Student Bar Association University of Kentucky College of Law

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AT UK LAW

Student Bar Association (SBA)

President: Anna Girard, 3L

The Student Bar Association is a group whose membership includes everyone in the student body!  Like a student government for law school, this organization not only provides fun and social outlets for relaxation and networking, but also a forum to have your needs and concerns addressed as members of the UK Law Community.  The Student Bar Association plans major events like the annual Halloween Party, tailgates for each home football game, and The Barristers’ Ball, and maintains an office on the first floor where you can satisfy your snacking needs as well as get information about events and activities all around the school.  The $150 dues you paid at Orientation goes toward all three years of involvement in the organization, providing you with countless opportunities to take a much needed break from schoolwork, strengthen your relationships with your classmates, and give back to the community.  SBA also gives you your first leadership opportunity in the law school setting: Look for 1L Representative Elections to be held in September!

American Constitution Society (ACS)

President: Dan Hancock, 2L
Advisor: Professor Nicole Huberfeld

The American Constitution Society for Law and Policy (ACS) promotes the vitality of the U.S. Constitution and the fundamental values it expresses: individual rights and liberties, genuine equality, access to justice, democracy and the rule of law. The American Constitution Society embraces the progress our nation has made toward full embodiment of the Constitution’s core values. ACS believes that law can and should be a force for improving the lives of all people. We are revitalizing and transforming legal and policy debates in classrooms, courtrooms, legislatures and the media, and we are building a diverse and dynamic network of progressives committed to justice. Through these efforts, ACS will ensure that the institutions of American law reflect the highest values of our nation and serve the needs of its people.

Asian and Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA)

President: Vanita Seetharaman, 3L

Advisor: Professor Louise Graham

The mission of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA) is: To promote and support the legal education of Asian Pacific American law students; To provide a forum to discuss legal issues that affect Asian Pacific American law students, the legal profession, and the community at large; To develop a supportive network among Asian Pacifica American law students, the legal profession, and the community at large.

Black Law Students Association (BLSA)

President: Frances Jordan, 2L

Advisor: Professor Andrea Dennis

UK Law Black Law Students Association is non-profit organization under the umbrella of the National Black Law Students Association. The goals of the organization are to promote and assist the needs and goals of UK law students; strengthen relationships to develop an effective network of professionals; foster commitment and dedication to serve our community and the society with the highest level of competence and care. Other goals include having social events to quench the thirst for fun in between the difficult times at law school.

Christian Legal Society

Contact: Mattea VanZee, 2L

Advisor: Professor Paul Salamanca

The Christian Legal Society's mission is to encourage Christian law students by providing resources to foster spiritual growth, offer outreach to our community, and to offer insight into the integration of faith and the profession of law. Our group meets once a week to have a time of community bible study and a time of prayer. In addition, the group offers service activities throughout the year including food drives for local schools and designated driving for the annual law school Halloween party.  All denominations are encouraged to attend and participate!

Defense Research Institute: The Voice of the Defense Bar (DRI)

President: Sarah Sheeran, 2L

Advisor: Professor Scott Bauries

Congress has elected to use the private suit, private attorney-general as an enforcing mechanism for the antitrust laws, the securities laws, environmental laws, civil rights and more.” Patrick Higginbotham, Foreword, 49 Ala. L. Rev. 1, 4-5 (1997). Civil litigation is more than determining who is liable in lawsuits over hot coffee spilled in someone's lap. In our adversarial legal system, it is the job of the Civil Defense Litigator to see that the facts are illuminated from all angles and to make certain that all alternatives are considered by the
parties. The presence of a defense attorney requires claimants to fully support their claims and assure that the burden of the carelessness is not unduly hoisted upon the diligent. Defense is a role that is vital to the function of the courts, and DRI seeks to provide information and communication to support civil defense attorneys as well as the organization and direction necessary to improve the civil litigation system itself.

Environmental Law Society

President: 2009-2010 Officers Not Yet Elected

Advisor: Professor Michael Healy

Environmental Law Society is a non-partisan organization directed and staffed by students at UK Law. We strive to provide our members with hands-on exposure to the numerous issues of law, as well as policy, in the field of environmental law.  This year, we hope to sponsor guest lectures from leaders of Environmental Law in Kentucky, a recreational trip to one beautiful natural sites around the Bluegrass, and community service activities to promote environmental conservation in Lexington.  ELS is coming back from a one-year hiatus and we are gladly welcoming new members and ideas! Check out our bulletin board for meetings and events!

