Student Organizations

American Bar Association/Law Student Division (ABA/LSD)

The purpose of the American Bar Association/Law Student Division is to encourage interaction between law students and the legal community, promote activities and competitions with other law schools, and further the professional development of law students.

 

American Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA)

The American Trial Lawyers Association is a national association of trial attorneys, with law school chapters designed to encourage the professional growth of aspiring trial attorneys.  The St. Thomas Chapter sponsors a variety of speakers, workshops, and social activities.

 

Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA)

The St. Thomas chapter of APALSA is a member of the National Asian Pacific American Law School Association (NAPALSA), which is the student branch of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA).  APALSA is dedicated to Asian Pacific American issues in the legal community, such as immigration, property rights, employment law, and civil rights. APALSA is working to create a network of Asian Pacific American attorneys, professors, and law students in South Florida.

 

APALSA strives to provide education for the general Asian Pacific American community concerning their legal rights.  The local chapter offers representation for Asian Pacific Americans students to the Student Bar Association and St. Thomas administration.

 

Black Law Student Association (BLSA)

The purpose of the Black Law Student Association is to be sensitive and responsive to the needs of black law students and to advocate professional competence.  Further, it educates law students and attorneys about the needs of the black community and encourages assistance whenever possible.  The organization also sponsors a variety of academic and social activities.

 

Business Law Society

The objective of the Business Law Society is to educate and inform students of the numerous areas where law interfaces with business and commerce.  The Business Law Society facilitates various symposia and other events where students can learn from and interact with business leaders. 

 

Caribbean Association of Law Students

The objective of the Caribbean Law Students is to promote a greater awareness of and commitment to the civil, economic, social cultural and political rights of the Caribbean community.  The Caribbean Association of Law Students foster and encourage academic and professional excellence among Caribbean law students.

 

Catholic Student Lawyers Guild

The object of the Guild is to promote the social, intellectual, temporal and spiritual welfare of its members; to uphold the highest standards and best traditions of the legal profession in America; and to promote the study and application of Catholic principles to modern problems.

 
Christian Legal Society (CLS)

The Christian Legal Society of St. Thomas University (“CLS”) is affiliated with the national, non-denominational CLS organization comprised of over 3,000 Christian attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students around the country.  CLS was designed to provide a network for Christian lawyers and law students by challenging them to incorporate their faith into their chosen profession.  This is done via local fellowship groups, national conferences and publications, as well as through the practice of law by its affiliates.  CLS hosts bi-weekly Bible study luncheons, as well as other events and programs.

 

Cuban American Bar Association (C.A.B.A.) Law Student Division

The purpose of this organization is to facilitate the networking experience of its members with the Cuban-American legal community.  Through a variety of functions involving local attorneys, judges, and many other well-recognized legal scholars, each of C.A.B.A.'s members will be afforded substantial opportunity to not only become integrated with the legal community, but also participate in numerous pro-bono and volunteer activities.
 
Entertainment and Sports Law Society

The purpose of the Entertainment and Sports Law Society is to educate and inform students about the fields of entertainment and sports law.  Symposia are planned to bring to our campus some of Florida’s most prominent sports and entertainment agents.

 

Federalist Society

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 legal principles that the state exists to preserve freedom and that the separation of governmental powers is central to our Constitution.  The Society seeks both to promote an awareness of these principles and to further their application through its activities.

 

Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL)

The Florida Association for Women Lawyers was established to assist women in the legal profession.  Membership in this organization is open to male and female students.  The law school chapter of FAWL sponsors seminars and lectures of special interest to women students.  FAWL also offers scholarships to qualified students.

 

Gay and Lesbian Law Student Association (GALLSA)

GALLSA is an organization of gay and lesbian law students committed to overcoming discrimination in the job market based on sexual orientation and to providing career opportunities.

 
Government Law Society

The Government Interest Law Society was formed to explore current issues surrounding government and law.  It is designed for future attorneys who wish to participate in government at some level, while better preparing these future attorneys to serve their community and making a lasting contribution in the practice of law.  Our goal is to assist our St. Thomas Law students in understanding and contributing to better government.

 
International Law Society

The St. Thomas International Law Society is a member of the International Law Students Association, and sponsors seminars, roundtables and guest lectures on issues relating to international affairs.

