Student Organizations

The Student Bar Association (SBA) is Dickinson Law’s student government organization. Composed of all law students, the SBA is led by an executive board elected by the student body. The SBA oversees and allocates funding for student organizations and events, and it is the formal liaison between students, faculty, and administration.

Reflecting their diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and passions, Dickinson Law students explore shared interests and advance common causes through a variety of student organizations.

2022-2023 Executive Board
Ezza Ahmed — President
Rachel James — Vice President
Eli Yemzow — Treasurer
Jaden Harding — Secretary
Pooja Iyer — ABA/LSD Representative
Aria Plants — PSU Senator
Maheen Naz — Honor Code Chair

2L Representatives
     Buruk Gherezghiher
     Talmage Pearce
     Eli Yemzow

3L Representatives
     Brittany Bitar
     Julia Martinez
     Heather Townsend

Associate Dean Jeffrey A. Dodge — Faculty Advisor

The American Constitution Society for Law & Policy is America’s largest progressive legal network. The Dickinson Law chapter was founded in 2018. ACS was founded on the principle that the law should be a force to improve the lives of all people.

2022-2023 Executive Board
Fredner Prevalus — President
Kaleb Wilson — Vice President
Tyler Gorbett — Treasurer
Programming Chair — John Mitchell Patterson
1L Representative — Joshua Hanson

Dean Danielle M. Conway — Faculty Advisor
     

Animal Legal Defense Fund — Penn State Dickinson Law Chapter (SALDF) is dedicated to providing a forum for education, advocacy, and scholarship aimed at protecting the lives and advancing the interests of animals through the legal system, and raising the profile of the field of animal law. The Dickinson Law SALDF hosts speakers and documentary nights, and conducts field trips to animal sanctuaries and shelters to help educate others about animal rights.

2022-2023 Executive Board
Josh Wilbur — President
Pooja Iyer — Vice President
Robin Platte — Treasurer
Regan Whittington — Social Media Chair/Secretary

Megan Riesmeyer — Faculty Advisor

The purpose of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA) is to foster community involvement and professional development of its members. Our goal is to promote a greater understanding of APA issues and culture within Dickinson Law and provide opportunities for students to engage with the APA community. APALSA is dedicated to advocating for Asian Pacific American leadership in all areas of law by encouraging the sharing, networking, and cooperation between all ethnic groups. APALSA is open to Dickinson Law students of every background.

2022-2023 Executive Board

Dane Pham — President
Diane Hong — Vice President
Eric Le — Treasurer
Douglas Park — Events Coordinator

Co-Advisors
     Tom Lee
     Sabrina Sondhi

Black Law Students Association (BLSA) at Penn State Dickinson Law serves as the leading advocate for black law students and is dedicated to the development of talented, involved black attorneys. Founded in 1968, the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) was formed to promote the needs and goals of black law students and effect change in the legal community. The largest entirely student-run organization in the United States with nearly 6,000 members, NBLSA is also comprised of chapters or affiliates in six different countries including The Bahamas, Nigeria, and South Africa.

2022-2023 Executive Board
Foday Turay — President
Andrea Faulknor — Vice President
Abraham Lamptey — Treasurer
Alix Wright — Secretary
Barry Howard — Community and Social Events Chair

Megan Riesmeyer — Faculty Advisor 

Dickinson Law’s Business Law Society is a student organization dedicated to enhancing Dickinson Law students’ legal education by promoting interdisciplinary work in law and business. The Business Law Society works with Professor Samantha Prince to help emerging start-ups within the Penn State University LaunchBox program and across Pennsylvania by hosting workshops and lectures designed to assist aspiring entrepreneurs in pre- and post-venture stages of start-up development with the legal tools necessary for success. Members have an opportunity to forge professional relationships within the business legal community, submit blog posts for Inside Entrepreneurship Law, and gain real-life experience needed to facilitate entrepreneurial growth after graduating law school.

2022-2023 Executive Board
Shila Bayor — President
Merve Soylu — Vice President
Poojah Iyer — Secretary
Thomas Starks — Treasurer
Diane Hong — Events Coordinator
Talmage Pearce — Clinic Coordinator
Jeremy Garcia — 3L Class Representative

Samantha Prince — Faculty Advisor

The Christian Law Community of Dickinson Law (CLCD) is dedicated to the encouragement of students, faculty, and staff as we seek to integrate faith into our studies and careers. We exist to serve each other, the Dickinson Law community, and the city of Carlisle. We are non-sectarian and non-denominational, and welcome members of all convictions in open dialogue in a spirit of love.

