Pre-Law Student Organizations

Looking for ways to connect with fellow peers interested in law school?   

Seeking leadership roles and activities to demonstrate your interest in the legal profession? 

We often hear from students looking for ways to be involved with pre-law activities and connect with fellow students interested in law school.  Extracurricular activities provide excellent opportunities to obtain leadership experience, gain additional insights about law school, and demonstrate your interest in the legal profession.  Recently we asked pre-law organizations at UIUC to share details about their organizations with us.  As you make plans for the upcoming year,  be sure to check out these highlighted organizations!

University of Illinois Pre-Law Club

University of Illinois Pre-Law Club is a professional student organization that helps students explore career paths with their Pre-Law track, learn from legal professionals, prepare the most successful law school applications, and build their law career. Pre-Law Club connects students with resources to assist them in their Pre-Law journey both on-campus and with test prep partners, such as The Princeton Review and LSATMax.

 

  • Illinois Trial Team

The Illinois Trial team is a law based competition program where students can learn the basics of trial advocacy. Members learn how to make legal arguments, think critically, and how to perfect their presentational skills. They simulate the trial experience by imitating attorneys and witnesses as we compete against other teams.

    • How to Join: There is a two round try out process that takes place in late August to early September.
    • Learn More: Check out their website: http://www.illinoistrialteam.com/ and/or their Instagram: Illinois Trial Team
    • Connect via Social Media: Instagram/Twitter: @illinoistrialteam

 

  • Minority Association for Future Attorneys (MAFA)

Founded to assist and forward pre-law students, their journey to law school, and becoming successful attorneys.

    • Learn More: Follow them on social media and join their email list by clicking here.
    • Connect via Social Media: Twitter: @MAFA_UIUC and Instagram: @mafa_uiuc

 

Pre-Law Honors Society

The Pre-Law Honors Society of the University of Illinois seeks to provide activities and opportunities that will facilitate the needs and wants of pre-law students who have achieved high honors at the undergraduate level. Through such activities, they strive to further educate members on the requirements and preparation needed to enter a law school as well as any legal profession. One of their main goals is to create a productive and friendly environment for students who are interested in the study of law and to provide them with various resources regarding the law school application process. In doing so, PLHS offers its members various opportunities to be further explored at their own interest.

 

Kappa Alpha Pi (KAP)

Kappa Alpha Pi fraternity focuses on growing its members’ professional skills while also giving them access to law school related resources such as LSAT prep and advice from law school admissions counselors during our annual KAP Conference. They hosts events all year round that promote a sense of community, teach our members essential career-building skills, expose their members to different legal opportunities, and provide them with the resources to succeed.

    • How to Join: Each semester Kappa Alpha Pi holds a recruitment process that consists of multiple rounds of interviews. An interested student can contact them at any point during the school year and they will add them to their contact list where they will be notified about when the next rush process will be.
    • Learn More: KAP is active on their instagram page, which is @illinoiskap. If a student has questions, they are always welcome to email them at uiuckapprelaw@gmail.com.
    • Connect via Social Media: Instagram: @illinoiskap
Phi Alpha Delta (PAD)

Phi Alpha Delta is a Pre-Law Professional Fraternity. Members have access to a network of thousands of PAD members, both pre-law and law students, as well as events held by both national and local organizations. Some examples of events PAD has done: talks with senators, judge speakers, linkedin and resume workshops, study parties, internship opportunities, and much more.

    • How to Join: Students can join Phi Alpha Delta at any time. Contact the following email for further instruction: uiuc.pad.pl@gmail.com.
    • Learn More: Dm PAD on Instagram or send us an email!
    • Connect via Social Media: Instagram: @uiuc_pad

 

Phi Delta Phi

Founded in 1869 at the University of Michigan, Phi Delta Phi is the nation’s oldest legal honor society in continual existence, predating even the American Bar Association. Throughout its 150 years of existence, Phi Delta Phi has become an international powerhouse, boasting one of the most impressive lists of alumni out there, offering some of the best membership benefits available, and creating a space for like-minded individuals to gather. Regardless of if you are interested in law school or not, this organization has something to offer you, and will bolster your experience as an undergraduate. Whether you are looking for a place to network, a place to learn, or simply a community of accepting individuals, this organization has something to offer.

    • How to Join: Phi Delta Phi has recruitment periods at the beginning of every semester. This entails both an application and interview process prior to acceptance.
    • Learn More: Feel free to connect with Phi Delta Phi on Instagram or via email at pdpuiuc@gmail.com if you have any questions.
    • Connect via Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pdp_uiuc/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pdp.uiuc.3  Twitter:
      https://twitter.com/pdp_uiuc
Undergraduate Law Review

The undergraduate law review is a group of students with an interest in law and relevant legal/political issues. Each year, in teams of writing blocs, the students research and write articles under an overall theme. These articles (typically numbering 3-4 per year, one per bloc) are all published on the UGLR website in the spring.

