News

Video and Podcasts

Student Organizations

All rooms are in Slaughter Hall. E-mail corrections and updates to studaff@law.virginia.edu.

A Cappellate Opinions - The A Cappellate Opinions include male and female students who practice and perform contemporary a cappella music. They sing at various Law School events, such as the Public Interest Law Auction and Barrister's Ball, but their primary purpose is to enjoy making music together.

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Action for a Better Living Environment (ABLE) - ABLE is a service organization that provides student volunteers opportunities to help disadvantaged children in the Charlottesville community. ABLE volunteers provide weekly after-school tutoring services to children of all ages in both reading and math. Other ABLE volunteers become "big siblings" to children in the community and provide mentorship, friendship and support to underprivileged kids on a consistent weekly basis. Room SL156F

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Advocates for Life at Virginia Law (AFL) - AFL brings together law students eager to protect the fundamental right to life and fosters balanced and open discussion about the issue in the legal community. AFL educates and trains law students about the jurisprudence of a pro-life ethic, the attacks on the right to life and the best strategies to protect women and children from abortion and the vulnerable from embryo-destructive research, assisted suicide and euthanasia. By building a culture of courage and support among pro-life law students and lawyers, AFL promotes a legal environment that values and upholds the dignity of human life.

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American Constitution Society - The American Constitution Society for Law and Policy is a national organization of law students, law professors, practicing lawyers and others. The society aims to help revitalize and transform the legal debate, from law school classrooms to federal courtrooms, and to counter the dominant vision of American law today. The society seeks to restore the fundamental principles of respect for human dignity, protection of individual rights and liberties, genuine equality and access to justice to their rightful — and traditionally central — place in American law. For more information on the national organization, please visit www.acslaw.org. Room SL192C

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The Aristotle Society - The Aristotle Society aims to foster the art of public speaking by hosting talented guest speakers and with monthly open forums in which students present practiced speeches.

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Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA) - APALSA provides an academic and social network for the Asian-American law students at UVA; promotes the welfare of its members through educational, professional, cultural and social programs; and reaches out to the Law School community on local and national issues pertaining to Asian-Americans. Room SL156B.

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Black Law Students Association (BLSA) - BLSA represents the views of black students at the School of Law; promotes the welfare of its members through educational, professional, cultural and social programs; and provides a forum for the discussion of local and national issues affecting both the black law student community and the University community as a whole. For more information, visit www.student.virginia.edu/~uvablsa. Room SL192A

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Child Advocacy Research & Education (CARE) - CARE is a service group that takes a legal approach to issues affecting children, including education, juvenile justice, foster care and immigration. Through partnerships with local and national children’s law and advocacy organizations and CARE-generated projects, we assist in the direct representation of children and strive for broader systemic change through policy research and advocacy.

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Conference on Public Service and the Law - The Conference on Public Service and the Law brings together students, faculty, litigators and policymakers for an exploration of various public interest issues facing today’s legal community and provides excellent opportunities for job networking. Room SL192E

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Domestic Violence Project (DVP) - The Domestic Violence Project is a law student pro bono project organized under the Legal Assistance Society. DVP addresses the problem of domestic violence both directly (through pro bono service) and indirectly (through educational efforts to raise awareness and understanding of the issue). DVP educates the Law School community about issues of domestic violence through speakers, discussion panels, films and other events. DVP volunteers also monitor domestic violence-related criminal justice proceedings in Charlottesville, Albemarle and several other surrounding jurisdictions through the Shelter for Help in Emergency's Court Monitoring Program, and assist the Commonwealth's Attorney Offices of Charlottesville and of Albemarle in their prosecution of domestic violence cases by interviewing victims of domestic violence through the Commonwealth's Attorney's Project (CAP). In addition, DVP participants volunteer for the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society Pro Bono Domestic Violence Project (PDVP), organize police ride-alongs and more.

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Extramural Moot Court - Extramural Moot Court is part of the William Minor Lile Moot Court program. Students from all years are welcome to try out for Extramural Moot Court.

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Federalist Society - The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies promotes an awareness and application of the following principles: that the state exists to preserve freedom, that the separation of governmental powers is central to the U.S. Constitution and that it is the duty of the judiciary to say what the law is, not what it should be. Room SL192B

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First Year Council (FYC) - FYC is primarily a social organization designed to sponsor programs that help unify the first-year class. FYC reps also sponsor small-section social programs (e.g., potluck dinners, movie/TV nights, day trips, etc.). In addition, FYC may discuss issues that directly affect the first-year class and relay their concerns to the SBA via their representatives.

