Student Bar Association

The SBA is a member of the Law School Division of the American Bar Association.  An elected student Board of Governors administers its responsibilities.  The responsibilities of the board include appointing student representatives to various SBA, faculty and University committees. SBA sponsors a variety of educational and social activities throughout the year that are designed to inform students about recent developments in law and to relieve some of the pressures of law school.  Some of these activities include: SBA’s Used Book Sale, Open House, Happy Hours, Softball tournament, Tailgate Party to a Chief’s Game, Barrister’s Ball and Res Judicata.

 

Every student enrolled in the UMKC School of law full-time is a member of SBA.  We encourage all students to attend SBA meetings and serve on student as well as faculty committees.  We also encourage students to be dues paying members of SBA because of the special benefits and opportunities this offers.

 

American Bar Association - Law Student Division

The Law Student Division, open to all UMKC law students, is one of the more than 25 sections and divisions of the American Bar Association, the national governing and lobbying organization of the legal profession. The ABA-LSD plays an important role in circuit activities, including hosting the Fall Round table.

 

American Civil Liberties Union

The purpose of the ACLU is to maintain and advance civil liberties: the freedoms of association, press, religion, and speech, and the rights to franchise, due process and equal protection under the law for all people regardless of their race, creed, age, sex or political affiliation.  The UMKC chapter of the ACLU of Western Missouri strives to promote dialogue on civil liberties issues at UMKC.

 

Animal Law Society

The purpose of the Animal Law Society is to foster critical thought and debate about the application of animal-rights principles to the law.  The Society embraces the principles that the common law classification of non-human animals as personal property must be reformed to increase the legal status of non-human animals in order to assure them greater protection under the law; that the use of animals for scientific purposes is not beyond moral criticism; and that human beings have a responsibility to protect non-human animals and their natural habitats.  The Society seeks to promote an awareness of these principles and to further their application through its activities.

 

Association of Women Law Students

The Association of Women Law Students was formed in 1989 to provide a forum for women law students, to promote the role of women in the legal profession and its bar associations, to encourage the acceptance of qualified women in the academic and legal communities, and to exert an influence in the law, the profession, the school and the community.  All law students are welcome to join AWLS and participate in its activities.

 

Black Law Student Association (BLSA)

The Black Law Students Association (BLSA) is an organization formed and designed to promote the needs and interests of Black law students attending predominantly white universities.  Its goals are to increase the number of black attorneys, judges and law professors, to encourage professional competence and to continue to improve the relationship of the black attorney with the American legal system.  In addition, BLSA seeks to bring about change within the legal system in order to make it more responsive to the needs of the black community.

 

Business and Tax Law Society

The purpose of the organization to encourage and to support student’s interests in the fields of business and tax law. 

 

Christian Legal Society         

Founded upon de Tocqueville’s notion that, as a Judeo-Christian nation, America will remain great only as long as America remains good, the CLS seeks to discern the parameters of the ethical vitality and moral essence of the law.  Open to all students, the CLS offers opportunities for spiritual and temporal support as well as searching dialogue and well-earned rest and fellowship during these intense student years.

 

Constitutional Law Society

The purpose of the Constitutional Law Society of the School of Law is to explore and inform students about constitutional law. The Constitutional Law Society endeavors to meet its objectives by sponsoring speakers and workshops providing insight into the area of constitutional law.

 

Emissaries

The University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law Emissaries are a select group of law students who serve as the official public relations team of the School of Law.  Chosen through a competitive application process, the group works closely with the law school administration in assisting with recruitment, community activities and special events.   The Emissaries are available to assist applicants in a variety of ways. They can arrange tours, class visits and opportunities to meet or talk with current students or alumni. They can answer your questions about the School and the admissions process and, where necessary, can put you in touch with appropriate law school personnel. 

 

Environmental Law Society

The Environmental Law Society is a group for those who are interested in environmental issues, especially issues that arise in the Midwest, and particularly in the Kansas City metropolitan area.  Moreover, the Environmental Law Society is available to assist and educate students who are interested in pursuing a career in Environmental Law.  It is an organization that values service and the welfare of the community in relation to its environment. 

