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List of Student Organizations

The diversity of the student body at Columbia brings an astonishing breadth of interests and experiences, manifested in the number of student organizations and activities at the Law School. On the pages that follow, we have compiled a list of student organizations for your review and future reference. Please feel free to e-mail the contacts listed below if you would like any further information on any of the specific organizations listed.

AFRICAN LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
The purpose of the African Law Students Association is to provide a forum for students, professors, and professionals to meet and pursue their interests in African culture, law and society. Our events, both formal and informal, provide insight into African law and culture and the relationship between Africa and the rest of the world. We also hope to build a network between current members and alumni.
Contact:  alsa@law.columbia.edu. 

ALPINE SOCIETY
The Alpine Society is a group of approximately fifty law students dedicated to promoting group-oriented social outlets for the Law School community by organizing outdoor recreation trips. Our activities include, among others, skiing and snowboarding, rock climbing, and hiking. We also aspire to foster increased awareness in the Columbia Law School community of legal issues affecting outdoor recreation. In the past, the Alpine Society has organized weekend trips to ski areas in New England and spring break trips to resorts in British Columbia and Utah. We welcome members of all levels, from novices to experts. 
Contact:  alpine_society@law.columbia.edu

AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was founded in 1920 by citizens concerned about mass arrests of suspected radicals by the Department of Justice. Since then, the ACLU has continued to fight to protect and secure the rights guaranteed by our Constitution, which occasionally requires it to defend the rights of unpopular groups and unsympathetic characters.

The Columbia Law chapter, established in April 1991, serves to focus attention on constitutional law and civil liberties issues of national, regional, and campus interest, as well as to encourage hands-on involvement in protecting civil liberties.  Past events have included debates, speaker panels and training sessions.  We also engage in activist activities such as petitioning state and federal officials, or distributing information to groups of citizens to inform them of their rights.

Chapter members can get involved in other activities, including assisting ACLU lawyers with legal research, drafting position papers about civil liberties issues, and speaking about civil rights issues. From year to year, the ACLU continues to refine its mission to meet the needs and interests of our members and the Law School and University communities. Students, faculty, and staff are all welcome to join and participate.
Contact:  aclu@law.columbia.edu

AMERICAN CONSTITUTION SOCIETY
The American Constitution Society for Law and Policy (ACS) is a national organization of students, professors, practicing lawyers, and others who favor a progressive approach to the constitution and public policy. We believe in the fundamental principles of respect for human dignity, protection of individual rights and liberties, genuine equality, and access to justice and believe these principles should be central to American law. We hope to foster open, respectful and informed political discourse.

To that end, our chapter sponsors many programs throughout the year, including speakers and panels, debates and discussions, and, on the fun side, happy hours, trivia nights, movies and more. We also provide a connection between Columbia law students and an ever-growing national network of like-minded alums and local practitioners.
Contact:  acs@law.columbia.edu

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
Thousands of people are in prison because of their beliefs. Many are held without charge or trial. Torture and the death penalty are widespread. In many countries, men, women, and children have "disappeared" after being taken into official custody. Still others have been killed without any pretense of legality. These human rights abuses occur in countries of widely differing ideologies. Amnesty International is an independent, worldwide movement of people dedicated to the protection and promotion of internationally-recognized human rights.

The Columbia chapter shares this vision and works towards its fulfillment through campaigns touching on all areas of human rights. In addition to conducting monthly meetings and sponsoring letter writing events, we work with other student groups and outside organizations to educate the law school community about pressing human rights issues through speakers, panel discussions, and film screenings. We invite you to get involved, and we welcome your questions and ideas.
Contact: amnesty_international@law.columbia.edu

ASIAN AND PACIFIC AMERICAN LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
The Asian and Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA) facilitates awareness and discussion of issues and events which affect the Asian Pacific American and other minority groups within the legal world and society at large. Columbia's APALSA chapter is one of the most active and cohesive Asian American law student organizations in the country, with a history of social change and responsibility. In 1997, APALSA was responsible for setting up a seminar about Asian American Jurisprudence, one of the first of this type in the nation. Our alumni have spread across the world, creating a strong network of connections and offering professional advice in several fields. Since the law school is pre-professional as well as academic, APALSA makes a concerted effort to provide guidance services to our members.

During the school year, APALSA sponsors a job search workshop to assist those seeking public interest and firm jobs. In addition, APALSA is involved with the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY), and professionals from both the public and private sectors, including judges, district attorneys, public interest lawyers working in the Asian American community, and partners in private law firms, all of whom keep APALSA informed about current events, issues, and opportunities. During the academic year, APALSA attempts to ease the anxieties of first-year students by providing an upper-class student advisor or "mentor." APALSA organizes study workshops and review sessions, and compiles and makes available study aids and outlines for all foundation courses. Scattered throughout the year are social events, such as happy hours, cultural and arts activities, and dinner parties.
Contact: apalsa@law.columbia.edu

BELTWAY BOUND
Beltway Bound serves the dual purposes of promoting the nation's capital as a post-law school destination for Columbia Law School students and providing a resource for those students interested in working there.  We work with the DC alumni association to inform the CLS student body about the unique career opportunities available in DC.  We also provide a community where CLS students can make connections with and seek advice from upperclass students headed down to DC and CLS alumni at various points in their legal careers.
Contact: beltway_bound@law.columbia.edu

BLACK LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
The Black Law Students Association (BLSA) is a chapter of the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA). NBLSA is the largest student-run organization in the , with more than 200 chapters at law schools throughout the country. These chapters represent more than 6,000 black law students. The organization's purpose is two-fold: to facilitate the academic and professional development of African-American students at Columbia and to instill in them a greater commitment to the needs of the black community.

