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:
| Amanda Dorman | adorman@central.uh.edu | Executive Chair |
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
| Pending | pending | Law Student Representative |
The American Bar Association is the voice of the legal community, offering career-building opportunities, advocating for the profession, and promoting the rule of law worldwide. With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the one of the largest voluntary professional membership organizations in the world. ABA membership gives law students tools and resources to help them succeed in school and beyond. ABA members get access to benefits, perks, and discounts you cannot get anywhere else.
American Constitution Society for Law and Policy
| Justin Vineyard | jvineyar@cougarnet.uh.edu | President |
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:
Asian Law Students Association (ALSA)
| Elizabeth (Lizzy) Do | Etdo2@central.uh.edu | President |
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 Energy Negotiators (AIEN)
| Spencer Duff | shduff@cougarnet.uh.edu | President |
The AIPN Student Club is to raise awareness of and encourage participation in the educational, mentoring, and networking opportunities available through membership in the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators. This organization is a non-profit organization founded in 1981 to enhance the professionalism of cross-border energy negotiators throughout the world. AIPN is now comprised of more than 4,500 members in over 90 countries, representing numerous international oil and gas companies, host governments, law firms, and academic institutions, including the University of Houston Law Center.
The Association of Women in Law (AWIL)
| Rebecca Hill | rjhill2@cougarnet.uh.edu | Co-President |
| Alyssa Craze | amcraze@cougarnet.uh.edu | Co-President |
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)
| Taylor Dougherty | tddaughe@cougarnet.uh.edu | President |
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)
| Emily Landry | ellandry@cougarnet.uh.edu | President |
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.
Clinical & Lawyering Enrichment Organization (CLEO)
| Pablo Lopez | Pslopez2@central.uh.edu | President |
The Clinical and Lawyering Enrichment Organization is an organization dedicated to educate members on the importance of clinical legal education and access to justice, and to provide guidance and information to members who are interested in entrepreneurship. The organization also aims to create a path of communication between UHLC students and clinical faculty and staff regarding relevant topics, interests, and ideas.
Corporate & Taxation Law Society (CTLS)
| Shawn Matthijetz | sdmatthi@central.uh.edu | President |
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.
Criminal Law Association
| Paul Escamilla | pdescami@central.uh.edu | President |
A number of UHLC students go on to practice law in the criminal field or to work for criminal law judges as clerks. The Criminal Law Association will provide a central forum for those students to discuss the issues facing judges and criminal lawyers and how the field as a whole is evolving. The goal of the Criminal Law Association is to promote exploration and discussion about significant topics in criminal law by creating opportunities for UHLC students interested in criminal law by hosting speakers, holding networking events, providing career oriented programs, and engaging in volunteer community service. Criminal Law Association further aims to connect UHLC students from diverse backgrounds who may have contrasting career goals, but share a common interest in criminal law.
Energy and Environmental Law Society (EELS)
| Caroline Drennen | jcdrenne@central.uh.edu | President |
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.
Evening Law Students Association
| Pending | Pending | President |
The purposes of the Evening Law Student Association (ELSA) are: 1) promote and foster development of the members through organizational activities, mentoring of new members, interaction with the Houston legal community and other worthy enterprises: 2) to provide a forum for the membership to discuss current issues; and 3) to provide a mechanism for the evening students of the University of Houston Law Center to formally present their concerns to the Deans, Faculty and Staff.
Federalist Society
| K. Mikel Moore | kmmoore5@central.UH.EDU | President |
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.
First-Generation Law Students (First-Gen)
| Pablo Lopez | Pslopez2@cougarnet.uh.edu | President |
First-Generation students at the University of Houston Law Center are a diverse body of students who are the first in their family to attend law school, or first to attend college altogether. In contrast to their peers, First-Generation law students have little to no guidance throughout school and their careers, and they often come from low-income or working-class backgrounds. As a result, First-Generation law students face a unique set of challenges and inequities inherent to pioneering the legal profession, often finding themselves at a disadvantage due to a lack of a financial safety net, an unfamiliarity with the nuances of law school and legal vocations, an inability to find commonality during social events and interviews, and a lack of mentorship and resources to confront obstacles. With the goal of empowering First-Generation law students to succeed, law students at the University of Houston Law Center have joined to form the student organization First-Generation Law Students. By providing opportunities for mentorship and exposure, this organization aims to equip First-Generation law students with the knowledge, resources, and connections to develop a strong foundation for a successful career in the law.
Health Law Organization (HLO)
| Colleen Pert | cepert@cougarnet.uh.edu | President |
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 that pertain to health law and policy, and participates in community outreach and public service events.
Houston Business and Tax Law Journal
| Adriana Young | Atyoung2@cougarnet.uh.edu | Editor in Chief |
| Luke Bohmfalk | lgbohmfa@cougarnet.uh.edu | Managing Editor |
The Houston Business and Tax Law Journal is a student-edited journal focusing on the areas of taxation, intellectual property law, and a wide variety of business law topic such as antitrust, bankruptcy, corporate law, labor and employment, mergers and acquisitions, and securities. The HBTLJ serves the local and national legal communities through its publications and compliance database. HBTLJ’s goal is to facilitate academic discussion and provide insight to practical application of the law, while providing its members with the opportunity to develop their legal research and writing skills.
