Student organizations
Wayne Law students take advantage of encouragement and assistance from peers and advisors through a number of student organizations. More than 30 student organizations add greatly to the quality of life at the Law School by sponsoring speakers and debates on topics of current interest or in specialized areas of law; jointly sponsoring outreach events for the needy; volunteering their time to public service; and collaborating to produce programs with area practitioners.
Resources
- Hosting virtual events
- Licensing and branded merchandise
- Posting policy
- Travel expenses, requisitions and reimbursements
Our student organizations
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American Bar Association Law Student Division
Learn more about the American Bar Association.
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American Civil Liberties Union, Student Chapter
Who we are
The ACLU unpacks the concepts of liberty and freedom, determining all the rights and privileges entailed in them. It stands guard and protects all individuals, regardless of their race, gender, religion or national origin, because it holds firm to the idea that all people should be afforded protection under the laws of the United States. In addition to this, the ACLU promotes social justice and raises awareness of events throughout the country, as well as advocating for fair and just legislation.
What we do
The ACLU Student Chapter at Wayne Law takes in all law students with a yen for public interest. We primarily work in conjunction with the Metro Detroit branch of the ACLU of Michigan, spreading information about issues they're tackling and events they're having. We also try to promote public discourse on important matters by having lectures for all to attend.
Websites
Facebook
TWEN
We have a group page available on TWEN for all law students. You can find it by accessing TWEN and clicking "Add Course." We're listed as "The ACLU at Wayne State University Law School."
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American Constitution Society
Who we are
The American Constitution Society (ACS) is the nation’s leading progressive legal organization, with over 200 student and lawyer chapters in almost every state and on most law school campuses. Originally formed as the progressive response after the Supreme Court’s Bush v. Gore decision, ACS was founded on the principle that the law should be a force to improve the lives of all people.
What we do
ACS nurtures the next generation of progressive lawyers, judges, policy experts, legislators and academics by providing opportunities for networking, mentoring, and organizing around matters of both local and national significance. The Wayne Law ACS goals for the 2019-20 academic year are to:
- Establish a strong presence in Wayne Law
- Educate the Wayne Law community about current constitutional questions and our constitutionally granted rights through speakers, panels and events
- Utilize organizational tools to format effective responses to the United States’ current constitutional crises
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Animal Law Society
Who we are
We at the Animal Law Society at Wayne Law is a group of law students passionate about the rights of animals. We choose to come together to cumulatively use our abilities as future attorneys to advocate on behalf of and further the interests of farm animals, domestic animals, animals in captivity and wild animals among others.
What we do
The Animal Law Society seeks to better connect Wayne law students with animal law, an increasingly more relevant field of law. We hope to do this by joining together law students with the same interest in animal law through networking with professionals in the field, by hosting speakers on campus, and by fundraising for local metro Detroit animal shelters to promote animal rights in our own community.
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Armenian Law Students Association
Who we are
The Armenian Law Student Association is an organization that serves to promote an Armenian community at Wayne Law. Any law student is welcome to join and participate in our organization's activities. We accept law students from any denomination or political affiliation. To join, simply attend a meeting or function or ask to be added to our roster.
What we do
We provide law students with academic support, social programming, networking events, philanthropic opportunities and functions of Armenian interest for both the Law School itself and the entire Wayne State University campus. The association has meetings on a regular basis and plans a variety of activities throughout the academic year.
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Asian Pacific American Law Student Association
Who we are
Wayne State University Law School's Asian Pacific American Law Student Association is an organization created to serve and promote the Asian community at Wayne Law and in the metro Detroit area. We strive to be as diverse as the term "Asian," aiming to provide our diverse students with many different opportunities to achieve their individual career goals.
What we do
We create an environment for students to succeed. We wish to be a "one-stop" resource for students. We can assist students in many ways, such as academic help, career advice, networking events, on-campus interview tips, outlines, and volunteering opportunities. We work closely with other student organizations to make Wayne Law, and the legal field, as diverse as the people it serves.
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Black Law Students Association
Who we are
The Black Law Students Association (BLSA) is an organization formed to articulate and promote the needs and goals of black law students and effectuate change in the legal community.
What we do
The Black Law Students Association is designed to:
- Foster and encourage the academic excellence and professional competence of all law students.
- Instill in the law student a greater commitment to the needs of the community at large.
- Enable the student to initiate positive change within the legal system.
- Facilitate diverse involvement and collaboration within the Wayne State community.
- Provide the resources necessary for the accomplishment of these goals.