BLSA is a very active organization at the Law School. It is involved in the recruiting of African-American students and professors to Columbia. It provides many services to first-year law students in order to make their transition to Columbia as smooth as possible, including mentoring, course review sessions, and resume and career workshops. BLSA celebrates the rich culture of its diversity, which includes those of African, African-American, and Afro-Caribbean descent through its Black Solidarity Day luncheon, Kwanzaa celebration, and Black History Month events.

BLSA enjoys strong support and continued contact with Columbia's African-American professors and administrators. BLSA also maintains strong ties with alumni through career panels, alumni speakers, and a spring alumni dinner. BLSA recognizes the responsibility that black law students and attorneys have to serve the black community. Accordingly, BLSA is involved in several community outreach programs where students serve as mentors and teach basic legal rights in nearby elementary and junior high schools. Through other community service events, such as toy and food drives, and voter registration drives, BLSA reaches out to the Harlem community. The Columbia chapter participates in BLSA activities on a sub-regional, regional, and national level. It routinely plans and participates in joint events with other New York area law schools and attends and participates in both regional and national conventions and the National Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition.
Contact:  blsa@law.columbia.edu

BUILDING A BETTER LEGAL PROFESSION (BBLP)
The AColumbia's chapter of Building a Better Legal Profession is part of a national grassroots movement that seeks market-based workplace reforms in large private law firms. We encourage those choosing between firms — students deciding who to work for after graduation, corporate clients deciding who to hire, and universities deciding who to allow on campus for interviews — to exercise their market power and engage with the firms that demonstrate a genuine commitment to re-examining billable hours, pro bono participation, and demographic diversity.ust a number – beer is beer.
Contact:  BBLP@law.columbia.edu

CALIFORNIA SOCIETY
The California Society of Columbia Law School is dedicated to representing and developing the ties of the many CLS students and alumni with an interest in California. In fact, almost 200 CLS students are from California, and 2000 alumni live in the state. We are committed to developing a social, intellectual, and professional environment for students and alumni through events, job resources, panels, speakers, and mentoring programs. Through collaboration with other organizations and the administration, we aim to become the central resource for students and alumni in connecting California and Columbia Law School.
Contact: CaliforniaSociety@law.columbia.edu

CHRISTIAN LEGAL SOCIETY
The Christian Legal Society (CLS) is a non-denominational Christian fellowship which conducts weekly meetings and social events open to all faiths and non-faiths. The focus of the gatherings is discussing and learning how the Christian faith can play a vital role in one's study and practice of law. CLS weekly meetings generally involve student-led Bible studies, although outside speakers often are invited to talk. CLS also sponsors various outreach events, retreats, and meetings with other Christians at Columbia and in New York.
Contact:  christian_legal_society@law.columbia.edu

CIVIL RIGHTS LAW SOCIETY
The Civil Rights Law Society is an organization dedicated to initiating discourse on civil rights issues, both domestic and international. The Society provides a forum for scholars, practitioners, and law students to share their ideas and experiences through guest lectures, panel discussions, conferences, and community service/pro bono events. Past events have included a panel on careers in civil rights with practitioners from government, academia, private practice, and non-profits; a dinner and panel discussion on criminal law and civil rights; and a panel on voting rights fifty years after Brown vs. Board of Education. The Society also aims to help prepare Columbia Law School graduates to enter both the public and private sectors armed with a stronger consciousness of civil rights issues. 
Contact:  crls@law.columbia.edu

COLUMBIA BUSINESS AND LAW ASSOCIATION 
The Columbia Business and Law Association is the law school's principal student group dedicated to the interaction between law and business. We recognize that lawyers with business training and business leaders with a legal background can gain a critical competitive edge in the current economy. CBLA therefore aims to provide a forum for students to pursue scholarship and professional opportunities in business both within and outside of law. The organization routinely sponsors lectures, workshops, and networking events from traditional areas of interest such as investment banking, management consulting, venture capital, private equity, hedge funds, and entrepreneurship. CBLA also serves as a center for members of the Columbia Law School community interested in many aspects of business law, including corporate governance and securities regulation.
Contact: CBLA@law.columbia.edu
Web site: http://www2.law.columbia.edu/cbla/index.php

COLUMBIA GASTRONOMY SOCIETY
The student group dedicated to the art and science of food and cooking.  Through a variety of tastings, formal dinners, casual outings, talks by chefs and other food connoisseurs, cooking competitions, and trips to farmer's markets, members of this group come together over their love of good food.
Contact:  gastronomy@law.columbia.edu

COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION (CIAA)
The purpose of CIAA is to congregate Columbia Law School students, professors, alumni and arbitration practitioners interested in the study, practice and development of International Arbitration as an individual discipline, including: (i) to promote integration among its members; (ii) to exchange information and experiences about legal issues involving international arbitration; (iii) to organize academic events; (iv) to establish contacts with law firms, business organizations, governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations; (v) to organize social events; and (vi) to assist incoming new students.
Contact: CIAA@law.columbia.edu

COLUMBIA LAW REVUE
Each year, the Columbia Law Revue puts on two shows—a cabaret in the fall, and a musical parody of life at the Law School in the spring,  written and produced entirely by law students. We promote stress relief through self-referential comedy and biting satire, both for our cast members and for the entire law school community. Though talent is not a requirement for membership, we are basically the only game in town if you want to stay out on school nights (GASP!); as well as show everyone what you liked to do for fun before law school made you boring. In short, the Columbia Law Revue is really the only shining light that breaks up the lugubrious drudgery that is law school.  Oh, and we're incredibly modest.
Contact:  law_revue@law.columbia.edu

COLUMBIA LAW SCHOOL DEMOCRATS
The Columbia Law School Democrats connect students to the Democratic
Party and campaign for Democratic candidates at the local, state, and
national levels. We provide a forum for discussion about political
issues and resources for activism for Democratic causes.
Contact: cld@law.columbia.edu