 

Federalist Society

The Federalist Society has 110 chapters at law schools across the country. Its membership consists of students who are interested in legal and political topics with an emphasis on separation of powers and traditional values and views about the law.  The UMKC chapter presents speakers and sponsors forums on a variety of issues.  An active and growing lawyer’s chapter cooperates with the UMKC chapter.

  

Health Law Society

The purpose of the Health Law Society is to facilitate student of UMKC Law School in gaining knowledge of current issues within the world of health care and promote education of those issues.

 

Hispanic Law Students Association

The Hispanic Law Students Association (HLSA) is an organization formed and designed to promote the needs and interests of Hispanic law students attending predominantly white universities.  Its goals are to increase the number of Hispanic attorneys, judges and law professors to encourage professional competence and to continue to improve the relationship of the Hispanic attorney with the American Legal system.  In addition, HLSA seeks to bring about change within the legal system in order to make it more responsive to the needs of the Hispanic community.

 

Honor Court

The Student Bar Association of the Law School has adopted an honor code that prohibits any conduct that would give an unfair advantage to any student in any academic matter or in any matter relating to academic credentials. A copy of the honor code is contained in the Student Handbook distributed to each student.

 

The honor court hears all cases involving alleged violations of the honor code. It is composed of a chief justice and four associate justices appointed from the student body by the president of the Student Bar Association with the approval of its board of governors.

 

Intellectual Property Law Society

The Intellectual Property Law Society is an organization of law students interested in patent, copyright, trademark or trade secret law.  The primary purpose of the IPLS is to promote opportunities for its members to learn more about intellectual property issues through course offerings, participation in moot court competitions, interactions with local practitioners and summer clerkships.  Membership in the IPLS is open to all students.

 

International Law Society

The International Law Society offers students the opportunity to focus on the many facets of law from an international perspective: from the practicalities of a legal practitioner to the theoretical applications of multi-national dispute settlements.  The current explosion of trade opportunities, worldwide environmental concerns, and new partnerships in political and economic arenas present exciting opportunities for tomorrow’s lawyers to shape the future of global cooperation.

 

J. Reuben Clark Law Society

The JRCLS is composed of LDS and non-LDS attorneys from all parts of the country and many international areas who share in the long-standing traditions of the legal profession and have a common interest in the attitudes and values associated with the name of J. Reuben Clark. Membership in the UMKC student chapter is open to any law student who shares its goals, mission, and values. To accomplish its mission, the Law Society strives: (1) to promote the formation of local chapters around the world that meet regularly to further the purpose of the Law Society; (2) to encourage its members to regard the practice of law as a public trust from which compensation may be accepted but for which service to the courts, clients, and society will always be paramount; (3) to promote and protect the just rule of law; and (4) to provide local chapters with opportunities for continuing dialogue on legal topics of significance.

Jewish Law Students Association

The purpose of the organization shall be to meet the needs of Jewish law students at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law and to promote awareness and understanding of the Jewish people, their religion, traditions, and of the State of Israel.

 

Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association (KCMBA)

 

Midwestern Innocence Project Student Organization

The mission of the project is to support the efforts of the Midwestern Innocence Project through support and fundraising efforts.

 

Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys (MATA)

The UMKC MATA chapter was formed with the basic ideals of the statewide organization and the national organization, known as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.  These ideals and goals include seeking justice, protecting those who deserve redress from injury, promoting the public good through concerted efforts to secure safe products, and upholding the honor and dignity of the legal profession.

 

Moot Court Board

Unlike other student organizations at UMKC School of Law, the Moot Court Board does not seek the first-year students’ participation.  Membership on the board is the product of rigorous competition in two appellate advocacy programs that the student board administers.

 

During the fall of the second year of law school, students may enroll in Appellate Advocacy II in which students present oral arguments before a panel of judges consisting of three attorneys.  The participants are numerically scored on their appellate performance and the top 16 students then qualify to enroll in Appellate Advocacy III, the Ellison Moot Court Competition.  Appellate Advocacy III is offered in the winter semester and is similar to Appellate Advocacy II except the judges who evaluate the competitors are actual judges of Missouri and federal courts.  The top achievers in this competition become the school’s National Moot Court Team and qualify to enroll in Appellate Advocacy IV in the fall of their third year.  The students participating in Appellate Advocacy III comprise the Moot Court Board.  The purpose of the board is to select by competitive means a National Moot Court Team to represent the school in national moot court competition.

