Mizzou Law hosts nearly two dozen student organizations and affinity groups to help students connect with their peers personally, professionally and academically.
How can I start a new student organization?
- To start an official student organization, you should follow the process in the MU Student Resource Group. Once you have completed the process outlined there, you should contact the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs regarding: including a description of your organization in the Law School’s website and obtaining an email account for your organization.
How are student organizations funded?
- The Student Bar Association is funded by a fee that all law students pay their first year of law school. All other student organizations are self-funded through the collection of membership dues or other fund-raising activities. At times, SBA provides financial support to other organizations.
When can we schedule an event? How is the “free hour” used?
- Mondays and Wednesdays are reserved for student events. Faculty members can schedule review classes during the free hour on those days only under truly extraordinary circumstances.
- Events related to Career Services are also scheduled primarily on Mondays and Wednesdays. After the fourth week of the semester, Career Services may schedule events on any day of the week.
- Tuesdays and Thursdays are reserved for faculty events. Student groups can schedule events on these days reserved for make-up classes only in truly extraordinary circumstances (after approval from the Associate Dean).
- Student and faculty events (including make-up classes) can be scheduled at the end of the day following completion of all classes for that day.
How do we schedule a room?
- To reserve a classroom for events sponsored by student organizations, please come to room 203 or room 227. They can help determine a time and place suitable for your event.
How do I get access to an organization office or classroom?
If you need to get into a student organization office or a classroom, the following offices will be happy to unlock the door for you:
- 103 (Admissions and/or Career Development)
- 203 (Law Administration)
- 226 (Law Library Administration)
If you wish to gain access to the large storage room, please stop by the Law Library Administration office (room 226) where an individual key is available for the large storage room located on the outer desk. Bring the key back and place it on the desk (where you picked it up) once you are done using the key.
If you need access to a study room, please come see Laura Wilcoxon in 122B in the library.
You are only able to pick up the key during regular business hours: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm.
How can we be assigned bulletin board space?
If your organization is interested in using one of the bulletin board spaces available in the building, please contact Tracy Jones, 882-9679.
Where can student organizations post signs?
- Posters, signs, announcements or notices of any kind are prohibited on the brickwork, pillars, walls, classroom and restroom doors in the building.
- Students and groups may place notices on the student bulletin boards or student office areas.
- Temporary, small (8 ½” x 11”), important notices may be placed on the middle entrance doors – but no sooner than two days in advance of an event. All permitted signs must be removed immediately after the event.
- Do not use duct tape, masking tape or packing tape to post these notices.
- Removable tape is the only type of approved tape. Room 103 and 203 have removable tape available for posting.
Who can I contact to handle building issues?
Tracy Jones, 882-9679, is the building coordinator, and in that capacity is available to address any issues regarding building maintenance.
Student Bar Association
The Student Bar Association (SBA) is the governing student organization of Mizzou Law. As elected representatives, we are the advocates for the student body. We serve to represent student interests and concerns in both academic and professional life. Student representatives sit on all law school committees to ensure students opinions are voiced when formulating curriculum and policy. SBA hosts a variety of social events throughout the school year to enhance school comradery. We are here to encourage and support academic excellence and foster professional growth for the students of Mizzou Law.
Board of Advocates
The Board of Advocates (BOA) is a student run organization at the University of Missouri School of Law that provides law students with opportunities to enhance their public speaking and writing skills through practical experience in a variety of advocacy based competitions. The competitions also challenge law students to apply classroom theory and problem solving skills to real world situations.
Women’s Law Association
The Women’s Law Association (WLA) is one of the largest and most active organizations at the law school. The purpose of WLA is to serve the professional, academic, and social needs of the law school’s women and men, as well as the needs of women in the community. WLA serves these functions through networking events, speaker series, mentorships between members, and social events. WLA also supports women’s and children’s charities through an Annual Charity Auction.
OUTLaw
OUTLaw is the LGBT+ and Ally organization at the University of Missouri School of Law. Our objective is threefold: to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/gender nonconforming, and allied law students at the University of Missouri by encouraging personal and academic development; to educate the law school community by providing opportunities to increase awareness and understanding of the LGBT+ community and the legal issues that affect it; and to build and maintain relationships with LGBT+ members and LGBT+ sensitive employers by providing a network for students seeking employment in an open environment and for employers seeking a diverse workplace. Membership is open to all law students, regardless of sexual orientation or identity.
Black Law Students Association
The School of Law’s chapter of the Black Law Students Association was founded in 1971. BLSA’s primary purpose is to deal with the special concerns of Black law students and lawyers. The Association acquaints students with the professional opportunities, problems and responsibilities they will have as practicing members of the Bar.
BLSA encourages full participation of all students in the activities of the School of Law and the University. It also attempts to foster closer contact with present members of the legal profession. Each year, BLSA coordinates many activities, including hosting its annual scholarship banquet, volunteering with local charities, connecting law students with lawyers, and mentoring high school students.
