Student Chapter of the Week

4/15/2024

The University of Akron School of Law Student Chapter is honored to be recognized as Student Chapter of the Month! Akron ACS has been re-building its chapter since Covid by hosting more events over the last two years. Akron ACS's goal on campus has been to promote progressive conversations. In the fall semester, the chapter hosted a discussion on the current state of stare decisis with Dean Mike Gentithes post-Dobbs. The chapter then hosted a discussion on the intricacies between the First Amendment and social media with Northern District of Ohio Judge Phil Calabrese and Dean Emily Janoski-Haehlen. To wrap up the semester the chapter co-hosted its pilot program with the Akron Federalist Society chapter on Affirmative Action which was moderated by the newly elected City of Akron Mayor Shammas Malik. For the spring semester, Akron ACS participated in the chapter’s first Constitution in the Classroom event and taught 7th and 8th graders in Akron Public Schools about the Fourth Amendment. The Chapter's spring pilot program , where Akron ACS is co-hosting a book discussion of Jonathan Rapping’s Gideon’s Promise with the Summit Legal Defender’s office. The chapter plans to wrap up the semester with a final networking event with Akron’s student chapter of the Federal Bar Association and the Akron Federalist Society.

The success with programming and the growth of Akron’s chapter would not be possible without its passionate board: President Charli McConnell, Vice-President Nolan Nadler, Programming Chair Alex Dorman, Social Media Chair Kenzie Halliday, Membership Chair Sera Martin, Chapter Liaison Matt Bodnar, Historian Natalie Gottfried, Secretary Kassie Seabolt, and Treasurer Brendan Mohan. The efforts of Akron’s chapter would not be possible without the support of faculty advisor Professor Brant Lee. Go Zips!

2/12/2024

The Southwestern Law School ACS Chapter is thankful to be recognized as the ACS National Chapter of the Month.  In our second year since reforming, the chapter has grown and developed a future pipeline of chapter leaders to continue into the future.

For this academic year, the chapter has already hosted a discussion on the Justiciability Doctrine and its application by the Roberts court that was co-sponsored by the Loyola Law School ACS Chapter and the Southwestern Law School ACS Chapter.  The Chapter has also hosted a film screening of the award-winning documentary, Being Michelle, on disability rights in the carceral setting, screening that was followed by a panel discussion with two of the film’s producers, a Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney, a Senior Litigation Counsel for Disability Rights California, and the Director of the Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness.

For the March 2024 Primary Election and November 2024 General Election, our Chapter is partnering with the Southwestern Law School Public Service Program and the Election Protection Coalition to train and volunteer as election observers.  Later this Spring, we are also partnering with OutLaw, the law school’s LGBTQ+ student organization, to present an event on SCOTUS’s recent decisions that have led to the privileging of specific religious biases that lead to humiliation and barriers for LGBTQ+ consumers.

The ACS Chapter at Southwestern Law School is composed of Faculty Advisor Richard Jolly, student board members Alex Gonzalez, Anthony Gilmore, Anthony Carini, Cassandra Diviak, Daniel Golub, Diana Perez, Carie Martin, Shara Darden, and 1L Representatives Ella Kimbell, Baylenne Brunetti and Nicole Milner.

01/22/2024

The ACS Arizona State University (ASU) Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law Student Chapter is honored to be chosen as student chapter of the month.  ASU ACS has spent the 2023-24 academic year building connections with the ACS Arizona Lawyer Chapter and with progressive attorneys throughout the state. So far this year, ASU has hosted a number of events with speakers from the Arizona legal community, including: a ‘Paths to the Bench’ panel with state and federal judges; events with ACLU of Arizona and All Voting is Local; a lecture on American Indian influence on the Constitution in coordination with the Native American Law Students Association; and a workshop on mindfulness and stress reduction techniques for future and practicing attorneys.  The chapter is also expanding its professional development capacity, hosting career information sessions for 1L students and for students interested in clerkships. Lastly, the chapter was thrilled to welcome ACS President Russ Feingold to campus to deliver his lecture ‘Amending the Constitution: Twin Jeopardies.'

In the coming weeks, ASU ACS will partner with the Liberty Project, the school’s reproductive rights organization, to discuss the Arizona for Abortion Access ballot initiative and will host a panel of attorneys suing the state over its unequal funding of public education.

Under the mentorship of faculty advisor Erin Scharff, the executive board is led by President Charlie Miller, Vice President Tubah Ahmad, Treasurer Jeri Fromme, Director of Operations Helen Pauly, Director of Publicity Peter Talkington, Director of Diversity and Inclusion Lauryn Johnson, Director of Attorney and Alumni Engagement Allison Sluga, Director of Community Engagement Felix Raimondo, 3L Representative Evan Ridley, and 1L Representatives Abigail Murray, Alec Bacon, Mattias Lederer, and Crispin South.

12/11/2023

The ACS Nebraska College of Law Student Chapter has taken great strides to connect progressive lawyers throughout the Nebraska legal community and is honored to be chosen as student chapter of the week. So far this year, Nebraska Law ACS has hosted a Supreme Court Roundup in cooperation with the Federalist Society; a Banned Book Breakfast in cooperation with the Student Intellectual Property Law Association, Equal Justice Society, and the People’s Parity Project; as well as several other events in the Law and Democracy series, including “The Inner and Outer Work of Democracy” with Preeta Bansal, a panel with Arizona election administrators, and a panel about the Separation of Powers in Nebraska’s Constitution.

Under the advice of faculty advisors Eric Berger and Kyle Langvardt, the executive board is led by President Jennifer Craven, Vice President Elliott Lund, Events Coordinator Anna Reganis, Secretary Emma Schlenker, Treasurer Taylor Finke, and 2L Representative Alison Uecker. The Nebraska College of Law Chapter of ACS plans to continue its focus on its Law & Democracy series programming, inviting a wide range of speakers to the College of Law to address the degradation of democracy, the deep polarization in our political culture, and the role of lawyers in preserving and thinking about democracy and the rule of law.

11/27/2023

The DePaul University College of Law ACS Chapter is honored and delighted to be recognized as the ACS National Student Chapter of the Week.

After a long hiatus, the DePaul ACS Chapter is excited to be back on campus! They strive to provide DePaul Law students with a place they can freely and safely share ideas, thoughts, and perspectives on the progressive jurisprudential values and issues that connect them. It is through this goal of a strong legal community that their events are shaped by, and this year’s list of speakers and events aims to bring the leading voices of the Illinois legal community to share their perspectives on achieving their progressive goals.

For this academic year, they have already hosted a great event with Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. The Chapter’s next event will feature Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx. They plan on hosting additional statewide and local leaders. Outside of their hosted events, the Chapter cosponsors many events hosted by DePaul’s strong network of affinity organizations that share goals of building a strong, progressive community.

The work of this Chapter would not be possible without the dedication and determination of their Executive Board: President George Encarnacion Jr., Vice President Madeline Hudson, Director of Communications Joey Johns, Director of Events Jack McNeil, Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Sadiyah Ahmad, Treasurer Victor Horning, and Faculty Advisor Prof. Manoj Mate. Their work, along with the support of their growing general body members, is setting the foundation for this Chapter to continue thriving for years to come.

11/20/2023

The ACS Villanova Student Chapter restarted last spring after going dormant during COVID.  The chapter has now recruited over fifty members and is working to establish lasting programs like a Brown Bag Lunch Discussion series and a member newsletter.

It has hosted three lunch discussions on Election Law, Feminist Legal Theory, and the Implications of the Ministerial Exemption in Employment Law. This October, it answered law school Dean Alexander’s challenge to “build bridges,” which he extended while hosting ACS President Russ Feingold and former Sen. Kelly Ayotte last spring.  Professor Kermit Roosevelt of Penn Law represented ACS in a discussion about constitutional interpretation with the Villanova Federalist Society. The chapter also looks forward to Professor Teressa Ravenell of Villanova Law joining it for a Brown Bag Lunch discussion on qualified immunity.  Later this school year, Villanova ACS students will be meeting other Philadelphia Law School Chapters and Philadelphia Lawyer Chapter members for a networking event.

The leadership team is comprised of President: Matthew Hentz, Vice President: Daniel Rooney, Secretary: Grant Stephano, Treasurer: Rachael Smith, VLS Student Group Ambassador: Karthik Venkatesh, D&I Co Chairs: Sydney Sanders and Ambria Smith, Social Media and Publicity Chair: Christina Smith, Membership Chair: Nick Pilny, Chapter Historian: Kelly Gurcsik, 3L Representatives: Abby Kelley and Mylon Medley, 2L Representative: Julia Smith, a new 1L Representative who will be joining us soon, and Faculty Advisors: Professor Caitlin Barry and Professor Ben Cavataro.

11/6/2023

The University of Denver Sturm College of Law ACS chapter is honored to be selected as the Student Chapter of the Week!

The chapter started the year off strong with a reproductive rights Pilot Program event, hosting a Zurawski v. State of Texas lawyer to speak about the medical emergency exception to abortions in Texas in a post-Dobbs world. The event had a turnout of nearly fifty attendees. The chapter also co-hosted a ‘Meet the Judiciary’ event with the University of Colorado chapter. The event included a lunch with judiciary members, a tour of the Colorado Supreme Court building, and a panel of judges and justices from the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.

Next semester, the chapter is planning to host an academic constitutional law event, a Pilot Program prison rights event, and a 1L representative event. Regardless of topics, the chapter strives to center access to justice, intersectionality, and civil rights while advocating for a strong protection of individual rights in all programming.

The chapter is led by President Maria Stathopoulos, Vice President Julia Boccagno, Treasurer John Siragusa, and 1L representatives Nikki Hernandez, Spencer Lewis, and James Valerio. Together, the chapter leaders are passionate about LGBTQ rights, privacy rights, reproductive rights, Native American rights, prison rights, and much more. The chapter benefits from diverse interests on the board and looks forward to developing a variety of programming.

The chapter is excited to continue to grow, collaborate with the University of Colorado chapter, and work with ACS National to effectuate awareness and change in Colorado. It thanks its Faculty Advisors, Professors Alan Chen and Alexi Freeman, for all their support.

10/23/2023

The Temple University Beasley School of Law ACS chapter is honored and excited to be selected as the Student Chapter of the Week!

The Temple chapter is proud to continue its tradition of visibility, involvement, and action on campus as a member of the ACS Pilot Program. We kicked off this year with our Civic Engagement Fair, where we hosted a panel of Philadelphia City Commissioners and an election judge, and registered students to be poll workers. Temple Law once again has Election Day off as a “Day of Civic Service” for students, and we are proud to have established that legacy for our entire law school community. We were also on-site hosts to the Leaders from Law workshop, where law students and recent graduates came from as far away as Georgia to learn about running for office.

We are planning future events on labor organizing and disputes, judicial ethics, the new Supreme Court term, and more. We are also collaborating with other chapters in the Philadelphia area to put on area-wide ACS events this school year, and look forward to working with them more in the future.

Valerie Wilson is our chapter’s president. Arlo Blaisus has stayed on as treasurer, and our new Vice Presidents are Indira Rahman, Benjamin Gathright, and Ehenneden Idehen-Amadasun. The chapter is particularly excited to welcome new 1L representatives Rotimi Adeoye, Sarah Grynpas, Amelia Martinie, and Ryan Ekelburg. They are passionate about criminal law, digital justice, election law, and environmental justice, and their perspectives will be invaluable to us as a chapter moving forward. We also have a new faculty advisor, Professor Nate Ela, whose wisdom is greatly appreciated in our continued efforts to support progressive lawyering at Temple. We are excited for the coming year and remain grateful to ACS National for all their support.

10/16/2023

The Vanderbilt University Law School ACS chapter is honored to be recognized as the Student Chapter of the Week.

The Vandy chapter started the year cosponsoring an event with La Alianza, the Lantix student affinity group, and hosted Judge Gustavo Gelpí from the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. He shared his experience on the court in Puerto Rico, its unique challenges, and how that experience prepared him for the First Circuit. The chapter also held multiple events designed to support students academically, such as by sharing advice on legal writing for 1Ls and on note writing for 2Ls.

Looking forward, the Vandy chapter is excited to host an event with the Belmont ACS chapter to expand the progressive law student community in Nashville. Next week, Professor Bagley will be coming to campus to share his expertise in administrative law. To end the semester, Judge Theodore Chuang from the District of Maryland will visit to discuss his extensive experience in public service leading to his time on the bench. The chapter is excited for more events in the spring focusing on Supreme Court ethics, the future of diversity in the law, and cosponsored events on reproductive justice.

The chapter has expanded dramatically over the last year to include almost 200 students. The chapter President is Ashley Good, but the success of the chapter comes from the entire executive board: Billy Black, Kiersten Wood, Chris Cao, Jon McNeal, Jack Polucha, Jason Teets, Jackson Ferrell, and Amalie Moore. The chapter would also like to thank its dedicated new 1L representatives, all of our general members, and our faculty advisor, Professor Sitaraman.

10/09/2023

The ACS Student Chapter at the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law, which proudly stands as one of the country's most diverse and inclusive law schools, is honored to be selected as ACS National’s Student Chapter of the Week!

Our Chapter is committed to upholding the principles of equality, civil rights, and the rule of law and strives to create a forum for open dialogue and intellectual engagement. Through educational events, advocacy, and community outreach, we aim to empower future legal professionals to champion progressive values, protect individual liberties, and work towards a more just and equitable society.

In commitment to ACS’s goals, our Chapter has hosted events focused on access to reproductive healthcare, voting rights, and criminal justice reform. In August, we kicked off the fall semester with our annual SCOTUS Review on the decisions handed down over the last term. In September, our Chapter was honored to welcome ACS President Russ Feingold to UNT Dallas College of Law to discuss his book, The Constitution in Jeopardy: An Unprecedented Effort to Rewrite Our Fundamental Law and What We Can Do About It. We wrapped up September with an event previewing the cases and issues before the Supreme Court this upcoming term.

The remainder of the year includes social events and events touching on the intersectionality of domestic violence and gun rights and the impact of being wrongfully charged with a serious criminal offense. We are dedicated to growing the Chapter’s membership and engagement to foster future Chapter and community leaders eager to advance ACS’s goals. We thank our Faculty Advisor, Professor Brian Owsley, for all of his support and guidance.

10/02/2023

The University of Michigan Law School ACS chapter is honored to be recognized as the Student Chapter of the Week.

The UM Law chapter kicked off the school year by hosting former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who discussed his career, voting rights, and the current indictments against the former president. Some other events planned for the semester include visits by Lee Gelernt, a nationally recognized immigration rights attorney for the ACLU, and Professor Joanna Schwartz, a leading scholar on abolishing qualified immunity. Next semester, we are thrilled to host the Hon. Judge Restrepo of the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

The UM Law chapter is highly engaged, averaging over one event every other week. Last year, we hosted Rep. Jaime Raskin (D-MD) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Hon. Shira Scheindlin of the Southern District of New York, and Michigan Supreme Court Justices Megan Cavanagh and Elizabeth Welch, among countless other judges, lawyers, professors, and policymakers. The UM Law chapter is a frequent event co-sponsor with campus affinity groups and other organizations sharing ACS’s values.

The chapter’s total membership exceeds well over 100 law students. The chapter Co-Presidents are Ryan Jansen and Arthur Etter. The chapter could not be successful without the tremendous work of its other board members: Anna Benham, Kelly Wester, Arian Rubio, Kendrick Baker, Matt Rice, Jasmine Thomas, Holden DeGrave, Brandon Splitter, Carl Dennis, Dimitar Jakimovski, Zach Gan, Alex Woodin, John Grosboll, Rita Elfarissi, and Rachel Fishman, along with our forthcoming 1L Representatives and general body members. The chapter thanks its terrific faculty advisers, Professor Barbara McQuade and Professor Ellen Katz.

05/08/2023

The Temple University Beasley School of Law ACS Chapter is honored to be recognized as Student Chapter of the Week!

Temple ACS hosted a wide array of progressive events on campus this year, featuring topics like housing affordability, the separation of church and state, qualified immunity and stop-and-frisk, abortion access and reproductive rights, legal accountability in judicial clerkships, and the current Supreme Court term.  Some of the esteemed speakers the Temple chapter was able to host included the Honorable Judge Theodore McKee of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the Honorable Judge Giovanni Campbell of the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, and the Honorable Mari Carmen Aponte, Ambassador to Panama, among many others.  Additionally, the chapter was thrilled to participate in planning the Philadelphia-Area Chapters Second Annual Symposium on Public Welfare & the Law. Its programming educated Temple law students, helped spread progressive legal causes, and provided our chapter members the opportunity build their professional network.

