The Catholic University of America

 

American Bar Association Law Student Division
There are many opportunities within the American Bar Association – Law Student Division (ABA-LSD).  CUA Law is part of the 11th Circuit for the ABA-LSD.
 
• Get Money!
 The ABA-LSD, through its Grant Program, provides financial and program support to student organizations of ABA-approved law schools to establish first-time programs and other activities that emphasize diversity, ethics, professionalism training and public interest/service activities.  The Grant Program is designed to assist your organization with implementing new programs.  Any entity or individual at an ABA-approved law school is eligible to submit a grant application and the maximum possible award allowed is $500 per application and project.  For more details, check out the ABA-LSD Grant Program website located at http://www.abanet.org/lsd/grant/home.html.
 
• Membership Has Its Rewards!
 Membership in the ABA-LSD puts us on the path to a successful legal career.  The ABA-LSD is an excellent resource for organizations and we you to work with them.  Membership in the ABA-LSD enables us to stay ahead in law school and build a network to launch our careers.  By being part of a nearly 50,000 member organization, we have access to leadership, networking, and academic enhancement opportunities, as well as resources for career development, finding our niche in the law, and locating financing for our legal education.  For more information on “Where the Path to a Successful Legal Career Begins,” check out the ABA-LSD homepage located at http://www.abanet.org/lsd/home.html.
 
• Awarding Achievement!
 Each year, the ABA-LSD recognizes the achievements of individual law students, law school organizations, and law schools on a national level through the Division's Annual Awards program.  The award categories include:  Diversity, Public Interest, Membership and Activity, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, Law School News Publication, as well as the SBA Award and the SBA President Award.  These awards will be announced and presented at the Division's Awards Reception during the ABA Annual Meeting.  For more information, check out the National Awards website located at http://www.abanet.org/lsd/awards/home.html.
 
• Promoting Diversity!
 Along with ABA-LSD, the 11th Cirucuit is committed to promoting diversity in the profession and ensuring equal opportunities and inclusion of all law students in the membership, leadership, and activities of the 11th Circuit regardless of race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or gender.  Under the Division’s plan, law schools are encouraged to sponsor educational programs and events that teach and foster respect for diversity.  For more information about this year’s upcoming Diversity Day, check out the Homepage – which includes a Diversity Day Toolkit and a Diversity Day Survey – located at http://www.abanet.org/lsd/diversity/toolkit/home.html.
 
• Make the Connection!
 The ABA Leadership Directory (Red Book) and the ABA-LSD can connect your organization with practitioners and leaders in the profession to help your members and participate in programs.  The Red Book includes lists of the Board of Governors; House of Delegates; ABA headquarters staff; ABA standing and special committees; and ABA commissions, sections, divisions and forums.  The Red Book also lists affiliated organizations, other legal organizations, state and local bar associations, state disciplinary agencies, and past and present ABA officers.   The 11th Circuit Governor and Lt. Governors are available at any time for you and your members to share your ideas and concerns about the ABA-LSD and our Circuit.  The ABA-LSD Board of Governors as well as the National Student Directors are also great resources for information and suggestions for programming within your respective organizations.  For more details, check out our circuit’s website located at http://www.abanet.org/lsd/11thcircuit/home.html and the ABA-LSD Leadership website located at http://www.abanet.org/lsd/leadership/home.html.
 
• Show Your Competitive Edge!
 The ABA-LSD sponsors four annual national competitions and these events are a great way for you and your members to get involved in the larger legal community.  These competitions offer participating students a forum to develop the very skills they will use as practitioners and a chance to meet and network with fellow law students (and future colleagues) from around the nation.  Competitions also provide an excellent opportunity for law students to gain important resume-building experience and recognition.  These subject areas of the competitions include Negotiation, Arbitration, Client Counseling, National Appellate Advocacy, as well as other writing contests and scholarships.  For more information about upcoming competitions, check out the National Competitions website located at http://www.abanet.org/lsd/competitions.
 
• Stay Informed & Get Noticed!
 Student Lawyer magazine is an excellent informational resource that highlights great opportunities and promotes the successful events and programs of individual law schools and student bar associations to the larger legal community.  The magazine also provides guidance on educational, career, and related issues for ABA-LSD members and non-members.  The magazine is published every month of the school year – from September through May – and for more information, check out the Student Lawyer website located at http://www.abanet.org/lsd/studentlawyer.