocates for the Arts (AFTA) seeks to empower law students as informed and ethical future leaders in Washington's artistic communities. This means building awareness of what is happening in our arts communities, learning how to serve the legal needs of artists and artistic organizations, and providing training on how to be an effective board member for an arts organization.

Room: 216
Contacts:

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American Civil Liberties Union

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is our nation's guardian of liberty, working daily in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all people in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.

Room: 208
Phone: 543-8838
Contacts:

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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 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 University of Washington Chapter (ACS-UW), founded in 2003, is committed to promoting a dynamic exchange of ideas on campus and in the greater community. In 2004-2005, ACS-UW shared with Yale University’s Chapter the award for Chapter of the Year, chosen from 135 student chapters nationwide.

Room: 210
Contacts:

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Federalist Society

The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies is a group of conservatives and libertarians interested in the current state of the legal order. It 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 it is emphatically the province and duty of the judiciary to say what the law is, not what it should be. Our chapter sponsors debates and speeches on campus to further the intellectual discussion of topics such as separation of governmental powers, the rule of law, and individual freedom and responsibility.

Room: 210
Phone: 543-4077
Contacts:

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National Lawyers Guild

The UW chapter of the National Lawyers Guild works to address the inequalities perpetuated by the legal system, guided by the belief that human rights must be regarded as more sacred than property rights. Members volunteer as legal observers at protests and court watchers at immigration proceedings, and they also provide support for SYLAW (Street Youth Legal Advocates of Washington) and the prison abolition movement. Members organize a mentoring program that matches progressive lawyers with law students and host speakers and workshops that offer critical perspectives on the law in support of community resistance. Through its activities, the Guild fosters a community of law students who are committed to using their legal education to promote justice, equity, and fairness.

Contacts:

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Student Animal Legal Defense Fund

Student Animal Legal Defense Fund The SALDF, UW Chapter, is dedicated to providing a forum for education, advocacy, and scholarship aimed at protecting the lives and advancing the interests of animals through the legal system, and raising the profile of the field of animal law.

Room: 214
Contacts:

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Student Health Law Organization

Student Health Law Organization

The Student Health Law Organization (SHLO) is dedicated to promoting public service and awareness of important health care law and policy issues. The SHLO's primary focuses include:

1. Domestic and international laws and policies that affect access to quality and affordable health care; 2. Regulatory and ethical issues affecting modern health care entities and practitioners; 3. Networking health law students with the legal community.

Throughout the year, the SHLO works to facilitate volunteer opportunities, speaker events, discussion groups, research projects, and social events for law students. The SHLO is supported by the UWLS'
Health Law Section and is affiliated with the Washington State Society of Health Attorneys (WSSHA), the American Health Lawyers Association, and Uplift International.

Room: 214
Contacts:

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Technology Law Society

The Technology Law Society works to bring the technology related legal resources of both the law school and surrounding community to the student body. The topics covered under technology are broad, including biotechnology, privacy, public interest, e-commerce and intellectual property. Sponsored events have included how to choose technology related classes, technology law reading groups and finding a job in the technology field.

Room: 216
Phone: 543-6604
Contacts:

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Minority Student Organizations

Asian/Pacific American Law Student Association

The Asian/Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA) was formed with two major goals: 1) to organize, support, and promote the concerns of Asian and Pacific Islander minorities in the legal profession and 2) to increase ethnic diversity and awareness in the Law School and in the legal profession. All regularly enrolled students at the Law School are welcome to join

Room: 215
Phone: 543-6604
Contacts:

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Black Law Students Association

BLSA promotes fellowship and community among all students at the School of Law. The organization provides Black law students a forum for expressing needs and concerns; to develop future Black leadership; and to open lines of communication between Black law students and the larger Black community. Activities include a celebration of Black History Month, development of a scholarship fund, a reception for members of the Loren Miller Bar Association, and community activities.

Room: 215
Phone: 543-6604
Email: blsa@u.washington.edu
Contacts:

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Chinese American Law Students Association

CALSA's purpose is to organize, support, and promote the concerns of Chinese Americans in the legal profession; foster an understanding of the current issues pertinent to the Chinese community, and raise awareness of law and policy issues affecting China.

To access website, click on the name of the organization (above), or copy/paste:
https://sites.google.com/site/uwcalsa. Current events are listed under the "event" tab.

Room: 215
Phone: 543-6604
Contacts:

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Disability Law Alliance

DLA is an organization of students with and without disabilities working to raise awareness, foster dialogue, and support advocacy concerning disability law issues; to create an accessible and inclusive environment at the Law School; and to encourage and enhance career opportunities in the field of disability law. Please see our webpage for more information!