The chapter was particularly proud to organize Temple’s first ever Civic Engagement Fair ahead of the 2022 Midterm Elections, which highlighted statewide election protection organizations and spurred dozens of students to sign up to volunteer.  This was possible due to the chapter’s successful campaign to secure Election Day off for Temple law students as a Day of Civic Service, an opportunity the chapter hopes to expand university-wide. The campaign arose with the assistance ACS’s Election Day Class Cancellation Project, demonstrating the power of sharing resources and collaborating between law schools.

The chapter is excited to announce that next year’s president will be Valerie Wilson, who hopes to continue the chapter’s leadership in providing progressive programming and organizing on campus.  Finally, the chapter congratulates this year’s president, Arlo Blaisus, on his selection as a 2023 Next Generation Leader!

05/01/2023

The Emory Law Student Chapter is thrilled to be recognized as Student Chapter of the Week!

The Chapter had a busy year, starting with an event on reproductive rights in Georgia. The fall semester was highlighted by a Pilot Program event with Mark Joseph Stern from Slate. The Chapter also hosted panels on workers’ rights, voting rights, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine in collaboration with several other campus organizations. This spring began with another Pilot Program event, this time with Molly Thomas-Jensen from Everytown for Gun Safety. In February, the Chapter was lucky enough to host Judge Carlton Reeves with Professor Fred Smith as the former traveled through Atlanta. They rounded out the semester with a reentry-focused documentary screening, disability law discussion, and – most recently, in collaboration with the Georgia Lawyer Chapter – a state legislative recap featuring Senator Jason Esteves and Representative Sam Park. The Emory Chapter also greatly enjoyed its happy hour with the Georgia State Chapter and Judge Catherine Salinas.

The Chapter was able to increase its footprint on campus this year, thanks in large part to ACS National’s constant support and (if they are honest) meals from Cava, Chipotle, and Buffalo Wild Wings. They were recently named a 2023 Reproductive Rights and Justice awardee by ACS and the Center for Reproductive Rights and have elected a capable new board to continue growing the organization next year. Nick is excited to stay involved with ACS as a Next Generation Leader, and Andy and Ryan are excited to meet other student leaders at the National Convention this weekend! The chapter would also like to thank its Faculty Advisors, Professor Tonja Jacobi and Professor Fred Smith, for their support.

04/24/2023

The Harvard Law ACS Chapter is proud to be recognized as Student Chapter of the Week!

Harvard ACS hosted more than 50 progressive events on campus this year. Some programming highlights include the constitution in the classroom series, which teaches constitution law to incarcerated people and kids in public schools, and bringing a host of progressive speakers onto campus, including Julian Castro, Deval Patrick, and Michelle Goodwin. The chapter also saw success with its supreme court moots program, which brings litigants to campus to moot their cases for progressive causes in preparation for argument in front of federal courts. The chapter additionally organized some social events as well, such as bar trivia, white elephant gift exchanges, and election night watch parties. It organized or contributed to a variety of student activism on campus, from reforming Harvard's low-income protection plan, to organizing for reproductive justice.

The chapter recently took its annual trip to DC, where it met with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, DC Public Defender Service, and ACS National.

Next year, the chapter hopes to continue ACS’ mission of making Harvard Law School and the United States a more progressive place, and to collaborate with other progressives both within and outside of ACS. The chapter wishes to thank its faculty advisors, Professors Bowie and Lvovsky, for all of their support.

04/17/2023

After a busy year, University of Minnesota Law School ACS Chapter is honored to be recognized as Student Chapter of the Week.

In the fall semester, the chapter began with a blockbuster event with United States Senator Tina Smith to discuss the impact of the Dobbs decision. They then moved to a Tribal Law event to discuss the Haaland v. Brackeen case concerning ICWA in front of the Supreme Court. Finally, they volunteered as a group at Second Harvest Heartland’s food bank.

In the spring semester, they began with a Progressives in Private Practice career panel for students wanting to do plaintiff-side work in private practice. They then hosted an event on State Constitutional Law with Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Paul Thissen. Finally, they discussed cases like Merrill v. Milligan and Moore v. Harper in a “Making the Case for Democracy” panel led by the Brennan Center’s Dan Weiner.

Throughout the last year, ACS at Minnesota Law has focused on building connections with other chapters in Minnesota. To that end, Minnesota Law’s chapter spearheaded a well-attended Happy Hour with all four Minnesota chapters (three student chapters and the Twin Cities professional chapter) in April to build community among our collective members.

The chapter is led by President Tyler Blackmon, and the board includes Anthony Benz, Madelyn Nelson, David Lindgren, Cyrus Aiken, Nolan Meghrouni-Brown, and Janelle Walkden. The faculty advisor for the chapter is former Justice Sotomayor clerk and current Minnesota Law Professor Elizabeth Bentley

3/27/2023

03/06/2023

Vanderbilt Law School’s ACS Chapter is honored to be recognized as Student Chapter of the Week!

The VLS chapter has hosted and planned more than 15 substantive events related to voting rights, reproductive rights, Supreme Court reform, affirmative action, and indigenous rights and social movements. The chapter is honored to have tripled its membership since August 2022 and had robust attendance at its events this year.

VLS ACS had events in that fall that featured Professor Ganesh Sitaraman and his research on Supreme Court reform, hosted a viewing of oral arguments for Students for Fair Admissions, Inc., and welcomed Professor Mary Ziegler to discuss the aftermath of Dobbs.

This spring, VLS ACS started the semester off with Reproductive Rights Week as well as a panel on appellate advocacy with Michelle Kallen, a partner at Jenner and Block LLP and former VA Solicitor General, Judge Loren AliKhan of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, and Rohini Tashima, an associate at Goodwin. The panel was moderated by VLS ACS Chapter President, Joey Vettiankal. Other programs have included a reproductive rights letter writing campaign to legislators and a panel discussion on the use of song lyrics in prosecution.

Later this spring, the VLS ACS chapter is honored to facilitate a discussion on a progressive judicial analysis with the Giffords Law Center and host Senator Doug Jones and ACS National President and former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold.

The chapter wishes to thank its 130+ members and its faculty advisor and ACS Board member, Professor Sitaraman, for their continued support!

 

02/27/2023

The Washington and Lee University School of Law chapter of ACS is pleased to be recognized as Student Chapter of the Week.

The W&L chapter fights for progress in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. From defending women’s autonomy to attacking white supremacy, the chapter joins with students and faculty to carry forward the promise of the Constitution. Flagship events—a SCOTUS Preview, Public Defender Panel, and Local Advocacy Panel—bring together the progressive community each year. Focused events—on elections integrity, environmental stewardship, and public interest careers—highlight the progressive work of friends on campus. And the chapter’s podcast (Spotify | Apple) and other media sound the call over the hills and valleys.

This MLK Day, conservative campus organizations hosted an event to reconcile the legacies of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert E. Lee at the chapel under which the general is interred. The ACS chapter united with the Black Law Students Association to protest this false moral equivalence, and 75 law students marched across campus to walk out of the chapel.

Similarly, in response to a program promoting the Dobbs decision this semester, the ACS chapter is working with the Women Law Students Organization to provide students with context and alternative programming.

The chapter’s 140 members are led by an Executive Board. 3Ls: Robert White, President; Michelle Pomerantz, Vice President; and John Coffron, SCOTUS Preview Chair. 2Ls: Sara Lee, Treasurer; Taylor Quesenberry, Secretary and SCOTUS Preview Chair; Meredith Lerner, Media Chair; and Scott Koven, SCOTUS Preview Chair. 1Ls: Yardley Borten, Ali Fazal, Gabriella Roberts, and Bryce Thornburg, Representatives; and Kayli Clifford and Katie King, Media Representatives. Professor Christopher B. Seaman serves as the chapter’s faculty advisor.

The W&L chapter thanks ACS for its recognition and looks forward to continuing to work across Virginia, the region, and the nation for progress under the Constitution.

02/13/2023

New York Law School

The New York Law School ACS Chapter is thrilled to be recognized as Student Chapter of the Week!

The NYLS ACS chapter kicked off the fall term with their school’s first organization fair in person since COVID. Their president was also honored to speak on a student/faculty Constitution Day panel regarding the state of American Democracy. They had the privilege of bringing a wide variety of speakers to foster discussions among students and faculty. At their first general body meeting of the year, they discussed ACS National’s annual SCOTUS term preview. They kept the energy going by co-sponsoring an event on the future of reproductive rights in America and bringing in a legal fellow from the Center for Reproductive Rights.

They facilitated a fireside chat with Brian Ginsburg, a former New York Assistant Solicitor General, and a discussion with the NYLS Jewish Law Students Association titled “Hate Speech: Why What Hurts Some Hurts Us All.” They co-hosted a screening of “Vote NO!” a one-man play about the Constitution’s ratification, with writer and NYLS Professor Emeritus Robert Blecker. They also ran an exclusive screening and talk for Meltdown: Three Mile Island with one of their adjunct faculty, who led the litigation efforts to keep the nuclear facility shut after the infamous 1979 meltdown. The fall semester ended with a discussion on gun control with fellows from Everytown for Gun Safety.

Additionally, the chapter was excited to spend election day at a watch party with other New York City ACS law students sponsored by the ACS NYC Lawyer Chapter. As NYLS looks toward the spring semester, the chapter hopes to continue fostering a close relationship with other local chapters and coming together to facilitate discussions about progressive public policies.

They would like to thank faculty advisor Doni Gewirtzman for his support!

02/06/2023

Duke University School of Law

The Duke University School of Law ACS Chapter is honored to be recognized as Student Chapter of the Week!

During the fall semester, they hosted Professor Mark Graber to discuss his book, The Forgotten Fourteenth Amendment, and Vox Senior Correspondent Ian Millhiser to discuss the troubled history of the Supreme Court. In advance of the November midterms, they conducted a voter registration drive alongside You Can Vote, DBA, North Carolina Club, ACLU, and GPS. They were also honored to host a candidate forum of North Carolina Supreme Court candidates. They also held a series of Docket Discussions, where professors and other experts discussed some of the pressing cases on the Supreme Court’s docket in advance of oral arguments, including the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. v. Goldsmith, the Students for Fair Admissions cases, and Moore v. Harper.

This semester, they look forward to hosting Professor Anthony Michael Kreis, Professor Sharon Block, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Heytens, Third Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Restrepo, and recently retired North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Hudson.

The chapter is led by Paul Finkelstein, Ben Tice, Dexter Hamilton, Emma Kilroy, Jack Wasserman, Scott Anderson, Caroline Tervo, Gregg Cornett, Hamza Chaudhry, John McDaniel, Lauryn Khaw, Leah Korn, Lily Talerman, Rohan Gohel, and Samara Jacobson.  They would like to thank its members and their faculty advisors, Professor Neil S. Siegel and Professor Joseph Blocher, for their continued support!

01/30/2023

Southwestern Law School

The Southwestern Law School ACS chapter is humbled and honored to be chosen as the ACS Student Chapter of the Week.

Southwestern Law School’s ACS student chapter was re-chartered for the 2022-2023 school year after several years of inactivity, and quickly grew to 59 members in its first semester.

During this past semester, the Southwestern ACS student chapter was privileged to co-sponsor a Constitution Day event with the Office of the President and Dean of Southwestern Law School. The event discussed the dangers of originalist Constitutional interpretation from renowned legal scholar and educator Erwin Chemerinsky.

In addition, the chapter sponsored a “Constitutional Conversations” event where Sophia Lin Lakin, with the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project, discussed the protections of the 15th Amendment amid the recent efforts to suppress voting rights.

As a compliment to ACS’s “Run. Vote. Work.” project, the Southwestern ACS Student Chapter partnered with the law school’s Public Service Program to provide law students an opportunity to receive pro bono hours as election protection poll monitors for California Common Cause on Election Day 2022.

Plans for this spring semester include: co-sponsorships of panel events on the crisis of housing and homelessness in Los Angeles with the student chapters of the National Lawyers Guild and the Homelessness Prevention Law Project; participation with student groups that form the Southwestern Law School Public Service Coalition in a public interest externship day; and a continuation of the “Constitutional Conversations” events that focus on legal experts presenting the real life legal challenges that result from recent SCOTUS decisions.

The Chapter is extremely grateful to Faculty Advisor Richard Jolly for his support in restarting the chapter!

01/13/2023

Indiana University Maurer School of Law

The Indiana University Maurer School of Law Chapter of ACS is honored to be recognized as Student Chapter of the Week!

To kick off the fall semester, they hosted their annual Supreme Court term preview featuring Maurer’s very own constitutional law professors (and ACS Faculty Advisors) Steve Sanders and Luis Fuentes-Rohwer alongside Beth Cate, professor at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

In preparation for the 2022 midterm election, Maurer ACS hosted a watch party for the Indiana U.S. Senate debate and displayed voter registration and election information during the week prior to Indiana’s voter registration deadline.

They also hosted a luncheon with Linda Greenhouse, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter who covered the Supreme Court for nearly three decades for The New York Times. Greenhouse shared her reflections from nearly 45 years of watching the Supreme Court.

Maurer ACS partnered with the National Lawyers Guild to host law professor and author Dan Canon for a discussion of his book, Pleading Out, which looks at how plea bargaining exposes greater problems with America’s criminal justice system.

To conclude the semester, the Maurer ACS chapter had the absolute honor and pleasure of hosting Ron Klain, Assistant to the President and the White House Chief of Staff under President Joe Biden. Mr. Klain talked to attendees about his career, advice for law students interested in politics, and the importance of public service.

Maurer ACS is led by a dedicated team of 1Ls, 2Ls, and 3Ls. They would like to thank the law school faculty and staff as well as ACS National for their continued guidance and support.

10/24/2022

University of Michigan School of Law 

The Michigan Law Chapter of ACS is excited to be recognized as Student Chapter of the Week!

On the cusp of an important midterm election and a critical SCOTUS term, ACS at Michigan Law has centered events around the actions progressive lawyers can take to protect our democracy.

Following an energizing first meeting on what it means to be a progressive lawyer with Professor Barbara McQuade, ACS hosted a SCOTUS term preview event with Professor Leah Litman, a co-host on Crooked Media’s Strict Scrutiny podcast.

The next event of the year featured Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Deputy Legal Director of the ACLU Michigan Bonsitu Kitaba, and Professor Ellen Katz on “Protecting the Right to Vote.” In partnership with the Michigan Voting Project, ACS hopes to encourage students to participate in this upcoming election as both voters and volunteer poll workers.

ACS is also delighted to host Congressman Jamie Raskin, who serves on the House of Representatives Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell for a Q&A on protecting the fabric of American Democracy.

ACS at MLaw is led by a dedicated team of 2Ls, as well as several 3L and 1L representatives. ACS at MLaw would like to thank their incredible faculty sponsor, Barbara McQuade, for all of the guidance and support she has provided this year. They would also like to thank their general members and campus partners for creating exciting opportunities for a student body that wants to see a positive change in its legal community.

10/7/2022

University of North Carolina School of Law

The ACS chapter of the University of North Carolina School of Law is honored to be recognized as Student Chapter of the Week.

The UNC law chapter started the year off with an interactive interest meeting where they welcomed forty new members to their ranks while enjoying pizza, music, and a discussion about the role of progressive lawyering in the current legal system. The first event of the year was a moderated discussion with The Legal Accountability Project discussing discrimination and harassment in the judicial landscape. The UNC law chapter is also excited to host Kate Kelly to discuss her book, Ordinary Equality, and how women and queer people who helped shape the constitution over 200 years ago are often overlooked. That week, the chapter will be giving away 50 copies of Ordinary Equality. They will also be hosting coffee chats with local feminist groups to discuss the Equal Rights Amendment.

The chapter looks forward to the spring semester, which will begin with programming in January that centers on the current state of the U.S. court system and how progressive students and attorneys can use the courts to ensure justice for all!

Board members include President Adam Gillette (3L), Vice-President Jess Errico (2L), Treasurer Ben Wood (2L), Secretary John Schengber (2L), Outreach Coordinator Lee Rodio (3L), Organizing Director Sarah Dobbs (1L), and 1L Representatives Devin Green (1L) and Aparna Konde (1L)!

The UNC ACS board would like to thank all its members and its faculty advisor, Bill Marshall, for their continued support!

