The range of extracurricular activities and student organizations within the University of Wisconsin Law School reflects the diverse and varying interests across the student body. UW Law students are active in many organizations, from professional groups to intramural sports and more. If there isn't an organization that suits your particular needs and interests, we encourage you to start one!
The Law School may provide funding to support educational events or travel for members of student organizations. In the past, the Law School has funded law journal symposia, travel to moot court and mock trial competitions, student pro bono projects, and wellness events. The process for requesting law school funding for student-hosted events or travel is centralized in the J.D. Grants Committee. That committee reviews applications for funding six times each year. For information, deadlines, and required forms, see the J.D. Grants Committee webpage.
Student Organizations
Student Journals
Moot Court & Mock Trial
Annual ActivitiesStudent Organizations
Student Bar Association (SBA)
The University of Wisconsin Law School Student Bar Association (SBA) is the representative organization for the law school's student body. We represent students in dealing with the faculty and administration. Our goal is to make the law school the best place it can be by providing a number of services and resources for the law students.
Accessible Law Initiative (ALI)
The mission of the Accessible Law Initiative is to advocate for a free, open, and publicly accessible legal system in the state of Wisconsin and nationwide.
American Constitution Society (ACS)
The American Constitution Society for Law and Policy (ACS) is a national organization of law students, law professors, practicing lawyers and members of the community. We want to help revitalize and transform legal debate, from law school classrooms to federal courtrooms.
Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF)
UW Law's Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) works to educate future lawyers about the needs of animals (non-human) and their human companions in our legal system. The group hosts speakers, presents movie screenings and alerts the UW community to animal welfare issues in Madison and beyond.
Antitrust Law Association (ALA)
The ALA’s purpose is to supplement the legal education of its members in a way that the curriculum of the University of Wisconsin Law School cannot provide alone, as well as to educate and increase the number of opportunities for our members in the field of antitrust law.
Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Law Students Association (APIDALSA)
The Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Law Students Association (APIDALSA) provides academic, career and social support to its members by sponsoring activities, working with the Law School faculty and administration, collaborating in efforts of other student organizations, and acting as a forum for addressing concerns of Asian Americans.
Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
The University of Wisconsin Black Law Students Association (BLSA) is a chartered member of the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) which exists to serve the educational, social and professional interests of Black law students across the country.
Business & Tax Law Association (BATLAW)
The University of Wisconsin Business & Tax Law Association (BATLAW) promotes and enhances the study and practice of business and tax law. BATLAW also encourages high standards of academic achievement as well as social interaction with other law students, faculty, and the professional community. Several faculty members and some of the largest law firms in Wisconsin are included in BATLAW's membership.
Children's Justice Project (CJP)
The Children's Justice Project (CJP) brings together people interested in promoting justice for children and juveniles, including the rights of children and juveniles in the legal, educational, health care, and social services systems. CJP does this through interdisciplinary advocacy and study.
Christian Legal Society (CLS)
The Christian Legal Society (CLS) is a small, informal, interdenominational group of students who meet on a regular basis for bible study, "roundtable" exchanges on various topics, not necessarily Law School related, and most importantly, fellowship.
Environmental Law Society (ELS)
The Environmental Law Society (ELS)welcomes all students interested in the application of law to environmental issues at the state, national, and international levels. ELS studies all sides of the issues because it recognizes that environmental law applies to both those interested in classic environmental preservation, as well as persons whose activities create environmental impacts.
Federalist Society (FedSoc)
The UW Law School's chapter of the Federalist Society is a group of conservatives and libertarians interested in the current state of legal order. It is founded on the principle 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.
First Generation Lawyers (FGL)
First Generation Lawyers is a community for first generation law students that offers academic and personal support, networking within the law school and greater law community, and cultivates resources within the law school to support members.
Government Law Society (GovLaw)
The Government Law Society (GovLaw) is committed to providing a connection between students interested in state, local, federal, and tribal government and mentorship, internships, externships, and networking opportunities. Students will be exposed to careers and opportunities with interest groups, businesses, agencies, municipalities, and law firms with an emphasis on state, local, federal, and tribal government.