COLUMBIA LAW SCHOOL MILITARY ASSOCIATION (CLSMA)
The Columbia Law School Military Association is a non-political, non-partisan social group whose purpose is to promote camaraderie and networking among CLS military veterans and civilian students, to explore and develop local veteran-related volunteer and pro bono opportunities, and to stimulate thoughtful discussion about the military and its role in modern society. Military service is not a prerequisite for membership. In fact, many (if not most) of our members come from outside the armed services. Whether you're interested in becoming a military lawyer, want to help out some local vets, or just want learn something about the military and debate important issues with interesting, open-minded people, the CLSMA has something to offer.
Contact: CLSMA@law.columbia.edu

COLUMBIA LAW SCHOOL REPUBLICANS
Columbia Law School Republicans is the hub for a progressively-more-visible community of Republicans at Columbia Law School. We welcome with open arms Republicans of every stripe, color, affiliation and denomination, and encourage you to speak proudly of your political leanings to your classmates and in the classroom. We serve to provide forums for balanced political discussion, to act as a place to meet and mingle with your co-politicos, and as a launching pad for networking and political involvement.
Contact:  clsr@law.columbia.edu

COLUMBIA LAW SCHOOL SOCCER ASSOCIATION
The Columbia Law School Soccer Association (CLSSA) organizes teams to play in intramural tournaments as well as in city-wide leagues. CLSSA also organizes pick-up games and games against other Columbia graduate schools.
Contact:  lssa@law.columbia.edu

COLUMBIA LAW SCHOOL SOFTBALL CLUB
The Columbia Law School Softball Club provides students of all skill levels a chance to escape the tedium of textbooks and the cement of the city for the exercise and excitement of softball.  Take on your fellow CLS classmates in friendly Friday afternoon games!  Battle students from other New York City law schools to determine the best in the city!  Travel to the University of Virginia for its annual law school softball tournament, which attracts over 1,000 law students from all over the country!  Students of all levels of experience are welcome -- the more, the merrier.  Hope to see you out there!
Contact:  clsc@law.columbia.edu

COLUMBIA LAW SCHOOL TRIAL TEAM
The Columbia Law School Trial Team (CLSTT) represents Columbia at a variety of interscholastic trial advocacy tournaments, most notably competitions sponsored by the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA), the Texas Young Lawyers' Association (TYLA), and the American Bar Association (ABA). Team members selected via a selective tryout process that takes place each fall semester have an opportunity to participate as attorneys or as witnesses and to explore their interest in potential future careers in litigation practice. Attorneys write and deliver their own opening and closing statements and examinations at trial, while witnesses employ their acting skills to portray credible characters on the stand. In addition to attending tournaments, team members also have the chance to attend valuable workshops on evidence and procedure and to participate in Team social events interspersed throughout the academic year.
Contact:   trial_team@law.columbia.edu

COLUMBIA LAW WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION
The Columbia Law School Women's Association (CLWA) works to advance the position of women in the Law School, legal profession, and society at large. Although women have increased their opportunities in the legal profession, gender bias remains a problem. Such bias continues to present obstacles to women in the profession and to hinder the development of laws reflecting the needs and perspectives of women. Each year, CLWA conducts a mentoring program where first-year students get matched with second- and third-year student members. There is also an academic panel to pass along studying tips and an exam de-stressing session in the fall.

CLWA brings speakers to Columbia for discussions and forums about important issues. Past topics have included: women in law firms, women in public interest, women on the bench, international women's rights, sexual harassment, feminist jurisprudence, and the balance between professional and family obligations. Every spring, CLWA sponsors the Myra Bradwell Dinner, a day to celebrate women in the legal profession. In 1869, Myra Bradwell was denied admission to the Illinois bar because she was a married woman. Past speakers have included Hillary Clinton, Gloria Steinem, and Geraldine Ferraro.

CLWA serves as a liaison to alumnae and to the administration about issues of concern to women. The group also coordinates an outreach program to admitted women students and networks with women's groups at the University to inform the Law School community about their campus events.
Contact: clwa@law.columbia.edu

COLUMBIA REAL ESTATE LAW SOCIETY
The Columbia Real Estate Law Society (CRELS) aims to spark dialogue about real estate law, development, and property management; present networking opportunities with practitioners in those fields; and inspire creative approaches to real estate. CRELS organizes panels and speakers on a range of topics relating to real estate law. In past years, we heard from a lawyer from a large New York law firm who handled complicated hotel acquisitions, hosted a panel on trends in real estate, and discussed innovative urban development with an environmentally-friendly developer. Next year, we plan to increase our presence on campus through a greater number of events including a panel on working as a real estate lawyer, a lunch discussion with lawyers who are responsible for the development of the new Mets stadium, and a panel on architecture and law.
Contact:   crel@law.columbia.edu

COLUMBIA SOCIETY OF INTERNATIONAL LAW
The Columbia Society of International Law (CSIL) is Columbia Law School's principal student group dedicated to issues involving international law. The Society informs its members about opportunities to practice international law and current issues in international law; provides members in-person access to many of the top international firms; allows members the opportunity to meet leading scholars in the field; offers guidance and advice on career paths in the fields of public and private international law; and permits opportunities for American and international law students and alumni to form connections with each other that span the globe after graduation from Columbia Law School.
Website: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/law/csil/ 
Contact:  csil@law.columbia.edu

COLUMBIA STRATEGIC SIMULATION SOCIETY
The Columbia Strategic Simulation Society (CSSS) is a group of Law School students, faculty, and staff dedicated to the enjoyment of strategic simulations. CSSS aims to benefit the Columbia Law School community by providing a group-oriented social outlet through promoting strategic board and card games, particularly imported games of Germanic origin, such as Die Siedler von Catan, Carcassone, and Löwenherz. CSSS provides an extracurricular opportunity open to all members of the Columbia Law School community and actively seeks new members to teach the hobby of strategic gaming.
Contact:  csss@law.columbia.edu

CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACTION NETWORK
The Criminal Justice Action Network (CJAN) is an organization of students dedicated to increasing the justice in the criminal ‘justice' system. Our main focus is the abolition of the death penalty. We also work on related issues such as improved indigent defense and prisoners' rights. Our mission is twofold: to increase awareness of such issues in the Law School community and to assist attorneys on various cases. Each year, we organize spring break caravans, in which students travel to New Orleans, Atlanta, and San Francisco to work with organizations doing capital defense work. There are also opportunities to do pro bono work throughout the school year. In addition, we sponsor speakers, film screenings, and opportunities for students to visit prisons in the area. This should be a really exciting year—we hope you'll be a part of it.
Contact: cjan@law.columbia.edu

DEANS' CUP
The Deans' Cup is the single largest student-run event in , an annual basketball competition between teams from Columbia and NYU Law School. Started in the spring of 2002, the Deans' Cup raises funds for public interest organizations at both schools while uniting them in school spirit that rivals the best in sports. The Deans' Cup fosters camaraderie between two of the foremost law schools in the city with firm sponsorship and widespread student dedication. It is one of the most exciting events of the year.
Contact:  deanscup@law.columbia.edu

DE VINIMUS
De Vinimus is an organization that provides the opportunity to learn about and enjoy wine. De Vinimus conducts several tastings each semester focused on different regions and styles of wine production. Tastings are led by wine producers, writers, sommeliers, and other experts in the field. Yearly membership dues guarantee a spot at all events, although guest spots are frequently available.  
Contact:  DeVinimus@law.columbia.edu

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROJECT
The Domestic Violence Project (DVP) raises awareness about domestic violence and provides legal services to battered women. Our activities include the Courtroom Advocates Project, Uncontested Divorce Workshop, Battered Immigrant Women's Project, and Domestic Violence Awareness Week.

The Courtroom Advocates Project (CAP) is a joint program with five other New York City law schools. CAP participants help women obtain orders of protection against abusive partners by drafting petitions and advocating for them in family court. The project is supported by several full-time attorneys and six different New York agencies which specialize in legal problems associated with domestic violence. Through the Uncontested Divorce Workshop, students work with attorneys to assist low-income women who are victims of domestic violence to obtain divorces from their batterers. Students complete and file all the necessary papers in New York Supreme Court. Participants in the Battered Immigrant Women's Project assist abused immigrant women in obtaining residency status under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petition process. Students are assigned a client and complete the petition from beginning to end, learning skills such as interviewing clients and drafting affidavits. During Domestic Violence Awareness Week, DVP organizes speakers, panels, fundraising, and other activities aimed at raising awareness and educating the Law School community.
Contact:  dvp@law.columbia.edu

ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS, AND SPORTS LAW SOCIETY
The Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Society (EASLS) is one of the largest and most active student organizations at the Law School, with more than 70 members interested in legal careers in the professional entertainment, arts, or sports industries. EASLS explores legal issues and trends affecting these industries and educates students about career opportunities through panel discussions, roundtables, and lectures. EASLS members are afforded the chance to meet top entertainment and sports law practitioners, including many Columbia alumni. EASLS also tries to enrich the cultural life of the Law School community through many cultural offerings in New York City. In addition, EASLS members have access to job lists and job panels and to special deals and free tickets to sports, arts, and social events throughout the city.
Contact: easls@law.columbia.edu

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW SOCIETY
The Environmental Law Society (ELS) is for students who are concerned about environmental issues and/or interested in environmental careers. We actively pursue expansion of the environmental curriculum and promote improved environmental efforts by the Law School. ELS hosts events with top environmental practitioners from the government, public interest groups, and private law firms. In addition to these panel discussions and informal lunches, we also host large-scale events, such as an Earth Day celebration and outdoor events such as hiking trips, park clean-ups, and tree-planting. ELS welcomes all interested new students and offers ample opportunity to become involved at any level.
Contact:  els@law.columbia.edu

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. At Columbia Law School, we sponsor debates and events to help promote an awareness of these principles. We encourage everyone to join and participate.
Contact: federalist_society@law.columbia.edu

HARLEM TUTORIAL PROGRAM
The Harlem Tutorial Program was established in 1982 in partnership with a local junior high school to provide academic assistance and mentoring to students. Each semester, approximately fifty Law School and Business School students tutor and serve as role models for approximately the same number of local high school students. We meet with our students once a week for one-and-a-half hours. In that time, we make an enormous difference in the lives of young people. Each tutor is paired with one student to provide very focused, one-on-one attention. During each session, tutors assist students with homework and spend time with books and games that are supplied. We also plan off-site events for the group. Harlem Tutorial is a wonderful opportunity to share with and give back to the community in which we live. Tutors regard the program as fun and rewarding, not to mention a much needed escape from the rigors of law school life. We value this program as a way to keep us connected to our neighboring children. Please join us.
Contact:   htp@law.columbia.edu

HIGH SCHOOL LAW INSTITUTE
The High School Law Institute (HSLI) teams up Columbia Law School students, Columbia Undergrads, and New York City High School students for a year-long program.  Through criminal law, constitutional law, and mock trial classes, the program helps students build speaking, writing, and debating skills.  Classes are held Saturday mornings on Columbia’s campus.  Beyond introducing the high school students to advanced legal subjects, HSLI focuses on sparking student participation and conversation, exploring the relevance of legal topics to students’ everyday lives, and honing the tools necessary for the students to effectively express their opinions.  Over the course of the program, teachers come to serve as mentors, advisors, and friends to their students.  Special Events include guest speakers, a College Information Day where students can talk with representatives of various schools, and a Mock Trial Competition and Graduation Ceremony.
Contact:  hsli@law.columbia.edu

