Extracurricular Organizations: A – I
All extracurricular organizations within the law school are the responsibility of the Law College Council, except for the John Marshall Bar Association. The Law College Council funds and coordinates the activities of the law school’s extracurricular organizations.
Sites marked with * will take you away from the http://www.law.ufl.edu domain to a Web site maintained by the student organization.
American Bar Association-Law Student Division *
The Chapter of the American Bar Association-Law Student Division at the University of Florida is a national voluntary professional organization that promotes professionalism and service among lawyers. The ABA-LSD Chapter brings the many opportunities offered by the national ABA directly to University of Florida law students, including leadership and community service opportunities as well as student competitions. The ABA’s many sections and divisions help students explore practice specialties and areas of interest, as well as provide opportunities to network.
American Constitution Society for Law and Policy *
The American Constitution Society for Law and Policy (ACS) is a national organization comprised 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 at UF Law sponsors speakers, debates and other programs on subjects such as federalism, affirmative action, and the scope of congressional power. Among those who have spoken at ACS at UF Law events are former Attorney General Janet Reno, Justice Peggy Quince of the Florida Supreme Court and renowned constitutional law scholar Erwin Chemerinsky.
Animal Law Association
ALA at UF Law is dedicated to the four goals of 1) educating the community about forms of animal abuse, 2) fostering awareness about combating this abuse through litigation, and other means, 3) providing opportunities for students to work on litigation and community projects aimed at protecting the lives and advancing the interests of animals, and 4) raising the profile of the field of animal law. Their activities include: hosting speakers and conducting educational events on current issues in animal rights and animal welfare law and carrying out research projects for attorneys and organizations involved in animal welfare and animal rights litigation. ALA at UF Law is a student chapter of the Animal Legal Defense Fund (hereafter referred to as ALDF) and further recognizes and abides by the purposes and goals of the ALDF.
Art Law Society
The Art Law Society is established for the purpose of developing interest in art law and cultural property law. We exist to keep students informed about current and complex legal issues in the art world by tracking the life of the artwork from its inception to its ultimate resting place. As a work of art matures to completion, legal issues involving ownership, moral rights, and transactions may come into play as artists use legal instruments to make arrangements with independent buyers, family and friends, or various institutions for the disposition of art. The Art Law Society seeks to engage students in a legal discussion of these issues, as well as the independent issues involving forgery, theft, and the repatriation of cultural property. We strive to understand the integral relationships that the various facets of law can have on one of our most important forms of human cultural expression art. Any interested UF student is encouraged to join. Art Law Society is listed on Facebook under “Art Law Society”. This site is intended to keep students informed of current opportunities for involvement in the Gainesville community, on the University of Florida’s main campus, and within the wide world of art law. Additionally, each year the Art Law Society hosts its annual UF Law Student/ Faculty Art Show in the Legal Information Center located at the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
Asian & Pacific American Law Student Association
APALSA members are interested in the growth of the Asian legal community and development of Asian and Asian-American legal and cultural issues. Its events and activities have included symposia on issues such as Afghan Women Under the Taliban, Chinese New Year celebrations, and member-organized trips to Asia. UF’s chapter of this national organization has been active since 1994.
Association for Law and Business
The ALB is the premier student organization for the advancement of business law study in the State of Florida. Members share an interest in all areas of business law, including Securities, Corporate, Bankruptcy, and Intellectual Property law. Through its relationship with the Business Law Section of the Florida Bar, the ALB brings law students, professors, and practicing attorneys together by offering distinguished guest speakers, social events, and research and publication opportunities to the student body. The ALB also provides guidance to its members in choosing business law as a curriculum and career.
The Association for Tax Law
UF is ranked 2nd in the country for tax law. The Association for Tax Law is the only JD student organization which promotes the study of tax law at the JD level. The organization will participate in two national tax competitions, National Tax Moot Court and ABA Tax Challenge (a transactional competition), host related speakers, host a panel of professors who answer questions about their course offerings, and maintain an alumni database that allows members access to a national networking system. Participation in VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Association) is one of the most important aspects of the organization.
Association of Public Interest Law
APIL distributes information on public interest law and brings numerous speakers to the law school. Members organize LawLawPalooza —an annual fundraiser for fellowships for law students pursuing a public interest career — and other events to support students volunteering at non-profit legal organizations.
Black Law Students Association, W. George Allen Chapter
BLSA provides a voice for students of color within the law school and strengthens the bond between the administration, faculty and students. Members hold weekly meetings and conduct numerous events each year, including mentor and tutorial programs, Black History Month activities and the Virgil Hawkins Awards Gala.
Caribbean Law Students Association
CLSA educates the law school community about the Caribbean and highlights legal issues affecting the Caribbean community. Students interested in learning about the Caribbean culture, regardless of whether they have ties to the region, are encouraged to join. Meetings are held monthly to give members an opportunity to network, eat, and learn about current legal issues from prominent Caribbean Speakers. CLSA partakes in various community service projects within the Gainesville community. Pease sign up on the CaribLaw Twen site to learn more.
Christian Legal Society
CLS is a local and national network of attorneys and law students who provide members with support for their profession and Christian beliefs. Its weekly meetings include Bible study, discussion, forums, guest speakers and social activities. Activities include a welcome-back dinner at the beginning of the semester and Thanksgiving Pie Festival. Members also host “Ice Cream & Bingo Night” each semester for cancer patients at the Hope Lodge.
