The Agricultural Law Association (ALA) is an organization that aims to foster healthy conversations about the agriculture industry and agricultural law. ALA focuses on the ethical, social, and professional role of attorneys in this industry. ALA is designed to educate law students about the importance of an agriculture-friendly society and provide career opportunities in this field. No background in agriculture is required to join – all law students are welcome.
OU Law’s chapter of the American Constitution Society (ACS) is a small, but significant, part of the national organization’s aim to effect positive, progressive change and to counter the conservative legal movement that it sees as “erod[ing] our enduring constitutional values.” While it is a left-leaning organization, the ACS welcomes students from all political backgrounds and encourages tough, but amiable, debates. Meetings often include notable speakers that discuss current events, their constitutionality (or lack thereof), and include time for Q&A. OU Law’s chapter of the ACS did not hold regular meetings until 2015, and it is now proud to host some of the school’s best-attended lunch and learns.
Established in 1973, the American Indian Law Review is nationally and internationally acclaimed, and specializes in issues of law affecting Native American tribes and indigenous peoples. To that end, our focus often overlaps with numerous other areas of law, such as human rights, international, and constitutional law. Our work is frequently cited in federal Indian law opinions written by judges across the country, including opinions written by judges and justices of the United States Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of the United States. The AILR further provides students the opportunity to write and publish academic articles, and to hone their editing skills, preparing them well to contribute to writing in the legal profession.
The local chapter of the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) is named in honor of the first African American student admitted to OU Law: Dr. Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher. Dr. Fisher’s Supreme Court case, litigated by Thurgood Marshall, desegregated OU Law and led to the historic Brown v. Board of Education holding. OU BLSA’s mission is to provide guidance to Black law students in their academic, professional, and social endeavors. In the spirit of Dr. Fisher’s legacy, OU BLSA strives to uplift Black law students at OU Law by facilitating a welcoming environment in Oklahoma.
As the 2021-2022 Regional and National Small Chapter of the Year, we conduct programming in areas of academic excellence, social cohesion, alumni relations, professional development, pro-bono & community service, and pre-law initiatives. With consistent student engagement and a strong alumni presence, OU BLSA is one of the most active student organizations on OU Law’s campus. OU BLSA not only provides members with holistic skills, but also facilitates fellowship within the community.
The OU Law community honors Dr. Fisher’s legacy, as the stone once rejected became the cornerstone. OU BLSA endeavors to continue Dr. Fisher’s legacy as the cornerstone by confronting injustice and using the law to advance progress.
OU BLSA has received the honor of regional and national recognition in the following categories:
- National Small Chapter of the Year: 2010, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023
- Regional Small Chapter of the Year: 2008, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023
- Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition: 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
- Nelson Mandela International Negotiations Competition: 2012, 2018, 2020, 2021
Additional Awards:
- 2022 Regional Community Service Award
- 2019 Regional Chapter President of the Year
- 2013 Best Regional Program
Above all else, OU BLSA strives to advance social justice, racial equity, and the empowerment of future Black lawyers.
Welcome to the OU BLSA family; we hope to meet you soon!
- President, Alyssa Sloan: alyssasloan@ou.edu
- Faculty Advisor, Professor Alex Pearl: alex.pearl@ou.edu
- Assistant Dean, Stanley Evans: stanevans@ou.edu
- OU BLSA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-of-oklahoma-college-of-law-black-law-students-association/
- OU BLSA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ou_blsa/
The Board of Advocates (BOA) is a student organization formed to create, coordinate, and sponsor both intra-school and inter-school oral advocacy competitions. The BOA promotes interest in the College of Law’s advocacy programs and creates opportunities for OU Law students to develop communication, advocacy, negotiation, counseling, and interviewing skills.
The mission of the Business Law Society (BLS) is to strengthen the understanding of business law practice for all members. The group exists to promote professional and social interaction among members of the business law legal profession; provide every member with a variety of opportunities to assume leadership roles and responsibilities; enhance the professional growth and development of members through networking opportunities; promote high standards of professional competence and ethical conduct in the business law legal profession; promote the sound administration of justice through attorneys and judges employed by the United States at all levels of government, local and federal; provide meaningful services for the welfare and professional benefit of the members; keep members informed of developments in their respective fields of interest; and keep members informed of the affairs of BLS, to encourage their involvement in business activities.