IMPACT
IMPACT is a nationwide non-partisan coalition of law students working to increase voter participation.  The Columbia chapter organizes panels and information sessions on election and voting updates, trains and mobilizes law students from across the
country to poll monitor in New York and their districts on Election Day and has on-going efforts to educate the public about their voting rights.
Contact:  IMPACT@columbia.edu

INSITE
InSITE is an entrepreneurial mentorship program that brings together the best and brightest students from Columbia and NYU Business and Law schools to support New York entrepreneurs in the development of their businesses and their pursuit of venture capital and angel investments.  InSITE's mission is to accelerate technology start-ups through their early-stage development, transitioning them from their seed stage into being venture-funded companies.  Each semester, InSITE fellows get the opportunity to work closely with a different New York start-up in the process of securing its first round of venture or angel funding.
Contact:  InSite@law.columbia.edu

J. REUBEN CLARK LAW SOCIETY
The J. Reuben Clark Law Society has been an organized association at Columbia for more than twenty years. Named for J. Reuben Clark, Jr. (CLS Class of 1906), it serves members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormons") and all others interested in participating in the group's discussions and activities. We meet weekly to discuss topics of interest. In the past, we have invited scholars, attorneys, religious leaders, and students to lead these discussions. The group also sponsors social activities and an occasional forum. The Columbia chapter is part of the international J. Reuben Clark Law Society (www.jrcls.org), and is often included in events sponsored by the New York professional JRCLS chapter. Anyone is welcome to join us, no matter his or her degree of affiliation with the Mormon community.
Contact:  jrcls@law.columbia.edu

JEWISH LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
The Jewish Law Students Association (JLSA) is a group whose purpose is to unite Jewish law students of all backgrounds for social, religious, and educational activities. We serve as a meeting point for social activities. We attend to Jewish student concerns in the Law School (classes missed due to holidays, for example). We are a resource for information about Judaism and Jewish activities in New York. We are a liaison to pro bono, public interest, and legal career options within the Jewish community.

There is a membership drive made in the beginning of the first semester, and all students are encouraged to join throughout their years at Columbia. Our past events have included a debate between Alan Dershowitz and Nat Lewin about the wall between Church and State, a Friday night dinner with the editor of a controversial Jewish magazine, many intra-graduate student Shabbat dinners, an apples ‘n honey table providing information for the High Holy Days, an awesome Chanukah party, and many events in conjunction with the Columbia University Hillel graduate student committee. We have assisted the UJA in its fundraising drives and worked with Koleinu (Law Students for ) to sponsor the sale of trees planted in . We welcome any level of commitment and participation. We hope you will join us and look forward to meeting you. Shalom!
Contact:   JLSA@columbia.edu

KOLEINU
Koleinu was founded in the spring of 2001 by students committed to the existence of an independent Jewish state. Koleinu allows those with an interest in , the Middle East, and the practice of law in to come together and share ideas, exchange information, learn from one another's experiences, and establish a wide-ranging network. In particular, Koleinu aims to educate and to promote an open dialogue between ourselves and the larger student body about issues facing . Koleinu has benefited from a large increase in membership during the past year. We also have begun to collaborate and strengthen our working relationship with other graduate and undergraduate school programs.

In the past, we sponsored lunch lectures by professors and international law experts from the United Nations, and the Columbia community about  many legal issues regarding the conflict in the Middle East. We encourage faculty members and visiting professors to join our meetings. As one of the newest student organizations, we are eager to build our membership, and we welcome your involvement.
Contact:  koleinu@law.columbia.edu

KOREAN LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION (KLSA)
The Korean Law Students Association provides a forum for people to learn more about Korean culture and to interact with other similarly interested students. We are dedicated to exploring the intersection between Korea and the United States and providing relevant academic, social, cultural and professional opportunities to the Columbia Law School community. We organize activities from social outings to Koreatown and cultural celebrations to professional panels and academic resources. We are continually expanding our horizons and exploring ways to work together with other CLS groups, as well as to establish and maintain ties with the greater Korean community in NYC. Everyone with an interest in Korean legal practice or culture is invited to participate! We highly encourage those with only minimal previous exposure to Korean film, history or food to come and learn more about our vibrant community. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/law/klsa
Contact:  klsa@law.columbia.edu

LATINO/A LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
The Latino/a Law Students Association (LaLSA) sponsors academic, cultural, social, and community service activities to promote understanding of the Latino community. We discuss issues that affect and/or interest Latinos. LaLSA serves as a liaison between its members and the administration, the general student body, alumni and other professionals in the legal field. LaLSA also works to increase the number of Latino/a students and faculty at Columbia Law School and to ensure that students receive the necessary support to achieve academic and professional success. Most activities focus on first-year students. LaLSA offers many programs to ease the transition to law school and the legal profession, including an adviser program in which upper-class students are paired with first-year students to provide advice and support, as well as course outlines, textbooks, and old exams. Several tutorials and review sessions take place throughout the year about topics ranging from study tips to finding summer employment. LaLSA welcomes everyone to join and participate.
Contact:   llsa@law.columbia.edu

MESO
MESO is your cultural, social, and intellectual landline to Columbia Law School's LLM community. Our themed events represent our students and the traditions, foods, films, and dances of their homelands, from and to Africa and . We welcome your event ideas and your excitement for new people, flavors, and places.
Contact:  meso@law.columbia.edu

Mentoring Youth Through Legal Education (MYLE)
Legal Outreach prepares urban youth from underserved communities in New York City to compete at high academic levels by using intensive legal and educational programs as tools for fostering vision, developing skills, enhancing confidence, and facilitating the pursuit of higher education. Legal Outreach uses law to attract junior high school students to academic programs that inspire and motivate them to strive for academic success. From the 8th through 12th grades, students work after school, on weekends, and during summers to build the skills and confidence they need to achieve their goals.  An important part of the program is the debate program, which is facilitated through the invaluable assistance of Columbia Law student debate coaches. Participating in Legal Outreach satisfies Columbia Law students' 40 hour pro bono requirement.