Health Law Student Association (HLSA)
The Health Law Student Association (HLSA) provides resources, networking opportunities, and a forum to discuss legal issues for students interested in health and public health law. We seek to prepare our members for careers in these fast-growing fields.
Indigenous Law Students Association (ILSA)
The Indigenous Law Students Association (ILSA) is an organization which provides a forum for discussion and dissemination of current Indian Law topics. Anyone with an interest in Indian Law is invited to become a member. ILSA also provides support to its members by maintaining study groups, and assisting with job searches. Through its annual Coming Together of the Peoples Conference, ILSA provides ongoing outreach to the U.W. community and the legal community at large.
International Students of Law Organization (ISLO)
- It shall be the purpose of ISLO to promote diversity and provide assistance to International Student L.LM, J.D, Professional Studies Students at the Law School of University of Wisconsin-Madison. This organization aims to create a supportive and inclusive community for international students studying law.
JD Student Military & Veterans Club (MVC)
The JD Student Military & Veterans Club (MVC) seeks to provide information and support to Wisconsin Law School students who have served in the United States Armed Forces, wish to serve, or are interested in learning more about military opportunities in the law.
Jewish Law Students Association (JLSA)
The Jewish Law Students Association (JLSA) works to maintain a social, cultural and religious Jewish presence at the University of Wisconsin Law School. JLSA membership and activities are open to all law students. Our activities include lectures, community service projects, networking events, holiday observances, fundraisers and social outings.
La Alianza
La Alianza (previously LLSA) provides an atmosphere of cooperation, innovation, creativeness among its members; participates in public service designed to assist Latinos and the community at large; works to increase the number of Latinos at the UW Law School; and encourages the participation of Latino alumni in order to develop and remain responsive to the social, political and academic needs of the Latino community.
Labor & Employment Student Association (LESA)
The Labor & Employment Student Association (LESA) is an organization meant to help those interested in a career in labor and/or employment law. The organization strives to accomplish this through guest speakers and hands on legal work through local law firms and community organizations that deal with labor and employment issues.
Middle Eastern Law Students Association (MELSA)
The Middle Eastern Law Students Association (MELSA) seeks to promote greater understanding of Middle Eastern cultures, politics and legal institutions. The group is designed to serve as a discussion forum for students of Middle Eastern descent as well as those interested in the region to exchange ideas and opinions. MELSA hosts a variety of educational events including, colloquia, political discussions, and documentary and other films highlighting the social and political dynamics of the Middle East. MELSA also hosts a number of social outings including dinners and parties featuring Middle Eastern cuisine and music. The group welcomes anyone with an interest in the Middle East to join.
National Lawyers Guild (NLG-UW) & Socialist Law Students of Wisconsin
The National Lawyers Guild (NLG-UW) is an association dedicated to the need for basic change in the structure of our political and economic system. We seek to unite the lawyers, law students, legal workers and jailhouse lawyers of America in an organization that shall function as an effective political and social force in the service of the people, to the end that human rights shall be regarded as more sacred than property interests.
NLG-UW merged with Socialist Law Students of Wisconsin. The Socialist Law Students of Wisconsin (SocLaw) is a student organization dedicated to developing the knowledge, skills, and ethics of future movement lawyers. We advocate for socioeconomic justice in and outside of the law school, encourage socialist thought and practice in the public interest legal community, and provide a platform for open and friendly discussion of leftist politics.
Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF)
The Wisconsin Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF) is dedicated to working with students on issues pertaining to public interest law. Much of the work of PILF involves pledge drives and fund-raising to provide scholarships for students to work on public interest law issues. PILF has also created a Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LARP).