Christian Legal Society (CLS) is a fellowship of Christians dedicated to serving Jesus Christ through the practice and study of law, the defense of religious freedom and life, and the provision of legal aid to the needy. OU’s CLS chapter is dedicated to facilitating an uplifting community through such activities as monthly meetings, Bible study groups, group service projects, and other fellowship opportunities.
OU Law's Criminal Law Society emphasizes and advocates the field of criminal law. The Criminal Law Society is dedicated to exposing law students to the criminal law process, both by defense attorneys and prosecutors. Students will meet attorneys who currently practice criminal law, hear from speakers involved with historic cases, and will be able to tour prison facilities in Oklahoma.
The Environmental Law Student Association is a student organization whose mission is to strengthen students' knowledge of environmental law practice by promoting students’ exposure to environmental issues and laws, encouraging conservation efforts, and cultivate students’ skills to participate in the making of sound environmental policy.
The Federal Bar Association (FBA) Student Division is under the umbrella of the Oklahoma City chapter. The national association is there to help those in federal practice and those seeking to join federal practice. The student division exists to strengthen students awareness of the Federal legal system and administration of justice.
The Federalist Society is a group of conservatives and libertarians founded on a few principles, primarily that:
- the state exists to preserve freedom
- the separation of governmental powers is central to our Constitution
- it is emphatically the province and duty of the judiciary to say what the law is, not what it should be.
However, you don't have to agree with our ideas to join us--we welcome members of diverse and conflicting views! Our goal is to facilitate the open exchange of ideas--not to take political stances, lobby, sponsor, or endorse specific candidates. Our events are organized to encourage balanced debates about legal issues, and we will have opportunities to hear from (and meet) notable political figures and legal scholars.
Our mission is to build a community that includes many different identities. This will strengthen our commitment to our members by demonstrating that many students walk similar paths regardless of their appearance, beliefs, or economic status.
FGLSA strives to create a community that will serve as a network for The University of Oklahoma College of Law (COL) students who are the first in their immediate families to enter the legal field. Many first-generation law students encounter unique obstacles as they begin law school and most attend law school with minimal guidance. Accordingly, FGLSA seeks to be a community of support for such students.
Every semester, FGLSA holds a “semester-at-a-glance” meeting where leadership outlines what to expect for each of the 1L and 2L classes. Whether it be the moot court process, when to start applying for internships, or when to take the MPRE, FGLSA is there to answer everyone’s questions and provide no judgment!
FGLSA creates a sort of “real” law school experience sense of community. We are honest with each other and try not to sugar coat the realities of being a law student. On the other hand, we strive to support and cheer on our students with their successes and our GroupMe is one of the most active on campus!
Interested students can join our organization by reaching out to a current member to get added to our GroupMe and email list or request membership on the OU Engage page!
FGLSA provides networking opportunities for law students by connecting them with current students that have connections with varying types of internships and jobs. Whether it be in Dallas, Oklahoma, Washington D.C., or New York City, FGLSA has a member that can guide you through the process of getting you where you need to go. We focus on connecting law students with other law students and networking with each other!
The Health Law Student Association ("HLSA") is a law student association located at the OU College of Law. HLSA’s goal is to strengthen the student's knowledge of the health law practice, to strengthen ties and relationship between students and practicing health law attorneys, and provide networking opportunities for aspiring Juris Doctor candidates who have an interest in health law. HLSA promotes the involvement in volunteer activities and fundraising events for the promotion of health law in the community. HLSA is also affiliated with the American Health Lawyers Association, a national organization for health lawyers that provides HLSA with numerous networking opportunities, national education and professional events to attend, and job opportunities.
E-mail: ouhealthlaw@outlook.com
Facebook Group Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/124043988055155/
Intellectual Property Society (IPSoc) is a group of students trying to help one another network and prepare for the unique world of intellectual property litigation and prosecution. We focus on helping students in the state and beyond in areas of copyright, trademark, and patents. We talk about songs, movies, books, logos, selfies, and cellphones - to name a few things. Specific backgrounds, like a science degree, are not required to practice, so we don't require it either.