Equine Law Society

President: Alex Ziegler, 2L

Advisor: Professor Roberta Harding

The Equine Law Society of the University of Kentucky College of Law seeks to familiarize students with the legal and political issues facing the horse industry.  The Society hosts events and speakers relevant to the equine community and intends to facilitate relationships between students and equine professionals.  Members of the Society are encouraged to discuss equine issues and involve themselves with the many opportunities in Kentucky’s signature industry.

Federalist Society

President: David Newton, 3L

Advisor: Professor Paul Salamanca

The Federalist Society is a non-partisan conservative/ libertarian organization dedicated to fostering balanced and open debate about the fundamental principles of freedom, federalism, and judicial restraint.  The Federalist Society seeks to educate the legal community through its programs and publications about how limited constitutional government based on the rule of law can have a positive effect on law and public policy.

Health Law Society

President: Todd Allen, 3L

Advisor: Professor Nicole Huberfeld

The purpose of the Health Law Society is to facilitate the desire of students with a common interest in Health Care Law to come together to share information, collaborate ideas, and discuss current trends in the field of Health Care Law.

Intellectual Property Society

President: Dan Hancock, 2L

Advisor:  Professor Harold Weinberg

The Intellectual Property Law Society aims to serve two purposes at UK Law. First, it serves as a springboard for law students looking for careers in intellectual property law, by providing connections to practicing attorneys and job opportunities.  Second, it serves as a forum for students, whether or not they have had the opportunity to take intellectual property classes, to discuss the various issues in the field, and learn about them with help and guidance from others, who bring their own experiences to the table beyond classroom instruction.  Further, the IP Law Society aims to provide specific support to patent law students as they prepare for the Patent Law Exam.  The IP Law Society is being rebuilt from the ground up for the 2009-2010 school year - by joining now, you'll be able to help shape its direction for the coming years and take the greatest benefit from being involved from the beginning.

International Law Society

President: 2009-2010 Officers Not Yet Elected

Advisor: Professor Mark Kightlinger

The International Law Society is a group of students interested in legal practice outside the borders and territories of the United States.  The International Law Society provides resources for internships and jobs as well as opportunities to network and learn more about international law through guest speakers and programs in international law and foreign affairs.

Latino/a Law Student Association (LLSA)

President: Mark Flores, 3L

Advisor: Professor Louise Graham

The University of Kentucky Latino(a) Law Students Association promotes and encourages a more diverse learning environment at the University of Kentucky College of Law. As a member of the National Latino(a) Law Students Association, the UKLLSA also provides support for all students, especially those of Latin descent. This includes encouraging participation in national organizations such as the National Latino(a) Law Students Association and the Hispanic National Bar Association as well as attendance at conferences across the nation. The  UKLLSA will continue to strive to encourage other Latino(a) students at all levels of education as they continue their journey to law school and beyond.

Legal Running Club

President: Dave Burnstein, 3L

Advisor:

The Legal Running Club are students who enjoy exercise and avoiding sedentary law school life!  The LRC meets regularly to enjoy runs of various distances.  Occasionally, LRC members will prepare for and enter a race together!

Moot Court Board

President: Kyle Wiete, 3L

Advisor: Professor Paul Salamanca

The objective of the Moot Court Board is to develop the legal writing and oral advocacy skills of its members.  This objective is accomplished through a series of competitions.  First, during the fall semester of their second year, students compete to become members of the Moot Court Board.  Every second year student who wishes to compete will be given a prompt to guide them in writing an appellate brief and making oral arguments in front of a three-judge panel.  Students earn one credit hour just for making a good faith effort in this competition, whether or not they make it onto the Board.  Second, in the spring semester, the new Moot Court Board members participate in another similar competition.  The purpose of this second competition is to select a new National Team.  Every year the Moot Court Board sends its National Team (selected the previous year) to a national Moot Court competition.  All students who make it onto the Board, whether or not on the National Team, earn another two credit hours for their participation in the Moot Court Board.  Moot Court Board members in their third year assist the legal writing clubs in their oral arguments.  They also help organize and grade the annual competitions.  Overall, participation in the Moot Court Board is an excellent opportunity to hone important legal skills and to be a part of a great student organization!

OutLaw

President: Peter Stephan, 2L

Advisor: Professor Mark Kightlinger

OUTLaw's primary mission is to provide a safe and supportive environment for LGBT students at UK Law while educating the university community about LGBT issues in the law. To both of those ends, OUTLaw has, in the past, held forums, debates, and meetings to foster an inclusive and accepting community for LGBT students and their allies. This year OUTLaw seeks to establish a Safe Space program to create a visible reminder of all community members that support LGBT students. OUTLaw will also plan events that raise awareness about LGBT legal issues, from 'don't ask, don't tell' to gay marriage, to navigating the health care system. Everyone is encouraged to join because even if you are not LGBT, in the future one of your clients will be.