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Feminist Legal Forum - The Feminist Legal Forum is dedicated to advancing feminist discussion and awareness at the Law School.  The Feminist Legal Forum provides a place for law students to examine legal issues that affect women, clarify what feminism means to young lawyers, and unite to eradicate sexism in the legal profession and within the Law School.

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Graduate Law Students (GLSA) - GLSA is the representative body for all LL.M. and S.J.D. candidates. It organizes social functions for its members and represents their interests with faculty. Room SL158A

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Health Law Association - The Health Law Association is open to all law, LL.M., medical, graduate and undergraduate students. Its purposes are to explain what health law is, to give students a better view of the different areas of health law, to introduce types of available classes and to promote a healthy environment. The group sponsors many speakers and seminars in the health law field throughout the year and organizes social activities with medical and other graduate students. Association members also participate in pro bono activities with the UVA Medical Center.

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Human Rights Study Project - HRSP promotes the study of law affecting the protection of basic rights in foreign countries. HRSP combines the group-oriented and continuous character of a student organization with the scholarly aims of academically credited independent research. Each year, project team members, called Cowan Fellows, travel to the country that is the subject matter of their study to conduct interviews and collect other research unavailable in the United States. Room SL156F

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JD/MBA Society - The JD/MBA Society serves as a focal point for communication between JD/MBA students and the law and business school administrations, as well as the faculty, student body, alumni and prospective students of the schools; promotes the exchange of information and advice among JD/MBAs; improves the functioning of the JD/MBA program; and sponsors events and activities that promote interaction among the law and business school communities. The JD/MBA Society welcomes all students.

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Jewish Law Students Association (JLSA) - JLSA provides cultural, educational and social programming for Jewish law students, and serves as a resource for the rest of the Law School. Room SL156D

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John Bassett Moore Society of International Law (J.B. Moore) - The John Basset Moore Society of International Law (J.B. Moore Society) is dedicated to furthering the study of international law at the University of Virginia, providing a forum for law students with an interest in international affairs to meet and discuss issues in international law, and sponsoring social and academic events that further these goals. Website: jbmooresociety.org. Room SL192B.

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Korean American Law Student Association (KALSA) - KALSA exists to provide a vibrant social community for current law students, connect students to a professional career network, prominently support all Asian American organizations (such as APALSA) and the unified Asian American interest, aid in the future recruitment and retention of qualified Korean American students, increase Korean American presence and visibility, facilitate a network among students and alumni of Korean American background, provide a forum for discussion of legal issues as it pertains to the Korean American community, and contribute to the diversity of the Law School by furthering cultural exchanges, discourse and awareness.

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Lambda Law Alliance - Lambda Law Alliance provides an academically and socially supportive network for members of sexual minorities and their allies enrolled in the Law School. The organization also heightens awareness throughout the Law School, as well as the University community, about legal issues relevant to sexual minorities. Lambda informs the community of its interests and concerns and pushes for the expansion of equal civil rights for all. Room SL158E

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Latin American Law Organization (LALO) - LALO is an all-inclusive group devoted to increasing awareness of legal issues facing Latinos and Latin America. The group works to increase Latino representation at the Law School, augments the exploration of Hispanic-related issues in the law, and provides cultural and social programming that is of interest to the Law School community. Room SL156D

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Law Christian Fellowship (LCF) - LCF is a nondenominational Christian fellowship dedicated to understanding the person and claims of Jesus Christ. LCF remains uniquely committed to presenting Christianity to the Law School and the surrounding Charlottesville community through fellowship, service, and outreach. LCF's office is Room SL158A. Meetings will be held in SL258, unless otherwise noted.

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Law School Football League (LSFL) – The Law School Football League organizes weekly football games. Additionally, the LSFL will host a flag football tournament in the fall. The object is to provide a healthy outlet for casual competition and contribute to overall well-being.

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Law Student Advocacy Project (LSAP) - The Law Student Advocacy Project (LSAP) pairs law students with Virginia state employees who need assistance in preparation for grievance hearings before state hearing officers. LSAP volunteers work to prepare the employee's case, and then argue the case before state administrative hearing officers.