Contacts:

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Jewish Law Students Association

The mission of the JLSA is to celebrate the tradition lawyering as a form of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), observe religious events of common interest, and serve the legal community through discussions and networking.

Room: 214
Phone: 543-4077
Email: jlsa@uw.edu
Contacts:

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Korean-American Law Student Association

KALSA at UW was started in 2005 by registered University of Washington Law School students with the goal of serving the Korean-American and the greater Seattle community through various community service and scholarly efforts. KALSA members work closely with the Korean-American Bar Association, Korean Community Counseling Center, and other community groups to further KALSA goals.

Contacts:

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Latino/Latina Law Students Association

Our purpose is to create a support a network and community for Latina/o students at UW, promote higher education, and to provide mentorship for youth interested in law and newly admitted students. We are also committed to promoting minority and social justice issues at the law school, as well as in the legal profession and the community at large. Latino/Latina Law Students Association sponsors outreach programs, motivational speaking engagements, area and intra-state school visits, an annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration, and other events aimed at educating and creating awareness of issues affecting our communities. This organization is open to everyone.

Room: 215
Phone: 543-8838
Contacts:

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Law Students Starting Second Careers

LSSSC provides programs of interest, networking opportunities, mentoring, and social support for students who have spent some time in the work force, raising a family, or pursuing other interests prior to attending law school. LSSSC works with the UWLS and UW administrations to improve services and opportunities for these law students. Generally, these students enter law school at a later than average age, have been employed in the past, or have other experiences that may enrich and inform their law school experience.

Room: 215
Phone: 543-6604
Contacts:

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Law Women’s Caucus

The Law Women’s Caucus is dedicated to raising awareness about women in law—both as professionals in the field and as subjects of the law. We provide support to law students through mentorship programs, informational workshops, networking and service opportunities, and educational and social events.

Room: 216
Phone: 543-7501
Contacts:

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Middle Eastern Law Students Association of Washington MELSAW

Contacts:

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Minority Law Students' Association

MLSA exists to develop, implement and maintain programs to increase the recruitment, academic excellence and professional development of students of color in the Law School and in our society. Activities include various outreach programs to high school students, social functions, speakers, and panel discussions. Membership is open to any regularly enrolled student at the School of Law.

Room: 215
Phone: 543-6604
Contacts:

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Native American Law Student Association

The Native American Law Students Association (NALSA) was founded in 1970 to support Native American students at the University of Washington School of Law, and to promote the study of Indian law in order to serve tribes and tribal communities with commitment and excellence.

Other relevant information:
NALSA is working to develop a professional mentoring network for our students. Please contact if you have any interest in speaking with NALSA members.

Events (partial listing):

Wednesday, Nov. 9, 12:30-1:20 in Room 119: Barbara Brotherton, curator for Native American Arts at SAM. She will talk about the law and Native American Art Curation.

Thursday, Nov. 17, 12:30-1:20 in Room 212: Prof. Bob Anderson, Professor of Law and Director of the Native American Law Center at UW. He will speak about retrocession and PL280.

Monday, Nov. 21, 12:30-1:20 in Room 119: Steve Sumida. Discussion of traditional justice theory, and how values functioned as law in Native American culture prior to written language.

Monday, Nov. 21, 5:30-7:30 in Room 138: Steve Sumida. Discussion of applied traditional justice, incorporating first person stories from the high arctic.

Room: 215
Phone: 543-6604
Contacts:

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Outlaws (LGBT Student Group)

The purpose of Outlaws is to provide a social and support network for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) law students at the University of Washington (UW) School of Law; to raise awareness of LGBT legal issues within the student body and faculty; and to provide mentoring to law students by sponsoring on-campus speakers, discussion panels, and advocacy activities.

Room: 216
Phone: 543-7501
Contacts:

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Parents Attending Law School

PALS aims to create a social network, support group, and student organization for students who have or are considering having children, as well as raising awareness in the law school community about work-family and parenting-related issues.
We strive to create an environment in which students and their children can grow and learn together. This year we will sponsor fun events for children and their parents, provide a casual forum for networking about shared parenting experiences, and work to focus attention on the particular issues affecting parents in law school and beyond.

Room: 216
Email: uwpals@yahoogroups.com
Contacts:

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Student Journals & Boards

Moot Court Honor Board

MCHB furthers oral advocacy and writing excellence at the University of Washington. We sponsor five in-house competitions throughout the year, including mock trial, contract negotiation, and appellate advocacy competitions. We also work to promote and sponsor UW teams which compete in regional and national moot court competitions. seven competitions throughout the year, including two regional competitions and the First Year Appellate Advocacy Competition in the Spring.