 

National Lawyers Guild

The National Lawyers Guild is a nationwide organization of lawyers, legal workers, and law students with 96 chapters throughout the United States.  It was founded in 1937 as the country’s first integrated bar association.  The guild is dedicated to seeking social justice, social equality, and freedom to dissent to the end that human rights shall be regarded as more sacred than property interests.

 

Non-Traditional Law Students Association

 

Public Inter est Law Group                            

The purpose of the Public Interest Law Group at UMKC is to foster awareness by students, faculty, administrators and alumni to the rewards, challenges, and opportunities in public interest law through financial support, educational programs and community outreach.

A student-driven, non-profit organization, the Public Interest Law Group is dedicated to the principle that law students should be encouraged to work in the public interest and that no student or graduate who wants to work in public interest law should be unable to do so for economic reasons.  The group is affiliated with the National Association for Public Interest Law, and administers two primary program areas: grants for summer internships and loan repayment assistance for graduates.

 

Securities Club

The purpose of the Securities Club of the University of Missouri Kansas City shall be to explore career options in the field of securities law.  The Securities Club will meet its objectives by sponsoring speakers and workshops that will provide insight into the securities industry.

 

Sports and Entertainment Law Society

The purpose of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society shall be to explore career options in the field of sports and entertainment law.

 

$1.98 Law Review  

The $1.98 Law Review is a theatrical production written, produced, directed and presented by law students.  It is a humorous look at the Law School, the law in general and current events.  The show is presented in late March or early April for a one-night performance.  The show involves the combined talents of writers, actors, singers, stagehands, publicity persons, artists, make-up and costume people, and musicians.  There is no required grade point average, dues or experience - only a willingness to work and have a good time in this unique and creative event.

 

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Legal Fraternities

  

Delta Theta Phi

Delta Theta Phi is the most active social law fraternity at UMKC.  This chapter sponsors and promotes a schedule of social events that provide a release and diversion from the torments normally associated with the study of law.  In the approaching school year, we hope to expand our interaction both within the Law School and within the Kansas City legal community.

 

The UMKC chapter of Delta Theta Phi boasts student and alumni members from around the greater Kansas City area.  Our membership includes active attorneys, judges, members of the business community, and a broad section of law students.  Through this membership, Delta Theta Phi can enhance your law school experience and facilitate your interaction with the Kansas City legal community.

 

Phi Alpha Delta

The Thomas Hart Benton Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Fraternity was organized at the old Kansas City Law School in 1907.  It later merged with Phi Delta Delta, the legal fraternity for women, and became the leader in the involvement of women in professional law fraternities.

 

Membership in Phi Alpha Delta Fraternity not only offers social and professional commitment during law school, but also throughout an attorney’s professional career.  Recognizing the importance of continuing legal education, the Thomas Hart Benton Chapter presents professional programs for members, alumni and members of the bar.  They focus on issues confronting the practicing attorney.  Through its professional programs and social activities, the men and women of Phi Alpha Delta have the opportunity to meet and develop friendships on a casual, more personal level, with members of the bench, bar and law school faculty.

 

Phi Delta Phi

Phi Delta Phi International Legal Fraternity is represented at UMKC by Powell Inn, named in honor of Judge Elmer N. Powell, one of the founders of the Kansas City School of Law.  Phi Delta Phi is one of the nation’s first professional fraternities.  It has initiated more than 100,000 men and women, making it the largest legal fraternity.  The objectives of the fraternity are: instilling a sense of the importance of adhering to high standards of professional ethics and integrity encouraging legal scholarship stimulating closer relations among jurists, practitioners, professors and students of law generating close friendships, both professional and personal and developing the service and leadership qualities a law graduate should bring to the bar.

 

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Scholarly Publications

 

Law Review