Phi Alpha Delta

President: Emma Vaughan-Cherubin, 2L

Advisor: Professor Richard Underwood

Phi Alpha Delta is a professional law fraternity and the only legal fraternity at the University of Kentucky College of Law.  Famous past and present members of this international organization include 6 presidents and 6 Supreme Court justices, as well as many senators and congressmen.  In addition to belonging to the international professional network, the Clay Chapter (UK) sponsors a number of events and speakers throughout the year.  These events include social gatherings, service projects, and speaker luncheons with legal professionals.  Recent guest speakers include Chief Justice John Minton and Justice Mary Noble, both sitting on the Kentucky Supreme Court.  As a member of P.A.D., you will become part of this service-minded social organization dedicated to professional achievement.

Student Animal Legal Defense Fund

Presidents: David Hicks, 3L, and Addison Schreck, 2L

Advisor: Professor Roberta Harding

The UK College of Law SALDF is dedicated to providing a forum for education, advocacy, and scholarship aimed at protecting the lives and advancing the interests of animals through the legal system, and raising the profile of the field of animal law. In addition the UK College of Law SALDF dedicates a portion of its time and resources to developing responsible practices in the local horse racing community and equine law at large.

Student Public Interest Foundation (SPILF)

President: Chrissi Foster, 3L

Advisor: Dean Susan Steele

SPILF is a student organization dedicated to public interest work.  Public interest areas include government, criminal, immigration, human rights, consumer protection, child advocacy and many more. Our goals are to promote awareness of public interest law, raise funds for summer public interest clerkships, and serve our community. This year we will be involved in various fundraisers to raise money for the summer grant. We will also host a speaker series of attorneys in various public interest fields, plus public service projects, host the Malpractice Mixer, and elect a 1L representative to SPILF!  Please watch for a flyer in your mailbox with our first meeting date. And remember – there are NO DUES! Join us on FACEBOOK.

Trial Advocacy Board (TAB)

President: Tommy Juanso, 3L

Advisor: Professor Allison Connelly

The Trial Advocacy Board (TAB) is a highly selective, student-led organization dedicated to developing effective, practical trial advocacy skills. TAB members compete in state, regional, and national competitions against other law students in mock trials. TAB teams consistently place among the best teams in the nation.

Women's Law Caucus

President: Carrie Bass, 2L

Advisor:  Professor Melynda Price

The UK Women's Law Caucus welcomes all members, male, female, or otherwise, who are interested in issues relating to women in the field of law, past, present, and future. Activities throughout the year will include monthly meetings, speakers from the law school and the general field of law, fundraising events, social events, and monthly newsletters.

JOURNALS

First Year Law Students have the opportunity to become a staff member of one

of the two law journals through a write-on competition held in May 2010 after the completion of the first year writing and research curriculum.

Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Law (KJEANRL)

Editor-in-Chief: Bill Brammell, 3L

Advisor: Professor Mark Kightlinger

The Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture and Natural Resources Law is the only Equine Law Journal in the United States.  We are a multi-disciplinary publication with a focus on the legal, policy, and ethical issues in the fields of equine, agriculture and natural resources.  The Journal’s scope has global appeal and, at the same time, addresses issues that define Kentucky’s identity and economy.  The Journal’s goal is to be the chief source of scholarly information for academics and practitioners in each respective field.  This student-edited journal is published twice annually and provides a forum for practitioners, academics, policy- makers, and other professionals throughout the United States and abroad.

Kentucky Law Journal (KLJ)

Editor-in-Chief: Lesley Stout, 3L

Advisor: Professor Nicole Huberfeld

The Kentucky Law Journal (KLJ) is the tenth oldest law review published by the nation's law schools. Publication has been continuous since 1913. Four issues are published annually by the University of Kentucky College of Law. KLJ is edited by a student editorial board, with guidance from a faculty advisor. Each issue contains articles written by prominent national scholars and notes written by KLJ members that encompass a broad range of legal topics.  KLJ's primary commitment is to publish scholarly articles of interest to the legal community. In this pursuit, KLJ strives to serve as an integral element in the process of education at the College of Law by providing staff members with legal research, writing, and editing experience and training. KLJ aspires to afford students an opportunity for collaboration and, by publishing student works, KLJ functions as a forum for student ideas and activism. Beyond the College of Law, KLJ serves the legal and academic community as a medium for the publication of original scholarship and as an arena for vigorous debate about the law.