Even though you have limited free time, student organizations are a great way to get to know people with similar interests, learn about a substantive area of law, or serve the community around you.
Every student in the Law School is a member of the Student Bar Association, which has as its objectives the promotion of cooperation between students and faculty, the encouragement of association of students with members of the bar, and student governance in the Law School. The Student Bar Association is a charter member of the American Law Student Association, sponsored by the American Bar Association. The officers of the Association consist of a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and parliamentarian. These officers plus the officers of the three classes constitute the Board of Governors. Dues are $2.25 per hour per quarter. The Association sponsors many social activities and fundraisers and also assists entering students with the adjustment to the law school environment by providing each student with a “Law Buddy.”
Administrative law directly impacts every other type of major practice area! Baylor Administrative Law Society has been formed to further educate and prepare students for working within administrative law. Our goal is to meet industry and government leaders to understand the world from an administrative law perspective and create a network across our fields of interest.
This organization is currently not active.
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The American Constitution Society for Law and Policy is a progressive legal organization. The group’s stated mission is to “promote 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.
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The Asian American Law Student Association represents the interests of Asian law students by providing advocacy, support, and networking opportunities while serving as a social, cultural, and academic resource to Baylor Law students. AALSA also aims to give back to the Waco community by volunteering and participating in BPILS' Annual Adoption Day.
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The Baylor Business Law Society’s purpose is to connect business law oriented students with each other, with attorneys practicing in the field, and with other business professionals. The organization already has preliminary support from the State Bar of Texas Business Law Section and from practicing attorneys across the state. One vision for the organization is to sponsor events in connection with the State Bar that bring awareness of transactional law practice that Baylor Law students may not ordinarily be exposed to. Additionally, the Business Law Society plans on sponsoring networking events with our peers and with professionals and attorneys.
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The objectives of the Baylor Environmental and Natural Resource Law Society include promoting student education in the field of environmental and natural resource law; hosting meetings, forums, and other programs to accomplish our first objective; coordinating with the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section of the State Bar of Texas in its support of environmental legal education at Baylor; and coordinating with faculty advisors and faculty instructing relevant environmental and natural resource law courses. Membership is open to all students.
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The Baylor Labor and Employment Law Society exists to grow the community of Baylor Law students who wish to practice labor and employment law and to connect students with professionals in the labor and employment industry.
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The Baylor Law Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF) is dedicated to protecting the lives of animals and advancing their interests through the legal system. To advance these goals, SALDF works to improve the lives of animals in Texas through volunteer work, fundraising, and support for trap-neuter-return programs. SALDF also seeks to educate law students and the surrounding community about forms of institutionalized animal abuse. SALDF is affiliated with the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
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The Baylor Public Interest Legal Society is a service-oriented organization which exists to serve Baylor Law and the Waco community in facilitating the involvement of students in public interest institutions and programs. The Society coordinates and encourages the efforts of students, faculty and administration in promoting public interest issues on campus and in the community. The Society also assists students in obtaining internships, field placements, and employment in public interest fields in coordination with Baylor Law’s faculty and administration.
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The Black Law Student Association (BLSA) is a sub-group of Diversity in Law. As exemplified by our motto – strength in unity – BLSA aims to promote solidarity among its members by establishing a good fellowship environment; providing collective resources to encourage academic excellence and professional development; creating opportunities to network, fundraise, and volunteer to positively impact the community; and empowering members to become effective lawyers and leaders.
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The Christian Legal Society is an organization composed of current Baylor law students. This organization's primary goals are to provide an opportunity for fellowship among Christians within the Law School community and to be a source of encouragement and support for those who need it. All students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend.
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The purposes of the Criminal Law Society are to increase exploration and dialogue in the field of criminal law; to create opportunities for students who are interested in criminal law by hosting speakers, providing career development and networking opportunities, advocating for necessary reform, and engaging in community service; and to promote welfare in the community through activities such as public awareness seminars and community service projects. The Criminal Law Society will host events throughout the year, bringing practitioners, academics, judges, and policymakers to campus.
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The Diversity in Law Association exists to serve as a professional organization, support system, and social club for minority law students. It maintains contact with various national organizations such as the Hispanic National Bar Association, the Black Law Student Association, and the Asian Law Society, but our local group works as a united organization for issues and concerns of minority students. Membership is open to all students.
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The goal of the Baylor Entertainment Law Society will be to prepare students for a wide range of legal careers within the entertainment industry through a vast avenue of resources such as exposure to current topics and trends within the industry by guest lecturers and experienced professionals working in Film, Television, Music, and Theater. Further, we will hold networking events with Baylor Lawyers and other prominent names in the Entertainment Law field.
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The Baylor Law Federalist Society is a group of law students united by conservative and libertarian philosophies on law and government. Philosophically, we are a non-partisan organization dedicated to the principles that the state exists to preserve liberty, 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. Every year, we bring in prominent scholars, judges, practitioners, and politicians to meet with members and speak on various constitutional and legal issues.
