Student Organizations

Law Journals

• Buffalo Environmental Law Journal
• Buffalo Human Rights Law Review
• Buffalo Law Review

Moot Court Boards

• Buffalo Moot Court Board
• Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Board
• Jessup International Moot Court Board

Alternative dispute resolution is an increasingly popular form of case resolution in the legal community. The Alternative Dispute Resolution Society concentrates mainly on mediation and provides multiple opportunities for students to become involved with and learn about the mediation process. Each year the ADR Society hosts a Representation in Mediation Competition, which allows students to enhance their skills and provides them with an opportunity to participate in mediation.

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. ACS chapters offer platforms for debate and discussion about both enduring principles and the issues of the day, as well as provide opportunities for networking, mentoring and organizing around matters of both local and national significance. Every year ACS holds a national convention in DC and provides scholarships to members of the student chapters. Past speakers including Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, former Senator Wendy Davis, and former Attorney General  Eric Holder.

The Black Law Students Association (BLSA) is a professional, nationally affiliated organization of black law students dedicated to improving opportunities and diversity in legal education. At the University at Buffalo School of Law chapter of BLSA, our goal is to articulate and promote the educational, professional, political and social needs of our black law students while also giving back to our communities.

The Buffalo Public Interest Law Program raises money to support students who work in the public interest each summer during law school. BPILP also hosts networking events for students to meet public-interest employers from neighboring communities. The organization is affiliated with Lawyers for Learning and participates in the Student Bar Association’s Volunteer Service Days.

The Buffalo Sports & Entertainment Law Society (BSELS) is a community of law students, alumni, faculty and friends who are interested in sports and entertainment law in all of its many facets. To that end, they have created a student group as well as an online forum to provide a space for publication of articles addressing sports and entertainment law topics, discussion of current issues and most importantly, facilitation of interaction among our growing community of sports and entertainment law enthusiasts.

The Domestic Violence Task Force strives to raise awareness and educate students, Law School staff and community members about domestic violence through various activities such as panel nights and information dissemination at events. Our organization holds an annual "Dress for What's Next" spring event for survivors of domestic violence. It is a relaxing day for the women filled with shopping, makeup lessons, resume drafting and practice interviews. This empowering day encourage domestic violence survivors to remember their worth and improve their self-esteem.

The Federalist Society 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. The student Chapter of the Society at the University at Buffalo School of Law exists to both provide Law Students with the opportunity to become involved in this organization and to provide any students who share the organization's views a network of fellow like-minded students.

First-Generation Law Students Association (FGLSA) offers support to students who identify as first-generation law students. This includes law students who are the first in their family to attend college or first to attend professional school. We strive to provide a safe and inclusive community for UB Law students who lack access to generational knowledge of the legal field. We aim to facilitate discussions surrounding common questions first-generation students may have through workshops and events designed and led by our fellow FGLSA peers. More than anything, FGLSA aims to show you, a first-generation law student, that there are others who have felt the same things you are feeling and found success in law school. We are a community dedicated to support each other in life and career.

The Intellectual Property Law Society (IPLS) offers interested law students a forum in which to discuss issues arising in the field of intellectual property law, to learn more about the practice of IP law, and to engage with faculty and attorneys familiar with this specialized field. In addition to organizing both speaking and networking events for law students on campus, IPLS also strives to connect law students with the intellectual property legal community WNY area by promoting off-campus events related to IP. No science or technical background required! IP law encompasses copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets in addition to patents. IPLS is a great opportunity for law students to pursue their interests beyond the classroom and interact with their like-minded students.

The Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition is the world's largest moot court competition, with participants from over 550 law schools in more than 80 countries. The Competition is a simulation of a fictional dispute between countries before the International Court of Justice, the judicial organ of the United Nations.

The Latin American Law Students Association (“LALSA”) supports a wide variety of members, including but not limited to Latino/a law students. LALSA is committed to the advancement of minorities in the legal profession, especially Latinos. Minority representation in the legal profession has been a social concern for years and the shortage of Latino lawyers continues to be grave. LALSA seeks to create a local network for students of color, a partnership between the legal community and the Latin community, and the academic success of its members. We welcome students of all backgrounds to help create a more diverse forum and to integrate individuals with different perspectives into the conversation. Most importantly, LALSA is dedicated to creating a support group for those who take interest in uplifting diversity initiatives.

OUTLaw promotes a positive atmosphere at School of Law for LGBT students and their allies. Our primary objective is to educate our colleagues about the legal issues surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity. OUTLaw sponsors activities, panels, social events and service projects that build a network for members and supporters of the LGBT legal community.

Phi Alpha Delta, the largest professional coed law fraternity in the nation, is open to all students. PAD hosts academic, community service, professional and social events each semester, including its own national mock trial competition. Additional benefits include lifetime membership and a nationwide alumni networking system.

As a student chapter of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, SALDF's purpose is to educate the law school and surrounding community about forms of institutionalized animal abuse, and engage in projects that combat that abuse. SALDF is equally dedicated to protecting the lives and advancing the interest of animals through the legal system and expanding the field of animal law.

The Student Bar Association is the elected body that represents student interests at the School of Law. SBA provides information for current students, organizations, alumni and general audiences seeking a glimpse into life at the law school.

Visit the SBA website for guidelines, resources, and handy forms for your student organization.

The Student Wellness Society (SWS) empowers law students to address and conquer issues related to their mental health and well-being by engaging in collaborative discussions and organized events focused on establishing a sound work-life balance.

Via an online forum, we provide students with a safe place to ask, answer, and share experiences on a purely peer-to-peer basis with respect to student’s mental health. In an endeavor to ensure privacy, all postings on the forum will be anonymous so that students may engage in a non-judgmental atmosphere.

SWS is a unique and innovative movement determined to end the stigma and create hope for those affected by mental illness in the University of Buffalo School of Law community.

Administered by the National Black Law Students Association, the Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Board is the premier civil rights moot court competition in the nation. Each year, over 125 teams from schools from six regions compete at regional conventions for the chance to compete at the national level. The School of Law has been a top contender and has won various awards such as Best Oral Advocate, Best Petitioner/Respondent Brief, and Second Runner-Up for the entire Northeast Region.