All Student Organizations and Journals

National Lawyers Guild (NLG)

The National Lawyers Guild is the nation’s oldest and largest progressive bar association and was the first one in the US to be racially integrated. Our mission is to use law for the people, uniting lawyers, law students, legal workers, and jailhouse lawyers to function as an effective force in the service of the people by valuing human rights over property interests. The NLG is dedicated to the need for basic change in the structure of our political and economic system. Our aim is to bring together all those who recognize the importance of safeguarding and extending the rights of workers, women, LGBTQ people, farmers, people with disabilities and people of color, upon whom the welfare of the entire nation depends; who seek actively to eliminate racism; who work to maintain and protect our civil rights and liberties in the face of persistent attacks upon them; and who look upon the law as an instrument for the protection of the people, rather than for their repression.

Contact: [email protected]

National Security Law Society (NSLS)

The National Security Law Society promotes discussion around vital issues of national security, privacy, the laws of war, and more. It works both to promote greater understanding of the legal issues at the heart of current national security policy and to advance careers in national security law.

Contact: [email protected]

Native American Law Students Association (NALSA)

The Native American Law Students Association (NALSA) fosters academic support for Native American students and others interested in American Indian legal issues and provides a social and academic network for students interested in indigenous legal and cultural issues by increasing awareness of viewpoints, cultures, and governments across the world.

Contact: [email protected]

New England Law Students Association (NELSA)

Currently Inactive

The New England Law Students Association is an organization for students who hail from New England, plan to practice there after law school, or are otherwise interested in the region’s unique legal community. We sponsor a variety of professional and social events. Membership is open to everyone in the Columbia Law School community, regardless of your home state or Major League Baseball team allegiance.

Contact: [email protected]

NHK: Japanese Legal Studies Association

Nihon Houritsu Kenkyuukai, 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, it strives to facilitate interaction between Japanese members of the Law School community and those interested in Japan or Japanese law.

Contact: [email protected]

Outdoors Club

The Outdoors Club brings together members of the Columbia Law School community who share an appreciation for the outdoors. The club also raises awareness about the advantages of engaging with the outdoors—benefits that include inspiring a greater appreciation for nature and a desire to protect the environment, developing leadership and problem-solving skills, and finding a means to relieve stress. The club facilitates access to activities inside and outside the city, including hiking, camping, skiing, snowboarding, climbing, and cycling.

Contact: [email protected] and [email protected]

Outlaws

OutLaws is Columbia’s LGBTQ and ally law student organization, providing programming that spans the gamut from advocacy and policy work to academic mentoring to professional development to social events. It aims to create a strong LBGTQ and allied community at Columbia.

Contact: [email protected]

Parole Advocacy Project

The Parole Advocacy Project collaborates with attorneys to help incarcerated clients prepare for their parole hearings. Student advocates work in teams to compile parole packets, develop reentry plans and help their clients prepare for parole interviews. The project will also organize mutual aid campaigns and facilitate other abolition-centered advocacy.

Contact: [email protected]

Prison Healthcare Initiative

Prison Healthcare Initiative is an advocacy group working to help people who are incarcerated access healthcare while in prison. Student volunteers will review files, conduct prison advocacy, and complete research tasks as needed. For more information and to get involved, please

Contact: [email protected]

Progressive Jewish Law Society

The Progressive Jewish Law Society (PJLS) exists to provide a home and a voice for Jewish law students who hold progressive values, rooted in the rich history and tradition of Jewish engagement in movements for social justice, labor rights, LGBTQ+ equality, women’s rights, racial justice, and human rights in Israel/Palestine. PJLS aims to build Jewish community and interfaith connections through social, holiday, and academic events; to be a home for progressive Jewish students at Columbia Law School; and to provide support to each other and to all of our peers.

Contact: [email protected]