Student organizations are an important piece of the student experience at the University of Maine School of Law. The recently active student organizations are listed below:
The American Constitution Society (ACS) works for positive change by shaping debate on vitally important legal and constitutional issues through development and promotion of high impact ideas to opinion leaders and the media. ACS strives to make a difference in the constitutional, legal, and public policy debates that shape our democracy. Learn more about ACS at www.acslaw.org.
The Black Law Student Association (BLSA) is a national organization formed to articulate and promote the needs and goals of Black law students to effectuate change in the legal community. BLSA works to influence the legal community by bringing about meaningful legal and political change that addresses the needs and concerns of the Black community. Learn more about BLSA at www.nblsa.org.
The Business Law Association of the University of Maine School of Law aims to provide a forum for law students interested in business and corporate law, information concerning business law courses, programs, and future careers in the field, and promote an understanding of current legal and corporate issues.
The Energy and Environmental Law Society (EELS) provides law students a forum to discuss, understand, and gain access to the fields of not only environmental and energy law, but also to the Maine lawyers and employers active in these and related fields. Environmental and energy law are remarkably broad and include areas often viewed separately. Such areas include land use, real estate, torts, state and local government, administrative law, food and animal law, climate change, ocean and coastal law, and marine law. EELS, in coordination with E2Tech, organizes fundraising opportunities, educational panel discussions, and community events to promote engagement.
The Federalist Society is a group of conservatives and libertarians interested in the current state of the legal order. It is founded on the principles: that the state exists to preserve freedom; 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. The Society seeks both to promote an awareness of these principles and to further their application through its activities.
The Finch Society focuses on connecting law students with rural and small town practitioners to provide a place for students to learn more about what rural and small town legal practice is like. The Finch Society’s goals are to encourage law students to pursue careers in rural and small town Maine. Access to legal resources is vital for all Americans and all Mainers, and the Finch Society hopes to increase this access by providing information and resources to students so that they feel confident practicing the law in rural, regional, and small town Maine.
The First Generation Law Students’ Association serves as an organizing force around the social, cultural, academic, emotional, and financial issues relevant to first-generation law students both within and outside of the law school environment. The group seeks to enhance the academic success, professional growth, and personal development of first-generation law students.
If/When/How trains, networks, and mobilizes law students and legal professionals to work within and beyond the legal system to champion reproductive justice. In collaboration with communities, organizations, and movements, we work to ensure all people–especially those most likely to face reproductive injustice–have the ability to decide if, when, and how to create and sustain a family. The Maine Law chapter is one of over seventy law student chapters of the national If/When/How organization.
The International Law Society (ILS) is an academic and social group interested in public international law (the law between nations and international organizations), comparative law (the domestic law of different nations), and international affairs. On-campus events normally revolve around a guest speaker on an international law topic, but ILS also helps students learn about study abroad programs and pursuing a career in international law.
The Jewish Law Society serves the Jewish population at the law school and the student body. The JLS is an organization that promotes the diversity of the student body and focuses on professional, social, cultural, religious, and educational aspects related to Judaism and the Law, as well as creating a safe space to discuss controversial issues.
The LGBT Law & Policy Group serves as an educational, political, and social group for the LGBT community at Maine Law and is dedicated to the inclusion of all people who are interested in furthering the goals of the LGBT community. We sponsor an array of events that increase awareness of both the issues that impact LGBT people and the unique legal concerns of the LGBT community.
mapil@maine.edu
mapilauction@maine.edu
Maine Association for Public Interest Law on Facebook
mapil.mainelaw.maine.edu
The Maine Association for Public Interest Law (MAPIL) is a group affiliated with the National Association for Public Interest Law (NAPIL). The group is committed to mobilizing the next generation of lawyers to be committed to equal justice. To achieve this we offer opportunities for pro bono hours and community service opportunities while in law school. We also engage with surrounding agencies that serve the poorest and most vulnerable populations. We also have an annual auction to raise money for fellowships.
