Northern Illinois University
College of Law

The Art and Fashion Law Society aims to unite students passionate about the intersection of law, art, and fashion. This organization seeks to support members aspiring to build careers in these dynamic fields by providing resources and opportunities tailored to their interests. The society hosts lectures, networking events, and workshops designed to connect students with industry professionals, offer insights into career paths, and stay updated on current legal issues in art and fashion. Through these activities, the group fosters a collaborative environment where students can explore internships and other valuable experiences that enhance their professional development.

The purpose of AILS is to promote the education of artificial intelligence and other legal technologies. Founded on the belief that artificial intelligence and legal technologies will continue to grow and make a difference in the study and practice of law, AILS aims to not only provide education and training regarding various tools, but also invites discourse on the current pitfalls of various technologies. We believe that knowing how to utilize AI and other legal technology resources will set law students and legal practitioners apart from one another, and we encourage you to join us in following this important topic in law and at AILS events including: Lexis+ AI training; AI Company guest speakers; AI Litigation guest speakers; training events on trial technologies and other legal technology topics.

The American Constitution Society (ACS) seeks to promote the vitality of the U.S. Constitution and the fundamental values it expresses: individual rights and liberties, genuine equality, access to justice, democracy and the rule of law. Based on these fundamental values, we advocate for the belief that the law can and should be an active force in improving the lives of all people.

BLSA's purpose is to articulate and promote the professional needs and goals of students requiring support, emphasizing black law students and other students who have minority representation in the law school community. A goal is to foster and encourage professional competence among underrepresented students. BLSA strives to develop services that are beneficial to the community at-large. BLSA assists law students at the college with their legal studies by developing various support and study groups that will enable the College of Law to better retain its valued minority law students.

The Business Law Society (B.L.S.) was created as a means to actively promote and aid students’ pursuit of a career in business law by introducing members to practitioners in the field of business law and providing networking opportunities.

The mission of the B.L.S. is to promote awareness of and appreciation for business law including, but not limited to: enterprise structure; finance; intellectual property, in-house counsel, labor and employment, real estate, corporate law; securities; mergers and acquisitions; antitrust; and related topics. The B.L.S. further seeks to enhance professional opportunities and to promote graduate student interaction and involvement within Northern Illinois University College of Law, Northern Illinois College of Business, and the community.

The NIU chapter of the Christian Legal Society (CLS) has set out three goals to meet the spiritual needs of interested students.

• Provide a forum for all students, regardless of religious affiliation, to ask questions and gain knowledge about the Christian faith.
• Provide a place for fellowship and encouragement of all students, particularly Christ-followers, in the law school.
• Come to a better understanding of what it means to be a Christian attorney.

CLS meets once a week during the noon hour for food, fun, Bible study, prayer and discussion. CLS also periodically brings in knowledgeable panelists to share their insights.

The Criminal Law Society is a student organization dedicated to promoting a thorough understanding of the field of criminal law. The society aims to expose students to the legal and practical aspects of the American criminal justice system by creating opportunities to interact with faculty, practitioners, judges and community organizations.

Events throughout the academic year will include networking opportunities, panel discussions and field programs.

Membership in the Criminal Law Society is open to all law students at NIU.

The Environmental Law Society (ELS) student organization focuses on protecting the integrity and advancing the interests of the environment through the legal system, as well as educating the NIU community about the current state of environmental law.

The Federal Agency Interest Society (FAIS) was established for the purposes of engaging student interest and involvement in federal agencies and departments, in an effort to not only prepare students for service in federal government but enhance the legal profession and moreover the criminal justice system in a federal capacity. We seek to accomplish this and more by expanding our professional network, enhancing our presence in the legal community, promoting our interests and values, and educating ourselves on our specialized area.

Events throughout the academic year may include panel discussions, core competency skill building exercises, networking opportunities and fundraising events.

The Federalist Society at Northern Illinois University College of Law (“Fed Soc”) is an organization of libertarian and conservative students, recognized by The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies, a national organization. Fed Soc exists to initiate and promote intelligent debate and discussion of legal policy as an active and visible voice at the law school and beyond.