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Legal Advisory Workshops for Undergraduate Students (LAW for US) - LAW for US is a mentoring program for undergraduate students run by Law School students. The program targets minority undergrads and students who will become first-generation attorneys at each level of the process of preparing for admission to law school.

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The Libel Show - The Libel Show is an annual theatrical production which has been humoring the Law School since 1908 (making us the longest running student organization on campus). Each year the Show lampoons our professors and life at the Law School through a variety of impersonations, song parodies, and skits. The Libel Show's mission is to do everything within its power to help the Law School community enjoy raucous laughter. Most of the Show's work takes place in the spring semester. About 200 students write, sing, act, dance, and work as run crew on the Show. Whether you're a 1L or a 3L, and whether you have experience doing any theater in the past or not, you can be part of the Libel Show! Room SL192D

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Migrant Farmworker Project (MFP) - Run by the Latin American Law Organization, the MFP works with the Virginia Justice Center for Immigrant and Farmworkers (a program of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Legal Aid Society) to assist an isolated population in need of legal assistance. The Virginia Justice Center represents immigrant workers and farmworkers throughout the state of Virginia. Although the Center handles mostly employment law cases, it also takes housing and discrimination cases. Members of the Migrant Farmworker Project at UVA visit migrant farm labor camps and inform workers about their rights. The project also seeks to increase awareness about the substandard treatment and conditions in which immigrant workers live and work in the state of Virginia. Interested students do NOT need to speak Spanish. All are welcome.

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Moot Court Board - The William Minor Lile Moot Court Board administers the Lile Moot Court Competition. The third-year students on the board draft and edit all of the problems for the competition and judge the first two rounds, with the aid of other third-year students. 924-3188, Room SL196B

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National Lawyers Guild - The UVA chapter of the National Lawyers Guild raises awareness of economic and social justice issues and connects law students with community campaigns and pro bono opportunities related the these issues.

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National Trial Advocacy Team - The National Trial Advocacy Team provides an opportunity for law students to hone their trial advocacy skills and represents the School of Law in nationwide mock trial competitions. Room SL156B

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Native American Law Students Association (NALSA) - NALSA is an all-inclusive group devoted to increasing awareness of legal issues affecting Native populations and enabling Law School students to engage in cultural, educational, professional, service and social activities related to Native culture, communities and the like. NALSA also aims to help the faculty consider the concerns of Native students when considering academic matters, events, admissions and other aspects of UVA Law. Room SL156B

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North Grounds Softball League (NGSL) - The NGSL runs and organizes softball at the Law School. The NGSL also runs a softball tournament in the spring, the University of Virginia School of Law Spring Softball Invitational, in which teams from more than 60 schools participate. Room SL158B; www.ngsl.com

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Outdoors at VA Law (OVAL) - Outdoors at Virginia Law is committed to enhancing the law school experience by organizing local outdoor excursions such as nature walks, hikes, caving, rafting, climbing, skiing and snow-shoeing. OVAL aims to help students achieve a balanced approach to life and the study of law.

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Peer Advisor Program - The Peer Advisor Program helps acclimate first-year students to the Law School experience. Advisors offer friendship and support throughout the students' law school career. Room SL156A

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Phi Alpha Delta - The Thomas Jefferson Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International is dedicated to the service of the student, the Law School, the profession and the community. The chapter sponsors speakers and hosts social events. The fraternity provides a forum for members to broaden their professional experience. Room SL196A

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Phillip C. Jessup International Moot Court Team - Each year law students compete in the Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition, the largest moot court competition in the world, with over 100 countries and 500 law schools participating. The competition simulates a dispute before the International Court of Justice and participating students gain expertise in both public and private international law. Selection for the Jessup Team is based upon a formal tryout and an interview.

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Post-Conviction Assistance Project (P-CAP) - P-CAP is a Law School student volunteer organization that provides an array of legal assistance in the community, primarily in the area of criminal defense work. P-CAP does not accept direct solicitations. All law students are welcome to join one of the five P-CAP groups: Appointed Cases, Bail Project, Capital Cases, Beaumont Juvenile Project and Litigation Committee. pcap-1@virginia.edu, Room SL156C

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Public Interest Law Association (PILA) - PILA promotes and supports public interest law among UVA students. PILA provides fellowships to students who accept volunteer or low-paying summer internships in public service, educates the Law School community about public interest law, and serves as a support network for students interested in the public sector. Room SL158D

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Rex E. Lee Law Society (RELLS) - RELLS promotes high ethical and moral values in the study and practice of law. The organization serves as a resource for the Law School and provides assistance and information to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) who are studying or interested in studying law at the University of Virginia. Room SL156D

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Rivanna Investments - Rivanna Investments is an organization dedicated to discussing the global financial markets and learning the art of intelligent investing.