    • How to Join: Interested students are welcome to apply at the beginning of each semester (preferably in the fall). The organization does run on a year-long publication timeline, but sometimes openings arise during the middle of the year which an eager student could certainly fill.
    • Learn More: Interested students can visit the UGLR’s website to get a sense of its mission and to read past volumes.

Still looking for activities?

Visit the campus Student Engagement website to learn more about diverse student organizations and activities on campus!

Fall 2021 Course Recommendations

Fall 2021 Pre-Law Recommended Course List

Registration for Fall 2021 is just around the corner! Every semester around this time our office hears from students asking for course suggestions.  Students in ANY major can attend law school, and there are NO specifically required courses for pre-law undergrads. Law schools do not require any particular major or coursework. However, given an interest in law, we have compiled a list of suggested fall courses that pre-law students may find helpful and interesting.

To review a handy chart version of suggested Fall 2021 course options, please click here.

Be sure to keep in mind…

    • This is not an exhaustive list.  There are hundreds of classes being offered this fall. The highlighted classes may be particularly helpful and interesting for pre-law students, but there are many great options available.
    • Recommended courses include those that examine specific legal topics and classes that provide opportunities to build skills in areas particularly relevant to law school, including writing, research, communication, and critically thinking and analysis!
    • These courses are only suggestions and are NOT requirements. Students in ANY major can attend law school, and there are NO specifically required courses for pre-law undergrads. Law schools do not require any particular major or coursework.
    • Some of these courses have prerequisites or may be restricted to students in the same department; check Course Explorer for additional course details and specific enrollment requirements.
    • Keep checking back and check-in with the experts!  Courses may continue to be added as we approach the fall semester.  Having trouble deciding?  Be sure to meet with your academic advisors for academic and course planning, we are also here to assist with course options!  Professors are also a great resource to discuss goals and course options!

Alumni Attorney Talks | Daissy Dominguez

FEATURING:  Daissy Dominguez

Alumni Attorney Talks is a virtual series which aims to provide prospective law students helpful insights about attending law school and pursuing a legal career. This series will feature interviews with University of Illinois alumni working in a variety of diverse settings within the legal profession.  

Daissy Dominguez

Managing Counsel 

Dominguez Legal Justice Center

          • UIUC Undergraduate Major: Political Science
          • Law School: UIC-John Marshal Law School
          • Daissy’s Three Words to Describe an Attorney:

Compassionate | Hardworking | Advocate

 

Be sure to check out this insightful interview!

 

Ms. Dominguez was also featured in the ABA Women Rainmakers series.  Read more of her helpful insights through this online article!

April Snapshot…

 

Welcome April!  April is always a busy month of the academic year as you wrap up the final weeks of classes, register for the upcoming semester, and finalize summer plans!  Continue to check this post as we will update it throughout the month with important deadlines and information for the end of the semester…

April 1: Pre-Law Advising Services: Last day to sign up to reserve a test room for the April LSAT. Fill out this form by 5pm.

April 1: UIUC Career Center: Illini Career and Internship Fair from 10am-4pm. Register here.

April 1: UIUC College of Law Special Event: Frederick Green Moot Court Honorary Round at 5pm. Click here for more information.

April 2: Women and Gender in Global Perspectives Program: Panel on Gender and Health from 12-1pm. Click here for more information.

April 2: UIUC College of Law: Police Reform – A Discussion Series “Rethinking Disorderly Conduct” with Professors Jason Mazzone (Illinois) and Stephen Rushin (Loyola University Chicago). The event will take place at noon. Click here for more information.

April 5: UIUC Career Center: Peace Corps Drop-In from 3-5pm. Click here to attend.

April 5: UIUC: Class registration for Fall 2021 is available on Course Explorer.

April 6: Pre-Law Advising Services: Application Roadmap Workshop at noon. Click here to register.

April 6: Women and Gender in Global Perspectives: Women in Science lecture at noon. For more information, click here.

April 6: UIUC Career Center: Peace Corps Drop-In from 12-1pm. Click here to attend.

April 6: Deadline! Last day to apply for UIUC Facilities and Services internship opportunities. Click here for more information.

April 7: Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Food for the Soul: Inside Scoop with Tyehimba Jess at noon. Click here for more information.

April 7: Department of Gender & Women’s Studies: GWS Black Feminist Theory Lecture Series: Blair Ebony Smith from 2:30-4pm. Click here for more information.

April 7: AccessLex: The Road to Licensure at noon. Register here.

April 7: LSAC: First Day of April LSAT Flex administration. Good luck!