Mentoring Youth through Legal Education (MYLE) is the law student-run portion of the Legal Outreach program at Columbia Law School. This organization helps to facilitate social events between the debate coaches, students and mentors, and also assists in recruiting new debate coaches each year.
Contact: Laura Swanson, laura.swanson@law.columbia.edu

LAW STUDENTS FOR REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE
Law Students for Reproductive Justice is a national network of lawstudents and lawyers committed to the promotion of reproductive rightsand social justice. Our organization educates, organizes, and supportslaw students to prepare a new generation of advocates to protect andexpand reproductive rights as fundamental civil and human rights.     The Columbia chapter of Law Students for Reproductive Justice worksto further these goals, increase awareness of sexual and reproductivehealth issues in the law and in both global and local communities, andstimulate dialogue on these topics within the law school. To this end,Columbia LSRJ hosts on-campus events - such as panels, debates, andsocial and fundraising events - and participates in city-wide eventswith a reproductive rights focus.
Contact: lsrj@law.columbia.edu

LAW STUDENTS FOR SOCIAL ENTERPRISE (LSSE)
The student group dedicated to exploring the field of social enterprise, and in particular, informing law students about opportunities (particularly in the private sector) available to promote social value, both during and especially after law school.  Members of this group share the recognition that the world is not "black and white" insofar as one's career choice need not be a decision between "selling your soul" and making lots of money versus "saving the world" and making peanuts; in fact there are opportunities to make the world a better place in nearly all types of legal careers.  This group connects with the Social Enterprise group at Columbia Business School to explore various career pathways, and learn more about the role that lawyers can potentially play in contributing to social enterprise.
Contact:  LSSE@law.columbia.edu

MOOT COURT
Columbia University's Moot Court Programs consist of the first-year Foundation Program, the Harlan Fiske Stone Honors Competition, and the Jerome Michael Jury Trial. Each provides students with the opportunity to develop their written and oral advocacy skills. Participation in the first-year Program is mandatory for all first-year students, whereas Stone and Jerome Michael are elective activities for upperclass students. In addition to these "intramural" programs, Columbia participates in other national moot court competitions (e.g. Frederick Douglass, NALSA, VIS, ACS, Environmental Law and Jessup). First-year students may use participation in these national competitions to satisfy their Foundation Moot Court requirement.

NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD
The National Lawyers Guild (NLG) is a radical coalition dedicated to the need for basic change in the structure of our political and economic system. We seek to unite lawyers, law students, legal workers, and jailhouse lawyers to function as a political and social force in the service of the people—human rights shall be more sacred than property interests. We actively seek to eliminate racism and to protect the civil rights and liberties of all in the face of oppression.

Columbia University's chapter has more than 100 members. We serve as a link between students and both the New York City chapter and the national NLG organization. We are invited to attend many of the national organization's events and projects. We also initiate projects of our own, such as the Tenants' Rights Project (TRP), which assists unrepresented tenants who have pending eviction cases in housing court. Participation in TRP counts toward the law school pro bono requirement and is a wonderful opportunity to receive practical experience in landlord-tenant and poverty law. NLG also trains legal observers to serve at rallies and demonstrations, presents educational and political panels, and engages in activism at the law school.
Contact:   nlg@law.columbia.edu

NATIVE AMERICAN LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
The Native American Law Students Association (NALSA) was founded in 1989 to foster academic support for Native American students and others interested in American Indian Legal issues. NALSA provides an informational and support network for students interested in indigenous legal and cultural issues. NALSA seeks to increase awareness of Indian issues, viewpoints, culture and societies. In addition to providing support and help to Native American law students, NALSA has focused on increasing Indian recruitment in response to the historically low Indian enrollment at law schools. NALSA works with the Office of Admissions to build a vital and diverse Native American student body.

NALSA sponsors several educational and social events annually. These include cultural events, speaker presentations, and a potluck dinner. NALSA has worked with other student groups to sponsor cultural events and to foster a dialogue enhancing student faculty appreciation for the voices of diverse groups. For example, NALSA was the sponsor of the 2003 National NALSA Moot Court Competition. NALSA played a central role in the 1993 presentation of the Pueblo Jemez Repatriation Project. This involved the largest repatriation in history of sacred Indian objects. The tribal delegation honored us by speaking about the repatriation process along with museum officials and well-known community leaders. Members of NALSA attend the Annual Federal Indian Bar Conference conducted each spring in Albuquerque and attend the mid-year D.C. Indian Conference. Some NALSA members participate in the Human Rights Program and receive grants to work in their respective native communities or other indigenous communities during the summer.
Contact: nalsa@law.columbia.edu

NHK: JAPANESE LEGAL STUDIES ASSOCIATION
As a proud contributor to Columbia University's unrivaled commitment to Japanese studies, Nihon Houritsu Kenkyuukai (NHK), or the Japanese Legal Studies Association, serves the legal community by organizing social, cultural, and educational events related to Japan, as well as providing information on the many opportunities available at Columbia and in New York for people with Japanese interests. In addition, we strive to facilitate interaction between Japanese members of the Law School community and those interested in or Japanese law. Many of our members come to Columbia as accomplished business, government, or legal professionals in and provide an opportunity to exchange ideas about Japanese and/or international law and practice.