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Secular Legal Society - The Secular Legal Society (SLS) at UVA is a community of law students who are atheists, agnostics, humanists, freethinkers, and other nontheists, or who support the separation of church and state. SLS provides social events, educates the law school community about issues related to church/state separation and nontheism, and advocates for church/state separation and the rights of nontheists. For more information, contact sls.at.uva@gmail.com.

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St. Thomas More Society - The St. Thomas More Society is UVA’s Catholic outreach organization. The Society provides spiritual and social support to the Catholic population of the Law School, and those interested in the Catholic faith; promotes the spiritual growth of our members through catechesis, prayer and community service programs; and ensures that Catholic graduates of UVA are imbued with a knowledge of the law that is shaped and strengthened by the Catholic faith. Room SL158A

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Street Law - Through Street Law, law students write lesson plans and teach substantive legal issues to 12th-grade students at local high schools. The program introduces high school students to the law and legal professions, educates high school students on their rights and responsibilities under the law, provides a connection between law students and the Charlottesville community, and encourages the professional development of law students by emphasizing communication and teaching skills.

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Student Bar Association (SBA) - The SBA is the student-governing association for the Law School and aims to improve the law school experience. Students are welcome to join one of the SBA's 18 committees (such as programming, diversity, academic concerns, public service, Barristers' Ball), or to run for class representative or office in the spring. Room SL196E; Contact Information; www.virginiasba.com

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Student Legal Forum (SLF) - SLF brings dynamic speakers to Grounds to discuss high-profile legal issues, politics and other civic concerns of interest to law students and the university community. Room SL158C

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Students for Sensible Drug Policy - The University of Virginia School of Law chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) is a part of an international network of student drug policy reform activists. SSDP aspires to bring hard-hitting speakers and film screenings to the law school, serve as a vehicle for drug policy reform activism in the greater Charlottesville area, and play a catalytic role in strengthening the drug policy reform movement in Virginia.

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Virginia Animal Law Society (VALS) - The Virginia Animal Law Society 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. VALS conducts pro bono work, hosts speakers, plans student events, and holds fund raisers. The organization is affiliated with the Animal Legal Defense Fund, a nonprofit group of attorneys dedicated to defending animals from abuse and exploitation throughout the country.

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Virginia Employment and Labor Law Association (VELLA) - VELLA educates the student body about the field of labor and employment law, including career opportunities and networking with alumni, and provides a forum for ideas in labor and employment. Room SL196C

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Virginia Environmental Law Forum (VELF) - VELF is a discussion group regarding environmental issues and careers. The forum also aims to improve the environmental curriculum; its members volunteer at local nonprofit environmental groups. Room SL158C

Virginia Entrepreneurial Society (Law School Chapter) - The E* Society connects entrepreneurial students and faculty from all colleges of the University of Virginia with each other and with like-minded members of the greater Charlottesville community. By partnering with other student organizations, university offices, and local groups and businesses, we are able to aggregate resources, people and information from every corner of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. The society promotes a culture of collaboration, interdisciplinary thinking and action for new ventures.

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Virginia Law & Business Society - Founded in 1981, the Virginia Law & Business Society is the oldest and largest student-run organization devoted exclusively to corporate law and business. The society sponsors a variety of academic, professional and social activities for students interested in careers in law and business.

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Virginia Law Democrats - The University of Virginia Law Democrats encourages political discourse and learning about the political process, promotes student and community awareness of political issues, and actively works for the election of Democratic candidates to public office at the local, state, and federal levels. Room SL192C

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Virginia Law Families - Virginia Law Families supports and promotes the interests of students facing the challenges of attending law school while raising children. Among its primary objectives are promoting social interaction and the sharing of information, including among both current and prospective parents. Issues of specific concern include child care, medical resources and family activities or community events, with particular emphasis on low-cost options to help those on a tight budget. Virginia Law Families also supports the Law School admissions staff by encouraging individuals with families to apply for admission and attend the School of Law, and by serving as an information resource for potential attendees. Room SL156F

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Virginia Law and Graduate Republicans - Law and Graduate Republicans is the primary organization for law and graduate students who support the local and national candidates of the Republican Party and to promote Republican ideas and ideals at the University of Virginia.

