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A bid for attention: A student participates in the annual BLSPI (Brooklyn Law Students for the Public Interest) auction. |
 he diversity and civic-mindedness of our student body is evidenced by the number and variety of thriving student-run organizations. Despite the rigorous demands of the study of law, BLS students find the time to participate in these organizations, which offer opportunities for professional advancement, personal enhancement, philanthropic works and networking – or simply a change of pace from course work.
Getting involved in an organization is a great way to meet students of similar cultural backgrounds or philosophical beliefs. It’s also an effective means to connect with alumni and members of the legal community, and to participate in activities that broaden knowledge of specific areas of the law.
Student Bar Association
Contact: Joseph Goljan, President
Email: sba@brooklaw.edu; joseph.goljan@brooklaw.edu
The SBA is the umbrella student organization that controls the budget for all other student organizations, and appoints students to various faculty-student committees, including the Clinical and Curriculum Committees. The SBA plans parties and other social activities, supervises class functions, and serves as the student voice to the faculty and administration. All students are members of the SBA, and each class elects representatives. The Delegate Assembly of the SBA is comprised of all the class representatives. SBA Homepage;
Student Bar Association Executive Board 2007-2008
The All BLS Tennis and Racquet Sports Club
Contact: Samuel Lo, President
Email: samuel.lo@brooklaw.edu
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Contact: Cynthia Stallard & Shayna Kesslev, Co-Chairs
Email: cynthia.stallard@brooklaw.edu; shayna.kesslev@brooklaw.edu
The American Civil Liberties Union chapter of Brooklyn Law School was started in the Fall of 2002. This organization is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the principles and values embodied in the Bill of Rights, the U.S. Constitution, and the New York State Constitution. The ACLU mission has been to defend the fundamental civil liberties, values of freedom of speech, equal protection and due process of the law. BLSACLU has initiated various projects and will continue to hold lectures, debates, community outreach (voter registration drives, etc), as well as other meaningful events. BLS ACLU Homepage
American Constitution Society
Contact: Victoria Levin, President
Email: victoria.levin@brooklaw.edu
The American Constitution Society for Law and Order was organized as a student group in 1999 to counter what it believed to be the conservative and dominant vision of contemporary American law. It has grown to over 50 active chapters nationwide with another 50 in formation. The Society’s mission is to restore to its central place in American law the principles of respect for human dignity, protection of individual rights and liberties, equality, and access to justice. The Brooklyn Law School chapter, under the advisement of Professor Will Hellerstein, seeks to advance intellectual engagement and legal debate at the law school by sponsoring events, debates, and noteworthy speakers.
Art Law Association (ALA)
Contact: M.J. Williams, President
Email: artlaw@brooklaw.edu; mj.williams@brooklaw.edu
The Art Law Association (ALA) provides a forum for students, along with faculty and practitioners, to explore and debate the wide range of legal issues associated with the creation, collection, presentation, and preservation of the visual arts. The ALA promotes these goals by organizing and publicizing art law events and networking opportunities on campus and in and out of New York City. Art Law Association TWEN Page.
Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA)
Contact: Basil Kim, President
Email: apalsa@brooklaw.edu; basil.kim@brooklaw.edu
APALSA seeks to foster a consciousness of the legal system's impact on Asian Pacific Americans and to promote education on legal and political issues that concern Asians and Asian-Pacific Americans. Asian-Pacific American Law Students Association Homepage
Bankruptcy Society
Contact: Elan Gershoni, President
Email: elan.gershoni@brooklaw.edu
The Bankruptcy Society was founded for two primary purposes. The first is to foster understanding of the Bankruptcy Code and the Bankruptcy Reform Act between and among student organizations and all segments of the student body. The second purpose of the Bankruptcy Society is to expose the student body to the many career opportunities in the bankruptcy area, through meetings and events with some of BLS' and the nation's top bankruptcy practitioners.
Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
Contact: Jennifer L. Fisher, President
Email: jennifer.fisher@brooklaw.edu, blsa@brooklaw.edu
The purpose of the Black Law Students Association is to serve the needs of the black law student, the black attorney and the black community. It works with local units at other law schools to promote the professional needs of minority communities and foster and encourage political and community involvement. Brooklyn BLSA is affiliated with the national organization and competes in the Frederick Douglas Moot Court Competition and Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition. BLSA Homepage
Brooklyn Chess Society (BCS)
Contact: Alexander Van Gaalen, President
Email: alexander.vangaalen@brooklaw.edu
We play chess. All comers of all skills levels welcome.