Check out past Student Chapter of the Week features here.

10/10/2022

Georgetown University Law Center

The ACS Chapter of Georgetown University Law Center is honored to be recognized as Student Chapter of the Week.

Georgetown started the school year off with a bang as they welcomed the one-and-only Russ Feingold along with esteemed legal scholar and co-author Peter Prindiville to discuss their riveting and important book, The Constitution in Jeopardy. This hugely successful event was followed closely by two equally popular and informative programs: the first installment of ACS of GULC’s Resurrecting the Working Class series, as well as the highly anticipated DOJ Careers event. Add to this lineup a first monthly General Body Meeting which added more than 80 eager 1Ls to their ranks and a Student Org Fair for the record books, and you are left with a winning September by any measure.

The year only stands to get better. In the coming weeks, ACS GULC will host exciting panels and guests speaking on topics ranging from the rights of war protestors in Russia, multidisciplinary support in a post-Dobbs world, the progressive response to originalism, police reform, and more. And behind the scenes, the Executive Board is working hard to forge stronger pathways to meaningful progressive careers and clerkships.

The Board would like to thank each of its 529 (and growing!) members, as well as its wonderful faculty advisors, Professors Sherally Munshi and Alicia Plerhoples, for continuing to champion the great tradition that is The American Constitution Society of Georgetown Law.

10/03/2022

DREXEL KLINE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW 

The Drexel University Kline School of Law ACS Student Chapter is ecstatic to be recognized as the ACS Student Chapter of the Week!

The Drexel ACS is an ambitious and energetic chapter looking to revitalize their campus’s ACS after a lull during COVID. They started off the year with a screening of “Suppressed and Sabotaged: The Fight to Vote.” After the screening, students had an opportunity to learn how to write op-eds and LTEs on the importance of voting and reproductive justice. The chapter also coordinated a Supreme Court term review and preview during their first general body meeting. Looking ahead for the semester, Drexel ACS is hosting a cosponsored panel on privacy post-Dobbs; distributing resources for Indigenous People's Day on Tribal sovereignty post Castro-Huerta; working to get their campus community civically engaged on their day off on election day; and holding events for students to get more information on clerkships, internships, and externships.

The chapter is led by a passionate group of students ranging all three years; President Abigail Williams (3L), Vice President EJ Gruber (3L), Programming Director Jess Stoltz (2L), Secretary and Historian Liam Pagan (2L), Treasurer Veronica Wheelock (2L), Membership Coordinator Matt Webster (2L), and Social Media Coordinator Zachary Cotter (1L).

The Chapter extends their thanks to their faculty advisor, Anil Kalhan, for his unending support and passion for the chapter and their endeavors.

09/26/2022

University of Virginia School of Law

Wow!! University of Virginia’s ACS Chapter is so thankful to be recognized as the ACS Chapter of the week.

Recognizing our country’s critical democratic moment, the chapter has sought to give students a space to engage with progressive community leaders, academics, and ideas.

The UVA chapter’s programming has started off strong, and its students have responded with a sense of energy that has fortified the school’s progressive community. ACS at UVA just wrapped up its fourth substantive event of the semester, and the chapter has seen upwards of 60 attendees at every single one.

Since its kickoff event this year, the chapter has hosted programming about voting rights, abortion access, and campaign finance. ACS at UVA was ecstatic to welcome ACS National President and former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold on grounds last week for a freewheeling conversation about his career, campaign finance, the Patriot Act, and ACS National’s initiatives to uplift law students and lawyers in the spirit of action.

UVA’s chapter has 10 more substantive programs planned for the Fall semester. From programming focused on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation with Dr. Gail Christopher and Professor Kermit Roosevelt to a Supreme Court term preview to conversations about privacy with Professor Danielle Citron, the chapter has a packed calendar.

The chapter is led by an outstanding team of 2Ls. President Sumit Kapur, Vice President Kiera Goddu, Programming Co-Directors Io Jones and Julia Citron, Communications Director Grace Allaman, Membership Director Zachary Pierce, Treasurer Chris Seiler, Resource Director Sean Gray, Voting Rights Outreach Director Abby Hauer, and Secretary Monica Hanratty all contribute to making this chapter UVA’s model student organization.

ACS at UVA is endlessly thankful to its faculty advisors, Professors Sarah Shalf and Richard Schragger, who have given students their unwavering support and enthusiasm."

09/19/2022

Creighton University School of Law

The Creighton University School of Law ACS Chapter is thrilled to be recognized as the first ACS Student Chapter of the Week for the 2022-2023 Academic Year.

Creighton’s ACS kickstarted programming this year with a Supreme Court Recap led by Professor Paul McGreal, aptly themed, Stand Clear of the Closing Doors, Please, focusing on the Court’s transition from the local train, with incremental stops along the path of their opinions, to the express train, moving fast with few stops to their judicial destination.

Up Next: To Dobbs and Beyond, led by Professor Kendra Fershee and Professor Kelly Dineen Gillespie. The conversation considered the Dobbs decision, and its ramifications beyond reproduction—LGBTQ+ rights, right to refuse medical treatment, criminalization of healthcare providers, and exacerbation of adverse health outcomes in America.

Upcoming events include conversations with former HUD Secretary Julian Castro, Veterans Rights Experts, and Campaign Finance Reformists. Creighton ACS will also host a candidate forum for Nebraska’s Congressional race.

Creighton ACS’s Chief Executive Officer is Anne Marie Keating, a health law student in her third of four years. She is working on her MPH and MS in Government Organization and Leadership (MS-GOAL). Anne Marie is the Health Law Student Association President and serves on Creighton’s SBA. The Chief Operations Officer is Patrick Trinidad, a 2L with a Masters in US Grand Strategy and Defense Policy, also working on his MS-GOAL degree. The Chief Marketing Officer is Driscoll Crabbe, a 2L also working on his MS-GOAL degree. Last, but certainly not least, the Chief Financial Officer is Brodey Weber, an Accelerated JD student in the final of his two years. The Chapter’s faculty advisor is Professor Michael Kelly, the Senator Allen A. Sekt Endowed Chair in Law.

 

5/23/2022

University at Buffalo School of Law

The University at Buffalo School of Law is excited to be recognized as the ACS Student Chapter of the Week!

The UB Chapter began its spring semester with an open discussion hour on SCOTUS’s upcoming case: Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The discussion was led by Professor Michael Boucai and featured comments on the oral arguments made to the Court. 

In April, the Chapter held an Appellate Diversity Panel, which featured Ian Courts, Assistant District Attorney with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office’s Law Division-Appeals Unit; Erica Hashimoto, Director of the Appellate Litigation Program at Georgetown Law; and Celeste Fiore, Partner at Argentino Fiore Law & Advocacy LLC.  

Later, the UB Chapter invited students to a Women Judges Panel. The Chapter was proud to welcome ACS Executive Vice President Zinelle October and several judges from around New York State including Honorable Leonora Foote-Beavers, Honorable Susan Eagan, Honorable Jeanette Ogden, and Justice Baathi Pitt.

Going forward, the UB Chapter will be focusing on abortion rights, free and fair elections, and continuing to fight for diversity and inclusion within the legal profession. 

Thank you very much to ACS National and the Chapter’s faculty advisor, Professor Michael Boucai, for their continued support.  

 

5/16/2022

Stanford Law School

The Stanford Law School ACS Chapter is honored to be named the ACS Student Chapter of the Week! 

The Chapter has organized and co-sponsored many high-impact events throughout the year that touched on a variety of pressing progressive legal issues. Prominent examples of this include a discussion between Professor Steve Vladeck and attorneys from Stanford's Supreme Court Clinic regarding the meaning of the shadow docket, a panel with youth and education law experts about the explosion of anti-critical race theory legislation at the state level, and a fireside chat with Professor Pam Karlan, one of the Chapter's faculty mentors as well as current Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Division of DOJ. Other topics of interest included reforming the Supreme Court, the cataclysmic effects of the War on Terror, abolishing the death penalty, and the future of the Voting Rights Act.  

The Chapter also engaged in concerted activism efforts within the SLS community. The Chapter is particularly proud to have protested and organized counter-programming when Mississippi Solicitor General Scott Stewart spoke at a campus event to discuss his role in Dobbs v. Jackson. The Chapter hosted a counterprogramming reading group, engaged in canvassing, and organized conversations with the SLS administration. The Chapter's board appreciates all the opportunities that the past year has brought and looks forward to seeing the new leadership, both at Stanford and across all student chapters, take the organization to even greater heights! Lastly, the Chapter would like to thank its Faculty Advisors, Professors Jeffrey Fisher & Pamela Karlan, for their invaluable support and guidance.  

 

5/9/2022

Notre Dame Law School

The Notre Dame Law School ACS Student Chapter is honored to be recognized as ACS’s Student Chapter of the Week.  

After Justice Alito opened the school year at Notre Dame Law School with a defense of the Supreme Court's emergency docket practices the Notre Dame ACS Chapter responded with a bang by inviting Professor Steve Vladeck of Texas Law to give a response to the Justice, titled "Clearing Up Some Misconceptions About the Supreme Court’s Shadow Docket—and Its Critics" (recording available here).  

The Chapter also took on the tough job of creating dialogue around abortion rights on Notre Dame’s largely pro-life Catholic campus. In the fall, ND ACS hosted Stephanie Toti of the Lawyering Project for a discussion of national reproductive rights litigation trends, and they closed the year just a few weeks ago with a "Crash Course on Substantive Due Process" with a particular view toward better understanding the ongoing abortion rights debate.  

Other highlights from the year include an event on Living Constitutionalism with Professor David Strauss, a film screening exploring issues of incarceration and forced sterilization, a transgender rights event featuring Professor Alexander Chen of Harvard's LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic, and talks with ACS President Russ Feingold and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse exploring issues of democracy and the Supreme Court.  

Despite Notre Dame Law's conservative reputation, the NDLS Chapter of ACS is determined to amplify progressive voices on campus and is excited to see what the next year brings.  The Chapter wishes to thank its faculty advisor, Professor Jay Tidmarsh, for his invaluable help in these efforts. Those looking to collaborate in the next year should reach out to incoming Chapter president Sachit A. Shrivastav. Reach out to campus@acslaw.org to get connected.

 

5/2/2022

Washington University in St. Louis School of Law

The Washington University in St. Louis School of Law is excited to be recognized as the ACS Student Chapter of the Week!   

This year the WashU Chapter has worked to grow its roster to now include over one-third of all law students at the law school and capture the excitement of the progressive 1L students who joined the campus community this year. The new student board included 20 1Ls who helped the Chapter plan its exciting lineup of events which included a conversation on redistricting, a panel on voting rights, a presentation on immigrant access to justice, a panel on emerging issues in union law, a discussion with Assistant Attorney General Kanter on the Biden administration's antitrust work, a presentation by St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell on progressive prosecution, a presentation on careers in Congress, and a talk with more than a half dozen Missouri public defenders. The Chapter invited numerous other law school student organizations to co-sponsor these events and helped make ACS the hub for progressives at the law school. 

The Chapter elected its new board, which will be significantly larger than in years past, and will focus on continuing to create quality campus programming, fight for free and fair elections in St. Louis and Missouri, and more effectively connect students to the ACS national network as they start to begin their careers as lawyers. The Chapter would like to give a special thanks to its faculty advisors, Professors Karen Tokarz & Gregory Magarian, for their support and guidance.  

 

4/25/2022

Stetson University College of Law

From the gulf coast of the Sunshine State, the Stetson University College of Law ACS Student Chapter is honored to be awarded the ACS Student Chapter of the Week. Over the past year, Stetson ACS has been working hard to bring unique and interesting issues that are not often discussed to the forefront. 

This year, Stetson has hosted seven major events and has co-hosted a number of others. These events have retained and grown the Chapter’s membership. The Chapter has also worked hard to transition seamlessly from all online to in-person events.  

With the help of determined members of the Chapter and ACS National’s pilot program, Stetson has been able to pull off some truly unique events. These include programming on Artificial Intelligence and the Law, a conversation about Hawaiʻi and the United States, and “America’s Empire: A Discussion on the U.S. Territories.” For these events, the Chapter brought in experts whose life’s work has been dedicated to the advancement of these causes. These programs focused on shedding light on these little-known, yet vitally important areas of the law where justice is still missing.  

Going forward, Stetson is co-hosting and hosting events on Earth Day, Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, and reproductive rights and the Constitution. These events are meant to engage on hot-topic issues that students at Stetson are talking about and want to hear from experts on.  

Thank you very much to ACS National and the Chapter’s faculty advisors, Louis Virelli & Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, for their continued support. 

 

4/18/2022

University of Georgia School of Law

The University of Georgia School of Law’s ACS Chapter is thrilled to be named the ACS Student Chapter of the Week!  

Despite the challenges of community building during a pandemic, the Chapter sought ways to build ACS at UGA. Through this academic year, the Chapter has transitioned from a nearly completely remote experience in the previous year to in-person forms of community engagement. The Chapter has grown in numbers and engagement this year, with the greatest number of 1Ls involved in ACS leadership to date.  

To engage the community directly, the Chapter coordinated several events for the spring semester including local opportunities for volunteering and activism, a panel discussing the need for greater diversity in the state and federal courts that was inspired by the ACS Gavel Gap Report, and a screening of the film On Our Grounds to discuss breaking the school-to-prison pipeline and protecting children from abuse and police brutality.  

The Chapter’s leadership has also connected members and the law school community to the wealth of resources and actions available through ACS. Chapter members have engaged in ACS beyond our local community. In partnership with other ACS student members across the country, UGA members volunteered to participate in ACS’s Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Task Force and helped organize a letter for law students to show their support for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

The Chapter looks forward to building on this momentum through the next academic year and partnering with other ACS chapters. The Chapter is grateful for the support from the leadership at ACS National, the inspiration from other ACS members, and the guidance from its faculty advisors, Professors Christian Turner & Ramona Albin, who helped shape the Chapter’s efforts. 

 

4/11/2022

Emory University School of Law

The Emory University School of Law ACS Chapter is honored to be recognized as the ACS Student Chapter of the Week!  

The Chapter kicked off its year with a general body meeting in August and a Constitution Day trivia event in September. Later that month, the Chapter hosted Bob Sherrier, an Associate Attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center, and Katie Chiles Ottenweller, the Southeast Director of Vote Solar, for a conversation about environmental law and policy in the South. In October, the Chapter held an event on election reform with Rahul Garabadu, a voting rights staff attorney at the ACLU, and Adam Sweat, Director of Election Reform at ProGeorgia, in collaboration with Emory’s Civil Rights Society and Law School Democrats. In November, the executive board volunteered at the Georgia Lawyer Chapter’s 2021 Legal Legends Reception, honoring Judge Beverly B. Martin of the Eleventh Circuit. 

The Chapter also hosted speakers from Access Reproductive Care Southeast and Emory's RISE Center, as well as the Center for Reproductive Justice's Hillary Schneller for two complementary events on reproductive policy. The Chapter also coordinated a networking event with the Georgia Lawyers and Georgia State (student) Chapters. The Chapter recently elected a new board, including – for the first time – a Diversity and Inclusion Chair, who will be instrumental in expanding our reach on campus. Next year, the board hopes to host events on criminal, disability, labor, and/or wartime law, and increase our collaboration with other local chapters! 

 

4/4/2022

Columbia Law School

ACS at Columbia Law School is excited to be featured as an ACS Student Chapter of the Week! 

The Chapter was happy to be able to host in-person events on campus for the first time in over a year and celebrated by welcoming students to a meet and greet at the beginning of the fall semester. Also in September, the Chapter hosted a panel discussion on SB 8 in Texas and the future of Roe and reproductive rights.

In October, the Chapter partnered with the Center for Gender and Sexuality at Columbia Law to host a lunch discussion on race, gender, and voting rights with Chinyere Ezie, author of the article Not Your Mule? Disrupting the Political Powerlessness of Black Women Voters. The Chapter also partnered with several other ACS chapters across the country, as well as the Filipino Bar Association of Northern California, for an event discussing restorative justice in the criminal justice system. 

The Chapter bookended its fall semester by co-hosting an event with the Social Justice Initiatives office at the law school about the Innocence Project’s campaign for Julius Jones and other incarcerated people facing execution.  

Ten new 1L representatives recently joined the board and are excited to host events on voting rights, labor law, and other pressing constitutional issues this semester. 

