Student & Professional Organizations for Black Law Students
The rigor of 1L classes is difficult for a lot of students, and when coupled with moving to a new school and potentially new city, it can be overwhelming. Finding a community is essential for all students to feel supported in law school, but especially important for Black law school students.
Only 7.8% of law school students are Black, and depending on the school you attend that number can shift drastically. More Black students report that their well-being “significantly worsened” while they attended law school than their white counterparts. Being a Black student in law school can feel isolating, which makes it imperative that you find a community that is going to welcome and support you throughout.
There are several organizations created specifically for Black law school students that can help students not only find a support system with shared experiences, but help students get a leg up in the competitive legal field. Thes organizations offer networking opportunities, leadership development, a place to find friends, and much more.
As we’ve said before, the Black legal community is very small. A lot of people end up knowing each other, and that can be especially beneficial for career advancement or just finding someone to lean on later down the line. Not only can being a part of a Black organization help you connect with people you’re currently in school with, it can help you connect with alumni or fellow members of an organization that you had no prior way to connect with. (More on how influential these connections are in the job search here!)
Below you will find a list of organizations that Black law school students can benefit from joining.
National Black Law Students Association
The mission of the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) is “to increase the number of culturally responsible Black and minority attorneys who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.”
They have a variety of memberships for Black students from pre-law to alumni. Aside from providing resources, a job board, and more, they also host regional conventions for members to interact with each other and meet Black legal professionals.
School-Specific Black Law Students Association
Aside from the national chapter, many law schools also have their own student-run Black Law Students Association (BLSA) chapters. While they may have various missions, many are similar to the mission of Columbia Law’s BLSA: We are an inclusive organization that provides a supportive community where students can learn and develop the tools necessary to achieve academic and professional success.
Your school’s BLSA may host guest speakers (we’ve done a few!), networking events, workshops, or other activities that will help you not only connect with other students but get a leg up in your legal career.
You may also hear of BLSA as the Association of Black Law Students or ABLS, depending on your school.
Make sure to visit your law school’s website or attend an activities fair to learn more about your organization and how to join. If your school doesn’t have a BLSA, there is always the opportunity to start one! If you don’t feel comfortable or can’t find members to form the organization with you, the NBLSA may be a good option for you.
Black Bar Associations
As a student, you are also able to join most professional organizations with a student membership or as a part of a student organization that they house. There are regional, identity-based, and national associations that you can join.
The National Bar Assocation is the oldest of these organizations, founded in 1925 when Black lawyers were not allowed to join the American Bar Association.
An example of a regional bar association is the Garden State Bar Association, whose website explains that they are open to Black judges, lawyers, and law students (that’s you!). To join a bar association like this, you typically have to reside in or attend law school in the area that it is for — so for the Garden State Bar Association, you should be a law school student in New Jersey.
Aside from general organizations that are for Black legal professionals, you may find some more identity-based ones that you can join. Sticking with our New Jersey theme, there is an Associate of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey that law students can join.
Anti-Racism Student Association
Some schools, like Cardozo, may have Anti-Racism Student Associations (ASA). While you do not have to be Black to join, the mission is to “create space for students who want to be anti-racist in the legal world and everyday life.”
Black Law Journal
If you are interested in writing for a journal and want hands-on experience with how the law affects people of color, joining the Black Law Journal may be a good option for you. As UCLA’s website states, the Black Law Journal “is committed to scholarly discourse exploring the intersection of race and the law.” You may find this under different names at different schools (for example, the Harvard BlackLetter Law Journal).
This is a great opportunity for you to not only add some journal experience to your resume but work with other Black students, researchers, and legal practitioners on subjects of race in the legal field.
But what if you can’t afford the membership fees?
Many organizations have options available for you to waive or lessen membership fees. If you’re joining a BLSA, talk to your advisor or leadership about what options are available to you. For Bar Associations, you may see that they have opportunities for “sponsored” law students. This means that you will be sponsored to become a member of their association. If you can’t find this information on their website, make sure to reach out to the organization’s leadership as well.
As always, we’re here to support you throughout your legal journey! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out at hello@smontgomeryconsulting.com.