- The association is founded on four pillars: build, lead, serve and advocate for our community and for our people.
Contact
Organization email: BLSA@wayne.edu
Social Media
- Facebook: BLSA at Wayne Law
- Instagram: @Waynelawblsa
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Business Law Society
Who we are
The Business Law Society promotes awareness of and an appreciation for business law. We enhance the legal education of Wayne Law students by providing information they need to pursue an education in business law. As a member of the Business Law Society, you will become part of a strong network dedicated to helping students pursue a career in business law.
What we do
The Business Law Society sponsors a variety of social events and speakers, allowing students to network with and get advice from business law professionals. Our goal is to provide students at Wayne Law with a network of academic and professional support, specific to a career path in business law. We are dedicated to helping members make connections in the business law field.
Contact
2024-25 President: Dino Bucci
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Criminal Law Society
Who we are
As advocates for a sense of public justice, the Criminal Law Society seeks to promote student interest in all things criminal law. Whether your interests are prosecution- or defense-oriented, or public service in general, our group provides the best vehicle for you to share those interests with other like-minded individuals.
What we do
The Criminal Law Society provides a platform on which members can learn new ideas, hear speakers discuss various hot topics in criminal law and share intellectual ideas about the proper way to administer criminal justice. As public-service advocates, our members engage in a number of volunteer events, ranging from subject-related activities such as Crime Stoppers to general service activities in the local community. And, like any good legal society, we provide networking opportunities in both professional and casual settings. Our group facilitates members' passions for criminal law by connecting them with both practitioners and scholars in the field in various interactive forums inside and outside the Law School.
Social Media
- Instagram: @Waynelawclaws
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Conference on Anti-Trafficking Legal Advocacy
Who we are
The Conference on Anti-Trafficking Legal Advocacy is a group of law students dedicated to advancing effective legal advocacy against all forms of human trafficking and on behalf of all victims of human trafficking.
What we do
We pursue this goal primarily through the organization of professional conferences on human trafficking and related topics. While these conferences are tailored to the perspectives of legal and law enforcement professionals, to the greatest extent possible, they should remain accessible and beneficial to other professionals and the public.
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Delta Theta Phi
Who we are
Delta Theta Phi is the nation's premier law fraternity, and its membership has included U.S. Presidents, heads of industry, judges, prominent attorneys and more. Our alumni and student senates provide educational, professional and charitable opportunities to facilitate the development of skills necessary to obtain the highest levels of achievement in law school and beyond.
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Environmental Law Society
Who we are
The Environmental Law Society is a group of Wayne Law students that has a mutual interest in environmental issues in our community and beyond.
What we do
We participate in volunteer events to promote environmental health in metro Detroit and provide networking opportunities for students interested in environmental law.
Social Media
- Instagram: @elswaynestate
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Federalist Society
Who we are
The Wayne Law Student Chapter of The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies is a group of conservative, libertarian and moderate law students. Our chief goal is to foster balanced and open debate about the fundamental principles of individual freedom, limited government and judicial restraint. Membership is open to all; our members hold diverse and often conflicting views on a broad range of issues.
The society stands for three main principles:
- The state exists to preserve freedom.
- The separation of powers is central to our Constitution.
- It is the province and duty of the judiciary to say what the law is, not what it should be.
We seek to promote awareness of these principles in the Wayne Law community and beyond, while creating a learning atmosphere that is open to alternative viewpoints.
Our goal is to encourage the exchange of ideas on campus. As such, we don't promote particular policies, endorse nominees or candidates, adopt political stances, advocate for political outcomes, nor lobby for legislation.
What we do
The Wayne Law Student Chapter sponsors a variety of debates, panels and speeches on campus to encourage the exchange of ideas and expose students to viewpoints they may otherwise not encounter in the Law School community. The chapter also hosts social and networking events in coordination with the Michigan Lawyers Chapter.
Contact
Organization email: fedsoc@wayne.edu
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Free Legal Aid Clinic
Who we are
The Free Legal Aid Clinic is a student-run, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, legal aid organization established by Wayne Law students in 1965. For more than 50 years, we have provided Wayne County's elderly and indigent populations with quality legal representation. In this time, the organization also has provided countless Wayne Law students with a unique learning experience.
What we do
At the Free Legal Aid Clinic, student attorneys are given their own cases and clients. While students work under the supervision of experienced legal aid attorneys from Lakeshore Legal Aid and the Elder Law and Advocacy Center, students are responsible for both their clients and cases.
