Student Organizations

The University of Houston Law Center extends learning beyond the classroom with a full range of student organizations, extracurricular activities, alumni networking opportunities and interscholastic competitions. Student groups represent special interests and provide important avenues to help law students succeed. Many arrange mentoring programs and match first-year students with second- or third-year students or working professionals. Others coordinate resume-writing workshops, guest speaker forums, preregistration discussions of specific course offerings, or law-related charitable efforts that benefit the community. Student groups recognized by the Law Center include:

The Advocates
Office:713-743-2190
Executive Chair: Sara R. Waller, sbrichey@Central.UH.EDU
Vice Chair, Finance: Jayson C. Booth, jcbooth@Central.UH.EDU
Vice Chair, Public Relations: Jeffrey R.Newberry, jrnewber@Central.UH.EDU

The Advocates is a student-run law school organization that is devoted to developing oral advocacy and improving trial and appellate presentation skills through mock trial and moot court competitions. The Advocates provide students with an opportunity to experience litigation and to develop the advocacy tools used by practicing attorneys.

American Bar Association
Student Representative: Michele C. Stewart, mcstewar@Central.UH.EDU

American Constitution Society for Law and Policy

The American Constitution Society for Law and Policy (ACS) is one of the nation's leading progressive legal organizations. Founded in 2001, ACS is a rapidly growing network of lawyers, law students, scholars, judges, policymakers and other concerned individuals. Our mission is to ensure that fundamental principles of human dignity, individual rights and liberties, genuine equality, and access to justice enjoy their rightful, central place in American law.

ACS aims to revitalize and transform the legal and policy debates occurring in law school classrooms, federal and state courtrooms, legislative hearing rooms and the media. Through student and lawyer chapters all across the country, and programs and projects at both the national and local level, ACS:

• promotes a progressive vision of the Constitution, law and public policy;
• educates lawyers, law students, decision-makers and the public about the historic basis and vitality of such a vision and its importance for the lives of real people;
• strengthens the intellectual underpinnings for progressive law and policy in the United States; and
• continues to build a diverse and dynamic national network.

Asian Law Students Association (ALSA)
Office:713-743-2220
President: Catharine W.Yen, cwyen@Central.UH.EDU

The Asian Law Students Association (ALSA) is an organization of students who share an interest in Asian affairs. The organization shares as a forum for exchanging views concerning the Asian community - both abroad and domestic. Topics of discussion include affirmative action, immigration reform, and available employment opportunities.

Association of International Petroleum Negotiators; (AIPN - UHLC Club)
President: Jasper Mason, jmason@Central.UH.EDU

The AIPN - UHLC Club was established to raise awareness of and encourage participation in the educational, mentoring, and networking opportunities available through membership in AIPN. The Association of International Petroleum Negotiators ("AIPN") is a non-profit organization founded in 1981 to enhance the professionalism of cross border energy negotiators through the world. AIPN is now comprised of more than two-thousand members in over eighty countries, representing numerous international oil and gas companies, host governments, law firms and academic institutions, including the University of Houston Law Center. Members include international and host government oil, gas, and energy companies as well as national and multinational governmental authorities. Energy industry professionals, including lawyers, engineers, senior managers, leading academics, and negotiators actively participate in AIPN because of its emphasis on providing network opportunities and on creating valuable educational programs and tools.

The Association of Women in Law (AWIL)
Office:713-743-2196
President, Rachel Reese   rgreese@Central.UH.EDU

The Association of Women in Law (AWIL) is an organization at the UH Law Center that provides female UHLC students with guidance, support and encouragement during their years in law school. AWIL also gives its members an opportunity to better serve their community and strives to provide a forum for law students to become familiar with women's issues in the legal profession.

Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
Office:713-743-2221
President: Natasha N. Hawkins, nnhawkin@Central.UH.EDU

The Black Law Student Association (BLSA) is the local chapter of the National Black Law Students Association. BLSA fosters and encourages the success of Black law students in law school and the legal community. Seeking to utilize the talents and resources of its members, BLSA promotes and encourages professional competence, community service and meaningful change in the local community.

Christian Legal Society (CLS)
President: Stephen M. Cordes, cmcordes@Central.UH.EDU

This a wholly religious student organization organized to promote the concept of the Christian lawyer and help Christian lawyers integrate their faith with their professional lives. The organization provides a forum for the discussion of problems relating to Christianity and the law, and with bar associations and other organizations in asserting and maintaining high standards of legal ethics.

Corporate & Taxation Law Society (CTLS)
President: Joshua P. Gautreau, jpgautre@Central.UH.EDU

The Corporate & Taxation Law Society is an organization dedicated to promoting the fields of Corporate and Tax law to students of the Law Center. The organization seeks to meet this goal through facilitating informative meetings, providing guidance, and promoting awareness of legal opportunities in the community.

Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity, International Cullen Senate
Co-Dean: Susan D. Pickle, cdpickle@Central.UH.EDU
Co-Dean: Quinncy N. McNeal, qnmcneal@Central.UH.EDU

Cullen Senate of the Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity, International purpose is to promote academic excellence and professional growth, enhance the law school academic experience, and uphold the highest ethical and professional standards of conduct in the study, practice and teaching of the law. Further, this Fraternity shall associate together with the brothers and sisters for fraternal, scholastic and social purposes.

Energy and Environmental Law Society (EELS)
President, Adam Scott, aescott2@Central.UH.EDU

The Energy and Environmental Law Society introduces the burgeoning fields of environmental and energy law to its members, as well as, addressing all aspects of the professions. ELS is active in community service by performing pro bono research and assisting in activities such as the Texas Coastal Cleanup.

The Environmental & Energy Law & Policy Journal
Office: 713-743-3040
Editor in Chief: John M. Schiff, jmschiff@Central.UH.EDU
Managing Editor: Roya R. Saleh, rrsaleh@Central.UH.EDU

The Environmental & Energy Law & Policy Journal's goal is to be the premier interdisciplinary publication dealing with the intersection of environmental and energy law and policy issues. EELPJ will bring together a broad constituency of industry representatives, legal practitioners and academics, and policy makers and regulators. The journal will publish two issues a year. One issue will include feature articles, casenotes and comments. The second will be based around a symposium on topics relevant to the journal's diverse audience. Both publications will include a Recent Developments section that provides brief updates on interesting cases, administrative actions, publications, and events. Because environmental and energy technologies, regulations, and markets can change quickly, the journal will offer a rolling online publication in addition to its biannual print publication.

Family Law Organization
President: Jennifer L. Hopgood, jlhopgoo@Central.UH.EDU

The Family Law Organization seeks to promote legal awareness of the field of family law at the UH Law Center and Houston legal community. We provide an opportunity for students interested in family law to bond, interact, and network. Please join our group on Facebook: "UHLC Family Law Organization."

Federalist Society
President: Troy G. Taylor, tgtaylor@Central.UH.EDU

The Federalist Society is a group of conservatives and libertarians interested in the current state of legal order. The Society seeks to promote an awareness of the principles that the state exists to preserve freedom, that the separation of 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.

Health Law Organization (HLO)
President: Erin K. Ferris, ekferris@Central.UH.EDU

The Health Law Organization (HLO) is an organization for students who share an interest in legal issues related to health and the health care industry. HLO provides a forum for discussion of the legal, medical and ethical issues which pertain to health law and policy, and participates in community outreach and public service events.

Hispanic Law Students Association (HLSA)
Office:713-743-2219
President: Amy R. Tellez, artellez@Central.UH.EDU

The Hispanic Law Students Association (HLSA) is an organization dedicated to promoting a more successful representation of Hispanics in the legal profession and community as a whole. The organization strives to meet these goals through facilitating Hispanic students transition into Law School, providing guidance and fostering social awareness in the community.

The Honor Court
Student Chair, Robin Lowe   rmlowe@Central.UH.EDU

The Honor Court is a student organization created to adjudicate violations of the Law Center's Honor Code, to educate students about the Honor Code, and to promote ethics in the Law Center's aspiring lawyers. The Honor Court provides students with the opportunity to make ethics a part of their everyday lives, and to use trial advocacy and evidentiary skills in a real proceeding.

Houston Business and Tax Law Journal
Office:713-743-0922
Editor in Chief: Brian Surratt. besurrat@Central.UH.EDU
Managing Editor: Grace W. Wu, gwwu@Central.UH.EDU

The Houston Business and Tax Law Journal ("HBTLJ") is a scholarly journal managed and distributed by students at the University of Houston Law Center. The Journal serves the scholarly interests of students, academics, and professionals within the legal community. HBTLJ is a medium for thought provoking academic discussions and practical application insights in the following areas of law: Corporate, Securities, Bankruptcy, Antitrust, Intellectual Property, Employment, Labor, Mergers/Acquisitions, and Tax.

Houston Journal of Health Law and Policy
Office:713-743-0768
Editor in Chief: Stephen Robinson, smrobins@Central.UH.Edu
Managing Editor: Nathan K. Morgan, nkmorgan@Central.UH.EDU

The Houston Journal of Health Law and Policy ("HJHL&P") publishes two issues devoted to health law and policy topics each year. HJHL&P is operated by student editors and candidates, with the assistance of faculty editors Professor Richard Saver, J.D. and Professor Barbara Evans, Ph.D., J.D., L.L.M. HJHL&P publishes an issue devoted to general health law topics in the fall and an annual symposium issue in the spring. HJHL&P uses an anonymous peer review process for the selection of professional articles; the peer reviewers are nationally recognized legal and medical experts from across the country. Student candidates also write articles, which may be published in HJHL&P's fall issue. HJHL&P provides members with many networking opportunities with local health law attorneys during the year. Student members are selected from the top twenty-percent of the class and through the Law Center's annual write-on competition. Members typically have either a background in health care or a strong interest in the field.