The Latin American Law Student Association (LALSA) is the cultural affiliation group for Latin American and Hispanic students at OU Law. LALSA membership and opportunities are open to all law students. LALSA is dedicated to shared expression and appreciation of the Latin and Hispanic cultural diaspora, and the recruitment of diverse law students OU Law to expand diverse access to justice in the legal profession. We frequently hold social and educational events in the law school and around Norman. We also host speakers such as alumni-attorneys, professors, and international diplomats to lead informative discussions. We participate in college interest fairs for high school and undergraduate students. We are closely related to our partner diversity organizations at OU Law in supporting the diverse and inclusive expression of student identities through collective advocacy and fellowship.
Our student organization is related to its national professional organization, the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA), which has a student-division we encourage our members to participate in. Thanks to the support of our administration, we have been privileged to attend the HNBA Annual Conference and the HNBA Annual Uvaldo Herrera National Moot Court Competition the past several years. Notably, OU Law offers a Legal Spanish course so Spanish-speaking students are ready to tackle the bilingual practice of law, which is critical to solving access to justice issues faced by the fastest growing minority population in the United States.
Interested current, future, and alumni students as well as law firms, educators, and legal professionals are invited to follow us on Instagram. We encourage potential or incoming law student to tell your OU Law Admissions Counselor that you'd like to be connected with LALSA.
LAHT seeks to encourage and equip students, faculty, and staff with the knowledge and opportunities to abolish modern day slavery and human trafficking in our communities.
The Military Law Society (MLS) at the University of Oklahoma College of Law emphasizes the importance of legal issues pertaining to military law. Military legislation and current affairs are discussed frequently while taking a non-partisan approach, carefully examining all sides of the issues.
Our focus is recruiting current, former, and future military personal, as well as those who share an interest in Military Law. Connecting with current and former JAG Corp professionals is essential to the overall purpose of MLS. Additionally, we seek out private firms that specialize in military law issues.
Events and volunteer work is geared towards helping Veteran Service Organizations within the community like the American Legion Hall, VFW, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Etc. These organizations serve as veteran representatives and are a vital part of supporting and helping our nation’s heroes. As future legal professionals, it is imperative that we continue to advocate and bring awareness of all legal issues our veterans face on a daily basis.
The Native American Law Student Association chapter at The University of Oklahoma College of Law exists to promote the study and development of Federal Indian Law, Tribal Law, and traditional forms of governance. Additionally, NALSA supports Native Americans in law school, both in their own personal academic and life achievements, and in their efforts to educate their peers and communities about Indian law issues.
The University of Oklahoma College of Law’s Oil and Gas, Natural Resources, and Energy Journal (ONE J) is a comprehensive publication dedicated to advancing domestic and international legal scholarship on oil, gas, and energy and natural resources law. The Journal offers in-depth articles by academics, practitioners, and other interested scholars. In addition, ONE J features comments and notes written by student members and editors on a wide variety of energy topics.
The Oil and Gas, Natural Resources, and Energy Society (ONE S) introduces students to these exciting and diverse fields in the legal profession. ONE S invites a variety of speakers, including litigators, transactional attorneys, judges, and government representatives, who work in the oil and gas and energy fields. Student members interested in the oil and gas or energy sector, actively learn to network in professional and casual settings with their peers and industry professionals during events such as “Meet the Energy Industry Reception.” ONE S facilitates the interactions between students, professors, and their future colleagues and prepares law students for an exciting future in the oil, gas, and energy industry.
The University of Oklahoma College of Law Oklahoma International Law Society ("OILS") exists for the purpose of educating students about international law and its impact on policy, business, and human rights and preparing students for careers in an inter-connected world. OILS promotes its purpose through hosting internationally recognized guest speakers, organizing awareness raising events, providing a mentorship program for foreign exchange and international students, and hosting international cultural exchange events. OILS is a very active student group on campus and was awarded the Student Bar Association’s Best Student Group Award for the College of Law in 2015.
Since 1948, the University of Oklahoma College of Law has published the Oklahoma Law Review to serve the profession and the public with timely discussion of legal issues. The Review is published by a student editorial board, operating with the advice of faculty. The Review contains lead articles written by scholars and practitioners, as well as student notes and comments.
The purpose of the Organization for the Advancement of Women in Law (“OAWL”) is to support and advance women at both the law school and within the legal profession! We are also focused on community outreach and service in the Norman area, specifically the Women’s Resource Center.