Contact
Email flac@detroitflac.com, or call (313) 833-0058
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Health Law Society
Who we are
The Health Law Society was formed to create an opportunity to discuss this highly technical and unique field of law. This organization intends to provide a community for those interested in health law, educational opportunities related to topics in health law, and networking opportunities within the health law and medical communities in the metro Detroit area.
What we do
Our organization’s goal is to connect our student members with members of the health law community. We host a variety of educational and networking events. Events occur throughout the academic year.
Contact
2023-24 Executive Board
- President: Klara Marku
- Vice-President: Faith Mihelcich
- Treasurer: Anna Napiewocki
- Faculty Advisor: Lance Gable
Organization email: healthlawsociety@wayne.edu
Social Media
- Instagram: @Waynehealthlaw
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If/When/How
Who we are
The Wayne Law chapter of If/When/How is part of a national network of law students and legal professionals who work together because reproductive justice doesn't just happen. At If/When/How we believe that achieving reproductive justice will take thoughtful action and strategic activism. Together we acknowledge the intersection of identities and collaborate across disciplines to work toward a critical transformation of the current legal system. We believe that ensuring that all people have the right to decide if/when/how to create families depends entirely on if, when and how hard we fight for reproductive justice in our communities.
What we do
The Wayne Law chapter's goals for the 2019-20 academic year are to:
- Revitalize Wayne Law's reproductive justice community
- Develop a strong relationship with the national office
- Educate the Wayne Law community about reproductive justice issues through speakers and other events
- Engage in volunteer opportunities
Website
Facebook
If/When/How (Wayne Law chapter)
TWEN
We have a group page available on TWEN for all law students. You can find it by accessing TWEN and clicking "Add Course." We're listed as "Wayne State Law Student Organization: If/When/How."
Contact
2021-22 President: Yvonne Tirakian
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International Law Students Association
Who we are
The International Law Students Association is a student organization for those students interested in international law, as well as human rights issues.
What we do
The International Law Students Association offers events throughout the school year that allow students to network with professionals working in the international law field, as well as social events to meet your peers interested in international law. Additionally, we have a speaker series through which international law experts discuss current issues, such as the situation in Syria, drones, immigration, etc. Free lunch is always provided at these events.
If you are interested in summer abroad opportunities, speak to our executive board members and we can provide you with information about scholarship opportunities.
Contact
2022-23 President: Celina Grimes
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Italian-American Law Student Association
Who we are
The Italian-American Law Student Association was formed to better leverage the shared heritage of our members as we progress through law school and eventually become attorneys. The intent of this organization is to strengthen the connection between Wayne Law and both the legal and general Italian-American community of southeast Michigan, as well as to provide an identifiable and supportive forum for Italian-American students at Wayne Law.
What we do
Our organization aims to better connect the Italian-American community to Wayne Law. Through this connection, we hope to foster networking opportunities for our members and other Wayne Law students with the Italian-American business and legal communities, invite influential and inspiring speakers to campus who have ties to the Italian-American or Wayne Law communities, as well as provide a guiding presence to new members entering Wayne Law who may share a common ethnic background.
Contact
2021-22 President: Jeff Osment
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Jessup International Law Moot Court Team
Who we are
Wayne Law's Jessup International Law Moot Court Team competes in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. Individuals are carefully selected to represent Wayne Law against other law schools in arguing various and often controversial issues of international law.
Learn more about Wayne Law’s Jessup International Law Moot Court Team
Contact
2022-23 Chancellor: Blythe Collins
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Jewish Law Student Association
Who we are
The Jewish Law Student Association is an organization that serves to promote a Jewish community at Wayne Law. Any law student is welcome to join and participate in our organization's activities. We accept law students from any denomination or political affiliation. To join, simply attend a meeting or function or ask to be added to our roster.
What we do
We provide law students with academic support, social programming, networking events, philanthropic opportunities and functions of Jewish interest for both the Law School itself and the entire Wayne State University campus. The association has meetings on a regular basis and plans a variety of activities throughout the academic year.
Resources
Hillel of Metro Detroit
Hillel International
Detroit Jewish NewsContact
2021-22 President: Parker Feldman
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The Journal of Law in Society
Who we are
The Journal of Law in Society (JLS) is a student-managed publication of Wayne State University Law School that provides scholarly discourse on the intersection of law and society. Each year, the JLS identifies a range of issues affecting Detroit and other parts of the world, and then publishes articles that address those issues within their social context.