Brooklyn Entertainment Law Society (BELS)
Contact: Hayden Goldblatt, President
Email: hayden.goldblatt@brooklaw.edu
BELS is organized and will be operated exclusively for educational and legal purposes to promote the following: an increased knowledge of and greater interest in the relative legal fields of entertainment law; greater interest in entertainment law and its applications; a means of communication between persons having an interest in entertainment law. BELS will serve students at Brooklyn Law School. BELS Homepage
Brooklyn Law Business & Finance Society
Contact: Mark Giugliano, President
Email: blsinvest@brooklaw.edu; mark.giugliano@brooklaw.edu
Formerly the Investment Club, The Brooklyn Law School Business and Finance Society seeks to foster student's understanding of financial markets, general economic principles, and current events in the business world. For students interested in pursuing legal careers in a business or finance-oriented setting, classes alone may not provide the level of exposure to the concepts, terminology, and thought processes necessary to acquire and excel in these careers. Ultimately, the goal of the Business and Finance Society is to provide that groundwork for its members. In order to achieve these goals we have weekly educational meetings for members and we also hold a guest speaker series for the entire BLS community. This year we have also created a blog to create an open forum for discussion and sharing interesting articles, news events and comments. The Business and Finance Society encourages active participation and open discussion in order to build a firm general business and financial markets understanding.
Brooklyn Law School Democrats
Contact: Laurie DePalo and Carl Hasselbarth, Co-Presidents
Email: laurie.depalo@brooklaw.edu; carl.hasselbarth@brooklaw.edu
The Brooklyn Law School Democrats are committed to raising awareness of the effects of politics on law making. During times of political apathy, it is essential that law students become political activists and leaders. We encourage students to become politically involved through participation in campaigns, election-day activities, and campaign training sessions. We also invite political speakers and organize symposia to bring current political issues into the legal debate on campuses across the country.
Brooklyn Law School Democrats Blog
Brooklyn Law School Dispute Resolution Society
Contact: Philip Sutter
Email: philip.sutter@brooklaw.edu
Brooklyn Law School Food & Wine Club
Contact: Joseph Varley, Jr.
Email: joseph.varley@brooklaw.edu
The Brooklyn Law School Food & Wine Club is dedicated to bringing together students with an interest in fine food and wine and to hosting food-related events for the BLS community. Through these events, the BLS FWC aims to help students cultivate their appreciation of food through education and new food experiences. The club welcomes all students, and strives to be informative and open as opposed to presenting an air of exclusivity.Food and Wine Club Homepage
BLS Intramurals
Contact: Jonathan Antone, President
Email: jonathan.antone@brooklaw.edu
Brooklyn Law School Legal Outreach - Constitutional Law Debate Program
Contact: Lora Epstein & Veronica Lau, Co-Presidents
Email: blslegaloutreach@brooklaw.edu; lora.epstein@brooklaw.edu; veronica.lau@brooklaw.edu
Through Brooklyn Law School Legal Outreach, 1L students supplement their constitutional law and legal writing courses by coaching local high school students. In the process of helping the students, coaches read and analyze important cases that are covered in the Constitutional Law course and become familiar with briefs by editing and revising those of their students. Many law firms and attorneys are involved with Legal Outreach for pro bono. There are many networking opportunities available to Legal Outreach coaches.
Brooklyn Law School Legal Outreach is dedicated to helping youth from underserved communities to compete in debates, develop academic and presentation skills, and pursue a legal education. The high school students compete in four Legal Outreach debates throughout the year and law students join judges and attorneys in judging the final competition.
For more information about Legal Outreach, visit www.legaloutreach.org.
Brooklyn Law School News
Email: blsnews@brooklaw.edu
The Brooklyn Law School News is a medium for the student body, faculty, and administration to express viewpoints, advertise events, and engage in intellectual discourse. The Brooklyn Law School News aims to promote a strong sense of school community, student leadership and a responsive administration. Published several times each semester, it combines hard-hitting investigative reporting and political analysis with a lighter mix of entertainment and culture. To submit content please contact the staff at the above email address.
