The information below is intended for College of Law audiences only.
Student Organizations
Our staff advocate for student involvement as we recognize its value in personal and scholarly success. Join your fellow students by participating in a recognized student organization; volunteering; or even launching your own student group.
At Syracuse, we encourage you to fully engage in campus life. Getting involved in one of our student organizations and professional associations is a great way to connect with other students, gain valuable leadership experience, and have fun.
Student involvement is valuable to both personal and scholarly success. Join your classmates in our Student Bar Association to volunteer for service activities and to take an active role in shaping the College of Law experience, and explore the many ways to participate and make an impact.
How will you get involved? Browse the organizations in the list below.
Starting a New Student Organization
Don’t see a student organization below that captures your interest? Consider starting a new one! If you would like to start a new student organization, here are the steps:
- Set up an appointment with the Director of Student Affairs (Suite 220 | 315.443.1146) to discuss the organization and review the approval process.
- Assemble at least 15 students to support the creation of your new student organization.
- Select and confirm a faculty advisor.
- Fully complete the Student SBA Addendum.
- Draft a constitution or bylaws.*
- Submit the completed Addendum and organization constitution to the SBA Secretary.
After you have fully completed the above steps, you will be scheduled to appear at the next meeting of the SBA. You will be asked to present the purpose, goals, objectives, and intent of your organization. The SBA may ask follow up questions based on your presentation. Please review the organization recognition guide [PDF].
If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact the Office of Student Affairs at 315-443-1146, or lawstudentaffairs@law.syr.edu
*The constitution must contain (but is not limited to) the following information:
A. Purpose. Describe the purpose of the organization.
B. Membership. A statement of open membership to all Syracuse University College of Law Students who have paid their activity fee; and further that the organization shall not discriminate regardless of race, color, sex, handicap, age, or political and religious affiliation in any of its policies, procedures or practices.
C. List of Officer Positions. Each organization must have at least two officers, including:
i. A President or Chair who will serve as the liaison between the organization and the Office of Student Affairs. This person will be the primary contact for all things relating to the student organization.
ii. A Treasurer or financial officer who will be the primary contact for the organization’s budget. This person will be responsible for signing all reimbursements and tracking the budget progress of the organization.
D. Method for electing officers.
E. The need and function of the Faculty/Staff Advisor.
F. A statement regarding the supervising authority and an agreement to comply with SU and College of Law Policies & Procedures, along with federal, state and local laws.
G. Process for amending the constitution.
H. Use the available sample constitution [DOC] as a guide.
Student Organization Financial Forms & Guides​
- Financing Workshop [PDF]
- Orders and Reimbursement Guide [PDF]
- SU Employee Expense Reimbursement Form [XLS]
- Basic Budget Template [XLS]
List of Student Organizations
Honor Societies Student Run-Journals 2020-2021 Student Organization Leaders
American Constitution Society 
The mission of the American Constitution Society is to harness the values of compassion and respect for each individual, and to re-incorporate them into American law and politics, in order to build a stronger and more decent national community. We seek 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. We want to strengthen the intellectual underpinnings of—and the public case for—a vision of the law in which these values are paramount. Our goal is a rekindling of the hope that by reason and decency, we can create an America that is better for us all.
Asian-Pacific American Law Student Association
We in APALSA strive to advocate for the Asian Pacific American community in the College of Law and beyond. We work to bring attention and understanding to Asian and Asian American issues and culture, and to provide an academic support system for all students to connect with the APALSA community.
Our mission is to:
- Create a community of support through shared goals
- Ensure a method of communication and collaboration between law students and fellow organizations
- Promote Asian Pacific American causes and changes in the legal community
- Act as a liaison between students and Asian Pacific American attorneys
- Encourage the pursuit of a legal education and career for underrepresented groups
Black Law Student Association
The Black Law Students Association (BLSA) is a professional organization committed to furthering the academic, professional, and cultural needs and goals of Black, indigenous, persons of color (BIPOC) students at the college of law.
As an affiliate of the National Black Law Student Association (NBLSA), the largest student-run organization in America that has over 200 chapters at law schools throughout the country, representing almost every ABA accredited law school, plus several non-accredited law schools.
Our chapter focuses on articulating and promoting the needs and goals of BIPOC law students to effectuate change in the legal community. We are organized to empower students with the knowledge and resources to be successful students, mentors, and professionals in the legal community and we have an extremely supportive alumni base. BLSA’s mission is to strive for excellence and balance within the legal community through professionalism, respect, and hard work as a cohesive unit. BLSA has various resources to aid your academic success and hosts a variety of social functions for non-academic enjoyment. In the past, BLSA has been awarded organization of the year due to its outstanding community involvement.
Further, BLSA has participated in a variety of community service projects, the Annual Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition along with numerous other competitions, and BLSA highlights its achievements through its Annual Black History Month Dinner.
Catholic Law Student Association
The goal of the Catholic Law Students Association is to build fellowship and bridge divides that would otherwise separate College of Law students.
Corporate Law Society
The Corporate Law Society’s mission is to provide every student with a look into the depth that corporate law practice covers. We strive to put on events that show students various practice areas while also providing alumni engagement. Corporate law can include both transactional as well as litigation and we hope to help students realize their potential in whichever practice their interests take them. By engaging as many students and alumni as possible we hope to form a larger and stronger Syracuse network in the corporate setting.
Criminal Law Society
Disability Law Society
Disability Law Society is an organization of Syracuse University College of Law students who are working to create and support a positive climate toward disability that values individual difference.
Our goals are:
- To raise awareness about disability within the College of Law and greater Syracuse University community.
- To support students who have disabilities; who are interested in pursuing a joint degree related to disability studies; and/or who are
- To provide information and assistance to students, faculty and staff members in the COL and SU community regarding disability; and,
- To provide COL students the opportunity to volunteer in the disability community of the local Syracuse community.
Entertainment & Sports Law Society
he Entertainment and Sports Law Society is open to all Syracuse law students who possess a sincere interest and dedication to the professions of entertainment law and sports law. ESLS organizes an annual student-run Symposium, which welcomes experts from across the entertainment and sports sectors.