American Constitution Society for Law and Policy
Our chapter’s activities include: networking events with local, progressive attorneys; inviting speakers to present contemporary legal issues from a variety of perspectives; and hosting social events for students and faculty.
Everyone is invited to find out more about the networking opportunities created by involvement in the American Constitution Society.
Tax & Transactional Law Society
The Tax and Transactional Law Society is dedicated to educating its members about the current legal issues and career opportunities in all areas of transactional law, including tax, estate planning, real estate, and corporate law. We provide resources for members to learn more about these areas through speakers, site visits, intra- and inter-school transactional competitions, and pro bono opportunities.
Phi Alpha Delta
Phi Alpha Delta (PAD) Law Fraternity, International is the world’s largest legal fraternity. It is composed of pre-law students, law students, legal educators, attorneys, judges, and government officials. PAD was founded in 1902 and the Lawson Chapter at University of Missouri-Columbia was founded in 1909. The Lawson Chapter fulfills organizes various activities and events throughout the school year and members receive exclusive access to the PAD outline bank specifically created for Mizzou Law professors and updated each semester.
Missouri Law Veterans Society
The Missouri Law Veterans Society (MLVS) is open to all students. The group was started to:
- participate in the Veterans Law Appellate Advocacy Competition, held in Washington, D.C.
- be involved in introducing veterans law to law students by inviting speakers on the subject; and
- reach out to the law student community, gathering information of particular interest to them (particularly internship and clerkship opportunities) and making that information available.
You DO NOT have to be a veteran to join. Veterans law gives students a unique opportunity to participate in pro bono work and appellate advocacy early in their careers.
Hispanic Law Student Association
In 2001, the Hispanic Law Students Association (HLSA) was established to offer Mizzou students a forum to discuss issues relevant to the Hispanic community. HLSA sponsors academic discussions and social occasions, focusing on international law, immigration law, the Spanish language, and society’s demographic shifts.
Health Law Society
The purpose of the University of Missouri’s Health Law Society is to increase knowledge and understanding of the many aspects of the healthcare field, to create opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in areas where Healthcare, Law, and Policy intersect, and to positively impact current and future healthcare professionals, attorneys, and legislators for the public good.
The Federalist Society
The Mizzou Law Federalist Society is a group of conservative, libertarian, and moderate free-thinkers who refuse to be bound by the narrow scope of the academic paradigm. American society was founded on the principles and beliefs that the separation of governmental power is central to the Constitution and nation of people it protects. The Mizzou Law Federalist Society believes, above all, in fostering an open and honest dialogue to further political discourse by placing a premium on individual liberty, traditional values, and the rule of law.
Christian Legal Society
The MU Christian Legal Society is a group of law students organized to provide a means of exploring faith in Jesus Christ in the practice of law. The students’ primary purpose is to encourage one another in faith and love as they face the challenges of law school and preparation for the profession. CLS’ primary activity is a weekly bible study, which becomes a forum for the discussion of issues relating to Christianity and the law. It tries to help students continue to live out their faith, provide a forum for prayer and to encourage them to delve into God’s word regularly. Other activities have included prayer breakfasts, social gatherings, meetings with Christian attorneys and volunteer opportunities. All law students are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Association of Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law
AIPEL was created to promote awareness of the areas of intellectual property (patents, trademarks, copyrights, etc.) and entertainment law. Both areas are growing rapidly and are closely related to cyber law, music law, digital rights, e-commerce and software law. AIPEL’s goal is to provide information, connections, and opportunities to empower students with knowledge about the legal rights and restrictions associated with these areas. As the digital world creates new challenges for protecting intellectual property, the members of AIPEL aim to be a resource for individuals and organizations seeking protection for the sciences and useful arts.
American Bar Association – Law Student Division
All law students are eligible for membership in the Law Student Division of the American Bar Association. This organization offers an opportunity for students to become more acquainted with both the organized Bar and students from other law schools. Membership is free, which includes subscriptions to the Student Lawyer and the ABA Journal, discounts on bar review materials, special automobile rental discounts and an opportunity to purchase inexpensive health, accident and life insurance.
Tim Heinsz 5k & 10k, Jim Devine Dog Walk & Bob Bailey Bike Ride
Organized by students, the Annual Tim Heinsz 5K, 10K & Jim Devine Dog Walk & Bob Bailey Bike Ride takes place every April and honors the memory and service of three of Mizzou Law’s most beloved deans. Tim Heinsz served as dean of Mizzou Law and was an avid runner. Jim Devine served as associate dean of the school and was a noted dog lover. Bob Bailey is a retired long-time assistant dean and avid cyclist. Proceeds benefit the Timothy J. Heinsz Scholarship Fund.