The Maine Law Basketball Association was established in 2009. While the group’s membership cuts across all classes, genders and skill levels, there is one unifying attribute of its members: an emphasis on fun and comity. We are dedicated to helping students achieve a life/work balance while at school; fostering networking; and honing team-working skills.
mainelaw.infoprivacy@maine.edu
The Maine Law Information Privacy Association (MLIPA) provides Maine Law students with information about current topics and trends in information privacy law. The organization also helps to share information with students about the Maine Law Certificate in Information Privacy, and general information about the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). The group helps students to network and learn more about employment in the privacy industry in Maine, New England, and The United States.
Maine Law Soccer is a group of students who get together throughout the school year to play pick up soccer in a league. The team typically consists of those who show an active interest by reaching out to the student group president, but anyone interested in getting together to play soccer is welcome to join.
Maine Law Together (MLT) is committed to creating and maintaining a supportive environment at Maine Law. This will be a place where students can feel comfortable discussing any and all difficulties that come with being a law student, such as cold calls, anxiety, self-doubt, parenthood, partnership, and so much more. Regular meetings will be held, and events/programming will be focused on trauma-informed lawyering, mental health, mindfulness and more! MLT’s existence will strengthen the community at the Law School and will ultimately contribute to a healthy shift in the entire Maine Legal Community; thus, creating better educational, professional, personal, and client outcomes.
The Multicultural Law Society (MLS) focuses on issues impacting underrepresented ethnic groups, including Maine’s refugee population. We are passionate about equal rights and fair treatment for everyone. We seek to create a forum for the community to address legal barriers affecting multicultural groups; educate ourselves and our classmates on the disproportionate impact of the current legal practices on communities of color; engage with community leaders to help meet the needs of the under-represented; and inspire current college and high school students to consider a career in law.
Maine Law’s Native American Law Students Association was created to increase the Native American law student population and promote indigenous legal issues that affect Native communities. We are here to promote unity and cooperation among law students. We intend this group to be a special team for Native American and Indigenous students from all Indigenous nations and non-Native students, and that it will form a close-knit activist group. We are a collaborative and informative group of law students and community that come together for the purpose of increasing awareness about Native and Indigenous peoples, with special focus on Maine’s legal issues that impact these populations today. We intend to be composed of Native American, Indigenous, and non-Native members and welcome anyone who has an interest in learning more about how the law affects tribes, individual Native Americans, and Indigenous people. We are also here to have fun and enjoy celebrating Native culture.
The Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International is a professional law fraternity advancing integrity, compassion and courage through service to the student, the school, the profession, and the community. It has 60 members in the State of Maine alone. The fraternity encourages philanthropy and charity events. It consists of a number of mentoring programs, and there is an annual conference and mock trial competitions open to 1L’s.
The Student Animal Legal Defense Fund’s purpose is to inform the Maine Law community about current legal issues in animal rights and animal welfare law. We also seek to educate and carry out projects for organizations involved in animal welfare/rights.
Students for the Sixth Amendment fosters a community comprising of future indigent defense lawyers and allies that advocates for the constitutionally guaranteed right to counsel for criminal defendants in Maine, provides skill-building and networking opportunities for students, and hosts educational events for the public.
The Women’s’ Law Association (WLA) was developed in response to the increased awareness of the impact of the law on women and the impact of the growing number of women attorneys on the law. Through its educational activities, the WLA encourages the development of a network among women at Maine Law; women practitioners in all branches of the legal field; women in the judiciary; and organizations in the state that are concerned with the issues affecting women.
The Maine Law Youth Justice Society (YJS) focuses on the interactions that occur between youth and the legal system. By facilitating group discussions, hosting speakers, and sharing information about legislative efforts, the Youth Justice Society aims to create opportunities for students to learn about the juvenile justice system with the goal of inspiring students to pursue careers in youth justice. The Youth Justice Society achieves these goals through collaboration with students, professors, local attorneys, and service providers that work with Maine youth.