Corporate and Securities Litigation Group
The Corporate and Securities Litigation Group provides a platform for students interested in the different aspects of corporate law including but not limited to, securities, financial services, commercial, and bankruptcy law. The Corporate and Securities Litigation Group also includes the Corporate and Securities Moot Court Team. The Moot Court Team provides a simulation of appellate argument and an excellent opportunity for members to develop written and oral advocacy skills, compete with students from law schools across the nation, and meet practitioners and jurists in the different business law fields.
Cuban American Bar Association – CABA
The Cuban American Bar Association’s (CABA) mission is to promote equality of our members; serve the public interest by increasing awareness of the study of jurisprudence; foster respect for the law; promote and preserve high standards of integrity, honor, and professional courtesy among our peers; build close relationships among our members; support the Cuban-American indigent community; and increase diversity in the judiciary and legal community.
The CABA-UF Chapter will strive to advance the relationships between student members and the professional members of the Cuban American Bar Association by promoting networking events and functions hosted by the Cuban American Bar Association while encouraging on-campus appearances of the professionals that compose its body. Members include students of Cuban, Cuban-American descent, as well as those who are not of Cuban descent, but are interested in issues affecting the Cuban community.
Eighth Judicial Circuit Law Student Association (EJCLSA) *
The Eighth Judicial Circuit Law Student Association (EJCLSA) was established for the purposes of facilitating contact between local attorneys and law students and encouraging awareness of local legal issues and activities. The EJCLSA works directly with the local 8th Judicial Circuit Bar association (EJCBA) to provide students the opportunity to network with local attorneys, serve on EJCBA planning committees, and participate in the mentoring program.
Entertainment & Sports Law Society
The Entertainment & Sports Law Society serves students interested in sports and entertainment law through opportunities to network in the field. Members organize a yearly symposium, which brings in the best and brightest minds from the sports profession. Other entertainment and sports professionals are invited to the university to speak throughout the year.
Family Law Society
The objectives of the group are as follows: 1. To acquaint the student body with the important and prevalent issues in family law affecting students and practicing lawyers. 2. To conduct charitable works in the community focused on family law issues. 3. To make contacts in the family law field for the graduates of the University of Florida, Levin College of Law. 4. To conduct fundraisers for specific charities within the University of Florida and the surrounding Gainesville community. 5. To create community outreach programs, specifically directed at the children of Alachua County.
Federalist Society
The Federalist Society enlivens campus discussion and debate by raising awareness of the libertarian/conservative viewpoint. The organization sponsors speakers and coordinates a trip for members each year to Washington D.C. to meet other members from around the country.
Florida Association for Women Lawyers
FAWL’s mission is to actively promote gender equality and the leadership roles of FAWL’s members in the legal profession, judiciary and community at large. To achieve these goals, FAWL will uphold the highest standard of integrity, honor and courtesy in the legal profession, promote reform in law, and facilitate administration of justice. This organization is open to both men and women that believe in FAWL’s mission statement. For more information, prospective and current students are encouraged to contact us at fawluf@gmail.com.
Gators for Alternative Dispute Resolution (GADR)
GADR is a student-run organization that engages law students, faculty, and conflict resolution professionals in a university based setting. Our chapter enhances the knowledge and skills of students by partnering them with talented practitioners and global student networks. We sponsor discussions and forums featuring accomplished conflict resolution specialists. We have three main divisions which cover a wide variety of ADR subjects.
“Mediators Beyond Borders” provides valuable opportunities for scholarship and field work to be conducted around the world.
“Conflict Resolution Initiative” works hand-in-hand with Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution on main campus to help resolve student issues, as well as work for the community to resolve small claims issues outside of court. Through CRI, we are able to offer students an annual Mediation Training session which will help them towards getting their certification. Mediation is required in almost all small claims cases, and most divorce cases, and having a mediation certification under your belt is one way to make yourself more diverse to employers.
“ADR Competition Team” is for those students who have a competitive side. What better way to practice your negotiation skills than by joining our team, which competes nationally. Click here to learn more about the ADR Competition Team.
GreenLAW: Environmental and Land Use Law Society
GreenLAW seeks to promote an understanding of the legal aspects of environmental protection, inform individuals as to the necessity for improvements in environmental protection, foster the development of sound environmental legislation, measure the effects of environmental litigation, and assist other groups involved in environmental education.
Health Care Law Society
HCLS promotes Healthcare Law and helps those interested in pursuing a career in the field. HCLS will host Healthcare Law professionals as well as promote conferences. Membership is open to UF students. HCLS is listed on TWEN and Facebook under the Health Care Law Society. Feel free to sign up for both sites. For more information, contact health.care.law.society@gmail.com.
Immigration Law Association (ILA)
ILA’s mission is to expose law students to the evolving area of immigration law through guest speakers, presentations, and conferences. We aim to provide opportunities for students to volunteer and serve the immigrant community as well as facilitate career opportunities through an ongoing efforts to maintain active relationships with the immigration legal community in both the public and private sectors.
Intellectual Property & Technology Law Association
IPTLA provides a forum for students interested in intellectual property law to socialize and learn more about the field and career opportunities. The club meets every two to three weeks and hosts social events. Members have conducted an intellectual property & computer law symposium and are currently organizing an intellectual property moot court trial team to participate in national competitions.
International Law Society
ILS promotes interest and understanding of international law and global affairs by hosting numerous events throughout each semester, including a theme party with professors who specialize in international law. The organization also hosts a potluck dinner each semester to swap international recipes and meet incoming foreign LL.M. students and exchange students.