Student Organizations/Activities
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)Executive Committee:
Co-Presidents: Mary Grant and Megan Marshall
Vice President: Jaime MacNaughton
Secretary: Amanda Herndon
Treasurer: Bonnie Hill
Statement of purpose: To educate and inform both students and the community on important civil rights issues and provide necessary services to the community.
American Constitution Society (ACS)
President: Matthew VanZeipel
Vice President: Megan Marshall
Treasurer: Joanna Eide
Secretary: James Wilkey
Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
President: Brandon Brown
Vice-President: Vincent Humphrey
Treasurer: Sarah Hood
Secretary: Jennifer Hearne
The Goals of UI BLSA are to:
- Create an open forum for dialogue about legal issues concerning race (geared to but not limited to issues within African American Community).
- Provide service and support to young African Americans within the Moscow/Pullman area and encourage pursuit of legal profession.
- Recruit African Americans to attend the University of Idaho College of Law.
- Provide a support network to promote the needs and goals of African American students at the University of Idaho College of Law
Board of Student Advocates (BSA)
President: Isaac Williamson
VP of McNichols - Oral Arguments: Jayne Bouchfaa
VP of McNichols - Briefs: Stephanie Nemore
VP of Teams: Veronica Neisler
Secretary/Treasurer: Matt Shriver
Statement of purpose: The Board of Student Advocates is a student organization which gives students courtroom training and experience. Membership is open to all second- and third-year students with students becoming members by either being selected for trial team or participating in the McNichols Moot Court Competition. Trial team requires a two-year commitment and second-year students are mentored and trained by the third-year students. The University of Idaho College of Law sends two teams of four people, each year to a trial competition, hosted by the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.
Students also have the opportunity as a second- or third-year student to participate in the McNichols Moot Court Competition. The McNichols competition is run by third-year student members who write the problem, grade the briefs, and organize the competition.
Third-year students have the opportunity to compete in either the National Moot Court Competition, the National Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition or the Environmental Law Moot Court Competition.
Business Law Association (BSA)
President: Dave Arkoosh
Vice President: Tara Jalali
Treasurer: John McDevitt
Secretary: Daniel Mooney
Statement of Purpose: Creating and promoting professional opportunities for University of Idaho College of Law students through networking and education.
the crit
Editor-in-Chief: Sarah Simmons
Executive Editor: Dan Records
Managing Editor: Sherine Tabassum
Articles Editor: Grete Schults
Business Editors: Travis Wilson and Sarah Schmid
Treasurer: Jeremy Yuill
Environmental Law Society
Co-Presidents: Dylan Hedden-Nicely and Emmi Blades
Vice President: Joanna Eide
Treasurer: Jenna Brozik
Secretary: Sally Butts
Statement of purpose: ELS is committed to increasing awareness and participation in environmental issues; influencing public policy, law, and jurisprudence; providing opportunities for environmental advocacy; improving the environmental policies at the University of Idaho; and promoting environmental careers and practices.
The Federalist Society
President: Robby Bleazard
Vice President: Kristian Beckett
Secretary: Jonathan Sawmiller
Treasurer: Tecla Markosky
Statement of purpose: The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies is an organization of conservatives and libertarians interested in the current state of the legal order. It is founded on the principles that: The state exists to preserve freedom; the separation of governmental powers is central to our Constitution; and it is emphatically the province and duty of the Judiciary to say what the law is, not what it should be.
Idaho Hunting and Fishing Club
President: McCord Larsen
Idaho Golf Club
President: Michael Whittaker
Idaho Law Review
Editor in Chief: Bill Punkoney
Executive Editor: Carmen Thomas Morse
Managing Editors: Tahja Jensen, Randy Todd and Roger Feeley
Lead Articles Editors: Arch Harner and Ruby Squyres
Business Editor: Isaac Williamson
The Idaho Law Review is a publication devoted to the scholarly discussion of current legal problems. All selection, editing, and publishing is performed by the students that make up the Law Review staff. Academics, jurists, practitioners, and students use the review as a research tool and as a medium for publishing articles which discuss, analyze, comment, or critique various legal issues.
Idaho Trial Lawyer’s Association
President: Erika Shinpaugh
Vice President: Megan Fernandez
Treasurer: Danielle Berish
Secretary: Kiley Cobb
Statement of purpose: ITLA's primary purpose is a dedication to the improvement of justice through representation of citizens in the courtroom. ITLA also promotes relationships between law students and practicing attorneys through shadow programs, ITLA conferences in Boise, Sun Valley, and Jackpot, Nevada, and through discussions and presentations at the law school.