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The Harvey M. Richey Moot Court Society conducts bi-annual intramural competitions, one in the fall and one in the spring. All students who are enrolled in LARC 3: Persuasive Communications are required to participate. The competition problem is the one used for the brief-writing requirement in the LARC 3 class. The competitions also are open to other interested students. The participants work in teams of two to prepare and present oral arguments to panels of judges. All competitors who advance to the out rounds or are recognized with a speaker award become members of the Baylor Barrister Society.
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Baylor Law HEAL is an organization dedicated to advocating for victims of domestic and sexual abuse. HEAL stands for help, educate, advocate, and learn. Our goal is to help victims through the legal system, educate law students on how to properly treat victims, advocate for change in the legal process, and learn from victims how we can make the process safer.
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Hispanic American Law Student Association (HALSA) is a sub-group of Diversity in Law. The purposes of HALSA shall be to articulate and promote the professional needs and goals of Hispanic law students by utilizing the collective resources of the law school and the legal community; to focus upon the relationship of the Hispanic attorney to the American structure; to instill in the Hispanic law student a greater awareness of commitment to the needs of the Hispanic-American community; to foster and encourage the advancement of Hispanic students in the pursuit of law; and to do all things necessary and lawful to accomplish these purposes.
To become a member, the interested party should contact the president or vice president of the HALSA, which will be determined at the beginning of each spring quarter.
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The purpose of the Intellectual Property Law Society is to increase discussion about the broad field of intellectual property law. IPLS aims to dispel misunderstandings about who may practice intellectual property law and create opportunities for students who are interested in intellectual property law by hosting speakers, holding informational meetings, organizing field trips, and providing career development programs. The Intellectual Property Law Society will host events throughout the year.
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The LGBTQ+ Law Student Association is an inclusive student organization focused on creating and providing all students a welcoming, supportive, and safe educational experience. The Group strives to provide education on the legal issues that affect people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer. To achieve these goals, the Group provides opportunities for students to examine the intersection of sexual orientation, gender, and the law by providing a common meeting ground within the Law School to discuss matters of importance to LGBTQ+ students and their allies. Above all, the Group strives to create a caring, loving, and supportive community for all Baylor Law Students under the Baylor University Board of Regents Resolution on a Caring Community on May 14, 2021.
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The Baylor School of Law Texas Exes Society comprises present and former law students who are also former students of the University of Texas.
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The Military & Veterans Legal Society was founded with three goals in mind. First, the Society aims to promote scholarly discussion of the military justice system, national security, veterans affairs, and other related topics affecting law students, legal professionals, and current, former, or prospective members of the armed forces of the United States of America. Secondly, the Society hopes to foster the professional development of its members by organizing military and civilian career panels, hosting topically relevant debates, coordinating physical fitness events, and building social ties between its members, the Baylor Law community, and the citizens of the greater Waco area. Finally, it strives to support current and former members of our armed forces through fundraisers and community service events.
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The Mustang Bar Association comprises present and former law students who also attended Southern Methodist University. Its primary purpose is to serve as a club for all Mustangs to have a home away from the Hilltop, network with the DFW job market, and continue to Pony Up.
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The purpose of the Baylor Law School NALSA shall be to: articulate and promote the professional needs and goals of Native Law Students and their allies; foster and encourage professional competence; focus upon the relationship of the Native American Law Student, the Native American Attorney, and their allies to the American legal structure; instill in every attorney and Law Student a greater awareness and commitment to the needs of the Native American community; influence the legal community to bring about meaningful change to meet the needs of the Native American community; adopt and implement a policy of economic independence; encourage law students to pursue careers in the judiciary; and do all things necessary and appropriate to accomplish these purposes.
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The purpose of the Parents Attending Law School Organization (PALS) is to connect and support current and potential parents at Baylor University School of Law. We will coordinate meetings for support, education, and study spaces where kids are welcome. We will also host family-friendly events, services, and other activities to encourage families to be involved at the law school.
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Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, is a professional fraternity composed of pre-law and law students, legal educators, attorneys, judges, and government officials. Phi Alpha Delta was founded on November 8, 1902, to promote professional competency and achievement within the legal profession. Today, P.A.D. is the world's largest law fraternity, with 206 law school chapters, 99 alumni chapters, and 316 Pre-Law chapters in the United States (including Puerto Rico), Canada, and Mexico.
This organization is currently not active.
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Connect students to learn Spanish legal terminology, practice conversational skills, and engage in community events that foster the practical application of Spanish skills.
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As the sports industry continues to grow in the twenty-first century, lawyers and the legal field must stay up-to-date with the newest trends and how they may impact old and new laws. This organization exists to provide a robust social networking tool for students, encourage students to find their passion within the fields of sports, and expand students’ knowledge about opportunities where the law can facilitate success in sports.