QLaw (Queer Law Students Association)
QLaw is a student organization dedicated to serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, ace (LGBTQIA+) community and allies at the University of Wisconsin Law School. QLaw strives to make the UW Law School a more open, hospitable, and welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ students through collaboration with the administration and other student organizations. QLaw seeks to educate the law school community by increasing LGBTQIA+ visibility and raising awareness of issues that affect us while providing support and networking opportunities for LGBTQIA+ law students. QLaw aims for a diverse organization that reflects the composition of the larger community of LGBTQIA+ people and their allies. Everyone is welcome to participate.
Real Estate and Securities Investment Law Society (RESI)
The Real Estate and Securities Investment Law Society (RESI) hosts educational and networking events for University of Wisconsin Law School students to promote a better understanding of real estate and securities investment law. Our purpose is to build a bridge between law students and professionals who can offer academic and career advice in the real estate and securities law sectors.
Run Club at Wisconsin Law
At Run Club at Wisconsin Law, members will run together primarily on Lakeshore path, enter local races and compete, and will be provided with a community to foster learning methods and tips on how to effectively run and improve one's running.
Socratic Society
The Socratic Society is a reading group for UW Law School students interested in legal theory and legal history. We meet regularly during the fall and spring semesters to discuss selected provocations from legal academia and other disciplines, literary fiction, theatre, film, and more.
Sports & Entertainment Law Society (SELS)
The Sports & Entertainment Law Society (SELS) is an organization that programs panels, events, and educational and networking opportunities in order to promote a better understanding of sports and entertainment law by students at the University of Wisconsin Law School. This society seeks to build a bridge between University of Wisconsin Law Students and others who can offer academic and career advice in the Sports and Entertainment Law sectors.
St. Thomas More Society (STMS)
The St. Thomas More Society (STMS) is a student group centered on law and society through the Catholic perspective incorporating the orthodox teachings of the Catholic Church and traditional notions of Catholic morality and ethics in the legal field.
Students for Accessibility, Disability, and Accommodation (ADA)
The Students for Accessibility, Disability, and Accommodation (f/k/a Law Students with Disabilities Coalition) is a platform, advocacy group, and community for disabled law students that aims to make the law school a more supportive, inclusive space through providing a safe space for peer discussion, bringing concerns to, and working with administration, as well as raising awareness of issues affecting disabled law students and lawyers.
Learn more about the Students for Accessibility, Disability, and Accommodation »
Technology and Intellectual Property Student Organization (TIPSO)
TIPSO provides a forum for law students to learn about the study and practice of intellectual property and technology law. TIPSO strives to connect students with opportunities to engage in intellectual property or technology-related legal careers, resources, and networking events.
Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (WACDL)
The Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (WACDL) is committed to promoting the proper administration of criminal justice, fostering and maintaining integrity, independence and expertise of criminal defense lawyers, and promoting the protection of individual rights and due process. We are affiliated with the professional chapter and provide a a mentorship program with criminal defense attorneys in the Madison community.
Wisconsin International Law Society (WILS)
The Wisconsin International Law Society (WILS) provides a forum for people and ideas involving international legal issues by getting together experts in diverse fields for informal discussion and cordials. WILS also invites students from several continents to join in the exploration of fine Madison publications.
Women's Law Student Association (WLSA)
The Women's Law Student Association (WLSA) sponsors a variety of activities for all women studying at the UW Law School. WLSA tries to make the time spent in Law School more interesting and more humane. WLSA presents several speakers, lobbies for women faculty hiring, produces a monthly newsletter, sends members to the National Women and the Law Conference, and much more.
Journals
Three student journals provide invaluable training in legal research and writing.
Wisconsin Law Review
The Wisconsin Law Review is a student-run journal of legal analysis and commentary that is used by professors, judges, practitioners, and others researching contemporary legal topics. The Law Review, which is published six times each year, includes professional and student articles, with content spanning local, state, national, and international topics. In addition to publishing the journal, the Law Review sponsors an annual symposium at which leading scholars debate a significant issue in contemporary law. Students earn membership on the Law Review through a writing competition at the end of their first year.