Brooklyn Law Students for the Public Interest
Contact: William Mason & Sundrop Carter, Co-Presidents
Email: blspi@brooklaw.edu; william.mason@brooklaw.edu; sundrop.carter@brooklaw.edu
The organization helps raise fellowship funds for students interested in working in public interest positions. The organization also sponsors a speaker series on topical public interest law issues. BLSPI Homepage
Brooklyn Real Estate Society
Contact: Ben Hoffer, President
Email: benjamin.hoffer@brooklaw.edu
The purpose of the Brooklyn Real Estate Society is to promote and facilitate knowledge about real estate issues in the practice of law. Brooklyn Real Estate Society also introduces students to careers in real estate law and serves as a resource for students concerning issues about real estate, the law and matters related to both. Additionally, Brooklyn Real Estate Society fosters and encourages the advancement of classes and programs having to do with real estate law in Brooklyn Law School. Brooklyn Real Estate Society serves as a medium for the career development and enhancement of Brooklyn Law School students interested in careers in real estate law.
Christian Legal Society
Contact: Carol Park, President
Email: carol.park@brooklaw.edu
The Christian Legal Society chapter provides fellowship among believers and works to increase understanding of the relationship between faith and law. Members meet weekly for Bible study and periodically with other Christian students for fellowship and community service. All students are welcome to attend. Christian Legal Society Homepage
Civil Legal Advice and Resource Office Student Action Group (CLARO/SAG)
Contact: John Buhta and Natalie Peled, Co-Chairs
Email: CLARO@brooklaw.edu, John.Buhta@brooklaw.edu, Natalie.Peled@brooklaw.edu
The Civil Legal Advice and Resource Office Student Action Group is a student organization dedicated to educating the Brooklyn Law School community about the legal issues surrounding the burgeoning field of consumer debt. CLARO/SAG also provides Brooklyn Law School students with pro bono opportunities at the CLARO project. CLARO is a weekly clinic at the Kings County Civil Court where unrepresented litigants who are being sued for consumer debt can get free legal advice. Last year, volunteer attorneys and students assisted over 500 unrepresented litigants. CLARO/SAG offers the opportunity to learn about consumer debt issues and New York civil practice while helping unrepresented litigants and interacting with practicing attorneys and fellow BLS students.
Corporate and Securities Law Association
Contact: Hayley Moore, President
Email: hayley.moore@brooklaw.edu
As a result of their location in the financial capital of the world, New York City's most well-renowned law firms have dominant corporate and securities law practices. In response, the Corporate and Securities Law Association (CSLA) was formed and is devoted to exposing students to this integral, yet often overlooked, area of the law. Focusing on both transactional work and litigation, CSLA will give students an opportunity to learn from industry lawyers and discuss the realities of their practice. Specific areas to be covered include, but are not limited to: corporations, M&A, in-house counsel, capital markets, and structured financing. Overall, CSLA hopes to provide an important introduction to a pervasive area of legal practice.
Corporate and Securities Law Association Homepage
Environmental Law Society (ELS)
Contact: Dina Botwinick & Michael Pesa-Fallon, Co-Presidents
Email: els@brooklaw.edu; dina.botwinick@brooklaw.edu; michael.pesa-fallon@brooklaw.edu
The Brooklyn Law School Environmental Law Society was established in the fall of 2001. The organization is comprised of students and faculty members whose interests and experiences include environmental law, international law, the laws of war and bio-terrorism, real estate law, land use and zoning laws. Each year the ELS continues to expand its membership and increase environmental awareness in the BLS community. The ELS newsletter, published by BLS students and recognized by the Dean, is designed to promote progressive debate and discussion of current topics. The ELS strives to create professional opportunities for its members by hosting events where students can meet with leading experts in a variety of fields. The ELS interacts with a large network of environmental and other organizations, and enjoys membership in several important societies such as the NRDC and Greendrinks International. We offer the opportunity to all Brooklyn Law Students and faculty to participate in a society whose focus extends beyond the law school experience into all areas of social and political life. Environmental Law Society Homepage
Federalist Society
Contact: Max McCann, President
Email: max.mccann@brooklaw.edu
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies is a group of conservatives and libertarians interested in the current state of the legal order. It is founded on the principles that the state exists to preserve freedom, that the separation of governmental 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. The Society seeks both to promote an awareness of these principles and to further their application through its activities.