2022-2023 Executive Board
Joe O’Donnell — President
Alexa Potts — Vice President
Ashley Trimble — Treasurer
Kasey Shell — Secretary
Jonathan Biedler — Events Coordinator 

Megan Riesmeyer — Faculty Advisor

The Criminal Law Society is dedicated to preparing students for careers in criminal prosecution and criminal defense through networking, professional education, and promoting dialogue to address current issues. The organization provides learning opportunities for students by arranging professional speakers, coordinating trips to agencies of interest, and apprising students of relevant professional trainings; aids the development of professional contacts among student members and attorneys practicing in the field of criminal law; and seeks to instill in its members respect for and commitment to the virtues and values necessary to the fair and impartial functioning of the criminal justice system. The Criminal Law Society will endeavor, in conjunction with classes, professors, and the school Career Services Office, to help all interested students explore, prepare for, and succeed in careers in criminal law.

2022-2023 Executive Board
Jessie Miller — President
Connor O’Boyle — Vice President
Josh Lindsey — Secretary
Josh Wilbur — Treasurer

Dickinson Intellectual Property Law Society (DIPLS) offers all interested law students of any educational background a forum in which to learn about the IP legal profession and its current issues. We also connect students with alumni and other leaders in the IP sector and further the reputation of Dickinson Law as an institution for preparing students to become successful IP attorneys.

2022-2023 Executive Board
Abraham Lamptey — President

Martin Skladany — Faculty Advisor

The Dickinson Law Review is the Law School’s flagship journal. It is one of the oldest law reviews in the country and is credited with having the first woman law review editor, Julia Radle, in 1898. Its commitment to excellence and student opportunities has remained steadfast over its 120+ year history. Students who have completed their first year of law school have the opportunity to be selected for law review. Participation on law review is a two-year commitment, which includes writing a scholarly comment that will potentially be published. Students who participate on law review earn course credit and have a tremendous opportunity to advance their writing, editing, and leadership skills. Visit Dickinson Law Review for more information.

2022-2023 Executive Board
Seth Trott — Editor-in-Chief
Aranda Stathers — Managing Editor
Oliver Krawczyk — Executive Articles Editor
Timothy Gernand — Executive Comments Editor
Natalie Alexander — Executive Book Review Editor
Eric Le — Executive Symposium Editor
Heather Townsend — Research Editor
Nick Gonano — Executive Editor for Digital Media

Articles Editors
     Sarah Donley
     Anthony Francioso
     Lauren Hand
     Alexa Potts

Comments Editors
     Abbie Britton
     Pranita Dunghana
    Cassidy Eckrote
     Lauren Stahl

Medha Maklhouf — Faculty Advisor

The Environmental Law Society (ELS) is an organization of students interested in issues relating to environmental law, conservation, and energy. The members of this society seek to improve the environment in a myriad of ways; including focusing on legal issues, promoting the environment for the local community, and education concerning current and future advances associated with environmental technology. 

ELS networks with attorneys regionally and across the country to assist each other in promoting awareness and improvement of environmental issues.  These attorneys connect with ELS students, which gives them the ability to deepen their understanding and learn of internship, externship, and employment opportunities within the environmental protection community.

2022-2023 Executive Board
Russell Marks — President
Ray Szymkiewicz — Vice President
Jaden Harding — Secretary
Eli Yemzow — Treasurer
Phyillis Macharia — Social Media Coordinator

Mohamed Rali Badissy — Faculty Advisor

The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies is a group 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, that the separation of governmental powers is central to our Constitution, and that it is emphatically the province and duty of the judiciary to say what the law is, not what it should be. The Society’s main purpose is to sponsor fair, serious, and open debate to ensure that legal principles that have not been the subject of sufficient attention for the past several decades receive a fair hearing.

