All Student Organizations and Journals

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

The Columbia Law School chapter of the ACLU 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. It also engages in activism, such as petitioning state and federal officials, election monitoring, or distributing information to inform citizens of their rights. 

Contact: [email protected]

American Constitution Society (ACS)

The Columbia Law School chapter of the American Constitution Society (ACS) brings together powerful, relevant ideas and passionate, talented people to advance progressive values in the constitutional, legal, and public policy debates that continue to shape our democracy. Our chapter works to amplify progressive voices and create an open and inclusive space for legal thinking at CLS. Things we do: protect the right to vote; advocate for reform in our broken criminal justice system; pursue justice for historically marginalized groups including racial and ethnic minorities and members of the LGBTQIA community; support a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented Americans; advance the scholarship of innovative, progressive legal thinkers; and so much more.

Contact: [email protected]

Christian Legal Society

The Christian Legal Society is a non-denominational Christian fellowship that conducts weekly meetings and social events that are open to people of all religious and non-religious persuasions. The group’s main focus is forging a Christian community in the Law School, as well as discussing and learning how the Christian faith can play a vital role in one’s study and practice of law.

Contact: [email protected]

Columbia Law Democrats

The Columbia Law Democrats provide a link between students at Columbia Law School and the Democratic Party. Its objective is to provide a forum for discussion, debate, and activism reflecting the broad principles of the Democratic Party.

Contact: [email protected]

Columbia Law School Legal Outreach Team

Columbia Law School Legal Outreach Team (LOT) provides material aid and forges legal connections for unhoused neighbors in Harlem and Morningside Heights. Through weekly client outreach and partnering with like-minded organizations, LOT helps our most vulnerable neighbors get the justice they deserve.

Contact: [email protected]

Columbia Law School Military Association (CLSMA)

The Columbia Law School Military Association is a non-political, nonpartisan social group whose purpose is to promote camaraderie and networking among Columbia Law School 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.

Contact: [email protected]

Columbia Law School Public Defender Students

CLS Public Defender Students is a professional development community for students pursuing careers in all areas of public defense, including criminal, immigration, prisoners' rights, and civil defense.PDS hosts info sessions with current students to share information about classes, externships, and summer jobs, and facilitates individual connections between students to discuss experiences at different offices. PDS also brings public defenders to speak with students on campus.

Contact: [email protected]

Columbia Law Students for Palestine

CLSP is a student group working to raise awareness of the legal issues that Palestinians face. CLSP is devoted to promoting a lasting peace in Palestine/Israel that is grounded in international law, self-determination, and respect for the rights of all peoples.

Contact: [email protected]

Columbia Law Students Human Rights Association

Columbia Law Students Human Rights Association (formerly Rightslink) is a student-run human rights organization dedicated to fostering a human rights community within the law school. We provide students with opportunities to engage in human rights advocacy and research, as well as to connect with practitioners and academics around New York. Working closely with the Human Rights Institute, Social Justice Initiatives, and the Human Rights Clinic, the Columbia Law Students Human Rights Association organizes a variety of events, research projects, and trainings on human rights issues throughout the year. 

Contact: [email protected]

Domestic Violence Project (DVP)

The Domestic Violence Project raises awareness about domestic violence and provides legal services to survivors. Under its umbrella are four pro bono initiatives, including the Courtroom Advocates Project, which helps survivors obtain orders of protection against abusive partners; the Uncontested Divorce Workshop, which assists low-income women, who are also victims of domestic violence, obtain divorces from their batterers; the Human Trafficking Intervention Court Project provides immigration screenings to potential victims of trafficking who have been arrested for prostitution-related offenses; and the U-Visa project, which assists undocumented immigrants in abusive relationships in obtaining residency status.

All students with an interest in issues of domestic violence are welcome to join our pro bono initiatives and participate in DVP events.

Contact: [email protected]