The Chapter is grateful for its faculty advisors, Kate Andrias & Gillian Metzger, the speakers who have contributed to events this year, and for Chris Lin, the Chapter’s  Associate Director, who has provided invaluable support.  

If you are interested in keeping up with the CLS ACS Chapter’s activities, you can follow them on Instagram at @acscolumbia. 

 

3/28/2022

Georgetown University Law Center

Reporting from the capital (and blocks from the Capitol), the Georgetown ACS Chapter is honored to be spotlighted as the ACS Student Chapter of the Week!  The Chapter has been on a sprint through some big issues over the past few months and are thrilled to be delving into many more in the coming weeks. 

Across this school year, the Chapter built out its events, membership, and board. They averaged one event a week last semester and are on track to do the same this spring. The Chapter’s events have touched on immigration reform, prison reform, progressive prosecution, court reform, constitutionalism at home and abroad, and election law. They’ve hosted a Hong Kong dissident and will be hosting Senator Whitehouse as well as Jamal Greene and Elie Mystal. Beyond these individual events, which the Chapter considers its bread and butter, given the range of interests on Georgetown’s campus, it’s particularly proud of its debate and Originalism series. The Chapter held debates on progressive prosecution and cancel culture. Regarding Originalism, the Chapter did an event on “Originalism is Political.” Later this spring, the Chapter will also be hosting events titled “Originalism is Racist” and “Originalism is Undemocratic.”  The Chapter looks forward to continuing its work with thinkers and other ACS chapters around the country. 

The Chapter has also invested in building its community at Georgetown. Its growing board and membership are testaments to this, and they’re hoping to continue expanding their platform while collaborating with other student groups. The Chapter sees its mission as bringing important perspectives to campus and challenging paradigms, and part and parcel of this is being allied to the groups living the issues we discuss. As the Georgetown motto goes, “law is but the means, justice is the end.” 

Thank you very much to ACS National and the Chapter’s faculty advisors, Alicia Plerhoples & Sherally Munshi, for their continued support. 

 

3/21/2022

NYU School of Law

The NYU ACS Student Chapter is thrilled and honored to be recognized as the Student Chapter of the Week. They began the fall semester with a week of action against SB8 in collaboration with many other student organizations at NYU, including events explaining SB8, providing space to react to it, and events to advocate against it.

As the semester began, the NYU Chapter matched 1Ls with upperclassmen for mentorship opportunities, and brought in speakers from a variety of professional backgrounds for a “Litigation 101” Panel. The semester continued with a number of other exciting events, including a panel on antitrust issues in online spaces, advocacy with End the Contract Coalition, and perspectives from practitioners working across the intersection of criminal and immigration law. One of the highlights of the semester was a discussion about the Supreme Court’s Shadow Docket, featuring Professors Steve Vladeck and Troy McKenzie, who led an expansive and engaging discussion about what the Shadow Docket is and why it is so important.

In the upcoming semester, the NYU Chapter looks forward to many more events, including its annual “Faces of Progressive Lawyering” event, which features practitioners from a variety of fields and practice areas who act as progressive lawyers. In collaboration with the Yale, Berkeley, and Buffalo ACS Chapters, they were thrilled to host Strict Scrutiny for a live podcast taping in late January. Other upcoming events include “Lawyering to End Mass Incarceration,” a discussion on seeking Restorative Justice, hosting the 5-4 Podcast, a panel on Voting Rights, “Entrepreneurial Careers in Public Interest,” and an event discussing Justice Breyer’s retirement.

The NYU Law ACS Board thanks its faculty advisors, Adam B. Cox & Emma Kaufman, every practitioner, professor, and speaker they have had the pleasure of working with this year, and their members, who have made their work so much more engaging and energizing.

 

3/14/2022

UC Berkeley School of Law

ACS at Berkeley Law is thrilled to be recognized as ACS’s Student Chapter of the Week! The Chapter was grateful to be back in person in the Fall semester. They kicked off the year with a Constitutional Day event, featuring Professor Jennifer Chacón in a discussion of immigration law and the Constitution. ACS at Berkeley Law then had two great events with other groups on campus, one focusing on reproductive rights in the wake of Texas’s SB 8, and the other on the state of voting rights. 

In October, ACS at Berkeley Law held the annual Supreme Court Roundup, co-hosted with the Berkeley Law Federalist Society, looking back on the most recent Supreme Court term and discussing implications for the future. The Chapter wrapped up the semester with a widely attended event on qualified immunity discussing Dean Erwin Chemerinsky’s book: Presumed Guilty.  

ACS at Berkeley kicked off the Spring semester with a virtual Strict Scrutiny podcast recording in January. As classes return to campus, the Chapter is excited to host events on environmental law and housing scarcity, among others. The Chapter’s next big event will be March 31 when the 5-4 Podcast will be on campus for a live recording and Q&A. 

Berkeley Law ACS Co-Presidents Jennifer Sherman and Jean Larsen wish to thank their fellow board members and Berkeley Law ACS Faculty Advisor Professor Andrew Bradt for their contributions in making the Chapter the success it is today. 

 

3/7/2022

William & Mary Law School

The William & Mary Law School ACS Chapter is honored to be recognized as the ACS Student Chapter of the Week. Last fall, the William & Mary Chapter’s programming included social events to recruit new members.  

Last September, the Chapter co-sponsored an event with the William & Mary Law Center for Racial & Social Justice and If/When/How on the future of reproductive rights and Texas’s abortion law, SB8. The event featured four speakers, including professor & author Mary Ziegler and Rachel Becker, then-advisor to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources for the Governor of Virginia. The event included an interesting discussion of possible future strategies for protecting reproductive rights. 

In November, the Chapter co-sponsored a panel on Critical Race Theory in education; the panel’s discussion included defining what CRT is and how it fits into the classroom, as well as the politics surrounding it, which was particularly interesting in the wake of the Governor’s election here in Virginia.  

This semester, the Chapter is continuing to foster discussions on reproductive justice; the Chapter co-sponsored an event with the Institute of Bill of Rights Law featuring Professor Linda Greenhouse on the future of Roe v. Wade.  

Upcoming this month, the Chapter is sponsoring a panel focusing on the effects of social media on democracy in the US and abroad. This event will feature a panel of experts with knowledge ranging from election law to the impact of Facebook in Myanmar.  

In March, the Chapter is hosting Professor Kami Chavis, who will be joining the William & Mary Law School faculty next year, for a conversation on her career and her research.   

The William & Mary Law ACS Chapter would like to thank its Faculty Advisor, Professor Eric Kades, as well as past and present members for their enthusiasm & participation.  

 

2/28/2022

University of Chicago Law School

The University of Chicago Law School Chapter of ACS is honored and grateful to be recognized as the ACS Student Chapter of the Week.  

Despite some shifting between in-person and online, the Chapter has been fortunate to host a bevy of esteemed speakers and collaborate with our colleagues in other student organizations. The Chapter has sought to ensure the talks are relevant, poignant, and edifying from the start. Accordingly, the Chapter began the year with a frank discussion of the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan. Soon after, wanting to give first years a fuller picture of a key case in the Civil Procedure curriculum, the Chapter hosted a talk about the legacy and impact of Ashcroft v. Iqbal with one of the attorneys who argued the case before the Court.  

Seeking to ensure the events addressed timely issues, the Chapter co-sponsored an event with UChicago’s Black Law Students Association where Kim Foxx, State’s Attorney for Cook County, spoke about Illinois’s foray into bail reform. Importantly, the Chapter worked with the UChicago chapter of If/When/How on the future of abortion rights in light of Texas’s SB8. 

Since Winter Quarter began, the Chapter has hosted an event on Supreme Court reform with UChicago faculty who were members of President Biden’s Supreme Court Commission and a discussion with Alec Karakatsanis about a wide range of criminal justice issues.  

In the meanwhile, the Chapter has been building intra-chapter relationships by providing mentorship opportunities for first years and building extra-chapter relationships by reaching out to alumni.  

Finally, the Chapter expresses deep gratitude to the student organizations who have invited us to collaborate on events with them and the Chapter’s Faculty Advisors, Geoffrey Stone and Jennifer Nou, who have provided invaluable guidance for the programming this year. 

 

2/21/2022

Santa Clara University School of Law

The Santa Clara University School of Law ACS Student Chapter is proud to be recognized as ACS's Student Chapter of the Week.
The Chapter had a busy Fall semester filled with events appealing to various interests. Events included a panel discussion regarding Texas's "heartbeat bill," an event hosting speakers from Demand Justice where advocates and SCU students had an open dialogue about the Judiciary Act of 2021, as well as a Constitution Day event discussing voting rights and the history of voter suppression. Additionally, the Chapter partnered with the team behind the award-winning documentary Untouchable to host a screening of their exceptional work for our student body.

The Chapter is looking forward to another busy semester with events regarding data privacy and a screening of the documentary On These Grounds. The Chapter also anticipates hosting a voter registration drive, an event discussing Supreme Court nominations, as well as an event regarding police reform.

In closing, the Chapter would like to extend many thanks to its guest speakers, professors, and faculty advisors, Margaret Russell & Ellen Kreitzberg, for their efforts, guidance, and immense support.

 

2/14/2022

University of Denver Sturm College of Law

The University of Denver Sturm College of Law ACS Student Chapter is honored to be recognized as one of ACS National’s Student Chapters of the Week.  

 This year, the Chapter kicked off the semester with a relevant and timely discussion on the constitutionality of COVID vaccination policies in the workplace, hosting a renowned labor & employment attorney. Later that month, the Chapter invited LYRIC (Learn Your Rights In the Community) for a presentation and training. LYRIC is an organization local to Colorado made up of passionate attorneys and law student volunteers that gives presentations to help young people safely exercise their constitutional rights when interacting with police.  

 In October, the Chapter hosted Josh Earnest, former President Obama’s Chief White House Press Secretary and current Chief Communications Officer at United Airlines. Josh spoke to the Chapter about the current state of politics and democracy, what it was like to communicate on behalf of a President, and his transition from a public service position to a corporation. 

 This semester, the Chapter is going to host a discussion on the constitutionality of vaccination mandates after the Supreme Court’s recent decision in National Federation of Independent Business v. Department of Labor, OSHA. The Chapter will also be partnering with another Denver Law organization in presenting the 2022 Civil Rights Summit. The Civil Rights Summit is a two-day event that hosts attorneys, organizers, judges, professors, and law students to connect and inspire Colorado’s civil rights community. Finally, to round out the end of the year, and to help 1Ls prepare for finals, the Chapter will host a constitutional law trivia night.  

 The Chapter hopes to continue to foster another semester of discussions on relevant topics related to constitutional rights, progressive legal theories, and advancing equal justice under the law for everyone. The Chapter is especially grateful for the speakers who have donated their time to events; its faculty advisors, Professors Alan Chen & Alexi Freeman and ACS’s Associate Director of Chapters Jordan Blisk. 

 

2/7/2022

Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law

The Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law ACS Chapter is honored to be recognized as the Student Chapter of the Week. This past Fall, the Temple Law Chapter’s programming centered around some of the most pertinent issues surrounding our justice system and democracy today, including reproductive justice; attacks on voting rights; and constitutional grounds for public health mandates. 

In honor of Constitution Day, the Temple ACS Chapter kicked off the year with a trip to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The Chapter then co-hosted an event on COVID-19 restrictions with the Temple Law Federalist Society Chapter, where Prof. Scott Burris and Misha Tseytlin discussed the history of public health and the law. 

Additionally, the Temple ACS Chapter co-hosted an event with Temple If/When/How on the Texas abortion ban and the upcoming threats to Roe v. Wade. Guest speakers Prof. Patty Skuster and David Cohen electrified attendees by delving into some of the common misconceptions surrounding the right to choose, such as what a fetal "heartbeat" refers to, and what the timeline looks like on a six-week abortion ban.  

The Temple ACS Chapter closed the semester with a lively event on voting rights, with guest speakers Marian Schneider, Kadida Kenner, Kay Yu, and Adam Bonin, who each shared their unique insight on the recent attacks on voting rights occurring both locally and nationally.   

The Temple ACS Chapter has more exciting events planned this semester on subjects including the right to housing; redistricting; bail reform; wrongful convictions; court reform; and antitrust law.  

Lastly, the Chapter would like to thank its Faculty Advisor, Professor Mark Rahdert, and all of its esteemed guest speakers, past and present, for their continued support! 

 

1/31/2022

University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law

The University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law is delighted to be recognized as an ACS Student Chapter of the Week.

Starting with Board Elections, the Kentucky Chapter was able to fill all positions with robust and dynamic campus leaders who are diligently working on integrating the values of ACS into their law school classes.

The Kentucky Chapter is focusing on the urban and rural divide within Kentucky and seeks to highlight issues of race and economic injustice and how each intersects with the law. The Chapter has a full calendar planned with monthly movie nights to highlight policy issues, trivia nights to build Chapter camaraderie, and consistently works to support other student organizations at the law school to collaborate on projects and events.

The Chapter would like to give a special shoutout to its Faculty Advisor, Professor Joshua Douglas, for his support and guidance. Additionally, they’d like to thank all its members for their persistent participation and wonderful ideas. They look forward to what the years will bring!

If you are interested in joining the Chapter, catch the Chapter at its monthly meetings, or follow the Chapter on Instagram @uky_acs.

 

1/24/2022

Indiana University Maurer School of Law

The Indiana University Maurer School of Law Chapter of the American Constitution Society is honored to be recognized as the Student Chapter of the Week.

Our Chapter has been dedicated to investing in relationships with campus partners to strengthen our commitment to shared goals.

We started in August partnering with If/When/How to host Louise Melling of the American Civil Liberties Union in debriefing the Texas S.B. 8 abortion ban.

In October, we hosted a Supreme Court Term Preview with IU Maurer professors Steve Sanders and Beth Cate.

Finally, in November, we partnered with the IU Maurer Black Law Student Association, Latinx Law Student Association, and Asian and Pacific Islander Law Student Association in hosting The Appellate Project to promote diversity in appellate practice.

This Spring we hope to collaborate with other Indiana law schools, promote clerkship opportunities, and help IU Maurer students engage with ACS Nationals events. Lastly, we’d like to thank our Faculty Advisors, Professors Steve Sanders and Luis Fuentes-Rohwer, for their support and guidance.

 

1/17/2022

Yale Law School

Spurred on by in-person classes and events, the Yale Law ACS Chapter embraced the fall semester with open arms. The Chapter kicked off the year with a happy hour to welcome its new members and had near-weekly events with experts spanning a wide range of topics from the legality of Brittany Spears’ conservatorship to the Second Amendment. Yale ACS’ers rounded out the semester with frequent small groups chats with justices from state supreme courts across the United States as part of its judicial coffee series.

In addition to exceptional speakers, the scholarship committee put on an engaging Progressive Scholarship Workshop, where, every week, YLS faculty presented papers and received feedback from Chapter membership. On the mentorship front, the Chapter was able to match new members with YLS ACS alumni across various identities and interest areas. Additionally, the Board was excited to welcome over twenty new 1L members to the organization's leadership and look forward to seeing the great things they will accomplish!

In closing, the Board wants to extend a hearty thank-you to the speakers, justices, and professors who spent time with them this semester. In particular, they want to express their gratitude and appreciation to its sponsors, Professors Linda Greenhouse & Reva Siegel, for their insight and work to advance progressive causes.

 

12/6/2021

IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law

The IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law ACS Student Chapter is honored to be recognized as ACS Student Chapter of the Week.

The Chapter had a packed Fall semester this year full of big changes and new beginnings. First, the Chapter would like to thank Professor Fran Watson, its Faculty Advisor, for her support and guidance and congratulate her on her retirement. The Chapter would also like to welcome Professor Brad Desnoyer as the chapter’s new faculty advisor. The Chapter is looking forward to all the great insight and mentorship that he can offer.

Right as the semester started, ACS McKinney hosted a showing of the first episode of the docuseries Amend: The Fight for America, which features McKinney Professor Gerard Magliocca. Professor Magliocca was gracious enough to do a Q&A with the attendees and discuss how the Equal Protection Clause came to be, as well as technically co-starring with Will Smith.

In October, the Chapter co-hosted a joint panel with McKinney’s Woman’s Caucus and Health Law Society on the Texas anti-choice bill. The panelists included Dr. Stephanie Boys, Dr. Kimberly Chernoby, and Suzannah Overholt. There was an extended discussion about the legality of the bill and the challenges to its application.