 

National Jewish Law Students Association

The organization has co-sponsored (with the International Law Society) a visit from the Consul General of Israel.  To establish relationships with other Jewish Law Societies, the organization has tri-law events with Jewish organizations at other law schools.  The goal of the society is to further its presence within the Miami community by sponsoring speakers and activities.  During the past four years a tradition has been started at the School of Law to hold a Seder at Passover to which the whole law school community is invited.

 

Peter T. Fay American Inn of Court at St. Thomas

The Peter T. Fay American Inn of Court at St. Thomas is a chapter of the American Inns of Court Foundation founded in 1980 by former Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren E. Burger.  The American Inns of Court, modeled after the British system of training young "barristers," or trial lawyers, is committed to improving the practice of law.  Members of the Peter T. Fay American Inn of Court include judges, attorneys, law school faculty, and students.

 

Plead the Fifth

Plead the Fifth is the law school’s student newspaper published during the academic year.  This student publication serves as a primary forum for the communication of everything from scholarly legal articles to law school events.

 

Phi Alpha Delta - Soia Mentschikoff Chapter (PAD)

Phi Alpha Delta, the world’s largest law fraternity, has invited distinguished speakers to the law school, sponsored law related films, and assisted students in completing Florida Bar applications.

 

Phi Delta Phi Spellman Inn

Phi Delta Phi is an organization dedicated to promoting legal culture and the highest standards of professional ethics.  Founded in 1869, Phi Delta Phi is the oldest national association in the legal profession.  Membership in the Spellman Inn is open to law students who are ranked in the top third of their classes.  Phi Delta Phi sponsors speakers, community service activities, and social activities for students and practicing attorneys.

 

St. Thomas More Catholic Law Society

The purpose of the St. Thomas More Society is to focus on community service and promote the highest standards of ethics, civility, human dignity, justice, professional knowledge and skill in the practice of law, with the encouragement of traditional Catholic values within the St. Thomas Law community. Our goal includes conducting an annual Red Mass, reminding us that we should become outstanding members of the legal community, while exercising our Catholic values.

 

Student Bar Association (SBA)

The purpose of the SBA is to provide a measure of self-government and to further the professional development of its members. Each law student is automatically a member of the Student Bar Association, and has an opportunity to participate in the activities and responsibilities of the organization.

 

Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF)

The SALDF is the law student branch of the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF).  ALDF is a nonprofit group of attorneys and animal advocates dedicated to defending animals from abuse and exploitation throughout the United States.  Its mission is to work through the courts and legislatures to win animals the rights and protections that they deserve.  Backed by over 100,000 members and supporters, ALDF takes direct legal action on behalf of imperiled animals everywhere – in laboratories, on farms, in the wild and in our communities.

 

Tax Law Society

The Tax Law Society has been established to promote and achieve excellence in tax issues and litigation.  The Tax Law Society’s major project at St. Thomas University is the sponsorship, in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service, of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (“VITA”) Program in the spring.  St. Thomas University law students assist low income and non-English speaking members of the community with the preparation of their income tax returns.

 

The St. Thomas Environmental Law Society (STELS)

The St. Thomas Environmental Law Society continuously strives to create an awareness of the balance between the increasing needs of humanity and our fragile planet.  STELS members strive to effectively fulfill our responsibility as inhabitants of Earth, and foster awareness, scholarship, and education in applicable areas of law and to develop skills to administer and improve environmental policies.

 

The St. Thomas Public Interest Law Students Association (PILSA)

This group consists of law students who are dedicated to making a difference in their communities and who understand that the privilege of being an attorney involves service to one’s community.  The organization is committed to promoting public interest opportunities, advancing a public service philosophy, and facilitating the pursuit of such careers.  In providing students with opportunities to serve the community, the hope is that all who graduate from St. Thomas University School of Law appreciate the privilege of being an attorney and strive to become leaders for positive change.

 

The St. Thomas University Admiralty and Maritime Law Society (STAMLS)

The St. Thomas University Admiralty and Maritime Law Society (STAMLS) is dedicated to the promotion of scholarship, education, and practice in the field of admiralty and maritime law.  STAMLS expose members to various aspects of admiralty practice, and seeks to provide a forum for students, faculty, and practitioners to discuss and analyze maritime issues and interests.  South Florida serves as the locus to a number of significant admiralty and maritime interests, and presents the perfect environment for the study and practice of maritime law.