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Virginia Law Rod & Gun Club - The Rod & Gun Club seeks to promote America's traditions of hunting, fishing, archery and marksmanship within the Law School. The club provides opportunities for members and non-members alike to participate in exciting, educational hunting, fishing and shooting-range trips. Further, the Rod & Gun Club advocates within the Law School for the rights of sportsmen and gun owners. Room SL158B

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Virginia Law Students for Reproductive Justice - Virginia Law Students for Reproductive Justice is a pro-choice, pro-information student organization that educates, organizes and supports law students to ensure that a new generation of advocates will be prepared to protect and expand reproductive rights as basic civil and human rights. It is the organization’s position that reproductive justice will be achieved when all people and communities have access to the information, resources and support they need to attain sexual and reproductive self-determination.

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Virginia Law Veterans - Virginia Law Veterans shares information about veterans’ benefits and issues; sponsors speakers on issues of concern to the veteran and military community; encourages public interest in, and pro bono work on, issues related to the welfare and interests of military personnel and veterans; identifies members of the Law School community who, based on previous military experience, can serve as information resources for anyone conducting research on national security or international law and policy issues; provides support to Law School admissions staff by encouraging military veterans and active-duty personnel to attend the Law School; and promotes social interaction between the diverse population of military and Coast Guard veterans, active duty, national guard and reserve personnel at the Law School. Membership is open to anyone with no requirement of any past or present tie to the military. Room SL192E

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Virginia Law Weekly - The Virginia Law Weekly is the Law School's weekly newspaper. 924-3070, Room SL277/279

Virginia Law Women (VLW) - VLW is dedicated to addressing issues that interest, concern and affect women in law school. Members may take part in VLW's mentoring program, attend VLW meetings and activities, and/or join any of VLW's active committees (i.e. scholarship, speakers, community affairs, feminist awareness). Room SL196D

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Virginia Society of Law & Technology (VSLaT) - VSLaT offers a forum for discussing issues relating to law and technology.  The society organizes and sponsors events such as student panels, faculty discussions and practitioner presentations.  Students with little or no technical background are welcome.

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Virginia Sports Law Society (VSLS) - The Virginia Sports Law Society provides an educational forum for students dedicated to exploring the interface between sports and law.  VSLS hosts informative events featuring sports law professionals, provides career networking opportunities and promotes a comfortable setting where students can socialize and discuss relevant issues in sports.  Membership is open  to all students who share a passion for sports and the law.

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Volunteer Income Tax Association (VITA) - Since 2007, VITA at Virginia Law, in cooperation with CASH at Madison House, has assisted lower-income taxpayers in the greater Charlottesville community with preparing their federal and state income tax returns. Volunteers also ensure that taxpayers receive all tax credits to which they are entitled. Services are provided for free and are provided in conjunction with the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Students receive training on how to provide tax assistance and are encouraged to come as often as their schedules allow. Training hours and on-site volunteer hours qualify as pro bono hours toward the Pro Bono Challenge. www.vitavirginia.org

West Coast Wahoos - West Coast Wahoos is an organization that connects law students interested in legal markets on the West Coast with alumni and fellow students working on the West Coast. WCW provides a support network to help students find and learn about job opportunities on the West Coast and social events with fellow students and alumni.

Women of Color - Women of Color provides social support to the diverse population of women at the Law School; promotes the welfare of its members through educational, professional, cultural, social and community service programs; and provides a forum for the discussion of issues affecting women of color in the Law School and the University community as a whole. Women of Color organizes service projects and fundraisers benefiting the University community and the greater Charlottesville-Albemarle community, social gatherings to promote fun and friendship, and open communication and involvement with the administration, professors, other student organizations and the undergraduate community. Room SL196D

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Although these organizations have members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in their activities and affairs, these organizations are not a part of or agencies of the University. They are separate and independent organizations that are responsible for and manage their own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise or control these organizations and is not responsible for the organizations' contracts, acts or omissions.