In November, ACS McKinney co-hosted a panel with McKinney’s Health Law Society and Equal Justice Works titled: “Disability Status: The 14th Amendment, the ADA, and Beyond.” The panel included Greg Fehribach and Lauren Peña. Learning about the fight for the ADA and its preservation was eye-opening and showed there is always more work to do to preserve human rights and dignity.

The Chapter has multiple events in the works for this winter, including networking events with firms dedicated to employment discrimination and patient’s rights.

 

11/29/2021

Pepperdine Caruso School of Law

The Pepperdine Caruso School of Law ACS Student Chapter is honored and humbled to be recognized as ACS Student Chapter of the Week.

The Chapter began the fall semester with an introductory event on constitutional basics, hoping to engage 1Ls with esteemed Professors Barry McDonald and Jennifer Koh. Later that week, students were also invited to a chapter-run lawn mixer, where they mingled and ate lunch with friends and classmates. In October, the Chapter cosponsored a lively civil discussion with the Federalist Society, focusing on the upcoming Dobbs abortion case. That event was followed shortly the next week by the Chapter’s semi-annual Unity event, which is cosponsored by every other Pepperdine student organization. This year, the event focused on public health and featured some of the most prominent public health lawyers in the nation, including Professors James Hodge, Ji Seon Song, and Jessica Mantel. The Chapter also published a bi-weekly judicial newsletter and was happy to cosponsor and support the work of other student organizations like Students for Reproductive Justice and the Women's Legal Society, whose events the Chapter promoted and encouraged its members to attend.

Next semester, the Chapter plans to collaborate with other Southern California Chapters on racial justice, truth, and reconciliation programming, and to keep bringing in esteemed speakers for possible events on the shadow docket, mass incarceration, and more.

The Chapter would like to thank its Faculty Advisors Professors Christine Goodman and Barry McDonald for all of their indispensable help and support.

 

11/22/2021

UC Hastings College of the Law 

The UC Hastings College of the Law ACS Student Chapter is honored to be recognized as ACS National's Student Chapter of the Week. The Chapter has had an eventful fall semester.

In mid-September, the Chapter hosted a successful speaker panel titled "Is it the End for a Right to Abortion?" The event was in response to Texas's law banning most abortions after SCOTUS refused to enjoin it. Prominent professors in the field of constitutional law from UC Hastings and UC Davis School of Law discussed why the Texas law is considerably difficult to challenge and what other states are doing to limit the right to abortion that exists now. One of the speakers at the event, Matthew Coles, is a faculty advisor for the UC Hastings ACS Chapter. In October, the Chapter hosted another hybrid event in collaboration with Everytown Law. Mark Frassetto, the Deputy Director of Second Amendment History and Scholarship at Everytown, gave a presentation to students about the history of the amendment and how it intersects with gun violence prevention efforts. The Chapter also welcomed ACS President, Russ Feingold, to the UC Hastings campus for a meet and greet event with other ACS Chapters in the Bay Area. For its final event of the semester, the UC Hastings Chapter collaborated with the ACS Chapter at Boston College to host Scott MacFarlane, an investigative reporter with NBC4 Washington, for a talk on the January 6th insurrection.

The Chapter would like to thank its faculty advisor Professor Matthew Coles for his continued support and mentorship.

 

11/15/2021

University of Michigan Law School

The University of Michigan Law School ACS student Chapter is honored to be recognized as ACS National’s Student Chapter of the Week. Michigan Law ACS has had a great start to the year and is excited to share the events they have hosted this semester.

To kick off the Fall semester, the Chapter hosted a panel discussion with faculty advisors Professor Ellen Katz and Professor Barbara McQuade discussing the mission and values of ACS, followed by a SCOTUS Docket preview with Professor Leah Litman. In October, the Chapter hosted Justice Richard Bernstein of the Michigan Supreme Court to discuss the challenges and opportunities found within the state judicial election system. They then co-sponsored an International Wrongful Conviction Day conversation with exoneree Walter Forbes. The Chapter is excited to co-host an event with Michigan Law’s Latinx Law Students Association featuring Indiana University Maurer School of Law’s Professor Luis Fuentes-Rohwer, who will discuss his upcoming book, Racism as a Constitutional Legacy: American Empire and Puerto Rico.

In the Winter semester, Michigan Law ACS will host Mayor Duggan of Detroit for an event discussing career paths in public service and the dynamics of race in local governance. Additionally, the Chapter will host an event with Broderick Johnson, former White House Cabinet Secretary under the Obama administration and current Executive Vice President at Comcast, for a discussion regarding digital equity.

The Chapter would like to thank its faculty advisors, Professor Barbara McQuade and Professor Ellen Katz for their continued support and mentorship.

 

11/8/2021

Willamette University College of Law 

The Willamette University College of Law ACS Student Chapter is honored to be recognized as ACS National's Student Chapter of the Week and enthusiastic to share some of its accomplishments so far this year.

This year, the Willamette University College of Law Chapter of ACS has honed in on equality and access to justice, diversity and inclusion, and innovative legislation and regulation. The Chapter started the year off by participating in a student-led and organized student mentor and mentee program that connected 2Ls and 3Ls with 1L students. Willamette's Chapter has held numerous membership meetings to recruit and inform students about their upcoming events and programming.

Outside of the university campus, Willamette's ACS Chapter supported the Lilith fund, a pro-choice group helping women seeking abortions in Texas after the passing of SB 8. In their efforts to promote innovative legislation and access to justice, the Chapter partnered with the Willamette Chapter of Law Students for Sensible Drug Policy for a panel featuring attorneys who specialize in drug-related offenses to discuss drug criminality reform and to provide guidance on citizen-police encounters. Recently, Willamette ACS also hosted Witness to Innocence for a workshop featuring a panel of death row exonerees to educate and promote the abolition of the death penalty in the United States.

In the upcoming weeks, the Chapter will host a vicarious trauma panel on compassion fatigue to encourage the discussion of secondary trauma while advocating for victims. The Chapter will also support law students with a discussion on the role of imposter syndrome in overcoming failure.

Before the spring semester, the Willamette's ACS Chapter will host a book club over the winter break featuring an analysis and group discussion of Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson.

Willamette ACS continues to be Willamette Law's largest student organization with significant student involvement and substantial programming. The Chapter hopes to continue to inspire its colleagues and community with progressive legal solutions addressing difficult issues.

The Chapter would like to thank its faculty advisors, Professor Caroline Davidson and Professor Rohan Grey, for their continued support.

 

11/1/2021

University of Virginia School of Law

The University of Virginia School of Law (UVA) ACS Student Chapter is honored to be recognized as ACS National’s Student Chapter of the Week and excited for the opportunity to share some of the events they hosted this semester.

This fall, they hosted a panel on the recent Fulton decision, as well as career-focused events on the labor movement, housing law, and holistic defense. The Chapter worked with other organizations to co-host panels on the Texas abortion ban, technological threats to privacy and democracy, the Afghan refugee crisis and the role of U.S. intervention, and the dangers of misinformation in elections. They are also hosting an event discussing how to protect the interests of sexual abuse survivors while maintaining decarceral goals.

In the spring, the Chapter plans to continue hosting thoughtful forums that represent their member’s diverse interests. These include further advocacy around the evolving legal threats to reproductive justice, a Narcan training, and progressive critiques of the traditional 1L curriculum.

The Chapter is working to co-host a symposium commemorating the anniversary of Title IX and advocating reforms to achieve its promises — namely, addressing gender-based discrimination from sports, improving campus sexual assault policies, and ratifying the ERA. The Chapter is also continuing a series of career-focused events, with topics ranging from representing migrant farmer workers to Judicial Clerkships.

The Chapter plans to continue programming that promotes an interpretation of the Constitution that recognizes equality for all and hopes to advertise local and national volunteer opportunities that align with and advance the values of equal justice under the law for all people.

The Chapter is especially grateful for each of the speakers who spoke with the Chapter, its faculty advisors Professors Shalf and Schragger, to Professor Schwartzman for his advice, and to Bridget Lawson for their constant support.

 

10/25/2021

Northern Illinois University College of Law

The Northern Illinois University College of Law ACS Student Chapter is honored to be recognized as ACS National’s Student Chapter of the Week!

This year, the Chapter hit the ground running with programming. In September, the Chapter held its inaugural annual Constitution Day event. This year’s event focused on voting rights featuring Professor Eugene Mazo from Seton Hall University and Professor Juan Perea from Loyola University Chicago. The event sparked so much interest the Chapter is considering hosting a follow up program. Also in September, the Chapter held a Supreme Court Preview Panel with NIU Law professors to discuss important cases the Court will hear this Term.

In October, the Chapter held a reproductive rights event with the Illinois ACLU to discuss the current state of reproductive rights and what can be expected for the future. Looking ahead this semester, the Chapter will host an event with the NIU Law Criminal Law Society and Everytown for Gun Safety later in October and to close out the semester, they are hosting the Marijuana Czar of Illinois, Toi Hutchinson (NIU Law ‘14), in November.

The Chapter looks forward to collaborating with other student organizations to bring more engaging events to campus. They also hope to explore opportunities to engage in philanthropic efforts and focus on career-related opportunities and networking.

The Chapter would like to thank its faculty advisor, Professor Marc Falkoff and ACS Vice President of Network Advancement, Meghan Paulas, for their support.

 

10/18/2021

New England Law Boston

The New England Law Boston (NELB) ACS Student Chapter hit the ground running this Fall semester with two events underway and more to come. In September, the NELB ACS partnered with the school's Federalist Society to celebrate Constitution Day. At the event, students watched "A More Perfect Union: George Washington and the Making of the Constitution" and after the film engaged in a discussion comparing a textualist versus pragmatic interpretation of the Constitution. The discussion evolved into conversations about current events surrounding the pandemic, mask and vaccine mandates. The interest was so great, the Chapter is now planning an event on the topic.

In October, the Chapter hosted an event with Joseph Irizarry, a Community Organizer for the Massachusetts Campaign to End Life Without Parole. Mr. Irizarry led an open discussion about his traumatic experiences as a child, and the ongoing trauma he experienced through the United States prison system, tying life without parole sentencing to racial justice. The event concluded with a moving Q&A where students opened up about their own experiences with loved ones going through the prison system and providing attendees with a perspective on the issue that they will hopefully carry with them.

Looking forward, the NELB Student Chapter is excited to host a variety of upcoming events including a panel discussion on voting rights legislation, a networking social, a joint panel event with the Federalist Society to discuss the constitutionality of the mask and vaccine mandates, and a debrief session of the annual ACS convention.

NELB's ACS Student Chapter would like to thank its Faculty Advisors, Professors Lawrence Friedman and Jordan Singer, for their continued support.

 

10/11/2021

University of Missouri School of Law

Law school is not an easy process to start. A pandemic, the passing of a revered Supreme Court justice, the constant undermining of our most sacred democratic process, and a terrorist attack on the Capitol building certainly did not make law school easier. The class of 2023’s 1L year was certainly “eventful.” But none of the above thwarted or dissuaded Mizzou Law ACS. The events above, while perhaps making Mizzou ACS Chapter Leaders’ personal lives harder, clarified their mission for this new academic year.

Mizzou Law ACS is piloting a series titled “Equity Under the Law,” designed to advance discussions about progressive policies to aid those who have been historically underserved by their government. The series includes events with keynote speakers and panels with topics ranging from the decriminalization of sex work to immigration reform. From environmental activism to reparations, from Title IX to exoneration efforts, Mizzou Law ACS’s programming is going to demonstrate why progressive policy is the most pragmatic and optimal to secure the promise of liberty for all.

While Missouri isn’t exactly known for being liberal, let alone progressive, the Mizzou Law ACS Chapter sees this as all the more reason to be vocal and is excited about the opportunity to actively work towards the task ahead. While systemic change will not happen overnight, right now, after all the traumatizing events the nation has been through, starting here in Columbia, Missouri at the Mizzou Law ACS Chapter is a good place to start.

The Chapter would like to thank its Faculty Advisor Professor Richard Reuben for his support of the chapter.

 

10/4/2021

University of Texas School of Law

The University of Texas School of Law ACS is grateful to be recognized as ACS National’s Student Chapter of the Week. Texas Law ACS has an exciting year ahead, continuing to foster a progressive community of future lawyers by hosting social events and partnering with organizations across the law school on engagement efforts.

This year, Texas Law ACS has focused on reproductive rights in response to the new abortion ban in Texas. The chapter hosted an event on the Supreme Court’s Shadow Docket and the abortion ban with Professor Steve Vladeck. Another event on reproductive rights and justice is planned for October, with speakers from the National Women’s Law Center and the Center for Reproductive Rights. Texas Law ACS is also thrilled to be hosting Professor Melissa Murray of NYU Law and the Strict Scrutiny Podcast for a live taping and Q&A in November. The Chapter also hosted a panel with state and local union leaders on the role of unions in workers’ rights at the beginning of September.

Looking ahead, Texas Law ACS is co-sponsoring an event series, “Alternative Curriculum” with Law Students for Black Lives. These discussions will supplement and contextualize the 1L coursework through a progressive frame of reference. The first such event will focus on the Supreme Court and racial equality. Additional upcoming events focus on the recent Texas legislative session, legal culture, and the path to judgeships for progressive lawyers.

The Texas Law ACS board, with a coalition of other progressive groups on campus, has been working hard to strengthen the progressive community at the law school and within the 1L cohort. The Chapter looks forward to continuing its busy schedule as the school transitions back to in person events.

The Chapter would like to thank its Faculty Advisor, Professor William Forbath, for his support.

 

9/27/2021

Howard University School of Law

Howard University School of Law's ACS Student Chapter is honored to be selected as ACS National's Student Chapter of the Week.

This year, the Chapter is focusing on reconnecting with each other and with their campus community through programming and implementing new projects. This past week, their Membership Chair, Catherine Ross, and Social Media and Publicity Chair, Kelbey Egerland, helped the Chapter celebrate Constitution Day with Instagram Trivia. Already this year, the Chapter has co-sponsored a movie screening of "My Name is Pauli Murray" with other Howard student organizations.

In the coming weeks, the Chapter has substantial programming in the works. On September 27th, the Chapter is hosting a SCOTUS Preview with leading constitutional scholars Professor Tiffany Wright, Supervising Attorney of the Howard Civil Rights Clinic, and Professor Justin Hansford, constitutional law expert (and Howard ACS Faculty Advisor).

This semester, their Vice President, Kufere Laing, will also be working to establish a Howard ACS Constitutional Law blog to provide members with the opportunity to get published outside of the traditional Journals and Law Reviews, as the students believe Howard's contributions to constitutional law is often overlooked.
Next spring, they will be hosting a Black Federal Judges panel which will feature trail-blazing federal judges to share their journeys to the bench and discuss the ways in which they use the Constitution as a tool to maintain a fair and just judiciary system.

The Chapter would like to thank its Faculty Advisors, Professor Justin Hansford and Professor Lisa Crooms-Robinson, for their support.

 

5/24/2021

Brooklyn Law School

The Brooklyn Law School ACS Student Chapter is thrilled and honored to be recognized as ACS National’s Student Chapter of the Week.

The ACS Chapter at Brooklyn Law School continued to grow in its second year as a chapter, by increasing its membership and hosting a wide range of events throughout the year. The Chapter planned events that covered the Supreme Court docket, disability rights, excessive force, impeachment, and how the Supreme Court is being reshaped. They were also able to collaborate with the incredible ACS Student Chapters at Cornell, NYU, New York Law School, and St. John’s University on fantastic events that focused on the Supreme Court.

The Brooklyn Law ACS Chapter is very thankful to Judge Carlton Reeves of the Southern District of Mississippi for headlining a fascinating panel event on qualified immunity and civil rights. The Chapter would also like to thank the Brooklyn Law School chapter of the Disability Advocacy Law Students Association and CCIT-NYC for partnering to organize a disability rights event.

The graduating E-Board is very proud of the Chapter’s accomplishments during the last year and is excited to see what the incoming E-Board will accomplish in the future.

Finally, the Chapter would like to thank its Faculty Advisor, Professor William Araiza for helping start the Chapter and for continually providing support to making the Chapter a success.

 

5/17/2021

Washington University in St. Louis School of Law

The Washington University in St. Louis Student Chapter is honored to be named the ACS National Student Chapter of the Week. This honor marks the end of a successful year of programming, service, and campus education. While being fully remote presented unique challenges to the university as a whole, the Chapter took it as an opportunity to bring in incredible speakers from their community and beyond. For instance, the Chapter was fortunate enough to host its very own alum, Hon. Robert Bacharach of the 10^th Circuit Court of Appeals, to discuss legal writing strategies.