Wisconsin International Law Journal
Established in 1982, the Wisconsin International Law Journal is written by both professionals in the field and by law students. The student-edited journal offers articles of scholarly and practical interest in various areas of international law. Student members of the journal edit articles of scholarly and practical interest in various areas of international law and draft articles for submission and possible publication. Each spring, the Journal staff coordinates a conference on recent topics of interest in international law.
Wisconsin Journal of Law, Gender & Society
Open to all students, the Wisconsin Journal of Law, Gender & Society is a student-edited journal, national in scope, which publishes contributions from students, teachers, and practitioners. Established in 1985, this journal publishes contributions from faculty, students, and practitioners on a wide-range of legal topics. Its focus is on scholarship that examines the intersection of law and gender with issues of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation.
View all of the Law School Publications »
Moot Court & Mock Trial Programs
Moot court and mock trial competitions at the University of Wisconsin Law School provide outstanding opportunities for students to gain experience with brief writing and oral advocacy. Students learn practical skills and work as a team to present their case.
Moot Court Program
The Moot Court Program is a mock appellate advocacy program. First-year students are selected for moot court through competitive tryouts in the spring of their first year. The Moot Court Board organizes, promotes, and supports the intramural and intercollegiate moot court competitions, and annually sends dozens of UW law students to competitions at law schools across the country.
Mock Trial
Mock Trial gives students the opportunity to try a lawsuit in regional and national competitions against teams from other law schools. The teams are coached by experienced litigators from the Law School and practicing bar.
Wisconsin International Commercial Arbitration (ICA) Moot Team
The Wisconsin International Commercial Arbitration (ICA) fosters the study of international commercial law and arbitration to resolve international business disputes. The group recruits, trains, and prepares participants for two annual competitions, one in Vienna, Austria and another in Hong Kong, China.
Annual Activities
Cane Toss
Each Homecoming, tens of thousands of Badger football fans watch in mystified amusement as a herd of third year law students rush across the football field wearing bowler hats and carrying canes. The mystery deepens when the group reaches the north goalposts and the canes are thrown into the air. Tradition holds that if they catch their canes, they will win their first cases.
LEO Banquet
Each year our current students, faculty and alums from across the country gather for the LEO Banquet to celebrate its successes and reaffirm the commitment to maintaining one of the most interesting and dynamic learning environments in the country.
QLaw GALA
Join QLaw this spring for a reception and benefit held in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin Law School's Community Justice Week and Admitted Students Weekend.
The Dean's Cup
The University of Wisconsin Dean's Cup is an annual competition between the students of the University of Wisconsin Medical School and Law School. The purpose of the competition is to foster camaraderie between the two schools and to give back to the community through local charities.
Dean's Cup events span the spectrum of competition, from basketball, golf and ultimate, to euchre, chess and "bar trivia." More importantly, the schools compete in a food drive supporting the Salvation Army, a blood drive through the American Red Cross, and T-shirt sales, proceeds from which are donated to the Dane County Rape Crisis Center, and the Ronald McDonald House of Madison.
See our calendar for upcoming events and activities »
Other Student Activities
American Inns of Court
The James E. Doyle American Inn of Court, which meets in Madison, is comprised of judges, lawyers, law professors, and law students who meet approximately once a month. Inn programs provide creative, practical, interactive instruction in all areas of legal practice, particularly litigation. A dinner following the program provides a collegial atmosphere that encourages networking between all members, mentoring and skills development, and the exchange of concepts, ideas and techniques. If you are interested in becoming a student member of the James E. Doyle American Inn of Court, contact Professor Mitch.
Unemployment Compensation Appeals
The Unemployment Compensation Appeals Clinic is a Wisconsin non-stock corporation that is staffed by volunteer student advocates who assist clients in obtaining unemployment compensation benefits. Student advocates work closely with supervising attorneys. Students do not receive academic credit for their work, but they gain litigation and case management experience while helping those in need of benefits who cannot afford representation.