Fed Soc is dedicated to following principles:

• the state exists to preserve the natural law of human freedom
• the separation of governmental powers (both between the three branches and between the various levels: federal, state, county, municipal) is central to the healthy functioning of the United States Constitution
• that the duty of the federal and state judiciaries is to say what the law is, not what it "should" be

Any and all threats to these principles must be vigorously and enthusiastically resisted through the means of active citizenship, appropriate and intelligent debate, integrity of leadership and cheerfulness and generosity of tone and spirit.

The primary means to promote the Federalist Society mission is best illustrated by debates featuring legal scholars from across the United States. Reasonable minds may differ.

The First-Generation Law Society’s purpose is to aid current and incoming students by providing a law community and support system for first-generation students. Our organization strives to act as a support group for students to learn the intricacies of law school that are not readily talked about. Our goal is to create a community of people who, through our lived experiences, can give one another advice, reassurance, and support through law school and into the future.

The primary objective of the First-Generation Law Society is to foster and enhance the experiences of the diverse group of first-generation law students at Northern Illinois University College of Law. We aim to collaborate with other law school organizations and legal professionals to encourage a sense of community within the law school.

We are an academic and social group of Northern Illinois University College of Law students, interested in a continuing dialogue on issues surrounding the LGBTQ+ communities of northern Illinois. We are comprised of law students, gay and straight, and welcome the membership, interest, insight and experience of inquisitive Northern Illinois University law students.

The mission of the Hellenic Bar Association (HBA) is to create a community of NIU Law students of Hellenic heritage and those interested in the culture of Greece. The NIU HBA aims to provide a forum for students to network and create mentorship relationships. The NIU HBA also seeks to connect students to the Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois and local lawyers through events which provide our members and the broader NIU Law community with networking and academic enrichment opportunities.

The ISBA is a professional organization that represents over 32,000 lawyers and students throughout the state of Illinois. The ISBA is dedicated to promoting the interest, integrity and high standards of the legal profession.

As a member of the Law School Division, you receive monthly editions of the Illinois Bar Journal. Your membership automatically enrolls you in seven substantive law section newsletters including Tort Law, Real Estate Law, Criminal Justice, Trusts and Estates, Civil Practice and Procedure and others. You are eligible for nomination for the ISBA Public Service Award recognizing the efforts of the ISBA membership.

In addition to participation in local law school sponsored activities, you may also gain admission to the ISBA Law Education Series Programs and seminars throughout the state. As a student member, you gain an invaluable introduction to the services and opportunities provided by the ISBA.

Many law school organization affiliations end at graduation. However, your relationship with the ISBA is one that will grow and mature well beyond your law school experience.

Membership is free for law students. For more information on becoming a member, visit the ISBA student membership page.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact one of the ISBA representatives at the law school.

The ILS was formed to provide opportunities for students interested in immigration law, to engage with the immigrant community both on and off campus, and to raise awareness of immigrant justice and rights.

The Interfaith Legal Society is open to students of all faiths in the hopes of bringing a diversity of faiths and beliefs into action around campus.

The International Law Students Association is a group which gives its members an international network of people in addition to academic and organizational resources. As the world continues to globalize, an international focus allows future lawyers to understand the complexities of businesses not only in the United States, but on a multinational scale as well. Further, the International Law Students Association encourages its chapters to participate in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. The Jessup Moot Court Competition is the largest in the world, with more than six-hundred law schools and ninety nations represented at the competition, further allowing the members of ILSA to network and explore cultural differences, both legally and socially.

The ability to definitively articulate conflicts of law and propose equitable solutions is an important skill for future lawyers to develop. Whether working in the domestic or international arenas, ILSA allows students to explore, network, and further develop important skills for practicing lawyers.

As of Fall 2023, the Justinian Society is a new student organization (description to come).

The Juvenile and Family Law Association combines two formerly separate student organizations, the Family Law Society (FLS) and the Juvenile Interest Law Society (JILS).

