Many students are involved in more than one organization, and even with a rigorous academic schedule, participation becomes a vital avenue of self-expression and socializing.

To participate in any of the organizations listed below, contact any of the individuals listed below or Lillie Wiley-Upshaw, vice dean for admissions and student life.

Planning an Event: The Law School's Special Events Office helps student organizations with event planning and provides you with a single point of contact when planning your event. The "Planning an Event" guide is designed to help you and your student organization. Please contact the director of special events with questions.

The "Event Date and Notification Form" must be submitted prior to any event planning. If you would like the Dean to attend your event, please submit a "Dean Calendar Request" form.

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

The Asian-Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA) supports students of Asian descent, facilitates Asian law students’ interaction in the Law School community and provides a forum for discussions on legal issues concerning Asians. APALSA hosts regular academic and social events of Asian interest for its members. It is affiliated with the Asian American Bar Association of New York and the Minority Bar Association of Western New York.

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 SUNY Buffalo 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 Environmental Law Society is the liaison between students and the environmental law program/concentration and its faculty and staff.  BELS is also responsible for Earth Week celebrations at SUNY Buffalo Law School. We've brought state senators and notable scholars to speak, screened environmentally focused films, organized hikes in nearby parks, and raffled solar chargers and other electronics to raise money for environmental organizations.

The Buffalo Lawyers Golf Network provides free lessons and events for beginners, caddy services, a student-attorney league, mini-golf outings and fundraising tournaments. The group hopes to introduce the game of golf to beginners within the law school so they can learn to enjoy the game and improve their skills within a relaxed setting. Additionally, we attempt to connect students and local lawyers through leagues and outings allowing for fun networking opportunities.

The Buffalo Moot Court Board is dedicated to fostering excellence in appellate advocacy and encouraging the development of practical legal skills such as brief writing and oral argument. Board members are selected based on their performance in the Charles S. Desmond Moot Court Competition, the intramural competition that takes place each fall and requires second- and third-year students to argue a constitutional problem. Each spring the Buffalo Moot Court Board also offers the Albert R. Mugel National Moot Court Competition, which draws teams from schools around the nation to downtown Buffalo to argue a tax-based problem.

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.

Canadian Law Students Association (CLSA) is dedicated to making the transition of Canadian students to SUNY Buffalo Law School easier. CLSA facilitates the transition of students to the American legal system, provides mentorship, as well as information about employment and networking opportunities.  CLSA also educates Canadian students about the requirements and regulations regarding employment in America.

The Domestic Violence Task Force (DVTF) 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.

President: Matthew Smith
Vice President: Francis Christiano
Secretary: Maisha Blakeney

Advisor: Lecturer Bernadette Gargano

President: Kathryn Hartnett
Vice President: Michael Borruso
Treasurer: Artur Jagielski
Secretary: Jessica Fiorillo
Public Relations Coordinator: Molly Deacon

Administered by the National Black Law Students Association, the Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition 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. SUNY Buffalo Law School 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.

Executive Chair: Aaron Fishkin
Advocacy Chair: Gabriella MacDonald & Gina Gramaglia
Financial Chair: Amanda Karpovich
Volunteer Coordinator: Brittany Maxon

The International Law Students Association, a branch of the national organization, is dedicated to promoting international law by providing students with the opportunities to study, research and network in the international legal arena. Activities include academic conferences, publications and participation in the annual Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition.

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 Jewish Law Students Association provides events, programs and other activities of Jewish interest. Activities include catered Shabbat dinners, holiday-related events and celebrations, bar nights, ethnic Jewish food sales and guest speakers.

The Labor and Employment Relations Society (LERS) helps students expand their understanding of the labor and employment field by hosting speakers and networking with the legal community.  Students who are interested in labor, employment or corporate law are encouraged to join to take advantage of the invaluable experiences the society offers.

The Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA) supports its wide variety of members and is committed to the advancement of minorities in the legal profession. LALSA welcomes students of all backgrounds and seeks to create a local network for students of color, Latino students in particular, as well as a partnership between the legal community and the Latin community. Above all, LALSA is dedicated to the academic success of its members.

National Lawyers Guild is dedicated to the need for basic change in the structure of our political and economic system. The NLG seeks to unite the lawyers, law students, legal workers and jailhouse lawyers to function as an effective force in the service of the people.

Co-Directors: Kaileen Balzano, Ralph Tolbert, Mathew John
Secretary: Eric Curtis
Treasurer: Merrick Sadler
NLG Liason: Ben Nelson

OUTLaw promotes a positive atmosphere at SUNY Buffalo Law School 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 (PAD), 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.

The Prison Task Force provides an eight-week course in legal research and writing to inmates, which allows them to take a Department of Corrections exam qualifying them to serve as law librarians/clerks in the facility. PTF also collaborates with other law school organizations to educate the public about important legal issues in the criminal justice system.  The organization also raises funds to pay for the costs of having teacher and student manuals printed, and to reimburse transportation costs.

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