Houston Journal of International Law (HJIL)
Office:713-743-2212
Editor in Chief: Kimberly C. Gordy, kcgordy@Central.UH.EDU
Managing Editor: Cyril V. Jones, cvjones@Central.UH.EDU

The Houston Journal of International Law is a scholarly legal journal that is published three times annually. Each issue includes articles by leading legal scholars, book reviews by both scholars and legal practitioners, and student- written case notes and comments on topics of international legal significance.

Houston Law Review
Office:713-743-2247
Editor in Chief: Matthew F. Salo, mfsalo@Central.UH.EDU
Managing Editor: Matthew B. Allen, mballen@Central.UH.EDU

The Houston Law Review is a student organization that publishes quarterly issues annually, in addition to a symposium issue each spring. The Houston Law Review contains articles on current legal issues written by academicians, judges, practicing attorneys, and other legal scholars, as well as selected Law Review students. The Review serves the local and national legal communities through its publications, but also provides its members with an opportunity to perfect their research, writing, and organizational skills.

Houston Young Lawyers Association (HYLA)
Student Representative, Cynthia Mabry  ccmay2@Central.UH.EDU
HYLA (Houston Young Lawyers Association) is a specialty bar association which offers an associate membership for law students. HYLA is a fun, diverse organization that gives its membership an opportunity to serve the community, socialize, network, and enjoy recreational activities. HYLA is a great way to meet people in the Houston law community, to make friends and to be leaders.

Intellectual Property Student Organization (IPSO)
President: Christopher P. McKeon, cpmckeon@Central.UH.EDU

The Intellectual Property Student Organization is an association of Law Center students dedicated to helping its membership enhance their professional development in conjunction with the Law Center’s Institute for Intellectual Property and Information Law (IPIL), the greater Law Center community, and the Houston bar. IPSO members have opportunities for networking with leading Houston attorneys who are involved in both litigation and transactions for IP & IL, both at IPSO-organized presentations at the Law Center, and at various other events. IPSO also: facilitates student involvement in various local and national competitions such as moot court opportunities in IP & IL; develops materials and venues to assist its members with their employment search; maintains an active IPSO alumni outreach through the IPSO membership web site; provides mentoring to incoming Law Center students with an engineering, science or technical background in order to allow such students to leverage their strengths in the academic matters of law school while avoiding the pitfalls often encountered by such students; and, through the IPSO Officers, maintains a collaborative relationship with the Law Center IPIL faculty.

International Law Society (ILS)
President: Robert J. Olmstead, rjolmste@Central.UH.EDU

The International Law Society is an organization of students sharing an interest in international law and affairs. ILS endeavors to integrate students into this increasingly vital area of law by providing a forum for domestic and foreign students, practitioners, and academics to exchange ideas and opportunities in international law.

Journal of Consumer & Commercial Law
Office:713-743-5701
Editor in Chief: Erin E. Stanley, eestanle@Central.UH.EDU

Journal of Consumer & Commercial Law is one of the few publications in the country devoted to issues related to consumer law. The Journal has been in existence for more than twenty years and is published four times a year. It is the official publication of the Consumer Law Section of the State Bar and is distributed to more than 2000 lawyers, judges, and law professors. Membership is open to any student following the completion of the first year of law school.

J. Reuben Clark Law Society
President, David J. Griffin   djgriff3@Central.UH.EDU

The Law Society is guided by the philosophy, personal example, and values of its namesake, J. Reuben Clark, Jr. Those values include: (1) public service; (2) loyalty to the rule of law; and (3) appreciation for the religious dimension in society and in a lawyer’s personal life. We affirm the strength brought to the law by a lawyer's personal religious conviction. We strive through public service and professional excellence to promote fairness and virtue founded upon the rule of law.

Lex Judaica
President: Benjamin H. Rose, bhrose@Central.UH.EDU

Lex Judaica is the Law Center branch of Hillel, Jewish students' organization.  The organization's goal is to outreach and educate the community about the Houston Jewish life.

Law-Horns at the University of Houston Law Center
President: Carina L. Sahni, clsahni@Central.UH.EDU

The purpose of the this organization is to promote unity among former students of the University of Texas at Austin who attend the University of Houston Law Center, and to develop contacts with other alumni of the University of Texas involved in the field of Law. The organization intends to meet this goal through social events, fundraising, community service, networking opportunities and informational meetings.