• FLS is committed to bringing change and awareness to all family law issues including divorce, paternity, child support, adoption and parental rights.
• JILS is dedicated to promoting the best interests of our society's juvenile members. JILS seeks to expose NIU students, faculty and community stakeholders to the issues and challenges inherent in various areas of law concerning juveniles.

The Labor and Employment Law Society is dedicated to advancing knowledge and interest in the field of labor and employment law. The society offers students opportunities to engage with current legal issues affecting the workplace through panel discussions and networking events featuring experienced practitioners and scholars. Opportunities to expand interests in topics such as labor relations, employment rights, and workplace policies are available. The society also fosters a collaborative environment for students to discuss and analyze contemporary legal challenges, preparing them for successful careers in this vital area of law.

LLSA is committed to assisting its members to succeed and excel throughout their law school careers. LLSA accomplishes this by providing support programs which include workshops, study groups, access to study aides and a mentorship program.

Beyond academic support, LLSA hosts several social activities throughout the year, such as ethnic luncheons and parties. These types of activities are also excellent opportunities to socialize with other students as well as the professors outside the classroom. Some past activities include a panel discussion focusing on ethics and the law that featured prominent Hispanic professors, lawyers and judges.

LLSA has also co-sponsored an immigration clinic with the INS for the DeKalb community.

The Northern Illinois University Law Review is a student-edited journal that publishes articles intended to assist the legal community and to stimulate critical discussion of current legal, policy and social issues. Members of the Law Review participate in an intensive two-semester writing and production program designed to develop writing and editing skills. For more information, see the NIU Law Review page.

Middle Eastern North African Law Students Association (MENALSA) works to empower the underrepresented voices of the current and future MENA students. The MENA identity is inclusive of individuals from diverse backgrounds, representing various ancestries, religions, ethnicities, and identities. However, you do not have to be Middle Eastern or North African to join, anyone is welcome.

The Moot Court Society is a student-run organization whose purpose is to further the advancement of appellate advocacy. It draws its members from those students who have participated in the Lenny B. Mandell Moot Court Competition offered to second-year students, or participants in other cocurricular moot court competitions.

Members participate in the formulation of the Moot Court problem, the administration of the program, and the judging of arguments in other programs. They are also eligible for membership on teams which participate in regional and national competitions.

The purpose of NMLSA is to provide a fellowship for Muslim and non-Muslim law students through monthly meetings, educational and religious events, and regular social activities. We hope to provide a forum for the discussion of legal and non-legal issues that are pertinent to the Muslim community, to the university community and to the community at large. NMLSA will also coordinate with other religious student associations to engage in interfaith dialogue and to promote understanding and to build bridges between members of all faiths.

Parents & Caregivers Attending Law School (PCALS) was created to provide support for members who are simultaneously balancing law school and family or caregiver obligations, to serve as a forum to discuss issues affecting non-traditional law students, and to increase peer networking among parent and caregiver-law students.

Phi Alpha Delta is a professional law fraternity that provides an important link between the law student and practicing attorneys. The international organization is the largest legal fraternity in the world with over 100,000 law students, legal educators and members of the bench and bar.

Locally, the Dooley Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta offers opportunities to associate with practicing attorneys, judges and government officials and alumni in various related fields.

In addition, PAD sponsors social functions to promote each member's full personal development during law school and after. PAD offers professional programs, such as brief-writing workshops, access to study aids and outlining instructions. PAD also offers the opportunity to socialize with students, which helps make your law school experience more manageable.

The purpose of the Professionalism and Ethics Society is to enhance the Northern Illinois University College of Law community’s professional and ethical principles inside and outside of the classroom to help develop more well-rounded future attorneys.

The Public Interest Law Society (PILS) is a student-run organization dedicated to the development of public interest law awareness and opportunities within the legal profession. PILS raises money through their annual PILS auction, raffles and other events at the College of Law to provide outreach assistantships to students involved in unpaid public interest legal positions during the summer. Additionally, PILS provides informational resources and networking opportunities in Illinois to students interested in public interest legal careers.