This year, the chapter placed a special focus on election equity and voter rights education. They partnered with the Washington University School of Law’s People’s Parity Project chapter to organize a Ballot Notary Drive. Missouri required mail-in ballots be notarized, so several of the Chapter’s members helped to organize and participate in making sure everyone’s vote would be counted by becoming notaries. Additionally, the Chapter also invited local community leaders and advocates to talk about an important ballot initiative in Missouri, brought in election law experts to discuss voting rights during the COVID-19 pandemic, and organized programming after the election to discuss the implications of President Biden’s victory. Since the Chapter was not able to convene in person, they also hosted Debate Watch Parties so that its members could get to know one another  in an informal setting.

In addition we to the Chapter’s election programming, they were able to host some incredible community activists to discuss methods to promote racial equity in St. Louis, focusing on topics like cash bail, grassroots organizing, and racial justice initiatives in St. Louis specifically.

The Chapter is grateful for the hard work of all our board members, its New Student Executive Board, its faculty advisors Gregory Magarian and Karen Tokarz, and ACS National for helping to make this year successful.

 

5/10/2021

Harvard Law School

The Harvard Law School (HLS) ACS Student Chapter is grateful to be recognized as ACS National’s Student Chapter of the Week and is excited to share some of its accomplishments from this year. While the Covid-19 pandemic forced the Chapter to connect virtually this year, they successfully worked to build community amongst their members, renewed calls for racial justice, and dealt with the unprecedented aftermath of the federal election. Additionally, the Chapter hosted events with judges, litigators, policy advocates, and scholars; collaborated with other student groups at Harvard and beyond; organized engagement efforts on multiple fronts (including Native rights, voter protection, and this fall's Supreme Court vacancy); curated academic and professional resources for its members; and spent time together via Zoom.

Even with such a busy schedule, the Chapter’s highlight of the year was a conversation with Justice Sonia Sotomayor, during which she shared words of wisdom with the Chapter’s members. As the Chapter moves to the end of the academic year and the start of the next one, the outgoing board would like to thank all of its members and especially its faculty advisors, Nikolas Bowie, Michael Klarman, and Anna Lvovsky. The Chapter is also looking forward to watching its incoming board carry forward the Chapter’s initiatives from this year as well as spearhead many new and bold projects of their own.

 

5/3/2021

Indiana University Maurer School of Law

The ACS student chapter at Indiana University Maurer School of Law is honored to have been selected as a 2021 Student Chapter of the Week!

In the past year, Maurer ACS has adapted to the online environment by hosting a myriad of virtual events in coordination with other Maurer organizations and colleagues beyond the law school. During summer 2020, Maurer ACS co-hosted a legal observer training with the Indiana chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, and co-sponsored BLM: Putting our Words into Action alongside multiple student groups.

As the fall semester progressed, Maurer ACS hosted a list of extraordinary Hoosiers to discuss the 2020 election and other pressing legal topics. Notable guests were Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears and Faegre Drinker partner Scott Chinn, who joined students to discuss federalism and local government authority.  Others were Andrea Hailey, CEO of Vote.org, and Liane Groth-Hulka, co-founder of Vote Safe Indiana - two outstanding leaders in voting rights in Indiana. Adam Wren, contributing editor at POLITICO and Business Insider, spoke with Maurer Professor Steve Sanders to provide context for media coverage of the election.

In recent months, Maurer ACS has maintained a focus on voting rights by co-hosting a Voting Rights Colloquium with the Maurer National Lawyers Guild. Students were treated to a lively discussion of evolving legal theories and arguments about voting rights following the restrictive laws passed in Georgia this spring with USC Law Professor Franita Tolson, Duke Law Professor Guy-Uriel Charles, and Illinois State Representative Katie Stuart.

Maurer ACS is grateful for outstanding guidance from mentors including Professor Dawn Johnsen, the chapter’s advisor and recent DOJ appointee under the Biden Administration. The executive board is proud of their success, and thrilled for future endeavors with their organization!

 

4/26/2021

Yale Law School

Yale Law School’s ACS Student Chapter is honored to be selected as ACS National’s Student Chapter of the Week! The Chapter has been working hard to create programming that highlights the work of diverse lawyers and advocates who are helping our nation realize the progressive promise of the Constitution.

This year the Chapter put on events that contemplated reforms to the courts, judiciary, and the American justice system that would help create a more fair and equitable nation. For instance, the Chapter partnered with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition to host an event on felon disenfranchisement and worked with the Youth Justice Project on an event that focused on restorative justice and youth diversion programs.

Additionally, this fall following the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Chapter called for Connecticut’s senators to release who sits on the state’s Federal Judicial Nominating Commissions. The Chapter worked with other student groups to organize phone banks to call senators to discuss the feasibility of different court-reform plans and reforms to the judicial nomination process.

In the spring, the Chapter organized small, intimate coffee chats with ACS students and federal and state judges. Through these events, students gained invaluable insight on everything from how judges craft their opinions to the effects of an increasingly polarized judicial nomination process. This spring, the Chapter also delved into how law and the legal profession is represented in the media and had a chance to host a “live” taping of the podcast, Strict Scrutiny, and likewise spoke with the hosts of the podcasts: We the People, Undisclosed, and Amicus.

Beyond the Chapter’s event programming Yale remains committed to advocating for an interpretation of the Constitution that recognizes genuine equality and access to justice for all Americans, centering diversity both within their membership and programming, and fiercely advocating for reforms on campus and nationally that will help create a more inclusive and fair society.

Yale’s ACS Student Chapter would like to thank its faculty advisors, Professors Linda Greenhouse and Reva Siegel, for their continued support.

 

4/19/2021

The University of Wyoming College of Law

The University of Wyoming College of Law’s ACS Student Chapter is thrilled to be chosen as ACS National’s Student Chapter of the Week. This is the first time the Wyoming Law ACS Student Chapter has been awarded this honor and the group is grateful to be recognized.    

This academic year the Chapter has worked to bring progressive change to its community through various guest speaker events. In the fall, the students organized a virtual event with attorneys Tamara Brady and Diane Lozano to advocate for the abolition of the death penalty in Wyoming. The Chapter also collaborated with their neighbors in Colorado to host a virtual “Transition of Power” event featuring Alan Chen, Aziz Huq, and Deborah Avant, that focused on the challenges facing U.S. democracy leading up to, during, and after the U.S. Presidential election. Prior to that, and before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chapter hosted Frank O. Bowman, III to talk about the impeachment of the 45th President of the United States. All of these events were well attended by law students and community members alike. Further, these events sparked much discussion about the Constitutional and moral issues surrounding the death penalty, the democratic transition of power, and impeachment.  

Additionally, the Chapter holds regular member meetings to give progressive law students a place to discuss important topics in an environment that is constructive and safe. The Wyoming Chapter is no stranger to hard work and timeliness and has sprung into action during our nation’s most important events, such as their work in hosting emergency zoom calls after the Death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, and the attack on the U.S. Capitol. The chapter has also issued public statements of solidarity with Black Lives Matter and has been recognized at the Wyoming State Legislature where several of the Chapter’s members advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. The Wyoming ACS Chapter has been a force that has rippled through the university and community with its integrity, audaciousness, and authenticity while creating the space for the next leaders at the university to grow the organization and continue to carry out this important work.   

The Wyoming ACS Student Chapter would also like to take this moment to recognize their Chapter Faculty Advisor and Constitutional Law Professor, Stephen Feldman. The students are not only grateful for Professor Feldman’s continued dedication to the Chapter, but also for his relentless dedication to progressive ideas, policy, and scholarship. Professor Feldman is a wonderful role model to the Wyoming ACS students, and they feel very fortunate to have him as their mentor. 

 

4/12/2021

The University of Illinois College of Law

The University of Illinois College of Law ACS Student Chapter is thrilled to be recognized as the ACS National’s Student Chapter of the Week! Since the board was elected last year, its mission has been to revive the chapter, establish a stronger presence in the community, and connect with students who share the chapter’s values.

In the summer of 2020, after the international student ban was implemented, the Chapter was quick to host its first event exploring constitutional law issues surrounding foreign nationals. In the fall, the Chapter hosted election law and political science experts to discuss perspectives on the Electoral College, and the Chapter had the pleasure to welcome to the College of Law two former law clerks of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to reflect on her legacy. Throughout the online semester, the Chapter tried numerous ways to engage with students, including hosting virtual social events, Ask Me Anything events, and a food drive. The chapter is also proud to have co-sponsored events hosted by other student organizations, including a symposium on issues related to the Capitol Hill insurrection.

This semester the Chapter has exciting programming planned. It will host Justice Goodwin Liu of the California Supreme Court to discuss the ongoing violence against Asian-Americans and Asian-American representation in the law. In a separate event, the Chapter will also explore the relationship between slavery and the U.S. Constitution. Three more speaker events are currently in the works.

The Chapter is extremely humbled by this recognition, and very grateful to ACS National and its faculty advisor, Dean Vikram Amar, for their continuous support. The chapter would also like to thank it's amazing board members for their passion and hard work.

 

4/5/2021

The University of Oregon School of Law

The University of Oregon School of Law Student Chapter of the American Constitution Society is honored to have been selected as ACS National’s Student Chapter of the week. The Chapter is also grateful to be recognized as a winner in the 9^th Annual Student Membership Contest last fall. Despite the inability to come together in the same room, the widespread commitment to progressive values has been inspiring. The Chapter is especially grateful for the students who have joined this year. The new members’ eagerness and commitment to the mission of ACS, despite an entirely virtual law school experience, is greatly appreciated.

The UO Law ACS Student Chapter has worked to advance ACS’s mission of protecting democracy and justice. The Chapter also strives to connect progressive law students who seek to work together towards building a more inclusive, informed, and just society. Previous events have included a conversation on the constitutionality of unilateral executive authority over nuclear weapons, a discussion on the impact of the death penalty, several presidential debate watch-parties, and an analysis of the State v. Juliana case, in which young activists are fighting to hold the state responsible for its climate policies. The Chapter is currently working on an event to discuss right-wing extremism in Oregon and hopes to continue to have more virtual events this year.

The Chapter would like to thank its faculty advisors, Professor Stewart Chinn and Professor Ofer Raban, for their commitment and support. The Chapter is also appreciative of the many others who have always been willing to be a part of our events.

 

3/29/2021

The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law

The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law ACS Student Chapter is honored to be selected as ACS National’s Student Chapter of the Week! 

The Chapter began their reinvigorated programming with a nationally attended and recognized event, “Threats to American Democracy.” This discussion featured Professor Klarman of Harvard Law School, and Linda Greenhouse, Pulitzer Prize winning New York Times Supreme Court reporter and Yale Senior Research Scholar, who discussed the threats posed to American democracy from a range of socio-political developments, the role of the U.S. Supreme Court in these developments, and how to better protect democracy from these perils.  UCLA Law Professor David Marcus moderated the panel. This event drew over 400 registrants and was co-sponsored by many other student ACS chapters, setting forth a model of cooperative national engagement and impact. 

 The Arizona Law Chapter also focused on creating a platform to discuss current political topics including voter empowerment, early voting, and Arizona’s election infrastructure with their “Power to the Polls” event with All Voting is Local, an organization working to remove discriminatory barriers to the ballot. The Chapter has also been active in writing op-ed pieces. Arizona Law ACS members, in solidarity with the school’s Native American Law Students Association (NALSA), recently published a statement condemning the January 6 insurrection.  

At an upcoming event, “A Conversation with Chesa Boudin,” the San Francisco District Attorney will discuss his career and his plans to reform the San Francisco justice system while protecting public safety and treating root causes of crime. Additionally, the Chapter will co-sponsor a discussion on qualified immunity with the Arizona Law Black Law Students Association as a part of the spring lecture series as well as a conversation on health care policy with an introduction from lawyer-activist Ady Barkan. Finally, the Chapter will discuss the significance of allyship in minority communities within the Arizona Law community through their “Conversations on Allyship” event with NALSA and the institution’s Diversity Committee. 

The Arizona Law ACS Student Chapter continues to work tirelessly to ensure that the law is a force for protecting our democracy and for improving people’s lives while connecting students to the national ACS network. The student Board would like to thank its faculty advisors, Professors Christopher L. Griffin, Jr. and Roy G. Spece, Jr., for their support and guidance.  

 

 3/22/2021

The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School

The University of Pennsylvania Law School’s ACS Student Chapter is honored to be selected as ACS National’s Student Chapter of the Week!

University of Pennsylvania Law School’s ACS Student Chapter has been a leading conversation-starter on campus, Zoom, and beyond, hosting over 20 events during the fall semester alone. Some highlights from the Chapter’s programming include a discussion on public health and progressive policymaking during COVID-19 with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, former director of Detroit’s health department and candidate for Michigan governor; a conversation between Berkeley Law Professor Ted Mermin and Penn Law Professor Amanda Shanor on the weaponization of the First Amendment and economic justice; and testimonies from immigrant rights activists and attorneys on the mistreatment of women and children at U.S. border detention facilities. The Chapter also focused on the recent election cycle. Former FEC Commissioner Ellen Weintraub joined the Chapter to give her take on the 2020 election, and the Chapter organized phone-banking efforts and voter protection opportunities for the presidential election. Finally, the Chapter hosted Supreme Court session reviews and previews, Fireside Chats with law school professors, and 1L-focused events.

The UPenn Chapter remains committed to amplifying progressive voices in the new year, starting with a February 11th discussion of modern monetary theory (MMT), which criticizes widely-held assumptions about debt, deficits, and government budgets that undercut life-sustaining government programs. Other upcoming events this semester from the Chapter’s 24 1L Representatives will focus on deradicalizing the Internet, reshaping the judiciary, reimagining liberal foreign policy, and big-tent progressivism, among other topics.

The UPenn Law ACS Student Chapter would like to thank its Faculty Advisors Kermit Roosevelt and Neil Makhija, ACS National for its continued support, and the UPenn Law student groups and affinity groups that have co-hosted events. The Chapter is thrilled to be named ACS Student Chapter of the Week and will continue to amplify more diverse voices in 2021!

 

3/15/2021

University of Chicago Law School

The University of Chicago Chapter of ACS is honored to be named as the ACS National Student Chapter of the Week! The UChicago Chapter has worked hard this year to make sure that their standards in programing and student body engagement remained as high as ever despite being fully remote. The Chapter set out goals in the beginning of the year to grow their membership, host more events with judges, and diversify their programming.

As a result of this year’s dedicated 2L board, an influx of enthusiastic and talented 1Ls, and some timely outreach and recruitment, the Chapter was thrilled to win the 9th Annual Student Membership Contest from ACS National.

Additionally, the Chapter met its goal of hosting more judges to speak to their members, by organizing events with Hon. Sara L. Ellis and Hon. Gary S. Feinerman of the Northern District of Illinois, Hon. Amit P. Mehta of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Hon. Robert E. Bacharach of the Tenth Circuit, and Justice Goodwin Liu of the California Supreme Court. Other event highlights of this year include:

• A new faculty lunch series where Professors Nicole Hallett, Sonja Starr, Bridget Fahey, Hajin Kim, Joshua Macey, and Farah Peterson were able to meet our members and discuss their research and upcoming projects
• A discussion with Richard Cordray the former (and first) Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
• A review of the forthcoming Supreme Court term with Professor Leah Litman, host of the legal podcast Strict Scrutiny, and Professor David Strauss
• Two separate events with Valerie Jarrett, former senior advisor to President Obama, on voting rights and police reform

The Chapter is especially grateful for the continued guidance and support of our faculty advisors, Professors Geoffrey Stone and Jennifer Nou. We are also very thankful for Peggy Li and Meghan Paulas at ACS National for all their support and advice throughout this unprecedented year.

 

3/8/2021

Willamette University College of Law

The Willamette College of Law’s ACS Student Chapter is delighted to be recognized as ACS National’s Student Chapter of the Week! The Willamette Chapter has dedicated their programing this semester to focus on issues regarding drug policies and criminal justice reform. This can be demonstrated through the first event of the semester where they co-sponsored an event titled “Little Green Men: Protest and Federal Repression in Portland.” This event provided context for the origins and intensity of the Black Lives Matter movement in Portland and explored a variety of legal issues related to the presence and actions of federal agents on the streets of Portland.