Hellenic Society
Contact: Georgia Kakouros, President
Email: georgia.kakouros@brooklaw.edu
The Hellenic Society is dedicated to the appreciation and furtherance of Greek-American participation in the legal profession. It also serves as a support group for incoming first-year students who share Greek heritage. Members educate the law school community at large about Greek heritage and customs.
Intellectual Property Law Association
Contact: Alexander van Gaalen and Kirstin Oswald, Co-Presidents
Email: alexander.vangaalen@brooklaw.edu; kirstin.oswald@brooklaw.edu
The IPLA promotes awareness of current issues and opportunities that arise in Intellectual Property and Technology Law. We hold speaking events, roundtable discussions, and engage in alumni outreach. IPLA often works with other student organizations which have missions parallel to our own.IPLA Homepage.
International Law Society
Contact: Brian Barbour and Sara Schuman, Co-Chairs
Email: ils-info@brooklaw.edu; brian.barbour@brooklaw.edu; sara.schuman@brooklaw.edu
The International Law Society promotes the awareness, study and understanding of International law and related issues. We encourage communication and cooperation between law students and legal professionals active in international organizations and institutions. We aim to educate students about the significance of international legal issues and publicize internships, educational, and career opportunities in this field. We hold regularly scheduled meetings and host guest speakers and panel discussions on various issues of international law. ILS Homepage.
Italian-American Law Students Association
Contact: Louis Imbroto & John Rossi, Co-Presidents
Email: louis.Imbroto@brooklaw.edu; john.rossi@brooklaw.edu
The Italian American Law Students Association sponsors parties in and out of school, sporting events and an annual dinner dance, as well as a speakers program. Its goal is social service and the encouragement of greater participation by Italian-Americans in the legal profession.
Jewish Law Students Association
Contact: Jonathan Senker, President
Email: jonathan.senker@brooklaw.edu
The Jewish Law Students Association sponsors a variety of educational and social activities designed to increase students' knowledge of Jewish issues, customs and holidays. It also hosts various social activities and frequently invites speakers to address current cultural, religious and political issues.
Latin-American Law Students Association (LALSA)
Contact: Melissa Rivero, President
Email: melissa.rivero@brooklaw.edu
The goal of the Latin American Law Students Association is to increase the recruitment, admission and retention of Latin American students at Brooklyn Law School. Members enhance communication with the Latin American legal community locally and establish meaningful rapport between this community and the law school. LALSA Homepage
Law Students for Veterans Rights
Contact: Elizabeth Towell and Susannah Ashton, Co-Chairs
Email: elizabeth.towell@brooklaw.edu; susannah.ashton@brooklaw.edu
Law Students for Veterans Rights is a new organization on campus devoted to the representation of veterans throughout the New York City area. We will create awareness and work to solve the problems veterans returning from combat face, including inadequate medical care, delays in benefits, treatment, and rehabilitation for disorders and injuries, homelessness, unemployment, substance abuse, domestic problems and the overall reintegration into civilian life. We work in coalition with the following groups: Iraq War Veterans, LGBT Veterans of New York City, Congressional Advocacy groups and a clinic of 10 New York City law firms.
Legal Association for Women
Contact: Katie Nicolais and Natalie Phelps, Co-Chairs
Email: katherine.nicolais@brooklaw.edu; natalie.phelps@brooklaw.edu
Legal Association for Women (LAW) is an organization committed to mobilizing law students in action concerning issues that affect women and the law. Some of our programs and projects include: the fight against domestic and international violence against women, access to reproductive choice and family planning, pay and career equity, women-friendly workplaces, and judicial nominations. LAW Homepage
Muslim Law Students Association
Contact: Mariam Muzaffar, President
Email: mlsa@brooklaw.edu; mariam.muzaffar@brooklaw.edu
The Muslim Law Students Association (MLSA) seeks to increase effective Muslim participation and representation in the legal field by providing a supportive atmosphere for incoming and current Muslim students. We aim to provide professional networking opportunities, maintain a growing network via MLSA alumni, and build a bridge between Muslims and non-Muslims through educational and cultural exchange. Through these various forums, the MLSA hopes to educate the BLS community about Islam, Islamic law and practices, and the social and legal issues Muslims face in the United States and abroad, while addressing common misconceptions. MLSA Homepage
National Lawyers Guild
Contacts: Robert Quackenbush & Alex Fridman
Emails: robert.quackenbush@brooklaw.edu; aleksandra.fridman@brooklaw.edu
The National Lawyers Guild has chapters in law schools throughout the United States, including Brooklyn Law School. The goal of the Guild is to support the efforts of workers, minorities and women. The law school chapter sponsors debates and speakers. In addition, it emphasizes projects in such areas as labor, unemployment, affirmative action and law student organizing.