Twelve first-year students are selected at the end of each year, based upon oral and written performance in the First Year Competition and cumulative performance during in-house competitions throughout the school year. Additional second-year students are selected based upon superior performance during in-house competitions throughout the school year.

Room: 129
Phone: 543-8387
Contacts:

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Pacific Rim Law & Policy Journal

The Pacific Rim Law & Policy Journal was founded in 1990 as an innovative vehicle for the discussion of legal and interdisciplinary policy-oriented issues affecting both Asian and trans-Pacific affairs. The Journal's function is three-fold. First, the Journal provides valuable writing and editing experience to University of Washington law students interested in Pacific Rim law and policy issues. Second, the Journal, as one of the only two student-edited law journals in the United States devoted to the Pacific Basin, and the only journal featuring translations of East Asian legal scholarship, encourages the debate of issues vital to the Pacific Rim. Third, the Journal enhances the University of Washington School of Law's national and international role as a center for East Asian legal studies. Membership is competitive and based upon first year grades and writing competition scores.

Room: L181
Phone: 543-6649
Email: pacrim@u.washington.edu
Contacts:

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Washington Journal of Environmental Law & Policy

The Washington Journal of Environmental Law & Policy publishes legal scholarship on environmental affairs important to the Pacific Northwest region and beyond. By drawing expertise from across the disciplines, the Journal promotes the investigation of current environmental law and proposed solutions for the future

Room: 208
Phone: 543-8838
Email: wjelp@uw.edu
Contacts:

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Washington Journal of Law, Technology & Arts

The Washington Journal of Law, Technology & Arts publishes concise legal analysis for practicing attorneys. The Journal collaborates with the Law, Technology & Arts Group (LTA), a new research program at the University of Washington School of Law. LTA was formed in 2009 when the University of Washington School of Law merged the Center for Advanced Study & Research on Intellectual Property (CASRIP), the Shidler Center for Law, Commerce + Technology, and the Graduate Program in IP Law & Policy into a single research unit. This new research group takes a comprehensive approach to the legal issues involving technological and artistic innovation. The Journal, which was launched in 2003, publishes in an electronic format and addresses business law and technology issues in a global context. The Journal's concise online format ensures each issue contains cutting-edge analysis of legal of emerging issues in business and technology. The Journal is a partnership between student editors and an Editorial Board comprised of faculty and attorneys who are noted experts in their respective fields. Membership is competitive and based upon first-year grades and performance in a writing competition.

Room: 222
Phone: (206) 685-2636
Email: wjlta@u.washington.edu
Contacts:

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Washington Law Review

WLR is a quarterly journal comprised of student-written pieces and professional articles on a wide range of legal issues. Annual events include a Spring Symposium, community service programs, and social events. Membership is competitive and based upon first year grades and writing competition scores.

Room: L184
Phone: 543-4068
Email: wlr@u.washington.edu
Contacts:

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Student Legal Action Projects

Immigrant Families Advocacy Project

The Immigrant Families Advocacy Project (IFAP) assists immigrant victims of family violence as they petition for permanent residency in the United States. The organization works closely with the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and pro bono attorneys from the community. Students gain valuable real-life legal experience working directly with clients and attorneys. Foreign language skills or immigration or domestic violence backgrounds are a plus.

Room: 209
Phone: 543-7501
Contacts:

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Incarcerated Mothers Advocacy Project

The Incarcerated Mothers Advocacy Project is a coalition of law students, social service providers, activists and formerly incarcerated women who seek to change the rights afforded incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women in the State of Washington.

Room: 216
Phone: 543-7501
Email: abolitio@uw.edu
Contacts:

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Innocence Project Northwest - Student Chapter

The Innocence Project Northwest Clinic represents prisoners convicted in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho and Montana who offer credible post-conviction claims of actual innocence. The IPNW-SC supports the IPNW Clinic through fundraising, prisoner support projects, and by promoting discussion of actual innocence and other important topics in criminal law.

Room: 265
Phone: 616-2130
Contacts:

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Street Youth Legal Advocates of Washington

Street Youth Legal Advocates of Washington is dedicated to addressing the legal needs of at-risk and homeless youth in Seattle. Working in conjunction with SYLAW, a new non-profit organization, SYLAW-UW volunteers will participate in training and orientation sessions conducted by local child advocacy attorneys. They will then educate street youth through scheduled presentations and, under the supervision of pro bono attorneys, will represent youth clients in civil legal matters.