The Northern Illinois College of Law Space Law Society has the goal of educating and familiarizing students of law with the body of law that governs outer space related activities. This could involve analyzing treaties, international agreements, or looking at contractual disputes between private companies that are involved in space launches with one another. This club intends to acquaint College of Law students with the developing and increasingly relevant field of Space Law.

The purpose of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society is to bring together students who share a common interest in sports and entertainment law. The aim of the group is to promote the professional needs and goals of students who wish to pursue a career in entertainment and/or sports law.

Activities will include lectures and networking events that help students find information about summer school options, internship opportunities, contacts within the industry, writing competitions and fostering ways for students to keep up with current issues in sports and entertainment law.

The Student Animal Legal Defense Fund NIU College of Law Chapter provides a community for NIU Law students who share a love for animals and desire to advocate on their behalf. It allows idealistic and creative law students to take what they learn in their courses and apply their skills and energy to something bigger than themselves. It provides students a place to learn about opportunities in animal law, advocate through education and community events, and plant the seeds for future change. Chapter members are given the opportunity to leave their Huskie paw prints on the law school.

NIU Law has many student organizations which provide an excellent opportunity for students to become more involved in their law school community. The Student Bar Association (SBA) serves as the "umbrella organization" of the law school because it allocates funding to help support the work of other law school organizations. The SBA also sponsors such activities as speakers, a basketball league, picnics, parties and other activities geared toward the professional, academic and social interests of the students. Every law student is automatically a member of the SBA and thus may vote for candidates for its governing board. Four representatives are elected in September from the first-year class to serve for the fall semester.

• Constitution (PDF) - ratified Sept. 16, 2022
• Bylaws (PDF) 

The Student Intellectual Property Law Association (SIPLA) is a group of students interested in the prospect of pursuing intellectual property (IP) law as a field of practice post-graduation and wish to share their passion for IP by providing educational and networking opportunities for its members and the student body.

We believe in the need to educate the legal community on the field of IP, one of the most rapidly growing fields of practice in the US and abroad. We also believe in the critical role that IP plays in societal and economic development. IP fosters innovation and creativity in society by providing legal protection for the original creators of inventions, works of authorship such as written and spoken language, trademarks that provide distinction for its creators in their respective marketplaces, as well as trade secrets utilized by companies to gain a competitive advantage in the market.

We intend to achieve the above goals by fostering an environment of diversity, inclusiveness, and collaboration. All students of the College of Law are welcome to join SIPLA and participate in SIPLA activities regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, and religious or political affiliation.

The Tort Law Society (TLS) aims to promote student education and opportunities in tort law and networking through informational programming, lively discussion of evolving issues, and laws surrounding torts. The topics that will be discussed are personal injury/medical malpractice, products liability, defamation, invasion of privacy, battery, assault, etc.

The Trial Advocacy Society is a student organization committed to developing trial advocacy skills and preparing students to become effective trial lawyers. This mission is achieved through a variety of activities, which includes hosting student competitions, such as the 2L Mock Trial Competition, as well as through other events including educational seminars, guest speakers who are prominent jurists and trial lawyers within the community; and hosting social events focused on trials and the development of trial skills.

The Women's Law Caucus is an active organization on campus which not only provides its members with support in adjusting to the law school environment, but also provides educational support for its members, as well as the entire student body, in an attempt to bring some "real world" experience into our academic setting.

The Women's Law Caucus does not solely consist of women nor does it exist for the benefit of women only. Male students have played an active role in the caucus in previous years and are invited to continue to do so.

The main objectives are to address issues faced by women in the field of law, as well as to examine issues faced by lawyers in general.

WLC educational programs are of great interest to men and women alike. WLC sponsors a variety of programs, including:

• mentor program
• guest speakers
• career and issue panel discussions
• opportunities to network with practicing attorneys and judges
• volunteer work for the Court Appointed Special Advocacy (CASA) Program
• wine and cheese receptions
• pot luck dinners

The Women's Law Caucus Mentor Program provides the opportunity for a first year student to be paired with a second or third-year law student who has volunteered to assist the new student with integration into the law school community. The mentor program is open to all students, regardless of WLC membership.