Another event hosted by the chapter earlier this semester was an event with former Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice, Paul De Muniz. At this event, Justice De Muniz discussed his recently published essay series on the death penalty, titled Sentenced to Death for Life; Essays on Oregon’s Death Penalty. The Willamette ACS Chapter closed the month with a couple of networking events, including a virtual happy hour with a panel of practicing defense attorneys to discuss the rewards and struggles that come with working in legal defense.

The chapter could not have successfully navigated the challenges of COVID-19 without the guidance of their faculty advisors, Professor Gilbert Paul Carrasco and Professor Caroline Davidson. The Willamette ACS Student Chapter is looking forward to finishing the semester strong and continuing the work of building inroads for the next generation of progressive attorneys and policymakers.

 

3/1/2021

Stanford Law School

The Stanford ACS Student Chapter is honored to be selected as ACS National’s Student Chapter of the Week!

This year, the ACS Stanford Law Student Chapter’s event programming has centered on three major goals: racial justice, environmental justice, and open elections. The Chapter has held a number of engaging speaker events via Zoom, including conversations with David Cole, ACLU Legal Director; Southern District of Mississippi Judge Carlton Reeves; John Kowal, VP of Programs at the Brennan Center; and Mike Feuer, LA City Attorney. Leading up to the 2020 election, the Chapter built a coalition of student organizations to successfully petition SLS to make Election Day a holiday. In addition, the Chapter held a California ballot measures overview, hosted a text-out-the-vote training, volunteered with Election Day voter protection activists, and heard from former candidates who centered Black Lives Matter in their campaigns. The Chapter also welcomed speakers on injustices of civil asset forfeiture, opportunities in court-packing, and challenges of environmental deregulation. Judiciary-focused efforts included the annual Supreme Court roundup, a student-led panel on clerkships, a new judicial database, a clerkship Q&A with ACS Vice President of Strategic Engagement  Jill Dash, and a panel with three judges.

Despite the challenges of this time, the Chapter has sought to build and strengthen our progressive community virtually through community hangouts, a post-election succulent-planting event, and informal conversations with Stanford professors. The Chapter has hosted a series of reading groups investigating how legal thought and constitutional interpretation must move forward to achieve justice, equity, and liberty.

Looking forward, the Chapter has an exciting docket of events planned. These include a book discussion on The President and Immigration Law, a primer on the Law and Political Economy movement, a collaboration with Everytown  for Gun Safety, and a conversation with Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo.

The Chapter would like to thank its Faculty Advisors, Professors Pam Karlan and Jeff Fisher!

 

2/22/2021

Howard University School of Law

The Howard University School of Law ACS Student Chapter is honored to be recognized as the ACS National’s Student Chapter of the Week.

This year, the Howard ACS Student Chapter chose to focus on community outreach, collaboration with other chapters and organizations, and the constructive criticism of the societal issues of importance today. To accomplish and further these focal points, the Howard Chapter created a GroupMe, dedicated to all ACS Student Chapters. To Howard Chapter’s delight, this GroupMe now serves as an effective forum for all Student Chapters to share their initiatives and collaborate on events and projects. Howard's Chapter is also pleased to share that they held an inauguration viewing party for then President-Elect Joseph Biden, and Vice-President Elect and fellow Bison, Kamala Harris. To further community building, this viewing party was open to and attended by members of other student chapters and the general public. The Howard chapter also encouraged its campus to “De-stress by Sending a Holiday Card to a person on Death Row”, an event that brought joy to the senders and recipients of the holiday cards. Finally, Howard's Chapter is very proud to have been the ACS President Russell Feingold’s first stop after he took office.

In keeping with the spirit of community, collaboration, and constructive criticism, Howard's Chapter is also pleased to announce that it will be co-hosting “From Terry v. Ohio to Eric Garner: A Feminist Critique on Stop and Frisk” with Howard's very own Professor Josephine Ross. Howard's Chapter also wishes to host a Constitution in the Classroom event in the near future to ensure that the up and coming generations understand and appreciate the importance of the Constitution.

Howard's Chapter would like to thank its faculty advisors, Justin Hansford and Lisa Crooms-Robinson and would also like to give a special thanks to ACS National for the opportunity to share its initiatives with the ACS community and sends its best regards to all.

 

2/15/2021

Emory University School of Law

The Emory Law ACS Student Chapter is honored to be selected as ACS National’s Student Chapter of the Week!

This academic year, the Chapter’s programming has largely centered around the implications of the 2020 election on progressive policy in America. Georgia’s pivotal role in deciding the presidency and control of the Senate gave the Chapter plenty to explore.

Fall programming opened with the Chapter’s longstanding Happy Hour tradition—the virtual event centered around United States Postal Service trivia and support initiatives. The Chapter then hosted a voting rights panel for the ACS Southeast Regional Convening, featuring a voting rights attorney involved in high profile election litigation in Georgia. Following election night, the Chapter invited students to debrief on election results and discuss resources surrounding the Senate runoffs.

Last fall, the Chapter also began an event series for students to engage in discussions around research interests and career development with progressive faculty. The first event in this series featured an expert on health and administrative law. Upcoming events in the series will feature experts on other wide-ranging interests of the Chapter’s membership.

To kick off the spring semester, the Chapter held a panel discussion on the future of progressive policy, in conjunction with the Georgia State University ACS chapter. The panel included four esteemed constitutional scholars from Emory and GSU. Moderated by an Emory Law Chapter 1L Representative, the professors delved into how progressive policy must ensure equity for all. The topics ranged from career insights to executive action and to progressive judicial reform.

Beyond the content of the Chapter’s events, the executive board also ensures that the events are inclusive and accessible to anyone who would wish to attend. At the forefront of this effort is the Chapter’s commitment to advertising across media platforms, using closed captioning at events, promoting the inclusion of gender-neutral language and pronoun-positive spaces, and challenging other board members, speakers, and audiences to consider the implications of policies, decisions, and actions on diverse groups of people.

The Emory Law ACS Chapter thanks its faculty advisor, Professor Fred Smith Jr., and its esteemed professional and academic guests for helping propel the mission of ACS at Emory.

 

2/8/2021

University of Texas School of Law at Austin

The University of Texas Law ACS Student Chapter is honored to be selected as ACS National’s Student Chapter of the Week! This semester, the University of Texas Law Chapter’s goal has been to provide programming that both tackles the most critical legal issues and provides a sense of community among our membership while remote.

The University of Texas Law Chapter kicked off their(virtual) semester with a Supreme Court review by Professor Steve Vladeck. The Chapter teamed up with the Texas Law Federalist Society and the Southwest Black Law Students Association to produce a panel on qualified immunity and police reform. Once a month, they hosted a different Texas federal judge to interview about their path to the bench. In an effort to discuss the ongoing eviction crisis, the University of Texas Law’s Chapter invited a panel of tenant activists, a local judge, and legal aid attorneys to share their housing policy experiences and expertise. Further, they also invited the ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Project to take a deep dive into the reproductive rights cases from the last Supreme Court term. Following this event, the crew of 5-4 Pod, a progressive podcast about the Supreme Court, led a timely discussion about Shelby County v. Holder and the Voting Rights Act. Later in the semester, the Chapter teamed up with seven other progressive organizations on campus to discuss the Supreme Court vacancy and other problems with the federal judiciary where they were pleased to welcome Professor Shavonne Evette Henderson.

To provide a more interactive experience, the University of Texas Student Chapter created two regular discussion groups aimed at engaging their 1L members. The first discussion group centered around the Chapter’s monthly 1L Alternative Curriculum Initiative, which is a collaborative effort with Law Students for Black Lives at Texas Law. Each month’s discussion group dealt with issues of a traditional 1L class and intersections with racial justice. That conversation was facilitated by a Texas Law professor who specializes in this area. The other discussion group, known fondly as Fireside Chat, is a bi-weekly chat and is led by our 1L representatives on topics ranging from originalism to affordable housing!

The University of Texas ACS Student Chapter would like to thank their Faculty Advisors, Lynn Blais, Joseph Fishkin, and William Forbath for their support and continuous efforts to make this chapter better!

 

2/1/2021

The University at Buffalo SUNY School of Law

As an entirely new eBoard, the University at Buffalo SUNY School of Law Student Chapter is honored to be named the ACS Student Chapter of the Week!

Part of the Chapter’s vision is to share ACS’s mission through variously-styled events. This semester, the ACS Buffalo Chapter kicked off its event series with a traditionally formatted panel on civil rights. This was followed by their Statehood Series, which, over the course of three months, involved discussions about Puerto Rico, D.C., and tribal sovereignty. The Chapter also provided more relaxed experiences, like a Centennial Tea roundtable, which honored the one-hundredth anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment by centering the conversation on the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) women’s influence on 19th century suffragettes, and a happy hour with an election law expert after November’s good news. Featured film screenings also boosted involvement! In October, the Chapter provided midterm-weary members a Just Mercy viewing with a speaker from Represent Justice.

The ACS Buffalo Chapter continuously strives to bring in the expert voices of those who are traditionally underrepresented. To that end, the Chapter ensured that it featured Puerto Rican speakers, including some from the University of Puerto Rico, for their first Statehood panel. The Sovereignty event included Native voices and the Chapter began a new tradition of opening with a land acknowledgment. This is something the Chapter acknowledges should have been done sooner but is definitely something it will continue.

Finally, the ACS Buffalo Chapter recognizes the importance of engaging with their local community. Members assisted in getting out the vote and the Chapter connected heavily through social media. In November, the Chapter gave thanks through their Thank-a-Vet event.  Their event, “UB the Light” linked our followers to organizations in need of donations and support. The Chapter was proud to showcase these groups and help fuel generosity.

The ACS Buffalo Chapter is already off and running this semester with events! Please join them as they do more information sharing and networking, including their upcoming panel with women judges, and offer events that amplify BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ voices, and address issues concerning the environment, healthcare, and education.

The chapter would like to thank its Faculty Advisors, Professors Michael Boucai and Martha McCluskey, for their support.

SOCIAL:

Twitter: @ACS_UB

IG: @acs_ub

FB: University at Buffalo School of Law ACS Chapter on Facebook

 

1/25/21

University of Georgia School of Law

The University of Georgia School of Law’s ACS Student Chapter is thrilled to be named the ACS Student Chapter of the Week! Over the past fall semester, the Chapter hosted ten events and looks forward to continuing its momentum this spring.

The UGA Chapter kicked off the semester with a Legal Observer Training, which was co-sponsored by UGA Law’s chapter of the National Lawyers Guild. In recognition of National Voter Registration Day, the Chapter hosted a voting drive outside the law school and a state-specific voter suppression training with All Voting is Local-GA that evening.

In late September, the Chapter teamed up with the Federalist Society to co-sponsor a debate between Professors Eric Segall of Georgia State University and Ilan Wurman of Arizona State University on the value of originalism.

Throughout October, the Chapter hosted its Voting Rights Series, which included a conversation with UGA Law Professor Lori Ringhand on Election Regulation; a conversation with Emmet Bondurant on partisan gerrymandering and his experience litigating Rucho v. Common Cause; and a conversation about the relationship between race and voting, which was co-sponsored by the UGA Law Davenport-Benham Black Law Students Association (BLSA).

Additionally, in October, the Chapter worked with BLSA to co-sponsor “A Conversation about Police Accountability” with UGA Law Professors Melissa Redmond and Russell Gabriel. Finally, in November, the Chapter hosted a panel discussion, which was co-sponsored by BLSA, on the relationship between race and capital punishment, which was followed by a debate on qualified immunity that was co-sponsored by the Federalist Society.

The Chapter looks forward to continued success in the spring, when it will begin the semester with two judicial panels: one on federal judicial clerkships and another on clerkships at the Supreme Court of Georgia. The Chapter is grateful for the support from its Faculty Advisor, Professor Russell Gabriel, and the ACS Athens Lawyer Chapter President, David Lyle.

 

12/14/2020

The University of Connecticut School of Law

The ACS UConn Law Student Chapter is pleased to be recognized as ACS National’s Student Chapter of the Week! The Chapter diligently worked to increase its presence on campus this fall semester, albeit in the new virtual experience!

The Chapter has aimed to amplify topics and voices that are essential to political, social, and cultural conversations, and in light of this, organized an event surrounding voter suppression with Attorney Nancy Abudu of the SPLC and Professor Joshua Douglas of the University of Kentucky.  This conversation explored how voter suppression laws disenfranchise minority communities, the power of state constitutions in protecting voting rights, and potential challenges to positive reform that could stem from the pandemic and presidential election.  The UConn Student Chapter also co-hosted a conversation with Connecticut Supreme Court Justice Maria Araujo Kahn about women entering the legal profession. Justice Kahn shared from her own experiences and imparted invaluable wisdom and advice to the Chapter’s members.

One event the UConn Chapter created centered around Bush v. Gore and discussed the political question doctrine and how legal frameworks can impact the presidential election.  Another event explored the Senate Judiciary Hearings of Amy Coney Barrett and specifically addressed how her answers and prior Circuit Court opinions can predict or provide some insight into her role in potentially shifting the tide of judicial philosophy on the Supreme Court.  Finally, in the coming spring semester, the UConn Chapter hopes to provide insightful dialogue surrounding farm workers’ rights, qualified immunity, and other social justice topics in which the Constitution has a stake.

This Chapter is striving daily to solidify its roots in the voice of the UConn Law School community and has made serious efforts to do so in a virtual world.  The Chapter has connected with other student organizations, built relationships with professors, reached out to speakers with critical knowledge and experience, and has communicated with its members of the UConn Law School community to organize timely events.

The UConn ACS Student Chapter would like to thank its Faculty Advisor, Professor Joseph MacDougald, for his guidance, wisdom, and continued support.

 

12/7/2020

Santa Clara University School of Law

The Santa Clara Law ACS Student Chapter is honored to be recognized as ACS National’s Student Chapter of the Week! As the Chapter continues to promote a more equitable interpretation of the Constitution in the midst of the numerous challenges 2020 has faced us with, Santa Clara is proud to be a part ACS’s a progressive network.

The Santa Clara ACS Student Chapter’s work began before the semester started. It partnered with the National Lawyers Guild to host a Legal Observer training for nearly 400 members of the Bay Area to support the Black Lives Matter demonstrations. The Chapter’s dedication to protect the First Amendment continued through Constitution Day where it hosted a panel of experienced civil rights attorneys who explained how the right to peacefully assemble has been under attack. The Chapter also cosponsored an event with Santa Clara University’s ACLU organization to have an honest conversation with community leaders about what exactly defunding the police would look like.

Santa Clara’s ACS Chapter has also hosted multiple events in an effort to build rapport and connections that are lacking within the realm of remote education. The Chapter cosponsored a Bob Ross style Paint Night to help students de-stress and take their mind off the rigors of law school, and it also hosted watch parties for the Presidential and Vice-Presidential debates.

To conclude the fall semester, the Santa Clara ACS Chapter communicated with the Office of Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren to have her speak with the student body following the November election. While the plan for Spring will depend on what 2021 brings, the Santa Clara Law ACS  board, is committed to overcoming any obstacle in the hopes of spreading the progressive message!

The Chapter would like to thank its wonderful faculty advisors, Professor Ellen Kreitzberg and Professor Margaret Russell, for their support.

 

11/30/2020

Marquette University Law School

Marquette University’s ACS Student Chapter has been revitalized this semester and is so happy to have been selected as ACS National’s Student Chapter of the Week! The Marquette Student Chapter is based out of Milwaukee, WI and has been motivated by the recent injustices facing the country. The Chapter has been taking a more active role on campus to emphasize the importance of progressive ideals.

The ACS Marquette Student Chapter has been actively collaborating with affinity organizations at Marquette’s Law School campus, as well as its undergraduate campus. Recently, the Chapter hosted an event on the Flores Exhibit, which entailed a discussion with Attorney Joseph Rivas about the adolescent immigrants detained within centers at the border.

The Marquette Student Chapter has devoted much of its programming to identifying injustices within American institutions and providing resources to enact change. For instance, this semester, the Chapter planned events surrounding the decision and impact of Roe v. Wade, election security, and voting rights.

Additionally, the Marquette Law Student Chapter is comprised of a strong, diverse board that is focused on and driven by the morals of fighting for justice and equality. To adapt to the COVID-19 public health crisis, the ACS Marquette Chapter has been collaborating with student chapters across the country in marketing their events as well as providing new insight on how to keep people engaged and focused on the issues at hand. The ACS Marquette Chapter is unique in that it has a 1L committee, which is motivated to raise awareness about progressive issues and events to the 1L class.