Learn more about The Journal of Law in Society
Contact
2022-23 Editor in chief: Jamerika Ramsey
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Keith Students for Civil Rights
Who we are
The Keith Students for Civil Rights is the action arm of the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights at Wayne Law.
What we do
Our mission is to invite community members into the center and support law students to get out in the community to make socially just change in Detroit and beyond.
Contact
2021-22 President: Muthu Veerappan
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Latinx Law Students Association
Who we are
The Latinx Law Students Association (LaLSA) is formed in order to empower the Latinx law students at Wayne Law both in their education and future legal career(s).
What we do
The Latinx Law Students Association is designed to:
- Encourage the academic excellence and professional competence of all law students
- Cultivate a greater commitment to the community we serve
- Enable the student to initiate positive change within the legal system
- Provide the resources necessary for the accomplishment of these goals
Contact
2022-23 President: Hun McCulloch
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Levin Center Students at Wayne Law
Who we are
The Levin Center Students at Wayne Law is a student organization focused on supporting, participating in, and planning Levin Center events. Students in this group are advocates for bipartisan, fact-based oversight and civil discourse at all levels of government.
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Middle Eastern Law Student Association
Who we are
The Middle Eastern Law Student Association (MELSA) is aimed at furthering minority representation at Wayne Law and throughout the legal field.
What we do
We hope to foster an understanding of Middle Eastern culture as well as expose law students to the opportunities available to minorities seeking a career in the legal field. We plan to have monthly meetings and events. To join, please reach out to any of the board members or attend an event/meeting.
Contact
2022-23 President: Thea Barrak
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Mock Trial
Who we are
Mock Trial (formerly the Student Trial Advocacy Program) was founded in 1985 to train law students in trial courtroom advocacy.
Learn more about Wayne Law's Mock Trial program
Contact
2022-23 Commissioner: Dana Sobh
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Muslim Law Students Association
Who we are
The Muslim Law Students Association seeks to promote a Muslim community at Wayne Law. All law students are invited to join the association.
What we do
The goals of the Muslim Law Students Association are:
- Promote awareness about Islam to the greater Law School community
- Perform acts of service throughout the greater community
- Provide Muslim law students with opportunities to meet each other
TWEN
We have a group page available on TWEN for all law students. You can find it by accessing TWEN and clicking "Add Course." We're listed as "Muslim Law Students Association."
Contact
2022-23 President: Fatima Elzhenni
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National Lawyers Guild
Who we are
The National Lawyers Guild is the oldest public-interest bar association in the United States. It is dedicated to the proposition that "human rights shall be regarded as more sacred than property interests." The guild has a long history of progressive lawyering, representing victims of anticommunist hysteria, civil rights activists, antiwar protestors and occupy demonstrators. For example, the guild was involved in the defense of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., when he wrote "Letter from Birmingham Jail." As of June 2014, the Detroit chapter of the guild was litigating Phillips v. Snyder, the case challenging the constitutionality of PA 436 and the appointment of emergency managers, and representing the MI-CATS 3, three activists arrested during a non-violent protest of the Enbridge pipeline.
Some notable guild members are civil rights and constitutional rights attorney Bill Goodman; former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm; former NAACP Litigation Director the late Charles Hamilton Houston; retired Michigan Supreme Court Justice Marilyn Kelly; former U.S. Supreme Court Justice the late Thurgood Marshall; Michael Steinberg, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan; and U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-MI.
What we do
The Wayne Law student chapter is active in the community. Most guild members intern and clerk with progressive law offices, including civil rights firms, legal aid organizations, nonprofits, criminal defense firms and public defender offices, and labor unions. Additionally, many guild students serve as legal observers at protests.
Resources
Contact
2021-22 Executive Board Member: Davi Lebow
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Sober Law Society
Who we are
Sober Law Society is an organization for law students who cannot or choose not to drink alcohol or use recreational drugs for personal, health or religious reasons.
What we do
This is not a recovery group and is not limited to members who are in recovery from addiction. Sober Law Society is for law students who are currently sober or are sober curious. Anyone who wants to know more about being sober in law school or while practicing law is encouraged to join. Membership in this group will remain confidential, but we do not expect or require anonymity.
Contact
2020-21 President: Emily Barr
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Sports and Entertainment Law Society
Who we are
The Sports and Entertainment Law Society is a student lead organization that promotes and educates its members on legal issues that arise in the Sports and Entertainment industries.