Houston Journal of Health Law and Policy
| LaTheena (Bebe) Thomas | Lthomas9@central.uh.edu | Editor in Chief |
| Dana Massett | dnmasset@central.uh.edu | Managing Editor |
The Houston Journal of Health Law and Policy ("HJHL&P") publishes issues devoted to health law and policy topics each year. HJHL&P is operated by student editors and candidates, with the assistance of faculty editor Professor Jessica Mantel, J.D. HJHL&P publishes an annual symposium issue in the spring. Student candidates also write articles, which may be published in HJHL&P's issues. HJHL&P provides members with many networking opportunities with local health law attorneys during the year. Student members are selected from the top thirty-three percent of the class, those who received grades of A or A- in their Legal Research & Writing classes, 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. 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 Journal of International Law
| Dylan Weber | Djweber2@cougarnet.uh.edu | Editor in Chief |
| Rachel Gitomer | ragitome@central.uh.edu | Managing Editor |
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
| Holton Farnum | hbfarnum@central.uh.edu | Editor in Chief |
| Chandler Johnson | Crjohns7@central.uh.edu | Managing Editor |
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.
If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice
| Hanna Niner | hniner@CougarNet.UH.EDU | President |
If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice is a national network of law students and legal professionals who work together because reproductive justice does not just happen. We believe that achieving reproductive justice will take thoughtful action and strategic activism: acknowledging the intersection of identities, collaborating across disciplines, and working toward a critical transformation of the current legal system. Because ensuring that all people have the right to decide if/when/how to create families depends entirely on if, when, and how hard we fight.
Intellectual Property Student Organization (IPSO)
| Laura Strong | lastrong@cougarnet.uh.edu | President |
The Intellectual Property Student Organization is an association students working in conjunction with the Institute for Intellectual Property and Information Law, the greater UHLC community, and the Houston bar to foster the professional development of its membership. IPSO members have opportunities to network with leading Houston attorneys, interact with IPSO alumni, and leverage a wealth of materials and venues designed specifically to help members find employment.
International Law Society (ILS)
| Georgia Bauer | gbauer@Central.UH.EDU | President |
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.
Jewish Legal Society
| Hannah Slider | haslider@CougarNet.UH.EDU | President |
The Jewish Legal Society is the Jewish Law Students Group at the University of Houston Law Center. We bring together Jewish and non-Jewish law students, attorneys, judges, and others for networking and fostering a strong legal community.
Journal of Consumer and Commercial Law
| Libby Spann | lespann@central.uh.edu | Editor in Chief |
| Pablo Lopez | Pslopez2@central.uh.edu | Managing Editor |
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.
Labor & Employment Law Society
| Smith Johnston | stjohnst@central.uh.edu | President |
Labor & Employment Law Society (LELS) is a student-led organization dedicated to helping students who are interested in the field of Labor and Employment Law. LELS provides not only academic support in the way of mentors and an outline bank, but also seeks to enhance the academic experience with lunch meetings, social events and fundraising efforts. The organization will hold informational sessions about the careers in labor and employment law, as well as speaker lunches highlighting a career on both the employer and employee side.
Latinx Law Students Association (LLSA)
| Shelby Velasquez | Smvelas2@central.uh.edu | President |
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.
Muslim Legal Society
| Mohamad Fattouh | msfattou@central.uh.edu | President |
The Muslim Legal Society exists to promote the voices of Muslims in the legal profession and to create a forum for campus-wide discussion of topics related to the local, national, and international Muslim community.
Order of the Barons
| Sarah Smati | slsmati@central.uh.edu | Chief Baron |
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
| Hunter Mitchell | hmitche2@cougarnet.uh.edu | Vice President |
OUTLaw: Students for LGBTQ 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.
Public Interest Law Organization (PILO)
| Hanna Niner | hniner@central.uh.edu | President |
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.
Space Law Society
| Joshua Easterson | jjeaster@central.uh.edu | President |
The Space Law Society is a student organization that promotes knowledge and understanding of all areas of space law and policy. Provides a forum for discussion of the legal and ethical issues, which pertain to space law and policy, and promotes awareness of the opportunities available in space law in the Houston community and at the Law Center.
Sports and Entertainment Law Organization (SELO)
| Jordan Marget | jmarget@central.uh.edu | President |
The Sports and Entertainment Law Organization (SELO) is an organization of students that focus on career prospects and opportunities in the field of Sports Law and Entertainment.
Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
| Allie Soileau | asoileau@central.uh.edu | President |
The Student Animal Legal Defense Fund of the University of Houston Law Center 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 Student Animal Legal Defense Fund of the University of Houston Law Center is equally dedicated to protecting the lives and advancing the interests of animals through the legal system. The activities of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund at the University of Houston Law Center 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.
| Tyler Brewster | tjbrewst@central.uh.edu | President |
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.
Law Center Veterans Association
| Bryce Latray | bclatray@central.uh.edu | President |
The purpose of the Veteran Society is to encourage and provide informed discussion regarding issues of law, primarily focusing on current legal issues affecting the veteran community. The veteran society is not an advocacy organization, and will not take positions as an organization on any issues, instead providing viewpoints from all sides of a given issue. In addition, the Veteran Society will work to enhance students' career opportunities after law school by networking with current and former military members.