The University of Oklahoma College of Law Golf Club exists for the purpose of bringing together like-minded individuals that enjoy playing the game of golf. The Golf Club will host casual play days throughout the year and at least one tournament to encourage friendly competition, exercise, as well as a much-needed study break.
Outlaw is the LGBTQ+ group within OU's College of Law. OUtlaw hosts lunch and learns regarding legal issues that the queer community faces, partners with main campus groups, as offering ally training for both faculty and students.
As the largest legal fraternity in the world, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International (PAD) works to help students make informed decisions about their education by connecting them with legal professionals and fostering supportive communities in and out of school. PAD is open to all students at the University of Oklahoma College of Law.
Phi Delta Phi is the oldest legal organization in continuous existence in the United States. It was founded in 1869 at the University of Michigan School of Law to create an association that would foster scholarship, civility, and ethical conduct in our profession. Since that time, Phi Delta Phi has grown beyond the borders of the United States to Canada, Latin America and Europe.
Phi Delta Phi celebrates academic excellence and embraces the finest attributes of professionalism and scholarship. Since our founding, Phi Delta Phi has emphasized to students and lawyers alike the importance of our calling. Our active membership is drawn from those students of the law who not only have shown themselves companionable, but have manifested ability and industry in legal study.
Membership in Phi Delta Phi is a mark of honor and distinction that follows one throughout life. Once accepted, a member of Phi Delta Phi will be recognized as one whose moral compass, academic ability, and personal integrity is beyond reproach.
The Public Interest Law Student Association (PILSA) is a student-driven organization that works to develop and sustain a culture of commitment to public service at OU Law. PILSA helps students connect with qualified volunteer placement opportunities, including full-time summer law clerk positions with local public interest organizations and government agencies. PILSA sponsors a series of recognition programs to honor students with demonstrated commitment to public and pro bono service.
The University of Oklahoma Sports & Entertainment Law Society exists for the purpose of encouraging students to find their passion and pursue jobs within the fields of Sports and Entertainment. They present networking opportunities and learning experiences through a variety of guest speakers with an array of experience in their field, as well as success stories to show that, even in Oklahoma, there are opportunities to be had.
The Student Animal Legal Defense Fund Chapter at OU Law (SALDF OU Law) is supported by the national animal protection organization, Animal Legal Defense Fund. Our mission is to educate the student body about the field of animal law and animal advocacy. We are a voice for non-human animals and advocate for a future where people view all animals as individuals and not objects. We serve 100% plant-based food at every event, and we strive to live lives that harm animals less.
Our chapter hosts bi-monthly events that include interactive discussions, guest speakers (such as animal rights attorneys and undercover investigators), and documentary screenings. Our chapter spearheaded the first Animal Law class at OU Law, which is taught by the infamous Will Lowrey. We also participate in events with the OBA Animal Law section and The Kirkpatrick Foundation.
We are a politically and ideologically diverse group because we believe everyone has the capacity to care about animals. This organization is for people who want to make the world a better place and minimize unnecessary suffering of human and non-human animals. This organization is also for students who are just curious to learn more!
The University of Oklahoma College of Law Student Bar Association (SBA) exists for the purpose of promoting the general welfare of the Student Bar Association (of which every law student is a member) and the University of Oklahoma College of Law. The SBA advocates for student issues, serves as a liaison between the administration and student body, and plans social events that encourage a cohesive law school environment and legal community post-graduation.
The Victim Advocacy Program (VAP) is a group of pro-bono volunteers who help women, men, and children who are the victims of physical or emotional abuse, domestic violence and/or stalking fill out Victim Protective Orders. Members of this organization sit outside of Judge Napoli’s courtroom at the Cleveland County Courthouse and assist anyone who needs help (either sent directly from Judge Napoli or the Court Clerk) with filling out these Protective Orders. A Victim Protective Order (VPO) is an order that can be used to help stop violent and harassing behavior and to protect individuals and their family members from the person causing them harm. A VPO may be issued when a person is a victim of (1) domestic abuse, (2) stalking, or (3) harassment. After receiving Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault training, individuals who partake in this program can sit in the Courthouse and gain valuable experience with not only filing legal documentation, but also getting to see how the general processes at the courthouse work. Beyond all of the practical experience that our members gain, the feeling of helping those who need support is by far the best part of working with the Victim Advocacy Program.