Room: 216
Phone: 543-6080
Contacts:

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Students for Labor and Employment Justice

Students for Labor and Employment Justice (SLEJ) is a law student organization based at the University of Washington School of Law in Seattle. We focus on student involvement with our two main projects: 1) the innovative Worker Defense Committee at the day labor worker center, Casa Latina; and 2) the Unemployment Law Project, a member of the Alliance for Equal Justice.

Room: 209
Phone: 543-7501
Contacts:

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Student Societies, Forums & Clubs

Advocates for the Arts

Advocates for the Arts (AFTA) seeks to empower law students as informed and ethical future leaders in Washington's artistic communities. This means building awareness of what is happening in our arts communities, learning how to serve the legal needs of artists and artistic organizations, and providing training on how to be an effective board member for an arts organization.

Room: 216
Contacts:

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Business Law Association

The UWLS Society for Small Business Development, a new student organization at the University of Washington Law School, was founded by a group of enterprising 1L's in February 2005. Our mission is to encourage and facilitate pro bono transactional and business legal assistance to entrepreneurs in economically distressed communities, identify and develop meaningful business law volunteer opportunities, and to provide information and networking opportunities for law students interested in transactional and business law. We are working toward this mission through a series of target projects and community collaborations. To learn more about our organization and our current projects, please see our website at http://www.law.washington.edu/ssbd/.

Room: 214
Email: uwssbd@u.washington.edu
Contacts:

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Center for Human Rights and Justice

The Center for Human Rights and Justice (CHRJ) exists to train University of Washington School of Law students in human rights law and to educate the community in human rights issues. We realize this goal by hosting speakers, symposia, and events on a wide variety of human rights topics. We coordinate human rights projects with area practitioners, lobby for a strong human rights curriculum, and fund student work in human rights through Public Interest Law Association (PILA) grants. We are a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Subscribe to our listserve through our new website, http://humanrightslaw.wordpress.com. Click on our name (above) and this will take you to this site.

Room: 137
Phone: 543-6080
Contacts:

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Christian Law Society

CLS aims to build a community of Christians at law school and in the legal profession in Seattle. The group provides opportunities for discussion, volunteering, mentoring, and networking.

Upcoming Events:

Winter Retreat January 21-22

Room: 214
Phone: 543-4077
Contacts:

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GreenLaw

GreenLaw is an organization that promotes student involvement in environmental law through education, outreach, and advocacy. Our externship and rapid response programs seek to fuse the passion and skill of law students with the expertise of attorneys working in environmental law. We sponsor several educational events throughout the year, ranging from brownbag lunch speakers, to a spring lecture series. We have recently developed a Duwamish River Advocacy Project to educate students and others about issues surrounding the Seattle waterway. GreenLaw is advised by a Board of Directors comprised of attorneys and professionals at the forefront of environmental activism.

Room: 208
Contacts:

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International Law Society

The primary goal of the International Law Society ("ILS") is to give law students the resources, knowledge, and practical tools needed to successfully navigate issues relating to international law – a subject both complex, and increasingly important to all legal practices. To achieve this goal, ILS is actively focused on creating externship opportunities, hosting student language groups, building connections with international law associations such as the international section of the ABA and WSBA, and bringing speakers to campus to discuss a wide range of international topics.

During the 2008-2009 academic year, ILS will be focusing a large amount of its attention on developing an on-campus micro-finance organization and co-sponsoring a major talk on climate change and human rights set to take place in the Spring of 2009. In a more general sense, ILS is a forum for students interested in international law to meet and explore international issues as well as to stay informed of events going on at the university and opportunities in international law.

Room: 214
Phone: 543-6080
Contacts:

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Law Students for Reproductive Justice

Law Students for Reproductive Justice is dedicated to the promotion of reproductive rights and social justice within the University of Washington law school community and beyond. Our organization educates, organizes, and supports law students to prepare a new generation of advocates to protect and expand reproductive rights as fundamental civil and human rights. The UW Chapter is affiliated with the National Law Students for Reproductive Justice.

Room: 216
Phone: 543-7501
Email: choiceuw@u.washington.edu
Contacts:

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Lawyers for Appropriate Dispute Resolution

LADR prepares future lawyers to effectively represent their clients in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes (including negotiation, mediation, and arbitration), which they may frequently encounter prior to litigation in resolving client disputes. Today, over 90% of law suits never make it to trial, making ADR skills not only beneficial but necessary for competent lawyering in any practice area. LADR offers educational and networking opportunities, and participates in the ABA National Representation in Mediation Moot Court Competition. While LADR is an organization run by students, its membership is open to faculty, alumni, and community members interested in promoting appropriate dispute resolution practices.