OutLaws (formerly LeGaLS)
Contact: Benjamin Riskin and Josefina Colomar, Co-Chairs
Email: benjamin.riskin@brooklaw.edu, josefina.colomar@brooklaw.edu
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender students hold bi-weekly meetings and periodic social events. OutLaws sponsors panel discussions on issues affecting the LGBT community and coordinates activities with other LGBT organizations.
Phi Delta Phi
Contact: Harper Smith, President/Magister
Email: harper.smith@brooklaw.edu
Phi Delta Phi is an international legal fraternity that seeks to promote the highest standard of ethics and professionalism in law schools and the legal profession. Brooklyn Law School’s chapter, Evarts Inn, was founded in 1907 and reactivated in 2004 after a three year absence. Each local chapter is required to complete community service projects and organize an annual school-wide Ethics Week to educate students about the importance of ethical lawyering. Phi Delta Phi initiates a new class of students every semester. Phi Delta Phi National Organization Web Site
South Asian Law Students Association (SALSA)
Contact: Krima Shah, President
Email: salsa@brooklaw.edu
The Brooklyn Law School Chapter of the South Asian Law Students Association (SALSA) is one of the newest organizations on campus. SALSA's vision is to serve the cultural, religious, community, social and professional needs of our South Asian Law Students. The South Asian Diaspora includes all people who identify their roots as those with people from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. SALSA will be working with AALSA, BLSA, LALSA and MLSA to create a united community of color which can address broad issues, while also serving needs more narrowly tailored to South Asians. SALSA will continue working with the South Asian Bar Association of New York and SALSA organizations across the city to foster relationships among our peers and promote community based projects that address the growing legal needs of underrepresented South Asians in New York.
Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF)
Contact: Jared Goodman, President
Email: jared.goodman@brooklaw.edu
The Brooklyn Law School 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.
Student Hurricane Network
Contact: Nicole Brantley, President
Email: nicole.brantley@brooklaw.edu
Tax Law Association
Contact: Bryan Levine, Harrison Berg
Email: tax@brooklaw.edu, bryan.levine@brooklaw.edu, harrison.berg@brooklaw.edu
The tax law association was formed in order to provide networking opportunities for those interested in tax law, to encourage interest in the field of tax by hosting talks by specialized experts in the field, and to give Brooklyn Law students a chance to participate in the Volunteer Income Tax Assitance program sponsered by the IRS. Tax Law Association Homepage
Urban Assembly School For Law and Justice Mentoring Program
Contact: Lauren Jones, President
Email: lauren.jones@brooklaw.edu
Unemployment Action Center
Contact: Jonathan Antone, President
Email: jonathan.antone@brooklaw.edu
The Unemployment Action Center is a non-profit, student-run organization devoted to the representation of unemployment insurance claimants in New York City. Members gain valuable hands-on legal experience by advising and representing clients before administrative judges at the New York Department of Labor. Unemployment Action Center Web Site
Yearbook
TBA
Yoga Club
Contact: Mary Anne Mendenhall and Nicole Roodhuyzen
Email: maryanne.mendenhall@brooklaw.edu, nicole.roodhuyzen@brooklaw.edu
In an effort to promote balance and wellness among Brooklyn Law School students, BLS Yoga Club holds weekly yoga classes in Geraldo's Cafe in Feil Hall. Classes are instructed by our very own Professor Aliza Kaplan and open to all levels of yoga students. Classes are scheduled to meet on Tuesdays at 5:30pm. Check the student events calendar for updates and schedule changes.
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