Intellectual Property Club
President: Lyndon Nguyen
Vice President: Travis Wilson
Treasurer/Secretary: Chelsea Kidney
Statement of Purpose:
1) Provide a forum for individuals who are interested in learning about Intellectual Property.
2) Create and foster a relationship between the IP Section of the Idaho State Bar and the students at the University of Idaho College of Law.
3) Establish a mentor program, in conjunction with the IP Section, for students interested in working in the field of IP Law.
4) Have fun!
Inter alia
Editor: Saundra Richartz
Statement of purpose: Inter alia is the Student Bar Association's official fortnightly humor and opinion pamphlet, aimed at undermining the serious atmosphere cultivated by legal academics and keeping the student body informed. Inter alia's blog can be found here:
http://ui-interalia.blogspot.com/
The International Law Students Association
President: Jonathan Wayas
Co-Vice Presidents: Cheyenne House and David Arkoosh
Secretary: J. Pleasy Philbrick
Treasurer: Dru Nakaya
Statement of purpose: ILSA's purpose is to promote knowledge and understanding of international legal issues and supplement the College of Law curriculum by bringing in speakers, encouraging study abroad opportunities, participating in international moot court competitions, and facilitating member interaction.
J. Reuben Clark Law Society (JRCLS)
President: Michael Whittaker
President Elect: Gavin Giraud
Vice President: John Folker
Treasurer: Don Gamble
Pro Bono Chair: Beth Hixon
Statement of Purpose: We affirm the strength brought to the study of law by a law student’s personal religious conviction. We strive through public service and diligence in our studies to promote fairness and virtue founded upon the rule of law. Membership is open to all current law students of any faith, who follow the example of J. Reuben Clark Jr. and share the values of public service, loyalty to the rule of law, and appreciation for the religious dimension in society and the student’s personal life.
Law Students for Appropriate Dispute Resolution (LSADR)
Elected officers:
President: J. Pleasy Philbrick
Co-Vice Presidents: Jodianne Goodman and Jake Kent
Secretary: Jonathan Wayas
Statement of purpose: LSADR's purpose is to provide UI's law students with an opportunity to learn and experience the wide range of conflict resolution techniques encompassed in the ADR continuum.
Multicultural Law Caucus
President: Jessica Rammelsberg
Vice President: Leon Samuels
Secretary: Tara Jalali
Statement of Purpose: The Multicultural Law Caucus (MLC) is an organization designed to promote cultural, ethnic, religious, and linguistic diversity within the University of Idaho's College of Law. Its primary purpose is to educate law students about issues of diversity in order to provide a more nurturing community for our own minority law students. MLC also focuses on preparing future legal professionals for an increasingly globalized world. This group welcomes all students to participate in its school and community activities.
The National Lawyers Guild
President: Dana Johnson
The National Lawyers Guild is an association dedicated to the need for basic change in the structure of our political and economic system. The Guild unites lawyers, law students, and legal workers as an effective political and social force in the service of the people.
Our aims: to eliminate racism; to safeguard and strengthen the rights of workers, women, farmers and minority groups to maintain and protect our civil rights and liberties to use the law as an instrument for the protection of the people.
Native American Law Sudents Association (NALSA)
Co-Chairs: Dylan Hedden-Nicely and Moira Ingle
Vice Chair: Gregory Haller
Secretary: Cheyenne House
Treasurer: Ramon Sanchez
Statement of purpose: We, the Students of the University of Idaho College of Law, acknowledge the need to assume a proactive role in the development of the Native American Legal Community, articulate and promote the needs of Native Law Students and Law students interested in Native American Law, increase the degree of professionalism among Native attorneys and all attorneys in the field, encourage and prepare Native Secondary and Collegiate students for higher education, and increase the awareness of and a commitment to the needs of the Native Community as a whole, and do hereby establish the Constitution of the University of Idaho College of Law Native American Law Students Association.
Nontraditional Student Group
President: Steve Frinsko
Statement of purpose: What is a nontraditional student? At the law school, nontraditional students are generally defined as being age 35 or above. Many are returning to school after a significant absence. Younger students with mature responsibilities of a family are also considered nontraditional students. There can be special challenges in law school for nontraditional students. The purpose of NTS is to maintain a support system and relieve stress through networking and fun.
Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity, Borah Chapter
Chief Justice: Danielle Berish
Vice Justice: Katie Sherritt
Clerk: Megan Fernandez
Treasurer: Brian Dickson
Marshall: Rich Freeman
Statement of Purpose: Phi Alpha Delta (PAD) is the world's largest professional legal fraternity serving law students, legal educators, and members of the Bench and Bar. PAD is in charge of a bookstore which offers discounts on a variety of new and used textbooks and other study aids. Members of PAD enjoy a diverse list of resources including a free outline bank and coordination of job shadowing opportunities. As an international organization, the chapter sends several students to international and district conferences throughout the school year which are paid by the fraternity. These gatherings impart unique opportunities to interact with other PAD members, including present-day attorneys and justices, which are invaluable in securing future professional legal contacts to aspiring law students.
Public Interest Law Group
President: Ruth Coose
Vice President: Luke Malek
Secretary: Megan Marshall
Treasurer: Lisa Schoettger
Alternative Spring Break Coordinator: Chip Giles
Statement of purpose: The Public Interest Law Group (PILG) helps students pursue the careers and activities they are passionate about. There are two ways PILG fulfills this goal: providing assistance for students interested in public interest careers and facilitating hands-on experience. Students receive career assistance through networking opportunities, career panels and debt relief advocacy. PILG also provides hands-on experience by organizing group pro bono opportunities and other volunteer service. PILG is the UI College of Law affiliate of Equal Justice Works and The Student Hurricane Network and also organizes Court Appointed Special Advocate training for law students.
Sexual Orientation Diversity Alliance (SODA)
Co-Presidents: Daniel Records and Jamie MacNaughton
Treasurer: Kim Stretch
Secretary: Kathleen Arnold
Community Liaison: Mary Grant
Statement of purpose: SODA is an organization open to all students who are interested in extending civil rights to all Americans. SODA serves as a support group for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) law students, in addition to law students who have family and friends in the GLBT community. Our main goals are to (1) educate our school and our community about GLBT issues and (2) to participate in legal issues that affect the GLBT community in Idaho. Furthermore, we provide information and networking occasions to GLBT law students in order to increase educational and career opportunities. Through these goals and opportunities we hope to promote understanding and acceptance among all.
Student Advocates for Hispanic/Latino Support and Awareness (SALSA)
President: Lisa Schoettger
Vice President: Sandy Flores
Secretary: Jason Brown
Treasurer: Jonathan Wayas
Statement of Purpose: SALSA is an organization dedicated to working in conjunction with service providers, including the College of Law’s Legal Aid Clinic, to prepare future attorneys to better represent the Latino and Hispanic communities.
Student Bar Association (SBA)
President: Aaron Calkins
Vice President: Katie Kofmehl
Secretary: Laura Keys
Sergeant in Arms: Jonathan Sawmiller
Treasurer: Chip Giles
Statement of purpose: The SBA was founded to enrich and diversify the lives of every law student. By virtue of being admitted to the University of Idaho College of Law, each student is automatically a member of the SBA. The SBA is comprised of an Executive Board, a governing council, and student organizations operating under the auspices of the SBA. It is the responsibility of the SBA to ensure student organizations limited funds are allocated in an equitable manner. Once funds are distributed, the SBA organizations are charged with carrying out the mission of their respective organizations. Student organizations augment law school learning by providing their members with rich and meaningful events such as guest speakers and/or specific skills training. Service in the SBA is entirely voluntary. Board members, officers, and student leaders work tirelessly, without remuneration, to engender a spirit of collegiality and a truly rewarding and memorable law school experience.
Volunteer Income Tax Association (VITA)
President: Louis Spiker
Vice President: Chelsea Kidney
Executive Board: Jordan Beck, Lyndon Nguyen and Brandon Holbrook
Women's Law Caucus
Co-Presidents: Allison Blackman and Heather O'Leary
Vice President: Jessica Pollack
Secretary: Leah Ricks
Treasurer: Tecla Markosky
Statement of purpose:
- Provide our members with resources for their legal education and for employment in the legal field;
- Promote networking opportunities among our members, the faculty and staff, and the legal community at large;
- Provide acts of service for our community;
- Promote an atmosphere of equality among all law students;
- Encourage the development, recognition, and discussion of women's contributions to the legal field.
Our annual events include: fundraisers for the local women's shelter, Breast Cancer Awareness Week, and Powder Puff Football, a Meet and Greet networking event, and a Bowling Bonanza Event. We also work to bring in speakers.