Student Organizations

Students at UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law are involved in an array of organizations that enhance the day-to-day life at the school and expand their intellectual life beyond the classroom.  Each fall, the Student Bar Association (SBA) sponsors the annual Student Activity Fair where new students have the chance to learn about all active student organizations or the process to start a new student organization.

The Student Bar Association (SBA) is a student-run association of the University of New Hampshire School of Law. The SBA works to support and encourage academic excellence and professional growth among students, to ensure the efficient and effective use of student money and resources, and to provide an organized forum for interaction and communication between students and the faculty, administration, alumni, and community. 

The SBA cooperates with local, state, and national bar associations to further the interests of the legal profession and to advance the ideals and objectives of UNH Law students. All students enrolled by UNH Law as candidates for the Juris Doctor, Master’s, and other degree programs authorized by UNH Law, are members of SBA. The complete Student Bar Association Charter and the Governors’ Rules can be found on TWEN.

email: sba@law.unh.edu 

The American Constitution Society for Law and Policy (ACS) is a 501(c)3 non-profit, non-partisan legal organization. Through a diverse nationwide network of progressive lawyers, law students, judges, scholars, advocates, and many others, our mission is to support and advocate for laws and legal systems that strengthen our democratic legitimacy, uphold the rule of law, and redress the founding failures of our Constitution and enduring inequities in our laws in pursuit of realized equality. Our vision is of a multi-racial, representative democracy that includes:

  • A judiciary that reflects the diversity of the public it serves, interprets the U.S. Constitution through the backdrop of history and through the lens of lived experience, and protects democratic guardrails, upholds the rule of law, and vindicates fundamental rights;
  • Democratic institutions that uphold the rule of law, guard against the abuse of power, and promote laws and policies that advance realized equality; and
  • A robust and diverse legal civil society that actively promotes progressive legal transformation and redress of the founding failures of our Constitution and of our laws and legal systems.

We aspire to raise awareness of the subtle beauty of life and decompress from the stressful school schedule. Our club will appreciate the artwork and explore multiple art media, including crayons, watercolors, and pencils. We will also examine legal issues that artists experience, including common IP challenges.

The Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA) is a community that would act as an initial point of contact for UNH law students of Asian and Asian American Pacific Islander ethnicity and to provide academic and social support for purposes of increasing enrolment and participation at the law school, and of creating a community and safe space by hosting various social events and seminars within the law school to promote inclusion diversity equity and awareness.

It is our mission to increase the number of culturally responsible Black and minority attorneys who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.

  • The Business and Tax Law Society’s mission is to enable law students to gain practical knowledge in all aspects of business and tax law while providing an informal forum for discussions on the study and intersection of business, tax, and law. The Society will promote awareness of corporate social responsibility and ethical practices. The Business and Tax Law Society will accomplish this by providing panels, networking, and educational opportunities to the UNH Franklin Pierce law community.

Christian Legal Society (CLS) is a nation-wide non-denominational Christian membership association whose members participate in the broad and rich variety of Christian congregational life and traditions.  Our mission is to nurture and encourage Christian law students by providing mentors and resources aimed at fostering spiritual growth, compassionate outreach, and the integration of faith and practice and to establish and maintain vibrant witnessing and service to our community.  The CLS chapter at UNH seeks to support students as they strive to develop and use their gifts for the good of their neighbors and the glory of God.

Learn more about the national Christian Legal Society.

This organization is to be a non-partisan space for civil discussion, dedicated to encouraging education and appreciation of constitutional law, for aid to its members in practice and in life.

  • The organization is for students interested in criminal law so they can meet other students interested in criminal law, take part in networking opportunities, and learn more about a career in this field.

The purpose of the Diversity Coalition is to foster and promote an enriching and supportive environment in which students of all identities and backgrounds can thrive personally, professionally, and academically. The Diversity Coalition will achieve this mission by collaborating with campus groups, administration, and admissions to host social events and networking opportunities.

Advocating for domestic and sexual violence survivors through training, educating, and empowering students.

Provide a forum for students who are car/motorcycle/motorsport enthusiasts to network and socialize, as well as learn about opportunities to pursue law careers in those industries.

The goal of the Environmental Law Society is to promote environmental stewardship at the law school, the City of Concord, the State of New Hampshire, the United States, and worldwide. We offer an array of opportunities for both students and the community to become educated and active in advancing environmental welfare.

It is the Golf Club's mission to:

  • Educate and develop students in the area of Golf;
  • Develop positive attitudes, work together, set short- and long-term goals, and better oneself;
  • Always represent UNH FP Law in a positive manner;
  • Treat any course or facility used with the utmost respect and leave it how it was upon arrival;
  • Treat others' equipment with the utmost respect;
  • Support the appreciation, understanding, and advocacy for equity, diversity and inclusion;
  • Provide opportunities for personal growth and connections for the attainment of individual goals;
  • Encourage the free and open exchange of ideas in a context of mutual respect;
  • Develop meaningful skills, encourage personal achievement, and develop involved and responsible students;
  • Bring together individuals who love or want to learn more about Golf;
  • Instruct those who do not know a lot about the game of Golf; and
  • Have fun.