Military Law Society
President: Andrew J. Cobos, ajcobos@Central.UH.EDU

The purpose of the Military Law Society is to encourage and provide informed discussion regarding issues of military law, primarily focusing on current legal issues affecting the military. The Military Law Society is not an advocacy organization, and will not take positions on any issues, instead providing viewpoints from all sides of a given issue. In addition, the Military Law Society will work to enhance students' career opportunities after law school by networking with current and former members of the military, whether Judge Advocate General or otherwise, assisting students with internships in positions related to military law, and educating students regarding the benefits arising from military service.

Muslim Law Students Association (MLSA)
President: Zehra Reza, zreza@Central.UH.EDU

Muslim Law Students Association's purpose is to serve the social, spiritual, and intellectual needs of the Muslim students at UHLC. MLSA intends to provide a needed forum open to all students and faculty designed to encourage free dialogue and debate on issues relating to Islamic law, society, and politics concerning the U.S. and the Muslim world. MLSA seeks to encourage understanding and harmony between people of all faiths.

Order of The Barons
Chief Baron: Ethan G. Gibson, eggibson@Central.UH.EDU

The Order of the Barons is the student-run scholastic honor society of the University of Houston Law Center. The purpose of The Order of the Barons is to recognize outstanding students who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in their law studies.

OutLaw: Students for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Concerns
President   Cheryl Lovelady  calovela@central.uh.edu

OutLaw: Students for GLBT Concerns is an organization devoted to the issues of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender students at the law school. All students are welcome to join regardless of sexual orientation.

Phi Alpha Delta ( PAD)

Phi Alpha Delta (PAD) is an international organization that encourages student leaders to discover and develop important skills as leadership, public speaking, public relations, etc. PAD provides its members with support through educational aids, professional programs, job preparation, networking, scholarships and loans, and law-related education.

Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity - Hutcheson Inn
Magister,   Hillary Valderrama  bkvalder@Central.UH.EDU

Phi Delta Phi is an international legal fraternity established to promote a higher standard of legal ethics. Phi Delta Phi is an honor fraternity that offers camaraderie. networking, good fellowship, and promotion of the highest standard of professional and personal ethics. Tangible benefits include scholarships, loans, and regional and international meetings and conventions.

Public Interest Law Organization (PILO, formerly Equal Justice Coalition)
President: Hugh A. Daniel, hadaniel@Central.UH.EDU

The Public Interest Law Organization provides support to students who choose to pursue a career in public interest law or want to make service a large part of their private practice. PILO administers a voluntary pro bono program recognized by the Dean, funds as many grants as possible to financially support students who work in the public interest during the summer, and provides information on possible job opportunities to the students.

Sports and Entertainment Law Organization (SELO)
President, Tiffany Thomas  tnthomas@central.uh.edu  

The Sports and Entertainment Law Student Organization is an organization of students that focus on career prospects and opportunities in the field of Sports Law and Entertainment.

State Bar of Texas
Sr. Student Representative, Brian Surratt  besurratt@Cemtral.UH.EDU
Jr. Student Representative, Jameson Watts  ijwatts@Central.UH.EDu

Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
President, Erica Rose ehrose@Central.UH.EDU

The Student Animal Legal Defense Fund ("SALDF") is dedicated to providing a forum for education, advocacy, and scholarship aimed at protecting the lives and advancing the interest of animals through the legal system, and raising the profile of the field of animal law. The SALDF is dedicated to the goals of educating the law school and surrounding community about forms of institutionalized animal abuse, and engaging in projects that combat that abuse. The SALDF is equally dedicated to protecting the lives and advancing the interests of animals through the legal system. The activities of the SALDF shall include, but not be limited to: hosting speakers, debates, and conferences on current issues in animal rights and animal welfare law; carrying out research projects for lawyers and organizations promoting animal welfare and animal rights litigation; networking with students at other law schools, colleges, universities, and high schools; conducting educational events such as information tables and video screenings on pertinent issues; and advocating on behalf of vegetarian/vegan students within our law school.

The Student Bar Association (SBA)
Office: 713-743-5807
Bookswap: 713-743-7441
Student Organizations Suite: 713-743-9333
President: Maegan C. Martin, mmcarr@Central.UH.EDU
Vice President: Michael E. Streich, mestreic@Central.UH.EDU

The Student Bar Association (SBA) is the students' organization at the Law Center. SBA represents the needs and concerns of the student body to faculty and UHLC administration, represents UHLC in the local and national law communities, serves as the umbrella organization of all other UHLC student groups, and sponsors a variety of social and networking events throughout the school year. The SBA also runs Bookswap as a student service. You can find the most up-to-date Bookswap hours and SBA news by visiting the SBA web page, updated daily.

Texas Aggie Law Students Association (AgLaw)

The Texas Aggie Law Students Association promotes the unity of Former Students of Texas A&M University who attend UHLC. The organization intends to meet this goal through social events, fundraising, community service, networking opprotunities, and informational meetings.