We welcome anyone with an interest in , regardless of level of familiarity with , its culture, or language. Please feel free to contact us with any questions that you may have.
Contact:   nhk@law.columbia.edu

OUTLAWS
Columbia Outlaws is the law school's LGBTQ-Ally student organization. Through our activities, we seek to ensure that the law school is an environment where gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students thrive professionally, socially, and academically. One of the law school's most active groups, we organize advocacy and educational programs year-round, from lobbying Congress in Washington D.C. to organizing panels and conferences that raise awareness about LGBTQ civil rights issues. Additionally, we provide extensive career resources -- holding dinners and socials that give Outlaws members the chance to meet LGBT attorneys from prominent New York law firms. Outlaws also plans a multitude of social events, from bar crawls to graduate social happy hours to an intimate Thanksgiving dinner. A friendly and inclusive group, we welcome the participation of all students, including allies.

For more information, please visit our blog at http://blogs.law.columbia.edu/outlaws or email outlaws [at] law [dot] columbia [dot] edu

PUBLIC INTEREST LAW FOUNDATION
The Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF) is an independent, not-for-profit corporation founded in 1980 by members of the Law School community. PILF is a privately funded organization of law students, faculty, alumni, and friends that raises money through membership dues, donations, and popular events which support the practice of public interest law at Columbia and across the country.

PILF distributes around $100,000 annually in the law school community and beyond. Each year, PILF provides half of the money for Guaranteed Summer Funding for Columbia students pursuing unpaid public interest internships. Additionally, PILF annually provides about $50,000 in grants to non-profit legal organizations in New York city and around the country, helping them providing services to underserved communities. PILF has awarded more than $490,000 in Community Grants and financed more than 200 students though its grant initiatives.

Students are encouraged to become involved in PILF activities. Each fall, three first-year representatives are elected to the board of directors. Other students and PILF members help with planning the fall PILF dinner honoring a public interest lawyer, and the annual PILF live auction and Dean's Cup Columbia-NYU Basketball Game in the spring semester. Students also participate in reviewing grant applications for the Community Grants program, and help to raise money by pledging part of their summer salaries to the Summary Salary Drive. There are mentoring and social events, as well, PILF also operates a used book store where students can buy textbooks (including those for Legal Methods!) and study guides at bargain prices. We look forward to welcoming you.  
Contact: pilf@law.columbia.edu

QANUN
Qanun, Columbia's North African and Middle Eastern Association, aims to raise awareness in the Law School community as well as the University community about the legal, political, social, and cultural realities lived by the peoples of North Africa and the Middle East. Qanun plans to organize panels exploring the legal questions raised by the conflicts in the region. Other initiatives include a film series, guest speakers, and cultural events. This year, our Arabian Nights party will be even bigger and better. All are welcome to join and participate in these events throughout the year.
Contact:  qanun@law.columbia.edu

RIGHTSLINK
RightsLink was founded in 1993 by students who believed that the rich resources of the Columbia and New York area would provide assistance to groups working for human rights around the world. It has since expanded to include individuals in the New York legal and academic community, and it has developed strong ties with the Center for the Study of Human Rights at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). Students working with RightsLink research various issues on the request of human rights organizations, ranging from death penalty jurisprudence to language discrimination issues. Research projects include fulfilling requests for domestic and international legal information, and substantive legal research and writing. Students gain legal research skills and experience, and they help develop a new concept in human rights assistance. RightsLink also serves as a bridge between the Law School and the Center for the Study of Human Rights at SIPA.
Contact:  rightslink@law.columbia.edu

SOCIETY FOR CHINESE LAW
The Society for Chinese Law is for those interested in Chinese legal development, United States-China Relations, and legal practice in China to come together to share ideas, exchange information and experiences, and establish contacts that extend beyond the Law School. The Society works to generate interest and raise awareness about the exciting legal developments taking place in . Meetings and events are open to the entire Law School community. The Society has benefited from dramatically increased interest in recent years and includes first-year students with experience in China, second- and third-year students planning to work in China, international students (particularly LL.M. students who have stayed on to get a J.D.), and visiting scholars.

The Society's Wednesday Lunch Lecture Series is our primary forum for learning about recent legal developments in from a range of academics, and Chinese visiting scholars and practitioners involved in both the private sector and public law. Speakers have included: Jerome Cohen, NYU professor; Fan Jian, Dean of the law faculty, Nanjing University; Li Xiao, Judge, Supreme People's Court of the PRC; Ira Belken, Assistant United States attorney, Department Of Justice; and Phoebe Yang, the State Department's Rule of Law Clerk for China. The Society sponsors a lunch lecture series, a career symposium, a language exchange program, Chinese film and karaoke series, and excursions beyond the law school.
Contact:  scl@law.columbia.edu

SOCIETY FOR IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE RIGHTS

SOCIETY FOR LAW, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
The Columbia Law School Society for Law, Science and Technology (SLST) is a student group which promotes discussion of technology and its influence on law and social policy.

The SLST organizes various events, like speaker panels, lectures, and reading groups which bring interesting thinkers on technology law to Columbia. SLST is also a way for CLS students interested in science and technology to meet each other and others in the metropolitan area.