The purpose of the Health Law & Policy Society (HeLPS) is to foster discussion, interest, and awareness of the intersection between law, policy, and healthcare. HeLPS complements the Health Law & Policy Certificate through health-related programming including guest speakers, career-planning seminars, networking events, and experiential learning opportunities. The Health Law & Policy Certificate is not required—HeLPS is open to all students with an interest in health law and a commitment to thinking creatively about the issues.

HeLPS@law.unh.edu

HLSA’s purpose is to address the needs and well-being of Hispanic students at UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law by providing a welcoming environment in which students feel comfortable and can thrive. HLSA also seeks to promote understanding of Hispanic culture in legal issues affecting Hispanic populations in the United States. HLSA accomplishes its goals through programming geared toward student’s academic, social, and professional needs. HLSA is committed to serve the public interest: (i) by cultivating the art and science of jurisprudence, (ii) by advancing the standing of the legal profession, and (iii) by preserving high standards of integrity, honor, and professional courtesy among Hispanic law students.

The mission statement of ICLA is to spread awareness through the ideas and concepts of international law about the interconnected world around us.

  • JLSA will be an inclusive and welcoming community for Jewish students and allies. This reactivated organization is committed to encouraging the well-being of these students through professional development and educational opportunities. JLSA will provide social events that promote community and strength for all members. JLSA will be an empowering environment for all students, to discuss and share passions and interests in Judaism and its impact on worldviews.

Lambda represents LGBTQI+ peoples at UNH Law. Each semester we present programming, networking, and social events that represent and discuss gender and sexual diversity and the law. We are also an active member of the Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association (New England's largest LGBTQ law organization) which provides free networking and mentoring opportunities for students.

email: lambda@unh.law.edu
Follow them on Instagram

The Language and Accessibility Club’s mission is to raise awareness of language barriers in the legal field, debunk myths and assumptions about interpreters, explore basic communication skills, and ultimately, bridge the communication gap to support individuals in gaining access to legal interpreters. We are predominantly focused on American Sign Language.

Masters of the Trade(marks) will create opportunities for all students and practitioners alike that will satisfy their curiosity and enable them to unlock their full potential.
 
We believe that an understanding of trademark law should not be limited to the areas typically encountered in the classroom and everyday practice. Trademark law encompasses an immense and diverse field of specialized practices in every industry, many of which are not known about by or accessible to those outside of the specific niche. We exist to create opportunities for all students and practitioners so that they may expand their knowledge and their networks in these unicorn practice areas.

To encourage excellence of body and mind.

LES is an independent nation-wide association of professionals in the fields of law, business development, technology and intellectual property. For years, it has aided professionals in their career development through networking, education and the facilitation of global IP commerce and standards development. LES regularly holds panels on topics of contemporary interest, networking events, workshops, CLP certification courses and other educational events.

The UNH Law student chapter of LES is the only such student organization affiliated to LES. Our organization strives to ascertain the student body's interests on inter-disciplinary licensing topics (whether they are economic, social, political or purely academic) and to bring guest speakers and experts on these topics to campus. In addition to panel discussions, our club will host events of a networking and educational nature. We aim to include the entirety of the UNH Law community in our events, including L.L.M. and Hybrid J.D. students, as well as visiting scholars.

Our mission is to facilitate communication, increase awareness and reduce stigma related to students accessing mental health support and resources during law school. MHA hosts regular student run meetings called "exhale," where students provide and receive peer support regarding mental health challenges and stressors during law school. MHA also hosts events and trainings related to mental health, and serves as a resource and source of support for students struggling with mental health challenges during law school. 

email: the.mha@law.unh.edu

Instagram: mha_unhlaw

Twitter: mha_unhlaw

The mission of the UNH Law Outdoors Club is to provide a central platform that hosts organized group outings such as day hikes and ski trips. The roads beyond the city limits wind up towards the White Mountains to the north and the Green Mountains to the west, offering ample opportunities for outdoor excursions. We welcome all abilities and provide a safe and inclusive group to make the most of what this region has to offer.

 Outdoors.Club@law.unh.edu

https://sites.google.com/view/unhlawoutdoorsclub/home

https://www.facebook.com/groups/UNHLawOutdoors/

slack: unhlawoutdoorsclub.slack.com

The Patent Law Forum is a place for discussion about patent law between students, professors, and legal practitioners. This student-founded forum provides an outlet for the UNH Franklin Pierce community to indulge in its passion for patents. The forum aims to generate a lively, intellectual discussion regarding patent law news, and the tug-of-war between legal ethics and incentives to innovate. The forum hosts “lunch and learn” panels of attorneys and judges as well as networking events throughout the year. There is also an opportunity for any student to submit an IP related blog to be published on the PLF website.

email: L-PLForumP@law.unh.edu

Website: https://patentlawforum.weebly.com

Facebook: type “@patentlawforum” in Facebook search bar

Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International is a professional law fraternity advancing integrity, compassion and courage through service to the student, the school, the profession and the community. The Kenison Chapter of PAD hosts a variety of events each year, most notably, the opportunity to compete in a national Mock Trial competition in Washington DC each year. Go to www.PAD.org for more information.