What we do
The Sports and Entertainment Law Society sponsors a variety of social events and speakers, allowing its members to network and get advice from professionals in the industries. The organization hosts the annual Wayne Law NFL Contract Negotiation Competition where Wayne Law students compete in mock negotiations to create the best contract for a selected NFL player while being judged by professionals. Our goal is to provide students at Wayne Law with a network of academic and professional support, specific to a career path in Sports and Entertainment Law.Contact
2021-22 President: Lindsey LaForest
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Student Bar Association Board of Governors
Who we are
The Wayne Law Student Bar Association Board of Governors, composed of an executive board elected by the entire student body and representatives elected by each class, works to serve the needs and protect the rights of the law students.
What we do
Public meetings are held every other week, and students are encouraged to voice their opinions and suggestions in person or through their representatives. The Student Board of Governors appoints law students to serve on several important student-faculty committees; handle apparel sales throughout the year; organizes school-wide and social charitable activities; and coordinates a mentorship program for incoming 1Ls where students are matched with a 2L/3L mentor.
Facebook
Student Bar Association Board of Governors
Contact
2023-24 President: Katie Prebelich
Student Board of Governors
Wayne State University Law School
471 W. Palmer St., Room 1245
Detroit, MI 48202 -
Voting Rights & Election Law Society
The Voting Rights and Election Law Society was formed to create a community environment for students interested in voting rights and election law. Within this environment, the aims for the organization are to provide opportunities for better understanding the fields of voting rights and election law, to assist law students in finding opportunities so that they may contribute to ensuring free and fair elections in Detroit, in Wayne County, and throughout Michigan, and to prepare students for legal careers in these fields.
Contact
2021-22 President: Steven Nelson
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Wayne Intellectual Property Student Association
Who we are
We are law students and professionals who share an interest in intellectual property.
What we do
We bring together a community of law students and professional lawyers who share an interest in intellectual property for career advice and networking events.
Contact
2021-22 President: Alec Shapiro
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Wayne State University Journal of Business Law
Who we are
The Journal of Business Law is a scholarly peer-reviewed journal operated and edited by students at Wayne State University Law School. The Journal of Business Law is published annually and provides a forum for student interests and scholarship in the field of business law.
Learn more about the Journal of Business Law
Contact
2022-23 Editor in chief: Mary Allor
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Wayne Law Diversity Coalition
Who we are
This Coalition connects Wayne Law's several multicultural and ally organizations in their unified mission to support law students from historically underrepresented backgrounds and promote diversity in both the law school and the legal field.
What we do
The Wayne Law Diversity Coalition is designed to:
- Connect Wayne Law's several multicultural and ally organizations to facilitate regular communication and streamline efforts
- Serve as a liaison between Wayne Law's multicultural and ally organizations and Wayne Law's administration
- Provide academic and career development resources to law students from historically underrepresented backgrounds
- Establish networking opportunities to benefit law students from historically underrepresented backgrounds
- Create outreach opportunities dedicated to giving back to our local community
- Cultivate a pipeline program to promote greater diversity at both the law school and in the legal field
Contact
2022-23 Executive Chair: Thea Barrak
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Wayne Law Moot Court
Who we are
Since 1949, Wayne Law has had a nationally acclaimed student-run Moot Court program that features a rigorous in-house appellate advocacy competition in both the fall and winter semesters. As one of the only co-curriculars to feature intensive training in legal research, writing and oral advocacy, Wayne Law Moot Court is a challenging and rewarding experience to those students who are accepted into the program.
Learn more about Wayne Law's Moot Court program
Contact
2022-23 Chancellor: Dominica Convertino
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Wayne Law Review
Who we are
The Wayne Law Review is one of three scholarly journals edited and produced by Wayne Law students. It contains articles, book reviews, transcripts, notes and comments by prominent academics, practitioners and students on timely legal topics. Each year, one of the issues highlights a topic of interest discussed at the review’s annual symposium.
Learn more about the Wayne Law Review
Contact
2022-23 Editor in chief: Michael Puro
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Wayne OutLaw
Who we are
Wayne OutLaw is a student organization dedicated to promoting justice in and through the legal profession for the LGBTQ+ community in all its diversity.
Contact
2022-23 President: Kasey Setlock
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Women's Law Caucus
Who we are
Women's Law Caucus seeks to provide a venue for networking, professional development and mentorship to women in the Wayne Law community.
What we do
Women's Law Caucus engages with issues of particular interest to women through social, professional and philanthropic activities. We host meetings and events regularly throughout the school year.
Contact
2022-23 President: Ila Zielke