Lastly, the ACS Marquette Student Chapter would like to thank its wonderful Faculty Advisors, Professors Lisa Mazzie and Atiba Ellis, for their unwavering counsel and support.

To keep up with ACS Marquette, please follow them on Instagram at @ACSMarquette.

 

11/23/2020

Boston College Law School

The Boston College Law School’s Chapter of ACS is thrilled to be named ACS National’s Student Chapter of the Week! Even despite the pandemic, the Boston College Chapter maintained its programming and used the virtual environment this past fall as an opportunity to bring in speakers from both near and far.

By hosting legal professionals and scholars to discuss the big questions facing the country today, the ACS Boston College Student Chapter created an open space on campus to discuss federalism, race and voting rights, reproductive rights, free press, the McGirt case, the legal landscape of the 2020 election, and religious freedom.

The Boston College Chapter also cosponsored a number of events with others campus organizations including BLSA, NALSA, JLSA, and the Women’s Law Center, through which it was able to engage with an impressive and diverse group of lawyers. The chapter is grateful to all of its speakers and particularly wants to thank ACS National Board members Professor Pam Karlan, Professor Aziz Huq, and Professor Micah Schwartzman for participating in programming this semester.

Further, the Boston College Law's ACS Chapter was quick on its feet to shift its signature Supreme Court preview event into a space of reflection and remembrance to honor the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, which would not have been possible without the help of the Chapter’s Faculty Advisor, Kent Greenfield.

By the end of October, the Boston College Chapter will have hosted nine speaker events in addition to several social events, some of which were spotlighted in the Boston College Law Magazine, such as a favorite virtual Jeopardy event. Another accolade for the Chapter has been its newly created mentoring program, geared at aiding 1Ls by pairing them up with upper level ACS students.

Following the planning of its post-election event, the Boston College ACS Student Chapter looks forward to another engaging agenda next semester with programming that seeks to reemphasize its commitment to racial justice, LGBTQ+ equality, women’s equality, and progressive lawyering.

 

11/16/2020

University of Virginia School of Law

The ACS University of Virginia School of Law Student Chapter is honored to be recognized by ACS National as Student Chapter of the Week! This year has offered many reminders that working in solidarity is imperative in the fight against powerful, regressive interests, and UVA Law is grateful to be a part of a national community of progressive law students doing this work.

This year, the ACS UVA chapter has been focused primarily on increasing access to progressive voices on the bench and connecting students to lawyers seeking change and protecting our institutions. While COVID-19 has unquestionably presented more challenges than benefits, one of the few benefits that the chapter has seized on is the ease of access to leaders from all over the country. Hosting ACS programming via Zoom has offered unprecedented access to leading legal minds near and far. For example, this semester, the chapter has been able to host judges at almost every level of the state and federal judiciary. Additionally the ACS UVA Student Chapter has also held events on the Equal Rights Amendment, (which Virginia only recently ratified), voting rights and voter suppression, and criminal justice reform.

The difficulties of this year have only cemented the importance of prioritizing wellbeing and community for chapter members. To that end, the chapter has invested in peer mentorship and scholarship support with the ACS UVA Law’s intrepid 1L members spearheading new election protection teams in partnership with Election Protection, Law 4 Black Lives, and the NAACP. As Zoom fatigue grows, it will be important to continue these efforts to meet students where they are in this difficult moment.

The chapter would like to thank its faculty advisors and ACS National for their continued support!

 

11/9/2020

Columbia Law School

The Columbia Law School ACS Student Chapter is honored to be recognized as ACS National’s Student Chapter of the Week! Over the past several months, the Columbia Law chapter has sought to strengthen its programming by offering events on timely and engaging topics featuring thoughtful, progressive speakers.

To kick off the semester, the Chapter hosted their first virtual event with Judge Carlton Reeves (S.D. Miss.) to discuss his recent opinion on qualified immunity and the potential for re-thinking the judicially-created doctrine in the wake of the wave of protests about police brutality. Shortly thereafter, the Columbia Law Chapter celebrated Constitution Day by hosting a panel with some of the leading scholars on the ERA in an effort to think through the legal battles ahead and how law students can respond. The Chapter has been fortunate to be able to offer other events as well, including an event with Judge Diane Wood (7th Cir.) about the role of "contextualism" in constitutional interpretation and an event with Professor Adam Cox of NYU Law about his new book on the role of the president in American immigration law.

As the chapter prepared for the recent, unprecedented Supreme Court nomination, it pondered new and creative ways to engage the Columbia Law student body on the topics that matter to ACS. To that end, the ACS Columbia Law Student Chapter intends to plan more events on the constitutional foundations for court balancing and other ways to get the 21st century judiciary the country deserves.

As the nation braves these unique times, the Columbia Chapter also continues to think about how to make connections nationwide and invites other ACS Chapters to reach out, connect, and collaborate on future programming. Finally, the Chapter would like to extend its deep appreciation to its Faculty Advisor, Gillian Metzger for her support.

To read more about the Columbia Law School ACS Student Chapter, check out their website.

 

11/2/2020

The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law

The Detroit Mercy Law School ACS Student Chapter is honored to be recognized as ACS National’s Student Chapter of the Week! The Detroit Mercy Chapter has had a successful virtual semester dedicated to educating its community on how to make an informed vote.

The chapter joined Detroit Mercy’s Immigration Law Association and Federalist Society in a conversation about the impact of COVID-19 on America’s incarceration system of jails, prisons, and immigration detention centers. Participants heard from Atenas Burrola from the Immigration Justice Campaign, Phil Mayor from the ACLU of Michigan, and Shon Hopwood from Georgetown Law. Afterwards, participants engaged in conversations about the criminal justice system in small groups.

Another of the Detroit Mercy Chapter’s events posed the question, “What is Criminal Justice Reform to an Exoneree?” allowing participants to hear directly from Darrell Siggers, an exoneree who was wrongfully imprisoned for 34 years. Valerie Newman, the Director of the Wayne County Conviction Integrity Unit, also spoke about her work in improving the criminal justice system and investigating innocence claims.

Additionally, the chapter also joined forces with the Immigration Law Association and the Hispanic & Latino/a Law Students Association in inviting Attorney Sarah Yore-Van Oosterhout from Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates and DACA recipients to discuss what is at stake for Undocumented Immigrants in the upcoming election.

Most recently, the chapter hosted Michigan’s arm of All Voting is Local to provide a voter advocacy training covering the history of voter suppression, policies expanding the right to vote, and how to ensure every vote is counted.

The Detroit Mercy Chapter looks forward to their next event, “Electoral College vs. National Popular Vote”, featuring Professor Richard Primus, a legal scholar and former clerk to Justice Ginsburg! It would also like to thank their Faculty Advisor, Professor Jelani Jefferson Exum, for her support.

Check out @ACSDetroitMercy on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about the Detroit Mercy Law Student Chapter.

 

10/26/2020

University of Idaho College of Law

The University of Idaho College of Law ACS Student Chapter is thrilled to be named by ACS National as Student Chapter of the Week! With their expanding presence on campus, they have been able to reach more progressive law students and coordinate a growing list of events for not only the College of Law, but also the community at-large.

Most notable was the ACS Idaho chapter’s exhibit and discussion panel celebrating the 100^th anniversary of the 19^th Amendment. The Idaho ACS Student Chapter hosted the “19^th Amendment Centennial” exhibit on loan from the American Bar Association. At this event they also discussed how far women’s suffrage has come in the past 100 year and how much more work needs to be done with an incredible panel of leaders, scholars, historians, and activists.

Another exciting highlight for the ACS Idaho Student Chapter is the cancellation of classes on November 3^rd to promote law student engagement in the democratic process. After promotion and encouragement by the Student Chapter, November 3^rd was deemed an official College of Law Day of Service. The ACS Idaho Chapter looks forward to continuing to assist law students in this effort by providing vital information on volunteering as a poll worker on Election Day and early voting.

Finally, the Idaho ACS Student Chapter is very proud of the community they have formed during these uncertain, and often stressful, times. The University of Idaho College of Law is unique as it has two campuses located in Boise, Idaho, and Moscow, Idaho. With members in both locations, the members of the Chapter have discovered new ways to bring the two campuses together virtually, forming strong bonds between students across the state.

The University of Idaho College of Law ACS Student Chapter would like to thank their faculty advisors for all of their guidance and support!

 

10/19/2020

University of Nevada Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law

The University of Nevada Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law ACS Student Chapter is grateful to be recognized by ACS National as Student Chapter of the Week! UNLV looks forward to a great year and the creation of consistent avenues to find new, innovative ways to engage members and the law school community in these unique times.

The UNLV chapter kicked off the semester by hosting the ACS Virtual Western Regional Convening in conjunction with the ACS Student Chapters from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and Arizona State Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. At the Convening, the UNLV chapter’s panel focused on cannabis legalization and how states can create laws and policies with a restorative justice angle in mind. The panel featured state leaders who were key players in pushing for cannabis legalization in Nevada and who continue to identify deficiencies in the laws in order to ensure that the communities most impacted by criminalization are being repaired.

Additionally, the Western Regional Convening featured a panel that combined experts from the chapters’ home states of Nevada, Colorado, and Arizona to discuss election integrity in the era of COVID-19. The UNLV chapter’s featured panelist was a state senator who discussed all the ins and outs of Nevada’s elections amidst the pandemic and how voters can ensure that their voting plan is successful—and counted.

This semester, the UNLV chapter is turning its focus to election integrity. The Chapter recently hosted a Voter Suppression and Advocacy Training event with Nevada’s All Voting is Local. The training covered the history of voter suppression, what it looks like today, and advocacy tactics to ensure greater access to voting in the time of COVID-19 and racial injustice. The Chapter recently explored more advocacy options through a training with the Nevada Voter Protection Department. As election day nears, the UNLV chapter continues to work to organize early voting outings, volunteer opportunities, and create other election integrity events aimed at increasing ones interest and raising awareness to the importance of voting efforts.

The Chapter would like to thank its Faculty Advisor and ACS National Board of Directors member, Professor Ruben Garcia, for his support.

 

10/12/2020

St. Louis University School of Law

The ACS St. Louis University School of Law Student Chapter is grateful to be recognized by ACS National as Student Chapter of the Week and to contribute to the ongoing conversation regarding structural racism and the fate of our democracy.

Following the death of George Floyd, the St. Louis Law ACS Chapter partnered with the St. Louis Law Black Law Students Association (BLSA) to construct a five-part speaker series concerning the fundamental precepts of structural inequality in St. Louis and, by extension, the country at-large. This series examines tremendous obstacles and disadvantages faced by People of Color in areas such as education, wealth, property, and the health system. The design of the current system leads to disproportionate rates of incarceration and homelessness among populations of color, particularly Black and Brown communities. If not properly remedied, this cycle will only continue.

The series titled Strengthen Your Understanding: Honest Perspectives, focused weekly on a different social institution and the structural impediments therein which were unambiguously designed to forestall the social and economic progress of people of color generally and the African American population specifically. The ACS St. Louis student chapter was fortunate to host both preeminent scholars and legal practitioners who spoke on relevant topics.

The intent of these discussions were to create a venue for experts to provide depth on a specific topic used as fodder for a moderated discussion with the speakers and participants. The ACS chapter’s sincere hope was that these difficult but long-overdue conversations would provide greater clarity and understanding concerning the enduring barriers shrouding previously opaque social institutions.

The ACS St. Louis Student Chapter truly believes in a progressive jurisprudence venerating the Constitution as a remarkable document capable of far-reaching application. They intend to do more programming of this nature to reflect an evolving national zeitgeist finally demanding change.

The ACS St. Louis Executive Board includes Chandni Challa (President), Mikalya Butler (Vice President), and Alex Foxberry (Secretary-Treasurer) The ACS St. Louis Student Chapter thanks Riana Brooks (President) and the entire BLSA team for partnering on this timely and important series. Additionally, it would like to thank Dean Jon Baris, Dean Shannon Morse, Professor Brendan Roediger, and ACS Faculty Advisor Professor Marcia McCormick, without whom this series would not have been possible. Finally, the Chapter would like to thank the St. Louis Law School Dean William P. Johnson for his weekly attendance, which was truly meaningful as it showcased SLU Law’s commitment to equal opportunity and justice for all.

 

10/5/2020

Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law

ASU’s ACS Chapter is honored to be recognized as the ACS Student Chapter of the Week.  

The Chapter has planned nearly twenty events for the fall semester. ASU participated in the Western Regional Convening and assisted in planning the panels on Extreme Risk Protective Orders and elections. The Chapter has also created a Racism in the Law Event Series, creating space for professors and students to discuss ways in which racism has been written into and perpetuated by the laws in this country. Some topics explored in the event series include the federal income tax code, reproductive rights, and prosecutor accountability in police brutality cases. Additionally, ASU is also excited to host Judge Bacharach of the Tenth Circuit to discuss the art and science of legal writing. On October 5th, the last day to register to vote in Arizona, the Chapter is hosting an event with All Voting is Local to teach students about the history of voter suppression in Arizona and steps to ensure a fair and free election this November. 

In addition to programming, ASU has taken measures to keep members connected while navigating law school during COVID-19. The Chapter created a mentorship program to pair new students with 2Ls and 3Ls that have similar academic and recreational interests and planned social hours to allow students to network and make friends. The Chapter has also created an outline bank to assist its members succeed in their classes. The ASU Chapter is also partnering with the ACS Arizona Lawyer Chapter to create a mentorship program that matches students with attorneys working in their field of interest. 

The ASU Chapter would like to thank its Faculty Advisor Joshua Sellers and ACS National for the continued support and encouragement while navigating virtual programming this year. 

 

9/28/2020

UC Berkeley School of Law

The ACS chapter at Berkeley Law is thrilled to be recognized as the ACS Student Chapter of the Week! This semester, the Berkeley Law Chapter’s programming will focus on a multifaceted Social, Racial, and Economic Justice Book Club/Speaker Series. The Chapter hopes that this series of events will encourage law students to utilize their legal training in the future to advance social, racial, and economic justice.

The ACS Berkeley Law Chapter kicked off the year with its annual Supreme Court Roundup, which was co-hosted by the Berkeley Law Federalist Society chapter At this event, both groups reflected on the most recent Supreme Court term and discussed implications for the future. The Chapter celebrated Constitution Day with Dr. David Carrillo, Executive Director of the California Constitution Center, who focused on the values and differences between the state and federal constitutions and the importance of advocacy at both levels.

The Berkeley Law Chapter has thirteen more events planned this semester on subjects including: reparations; the critical role judges have in advancing justice; family separations at the border and children’s civil rights; the election and redistricting; habeas corpus; the separation of church and state; consumer protection; reproductive justice; and antitrust law. These events will each feature incredible and diverse leading voices in their fields. You can check out the ACS at Berkeley Law Chapter’s full list of speakers and events here.

Berkeley Law ACS Co-Presidents Francesco Arreaga and Megan Raymond wish to thank their fellow board members Jen Sherman, Calen Bennett, Sean Sullivan, Jenna Waldman, and John Batoha,  as well as their Berkeley Law ACS Faculty Advisor, Professor Andrew Bradt, for their contributions in making the Chapter the success it is today. Please follow Berkeley Law ACS on Facebook to keep up with events.

 

9/21/2020

The University of Denver Sturm College of Law

The University of Denver Sturm College of Law ACS Student Chapter has been busy planning topical and interesting events for its students and lawyers! In early September, the chapter partnered with the University of Arizona Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law and University of Nevada Las Vegas ACS student chapters to host the 2020 ACS Virtual Western Regional Convening. This two-day event brought together students and lawyers from all across the western states to network and discuss progressive legal issues. With events covering topics such as red flag gun laws, cannabis legalization, police reform, and voting rights, this convening truly reignited the spirits of both students and lawyers amidst this trying time.

In addition to the Western Regional Convening, the chapter is hosting a series of lunch talks called “Reforming the Republic.” The slated topics include the impact of protests, voting reform and transition of power, healthcare inequality, and education reform. Additionally, the chapter is planning different ways to engage 1L students, including hosting virtual happy hours and electing students to serve as 1L board members! The Chapter would like to thank its Faculty Advisors, Professors Alan Chen and Alexi Freeman, for their support and guidance.

 

Previously recognized student chapters