April 7: Pre-Law Advising Services: Drop-In Office Hours from 4:30-5:30pm. Click here for the zoom link.

April 8: LSAT Deadline! Deadline to sign-up for a testing day and time for the April LSAT.  Individuals must by sign-up by 11:59 pm.

April 12: UIUC Career Center: Peace Corps Drop-In from 3-5pm. Click here to attend.

April 13: Spring Break Day- No Class!

April 13: UIUC Career Center: Peace Corps Drop-In from 12-1pm. Click here to attend.

April 14: Pre-Law Advising Services: Drop-In Office Hours from 4:30-5:30pm. Click here for the zoom link.

April 14: UIUC Career Center: Acing Your Interview from 5-6pm. Click here to attend.

April 14: AccessLex: Choosing a Law School Webinar at 11am. Click here for more information.

April 16: Women and Gender in Global Perspectives Event: Women at the Frontlines against COVID-19: Leadership from Informal Settlements in South Africa, Iran and Argentina. Click here for more information.

April 16: Pre-Law Advising Services: Application Roadmap at noon. Click here to register.

April 17: West Coast Consortium: Non-Traditional Students and Law Fair at 11am. Click here to register.

April 19: UIUC Career Center: Peace Corps Drop-In from 3-5pm. Click here to attend.

April 19: Peace Corps Program Highlight: Education at 11am. Click here for the zoom link.

April 20: AccessLex: Applying to Law School Webinar at 3pm. Click here for more information.

April 20: Pre-Law Advising Services: Application Excellence Workshop at 4pm. Click here to register.

April 20: UIUC Career Center: Peace Corps Drop-In from 12-1pm. Click here to attend.

April 20: Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Event: The Humanities and the State of Illinois: An Hour with Gabrielle Lyon of Illinois Humanities at 4pm. Click here for more information.

April 20: Summer Human Rights Institute: Deadline! Last day to sign up for the Early Registration Cycle III. Click here to register.

April 21: Peace Corps Program Highlight: Youth in Development at 5:30pm. Click here for the zoom link.

April 21: Pre-Law Advising Services: Drop-In Office Hours from 4:30-5:30pm. Click here for the zoom link.

April 21: AccessLex: The Road to Zero: A Strategic Approach to Student Loan Repayment Webinar at 4pm. Click here for more information.

April 22: AccessLex: Paying for Law School Webinar at 6pm. Click here for more information.

April 23: Peace Corps Application Workshop at 1pm. Click here for the zoom link.

April 23: Women and Gender in Global Perspectives Program: President Biden: First 100 Days at noon. Click here for more information.

April 23: College of Education and La Casa Cultural Latina: Dean’s Distinguished Speaker: Dr. Patricia Perez, Cal State Fullerton from 11am-12pm. Click here to register.

April 23: Deadline! Pre-Law Advising: Last day to sign up for LSAT study groups. Fill out this form by 5pm.

April 23: UIUC College of Law: Women Lead with Illinois Law 2021 Summit: Passionate Pathways to Your Success from 8:00am-1:15pm. Click here to find more information and register.

April 23: UIUC College of Law: Police Reform-A Discussion Series: “Legislating Change: The Role of States in Police Reform” at noon. Click here to find more information.

April 26: Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Call to Action Research Program Pre-Proposal Deadline at 5pm. Click here for more information.

April 26: UIUC Career Center: Peace Corps Drop-In from 3-5pm. Click here to attend.

April 27: UIUC Career Center: Peace Corps Drop-In from 12-1pm. Click here to attend.

April 28: Pre-Law Advising Services: Drop-In Office Hours from 4:30-5:30pm. Click here for the zoom link.

April 29: AccessLex: Building your Law School Budget Webinar at 3pm. Click here for more information.

April 29: AccessLex: Webinar-The Road to Licensure at 6pm. Click here for more information.

April 29: Inner Voices Social Issues Theatre Auditions from 5-6pm. For questions, please contact Lisa Fay at lfay@illinois.edu or 217-244-0212.

April 29: UIUC College of Law: “Lions, Spiders, and Bears: Better Environmental Regulation Through Psychology” at noon. Click here for more information.

April 30: Legal Humanities Research Group and the Humanities Research Institute: Legal Humanities Undergraduate Launch Event from 3-4:30pm. Find more information here.

April 30: LSAC: Deadline to register for the June LSAT.

April 30: Deadline! Last day to apply for the Barnes and Thornburg Pre-Law Scholars Program. Find more information here.

April 30: Deadline! Last day to apply for the CLEO Pre-Law Summer Institute. Click here for more information.

April 30: Deadline! Last day to apply for Illinois in Washington. Click here for more information.

April 30: Deadline! Last day to apply for Penn State’s Pre-Law Summer Program Explore Law 2021. Click here for more information.