Our topics of interest include the Internet, telecommunications, biotechnology, computer law and intellectual property, but have ranged further afield to topics like video games and careers in technology law. While the field is sometimes known as cyberlaw or information law, our aim is to be broad and inclusive: we try not to be restricted by labels.
Contact: slst@law.columbia.edu

STUDENT ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND
The Columbia Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF) is a student chapter of the national group Animal Legal Defense Fund.  SALDF seeks to advance the interests of animals through the legal system.  With film screenings, lunches, and other events, we bring together students with a shared interest in animal welfare and/or animal rights.  We also help connect students to pro bono and career opportunities in the field of animal law.
Contact: saldf@law.columbia.edu

SOUTH ASIAN LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
The South Asian Law Students Association (SALSA) promotes discussion and awareness of issues affecting South Asians and South Asian Americans, particularly in law. In the past, SALSA has organized a voter registration drive among the South Asian community in New York; a gathering with South Asian alumni to discuss legal opportunities in New York; a discussion with Georgetown Professor Neal Katyal about the dearth of minority clerks at the Supreme Court; a speech by Dr. Rajat Gupta, CEO of McKinsey and Co.; and a faculty panel discussion with Dinesh D'Souza. SALSA also strives to create a sense of community between students of South Asian heritage and other individuals with ties to the region. SALSA sponsors numerous social and cultural functions throughout the year including potluck dinners, a university-wide Diwali event, trips to Jackson Heights (New York's version of little South Asia), and film screenings. SALSA has developed a mentor system whereby upper-class students provide guidance and support to first-year students and LL.M. students. Additionally, we conduct a workshop about classes, examinations, and job searches.
Contact: salsa@law.columbia.edu

STUDENT SENATE
The Student Senate is the official representative body for all Columbia Law School students. It comprises 51 students: 15 students are elected from each J.D. class, five students are elected from the LL.M. and/or J.S.D. classes and one additional student is elected to serve as a representative to the University Senate. The Senate's primary responsibility is to address student concerns, either through direct action or by acting as a liaison to the administration and faculty. 

All senators are required to be members of at least one student-faculty committee. Other functions include: the organization of school-wide social events, the allocation of funding to all recognized student groups, the coordination of orientation and graduation activities, and the general oversight of student-run extracurricular affairs. Overall, the Senate's job is to serve the student body and to make life at Columbia as interesting, rewarding, and enjoyable as possible.
Contact: senate@law.columbia.edu

TENANTS' RIGHTS PROJECT
The Tenants' Rights Project (TRP) is a program that was created in partnership with the West Side SRO (Single Room Occupancy) Law Project. The SRO Law Project is staffed by attorneys and tenant organizers who work with SRO residents to preserve their buildings and improve conditions. It was created in 1980 in response to the alarming decline in SRO housing as a result of emptying tactics used by many owners who wanted to convert their buildings to luxury housing.

TRP also works with Manhattan Legal Services, an organization dedicated to helping low-income residents of New York County with their civil legal problems by providing free counsel and legal advice.

TRP works with the SRO Law Project and Manhattan Legal Services to provide legal representation for individuals and tenant groups in housing court. Members of the project meet with tenants and investigate the conditions of their building, file papers with the housing court to initiate litigation, and accompany the tenant at housing court. While in court, student advocates negotiate a settlement with the landlord and later take part in the enforcement process.
Contact:  trp@law.columbia.edu

TRANSFER AND VISITING STUDENT ORGANIZATION
The Transfer and Visiting Student Organization (TVSO) is open to all students. The organization is designed to ease the integration of transfer and visiting students into the Columbia Law School community. TVSO aims to achieve its goals by (1) establishing a support network through which these students may gain insight and information about the law school from experienced students and faculty, and (2) providing opportunities for transfer and visiting students to gather and discuss important issues particular to their status.
Contact: tvso@law.columbia.edu

UNEMPLOYMENT ACTION CENTER
The Unemployment Action Center (UAC) enables law students to gain valuable litigation experience while providing an important public service. During your first semester, you can represent real clients before real judges to make a substantial impact on the community. Each year, more than 25,000 administrative hearings take place in New York City to evaluate claims for unemployment insurance. Claimants often go to these hearings without a lawyer and cannot argue their cases as well as their former employers, who usually are represented by counsel. Thus, many claimants who should receive benefits under the law nevertheless lose their appeals. UAC seeks to turn this situation around. Our advocates handle all stages of the case: interviewing the claimant, researching the law, and representing the claimant before the administrative law judge. UAC comprises students from NYU, Columbia, Cardozo, Fordham, New York, and Hofstra law schools. More than 100 Columbia students take part each year. UAC provides students with the opportunity to develop practical lawyering skills. For many advocates, the experience gives real meaning to the abstract doctrines and rules that they are learning in the classroom. It inspires students to think like lawyers, fight social problems, and explore careers in public service.
Contact: uac@law.columbia.edu

Y’ALLSA
The goal of Y'allSA is to bring the best parts of Southern culture to Columbia Law School, including - but not limited to - barbecue, sweet tea, SEC football, a love of people, and basic courtesy.  Y'allSA hosts a variety of events featuring these elements, such as bourbon tastings, game days at local bars, and any other excuse to combine food with friends.  Y'allSA also helps students interested in working in Southern states network with students who have done the same and their employers.  Though a Southern accent is certainly a bonus, Y'allSA welcomes students from all over the world interested in experiencing Southern culture.  Y'all take one for the road now, y'hear?
Contact:   yallsa@law.columbia.edu

YOGA CLUB
Build strength, stretch out, and de-stress with yoga! The Yoga Club provides weekly open-level yoga classes to the Columbia Law School community. Classes are in the flowing vinyasa style, and will be taught by Om-certified yoga instructor and 1L Kinara Flagg. Classes are one hour long on Tuesdays in Jerome Greene Annex and will begin promptly at 6:30PM. Space is limited, so arrive early to get a spot. Please bring your own yoga mat and wear comfortable clothes suitable for yoga. $5 suggested donation.
Contact:  yoga@law.columbia.edu

YOUTH JUSTICE ASSOCIATION
The Youth Justice Association (YJA) was founded six years ago to focus students' attention on juvenile justice, child welfare, and education. We are dedicated to getting involved in community projects and promoting awareness of youth justice and advocacy issues. We bring leading practitioners to Columbia to discuss their work and experience in youth advocacy as well as sponsor panel discussions about current issues and problems.
Contact: yja@law.columbia.edu