The Space and Cyber Law Society (SCLS) is dedicated to empowering law students with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to explore the exciting and evolving fields of space and cyber law. Our mission is to provide a vibrant platform for law students to engage in interdisciplinary dialogue, deepen their understanding of the legal frameworks governing outer space and cyberspace, and prepare for the challenges and opportunities presented by these dynamic domains. SCLS hopes to accomplish these goals by sponsoring extracurricular programs such as panels and guest lectures from experts in the space and cyber law fields, career planning seminars to aid students entering these fields, and forums for networking between current students, faculty, alumni, and industry experts.

The purpose of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society is to promote an understanding and appreciation of the legal structures and current issues in the sports and entertainment industries. SELS intends to familiarize law students with prominent current events in the sports and entertainment industries, and more specifically, the legal implications of these current events. These includes issues from First Amendment rights, to IP, to employment and many more. SELS hopes to accomplish these goals by sponsoring extracurricular programs such as panels and guest lectures from experts in the sports and entertainment law industries, career planning seminars to aid students entering this field, and forums for networking between current students, faculty, alumni, and industry leaders.

The Sports Club organizes, among other activities, weekly flag football and basketball games, both indoors and out. The club runs the “Buck Bowl” – a flag football tournament held every fall to determine the alpha class. The club sponsors a spring basketball tournament held annually between the region's law school basketball teams.

email: Sports.Club@law.unh.edu

The Public Interest Coalition's mission will be to educate the law school community about careers and opportunities in public interest law, which will include guest speakers, and participating in local and regional public interest events; create a community of like-minded law students to gather and identify projects we will be working on throughout the year; partner and collaborate with Concord community's nonprofit organizations and regional non-profit and governmental agencies to facilitate internship and externship connections to students interested in public interest.

The Student Intellectual Property Law Association (SIPLA) is a nationally recognized association for law students who share an interest in intellectual property (IP). SIPLA chapters can be found at law schools across the country. The objectives of SIPLA are to encourage student interest in IP, to support students in the development of their IP careers, to provide a forum that promotes an open dialogue of current issues in IP and exposes how these issues will affect the practice of IP law in the future, and to create a cooperative for the future IP leaders of the world.

The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies fosters critical thought and debate about the application of conservative principles to the law. The Society embraces the principle that the state exists to preserve freedom, that the separation of governmental powers is central to the integrity of the Constitution of the United States of America, and that it is emphatically the province and duty of the judiciary to say what the law is—not what it should be. The society seeks both to promote an awareness of these principles and to further their application through its activities.

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Our book club is committed to providing a dynamic and supportive space for law students to participate in the joy of reading beyond legal textbooks. We aim to offer a diverse selection of engaging and thought-provoking literature, allowing members to unwind, explore new worlds, and foster a love for reading that gives them a break from their legal studies. Through this platform, we encourage leisure reading, fostering a balanced approach to learning and personal development.

UNH Law Democrats advocate for Democrats' causes and candidates.  They provide testimony at New Hampshire legislative sessions, assist Democratic candidates for all levels of government, and discuss the legal aspects of legislation and campaigns.  The group also holds social events throughout the semester.  UNH Law Democrats are a chapter of New Hampshire Young Democrats.

The UNH Law Pond Hockey Team represents UNH Law in the annual Black Ice Pond Hockey tournament. The team consists of current law students that have played at the collegiate club level, collegiate division 1 level, and professionally. Together the team competes in the Black Ice Pond Hockey tournament, which takes place right across the street at White Park. The tournament attracts players and fans from across New England.

The UNH FP Law Republicans student organization is a dynamic and inclusive group that provides a platform for center-right political engagement while welcoming individuals of all political persuasions. Our club is dedicated to fostering a vibrant political discourse on campus and within our community. We organize a diverse range of events, including hosting presidential and gubernatorial candidates participating in New Hampshire’s primary elections, promoting voter participation through “Get Out to Vote” initiatives, collaborating on bipartisan events with the UNH FP Law Young Democrats, and facilitating thought-provoking presentations by esteemed faculty members on conservative perspectives. Join us to explore and celebrate the rich tapestry of ideas that shape our democracy and strengthen our commitment to constructive dialogue.

The Veteran's Law Society (VLS) at UNH Franklin Pierce Law School will provide uniformed service veterans and family members with the resources, support, and advocacy needed to succeed in law school and beyond. The goals of the Veteran Law Student Association include creating a support network for service members and family members. Additionally, Veteran's Law Society provides both volunteer and networking opportunities for veterans and UNH Law students who are uniformed services family members.

The Women's Law Student Association (WLSA) promotes the advancement of women in the legal profession. WLSA provides networking, mentoring, and other resources for its members and law school community. We have yearly events that focus on an array of issues that women face in and outside of the legal profession. We strive to create a community that will focus on and empower women in the legal field. 

email: wlsa.unh@law.unh.edu