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The Student Wellness Organization exists to raise awareness for the mental health and well-being of law students; furthermore, the Organization will promote healthy ways for students to cope with the stressors of law school by fostering a dialogue between faculty, students, and the lawyer community.
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The Baylor Law Texas A&M Club comprises present and former law students who are also former students of Texas A&M University. The club enables Aggies to continue their Aggie traditions once they have moved further north up Highway 6. Activities include social get-togethers, A & M campus recruiting, maintaining contacts with Aggie lawyers, judges, and other legal professionals, and law school Muster. In addition, one of the club's primary goals is raising money to endow a scholarship in memory of Aggie and Dean Emeritus Angus S. McSwain, Jr. The scholarship will be awarded to a deserving Aggie at the Law School.
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The Baylor Law Women’s Legal Society is dedicated to bringing the law school community together to provide a forum that supports women and empowers future female leaders through mentorship, philanthropy, and education.
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Please click here to access the Baylor Student Activities Student Organization Policies and Procedures webpage. (Scroll to 'Additional Student Org Info' section).
Please click here to access the Student Organization Handbook.
Visit ASTRA to see the events calendar at the law school. The calendar contains organization meetings, special events, speaker events, and non-classroom reservations. If you would like to add a student organization meeting to the calendar, please contact Terri Kroll.
If you want to include an announcement in the weekly student announcements email, you must submit it (with the exact heading and wording you want to appear in the email) to Terri Kroll by noon on the Friday preceding the Monday when you would like the announcement to be sent.
You must also copy Katherine Sims and the SBA Executive Secretary on the email to Mrs. Kroll. Failure to comply with this procedure may preclude your announcement from being included in Monday’s email. You may petition for a late/non-conforming submission to be included or sent in a separate email by sending Katherine Sims an email showing good cause for the late or non-conforming submission.
Baylor Law is committed to bringing engaging speakers with positive, constructive, responsible, ethical, and professional viewpoints to share in a venue marked by civility, factual accuracy, open-mindedness, and mutual respect. (There are also some restrictions regarding those who are political office holders or those seeking to attain a political office. Please see below for more information in the affirmations section.)
Baylor Law has a robust schedule of programming each quarter for students. In addition to Professional Development Program ("PDP") events, faculty, and student organizations frequently schedule events to provide additional learning and academic opportunities to Baylor Law students.
To keep our calendar and events coordinated, all student organizations requesting to host certain events must submit the Event and Speaker Approval Form.
If you do not see an organization where you want to get involved, consider starting one. See Director of Student Affairs Katherine Sims for information about starting a new student organization at Baylor Law. Director Sims will walk you through the process of forming a new organization, which includes creating a constitution, developing the inaugural board, being approved by the Student Bar Association, and getting 25 Baylor Law student signatures on a petition to make the organization.
If you have an interest in creating a student organization and want to test the waters, you can visit with Director Sims about the process of forming an interest group that works with a faculty member with related expertise to discuss issues and host events for interested students.
Interest groups can host events and speakers by partnering with existing student organizations and their faculty sponsors.
If you would like a digital announcement on the monitors (digital signs) located throughout the Law Center, please email Nick Teixeira. with the exact heading and wording of the information by Sunday evening.
If you have money to deposit into your organization account from a fundraising event or would like to check your account balance, please email Terri Kroll.
Leaders, if you would like your organization's events to count for Professional Development Program Credit ("PDP") and/or Leadership Development Program Credit ("LDP"), please see the criteria on those pages.
If you believe the event would qualify for credit, please contact the Director of Student Affairs Katherine Sims and Dean Cruseturner.
For full consideration and the best chance of your program being approved by the PDP Committee, you must seek approval prior to the sixth week of classes in the quarter preceding the quarter in which you seek to hold an event. For example, if applying for PDP or LDP credit for a Winter Quarter program, you must seek that approval before the sixth week of classes in the Fall Quarter. If you do not submit your program by this deadline, the committee will consider your program as space and topic allow.
If you need to purchase items or food for an event or your organization, do not purchase anything and see Terri Kroll first. Baylor University no longer reimburses students.
Be sure to e-mail Katherine Sims each time your organization elects new officers.
If you request funds from SBA for your organization, please email the request to the Executive President and the Executive Treasurer.
Please include the amount, a detailed list of the funds' purpose, and how it will positively influence/impact the student body.
To make a room reservation, call Terri Kroll at 254.710.3692 or email Terri Kroll.
If you would like to set up a table for your organization on the first floor of the law center, please see Terri Kroll or Karen Ehgotz on the 3rd floor to sign the table out and get the keys.
Building Hours
Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday - Sunday: Closed
Holidays: Closed
Sheila & Walter Umphrey Law Center
1114 South University Parks Drive
One Bear Place #97288
Waco, Texas 76798
