The University of Arkansas School of Law offers a variety of Registered Student Organizations, Groups, and Journals as opportunities to further encourage involvement in the law school community.
Check them out below!
STUDENT BAR ASSOCIATION
The Student Bar Association (“SBA”) is the University of Arkansas School of Law’s largest student advocacy group. This organization’s mission and primary goal is to make each law student feel supported and that their needs are ardently expressed to the School of Law Administration. Also, we plan fun events all year long!
STUDENT CONDUCT COUNCIL
Students are elected annually to the Student Conduct Council (“SCC”). Rising 2L and 3L members are elected in the spring, while the 1L members are elected in the early part of the fall semester. The Honor Council establishes norms regarding academic honesty and ethical behavior that are subject to disciplinary action if violated.
ARKANSAS LAW REVIEW
Published quarterly, the Arkansas Law Review has as its primary objective the dissemination of scholarly and authoritative articles on significant legal issues. Its Editorial Board serves the Arkansas legal community and beyond by publishing scholarship of state, national, and international importance.
JOURNAL OF FOOD LAW & POLICY
The Journal of Food Law & Policy has long been recognized as a leader in publishing articles and essays on food law and its impact on society. The Journal is published twice a year and is edited by some of the top, dedicated law students at the University of Arkansas School of Law.
ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND
The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) is a organization dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of animals through legal advocacy and education. As part of our mission, ALDF regularly hosts speakers and experts who are passionate advocates for animal rights, bringing attention to critical issues such as animal cruelty, factory farming, wildlife protection, and the ethical treatment of animals.
BLACK LAW STUDENT ASSOCIATION
The University of Arkansas Black Law Students Association primarily aims to advocate for the professional interests of Black law students, provide support for their academic success, and work towards influencing the legal system to better address the concerns of the Black community.
BOARD OF ADVOCATES
The Board of Advocates encourages students’ development of advocacy, rhetoric, persuasion, and other lawyering skills through the facilitation of competitions. Annually, the BOA hosts three internal competitions: the William H. Sutton Barristers’ Union Trial Competition, the Ben J. Altheimer Moot Court Competition, and the Negotiations competition. Additionally, the BOA supports traveling teams to represent our School of Law on the national stage at interschool competitions, typically in trial and moot court. The BOA strives to create safe environments for students to gain practical lawyering skills.
BUSINESS LAW SOCIETY
The Business Law Society strived to promote awareness of business and corporate related legal issues within the law school community, and to provide members with opportunities to develop relationships in the business legal community.
CHRISTIAN LEGAL SOCIETY
The Christian Legal Society (CLS) is committed to integrating faith with the legal profession. Our mission is to honor Jesus Christ through the practice and study of law, advocate for religious freedom and life, and offer legal assistance to those in need. We foster a supportive community where future legal professionals can grow in their faith and prepare to serve with integrity and compassion.
CRIMINAL LAW SOCIETY
The Criminal Law Society serves to create a community impact by connecting students to pro bono opportunities and preparing them for advocacy roles that represent the core principles of equal access and societal responsibility in the criminal justice field. The Criminal Law Society’s commitment to student development will include hosting speakers throughout the year to discuss innovation and reform in the criminal law field with members of the student body.
COALITION FOR UNITY & EMPOWERMENT (CUE)
The Coalition for Unity & Empowerment’s mission is to utilize its resources to help increase student initiatives and programs that further the goals of under-recognized student organizations. CUE uses its resources to both support the celebration of these groups, as well as support their drives and initiatives for social change.
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW SOCIETY
The Environmental Law Society is dedicated to providing opportunities for students to further their interests in environmental causes, and/ or careers in environmental law. We are focused on education and career advancement, volunteerism, and advocacy in the law school, the Northwest Arkansas community, and beyond.
FEDERALIST SOCIETY
The purpose of the UofA Law Fed-Soc is to foster critical thought and debate about the application of conservative and libertarian principles to the law. The UofA Law Fed-Soc embraces the principle that the state exists to preserve freedom, that the separation of governmental powers is central to the integrity of the Constitution of the United States of America, and that it is emphatically the province and duty of the judiciary to say what the law is – not what it should be. The UofA Law Fed-Soc seeks both to promote an awareness of these principles and to further their application through its activities. This entails reordering priorities within the legal system so as to place a premium on individual liberty, traditional values, and the rule of law. It also entails restoring recognition of these norms among lawyers, judges, law students, and professors.
FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL LAW SOCIETY
Agriculture is an integral part of Arkansas. The Food and Agricultural Law Society is here to provide networking opportunities with agricultural law practitioners and help students learn about legal issues that face our farmers, food producers, citizens, and other members of the industry that feeds us all.
HISPANIC LAW STUDENT ASSOCIATION
The Hispanic Law Student Association (HLSA) is dedicated to fostering an inclusive community that celebrates and uplifts Hispanic culture, particularly during significant events like Hispanic Heritage Month. Our mission is to create a welcoming environment where students of all backgrounds can come together to celebrate diversity, promote cultural awareness, and support one another in their academic and professional journeys.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY STUDENT ASSOCIATION
The Intellectual Property Law Student Association (IPLSA) at the University of Arkansas School of Law is dedicated to fostering a robust understanding of intellectual property law among its members. By organizing meetings with guest speakers from diverse industries and firms, IPLSA exposes students to key developments and practices in the field. The association prioritizes building strong connections with alumni who specialize in intellectual property law, offering students mentorship and career guidance on both local and international levels. Additionally, IPLSA keeps students informed about relevant job fairs, internships, conferences, and academic opportunities, ensuring they are well-prepared for future professional endeavors in intellectual property law.
IMMIGRATION SOCIETY
The Immigration Law Society aims to bring together students interested in immigration law and local attorneys working in the field. Our mission is to build a passionate student community, support our local immigrant community, and create meaningful, lasting connections with professionals in our area.
JUVENILE JUSTICE SOCIETY
Juvenile Justice Society is a student organization devoted to advocate for the youth of Arkansas. Juvenile Justice strives to promote youth rights, educate the community, and help reform the youth delinquency and dependency systems at large. Our organization strongly believes that we have an opportunity to help foster the idea that juveniles still can learn and grow into capable adults regardless of their background.
LAW YOUNG DEMOCRATS
We are committed to building a safe community for law students to express their ideologies and engage in the democratic process by furthering their education on several issues. We empower all students to be better leaders and advocates, while connecting members to mentors, volunteer opportunities, and grassroots organizations for Arkansas candidates.
NATIVE AMERICAN LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
The UARK Native American Law School Association welcomes participants of any heritage to join us in embracing and celebrating the robust history and continued successes of the first peoples to inhabit the Americas and beyond. The group sponsors a wellness activity each semester, a will-making clinic in the Spring, and is actively expanding our volunteer programming alongside the Arkansas Justice Reform Coalition. Our faculty sponsor is Carly Griffith Hotvedt, director of the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative.
OUTLAW
OutLaw is more than a student organization; it is a mission. OutLaw is dedicated to promoting visibility of LGBTQ+ issues in law school, the legal field, and behind. We strive to create a community that recognizes the strength in each of our differences. Through monthly meetings, social events, and community service projects, our work reflects our mission: to champion equality and empowerment for the queer community through advocacy, education, and support.
PHI ALPHA DELTA
Phi Alpha Delta (“PAD”) is a student-led, fraternal organization. PAD works to bring law students together through service engagement, and social events. It provides unique experiences and materials to enhance the law school experience!
RURAL LAW ASSOCIATION
The Rural Law Association (RLA) intends to address the legal deserts in Arkansas by encouraging students to pursue employment opportunities in rural communities throughout the state. The Rural Law Association will provide students with the opportunity to learn of the legal profession in Arkansas’ rural communities, to network with legal professionals from these communities for job opportunities and will also work to strengthen ties between rural communities and the University of Arkansas School of Law.
SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT LAW SOCIETY
The SELS’s mission shall be to promote interest in sports and entertainment law and to provide opportunities for learning about sports and entertainment law study, research, and career opportunities.
WELLNESS SOCIETY
It shall be the purpose of the Law Student Wellness Society to encourage well-balanced living through healthy coping skills among the University of Arkansas School of Law students. JLAP is a large part of what we do, and provides free services to students, attorneys, and judges throughout Arkansas!
WOMEN’S LAW STUDENT ASSOCIATION
The Women’s Law Student Association is dedicated to providing opportunities for students to engage in fellowship, to serve, and to experience growth. Our primary goals include advocating for the female student population and growing the number of women in the legal field. We are focused on education, career advancement, and allowing students to further their interests in whatever field of law they hope to pursue. All are welcome to help us work towards these goals!