Room: 208
Phone: 543-8838
Contacts:

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Military Law Students' Association

An organization composed of individuals who have some connection to the Armed Forces of the United States. Designed to help transition individual from the military to law school and help those who wish to become military lawyers adjust to military life, by focusing on the social and community aspects of both the military and law school.

Room: 210
Phone: 543-6080
Contacts:

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National Security and Law Society

The National Security and Law Society is an organization devoted to fostering awareness of national security-related issues in the law. NSLS strives to create an effective, non-partisan forum for informed discourse on U.S. national security policy and foreign affairs. The NSLS offers a great opportunity to meet and connect with other law students interested in national security law and professionals already working in the field.

Contacts:

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Public Interest Law Association

The Public Interest Law Association at the University of Washington is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, student-run organization dedicated to promoting legal work that serves the public, alleviates suffering, and improves the quality of life for individuals in our community and elsewhere. To this end, PILA raises awareness about the need for and rewards of pro bono and full-time public interest legal work, advocates for public interest training and creates opportunities for law students and attorneys to combine their legal skills with passion and optimism in jobs that exemplify lawyers' capacity to make a difference.

PILA is one of the largest and most active student organizations at the UW School of Law. Through an annual benefit auction and other activities, PILA funds summer grants for law students, the creation of a loan repayment assistance program, and educational and networking opportunities for students to generate enthusiasm for public interest law and encourage law students to serve others and make a difference.

Room: 211
Phone: 543-8899
Email: pila@u.washington.edu
Contacts:

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Sport/Entertainment Law Association

The Sports and Entertainment Law (SELA) Club was founded to explore the rapidly growing and lucrative fields of sports and entertainment law. We invite prominent attorneys, agents, and business persons to speak to the group regarding when, why and how they entered these fascinating fields. SELA seeks to encourage students to consider sports and entertainment law as a career path by fostering awareness in these areas through sports outings, fundraisers, and other entertaining events. Join us and explore the frequently high profile and always exciting fields of sports and entertainment law!

Room: 210
Phone: 543-6080
Contacts:

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Student Bar Association

Room: 130
Phone: 543-9111
Email: uwsba@u.washington.edu
Contacts:

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The Forum for Evidence-Based Law & Policy (FELP)

The Forum for Evidence-Based Law & Policy (FELP) was created in Fall 2010 to provide a forum for law and graduate students to discuss how science and other empirical fields can improve law and policy-making. We want to be part of a growing intellectual movement that emphasizes scientific behavioral models in law and policy. Our organization provides a place for students to keep abreast of the current state of the field through a reading group and through lectures from current practitioners. We believe that the knowledge that we obtain as members of FELP can help us contribute to social justice and to the reduction in inequality in the United States and globally.

Contacts:

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Index to Organizations

• Advocates for the Arts
• American Civil Liberties Union
• American Constitution Society
• Asian/Pacific American Law Student Association
• Black Law Students Association
• Business Law Association
• Center for Human Rights and Justice
• Chinese American Law Students Association
• Christian Law Society
• Disability Law Alliance
• Federalist Society
• GreenLaw
• Immigrant Families Advocacy Project
• Incarcerated Mothers Advocacy Project
• Innocence Project Northwest - Student Chapter
• International Law Society
• Jewish Law Students Association
• Korean-American Law Student Association
• Latino/Latina Law Students Association
• Law Students for Reproductive Justice
• Law Students Starting Second Careers
• Law Women’s Caucus
• Lawyers for Appropriate Dispute Resolution
• Middle Eastern Law Students Association of Washington MELSAW
• Military Law Students' Association
• Minority Law Students' Association
• Moot Court Honor Board
• National Lawyers Guild
• National Security and Law Society
• Native American Law Student Association
• Outlaws (LGBT Student Group)
• Pacific Rim Law & Policy Journal
• Parents Attending Law School
• Public Interest Law Association
• Sport/Entertainment Law Association
• Street Youth Legal Advocates of Washington
• Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
• Student Bar Association
• Student Health Law Organization
• Students for Labor and Employment Justice
• Technology Law Society
• The Forum for Evidence-Based Law & Policy (FELP)
• Washington Journal of Environmental Law & Policy
• Washington Journal of Law, Technology & Arts
• Washington Law Review