Here at Wake Forest Law, we pride ourselves on providing an educational experience that is deeply personal, fostering a tight-knit community that cares about every one of our members, and endeavoring to practice the university’s motto of Pro Humanitate in everything we do. For us, diversity, equity, and inclusion are not simply policy directives or administrative goals: they are part of the core values that emanate from that spirit.
We are committed to providing you with the mix of different perspectives that make up a healthy, thriving, and stimulating law school experience. Our goal is to create an environment that is as rich and varied as the world in which you will be practicing the legal skills you acquire here. The key to achieving this is you.
Giving you ways to bring your background, your experience, and your perspective to bear are key to enabling us to continue expanding our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts into tangible, meaningful experiences for you. We want to ensure you have the appropriate level of support to make your time in law school memorable and valuable.
Below is a list of student organizations and events in which you can take part here at Wake Forest Law. We encourage you to participate in any of our student groups, either as an active member, an advocate, or an ally.
APALSA is a student-led organization that provides a voice for Asian Pacific American students in the legal community through diversity initiatives, career and professional development, and community building activities. The organization is also active in the Winston-Salem community by partnering with local organizations to provide community service. While APALSA mainly offers academic and professional guidance to members, it sponsors events to bring awareness about Asian Pacific culture to Wake Forest Law and the community.
The Wake Forest chapter of the BLSA is a local organization of law students affiliated with the regional and national BLSA organizations. The Wake Forest chapter adheres to the national purpose of promoting greater awareness of and commitment to the needs of the black community and to the problems of the individual black student. Members are active in student government, recruitment, and placement. BLSA sponsors a scholarship banquet each year to fund a minority scholarship. It also sponsors a team for the Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition.
First Generation Law Students (FGLS) was founded to support those students who identify as the first in their family to go to law school. FGLS’s overall mission is to advocate for the interests of FGLS members; reduce the knowledge and resource gap between those with pre-existing legal networks and FGLS members by providing a social support system; facilitate mentorship and networking opportunities with practicing attorneys; and provide information and resources related to the aspects of law school that challenge FGLS members.
The Jewish Law Student Association (JLSA) exists to respond to the needs of Jewish students and prospective Jewish students; to sponsor activities and events that improve the social, educational, and religious life of Jewish students at the Law School and the University; to advocate on behalf of Jewish law students and promote an understanding of Jewish issues and concerns among all students in the Law School; and to represent the interest of Jewish law students to the administration and the SBA.
LLSA’s main purpose is to address the needs and well-being of Latino/a/x students at Wake Forest Law by providing a welcoming environment in which students feel comfortable and can thrive. The organization aims to ensure that students receive support to achieve academic and professional success. LLSA plans to sponsor academic, cultural, social and community service activities to strengthen the presence of Latinos in the legal profession. Finally, LLSA aims to increase the number of Latin American students at Wake Forest Law.
OUTLaw provides an academic and social support network for sexual minorities and their allies at the Law School. It also serves to educate the Law School community about legal, political, and social issues relevant to sexual minorities. This organization is open to all Wake Forest students and faculty.
The Veterans Advocacy Legal Organization (VALO(R)) is composed of law students with the shared goal to support current and former service members. The VALOR has three separate missions: (1) Addressing the legal needs of veterans seeking benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), (2) develop pro bono projects to provide servicemembers, who are financially eligible, with legal assistance in certain civilian legal matters that are impacted by their military service, and (3) to promote awareness among classmates and the larger WFU School of Law of issues facing veterans and service members.
Women in Law was founded to help students identify and face problems and issues that exist for women in the legal profession and in the law itself. The organization is open to both men and women and has various activities, including seminars, speakers, and social activities.