2022-2023 Executive Board
Michael Merten — President
Alexa Potts — Vice President
David Leshik — Secretary
Taylor Haberle — Treasurer
Jake Domen — Event Coordinator

Samantha Prince — Faculty Advisor

It is the mission of the Health Law and Policy Society (HLS) to provide learning and experiential opportunities to law students with an interest in the legal, ethical, and political issues that affect health care. The organization educates students on health law issues by sponsoring health law related programs that will benefit our members, the law school community and the general public. In order to serve this purpose, the Society invites speakers to discuss issues relating to health law including health care reform, fraud and abuse, quality care, risk management, compliance, access to health care, financing and organization, bioethics, medicine, and private health. Panel discussions and presentations enable students to learn about issues in the health law field in the absence of a formal course. Additionally, the Society coordinates programs to increase the wellness and health of the law students by interacting with Student Services. The Society strives to encourage and empower its members, as future lawyers, to become informed and talented health care advocates.

2022-2023 Executive Board
Kaci McNeave — President
Cole Pitner — Vice President
Lauren Hillegas — Treasurer

Medha Makhlouf — Faculty Advisor

Hearsay is all-inclusive organization for students who enjoy arranging, singing, and/or listening to a wide range of music genres in the form of student-led acapella. Hearsay will strive to bring a creative, social, and musical outlet to students via rehearsals, by linking with a music-based community, and performance opportunities for the benefit of all students, faculty, and staff. 

2022-2023 Executive Board
Ezza Ahmed — Co-President
Lauren Hand — Co-President

Michael Mogill — Faculty Advisor

The International Law Society at Penn State Dickinson Law aims to broaden and advance the study, research and exploration of International Law and promote the social and academic interaction between domestic and international students by facilitating the development of personal and professional relationships.

2022-2023 Executive Board
Nitya Bodavala — President
Buruk Gherezghiher — Vice President
Sara Henry — Secretary
Jaiden Moore — Treasurer
Kasey Shell — Web Coordinator

2L Representatives
     Talmage Pearce
     Eli Yemzow

3L Representative
     Brittany Bitar

Faculty Advisors
     William Butler
     Anthony Ogden

Dickinson Law Intramural Sports aims to encourage students to engage in healthy activity, foster relationships with other students outside of the classroom, and enjoy some relief from typical law school stress in a structured and fun environment. Thanks to ample student participation, we are able to host a variety of sports such as flag football, soccer, basketball, and even sponsor an annual trip to Charlottesville, Virginia for University of Virginia Law’s annual softball tournament.

Nicholas Gonano — General IM Sports Liaison
Lauren Hand — Frisbee Liaison
Mohammed Saleem — Soccer Liaison
Shaun Perez — Basketball Liaison
Dennis Scoggin — Football Liaison

Kalene Faircloth — Advisor

The Latinx Law Student Association (LLSA) seeks to remedy the underrepresentation of Latinx in all segments of the legal community. To achieve this goal, LLSA assists the Admissions Office on recruitment and retention matters and strives to provide enrolled Latinx students with strong academic and social support. Furthermore, LLSA welcomes ALL individuals who are interested or curious to learn about Latin culture and legal issues specific to our communities.

2022-2023 Executive Board
Julia Martinez — President
Natasha Rappazzo — Vice President
Shaun Perez — Secretary
Rebecca Barnes — Treasurer
Carolina Fernandez — 1L Representative – Section 101
Olivia Galvan Unzueta — 1L Representative – Section 102

Katherine Pearson — Faculty Advisor

The purpose of Middle Eastern and South Asian Law Students Association (MESALSA) is to help establish a strong and consistent source of support, mentorship, community service opportunities, representation, and understanding for our members and the Dickinson Law community. We provide an inclusive and informative space for students of Middle Eastern/South Asian descent and any other interested members of Dickinson Law to find and consolidate relevant resources for academic and career success. Our goal is to add to the school’s culture of inclusivity and support by facilitating open dialogue and other events to address a broad range of relative topics for MESALSA members and the Dickinson Law community.

2022-2023 Executive Board
Maheen Naz — President
Roshneek Bains — Vice President
Pooja Iyer — Secretary
Ezza Ahmed — Treasurer
Nitya Bodavala — 2L Representative

Medha Makhlouf — Faculty Advisor

The mission of the Military Law Caucus (MLC) at Penn State Dickinson Law is to organize and support all law students who are former veterans or current members of the United States Armed Forces, (United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard), students who are interested in pursuing legal careers in the military, and students passionate about veterans rights. MLC seeks to promote and raise awareness of the career possibilities found in the United States Armed Forces as well as partner with veterans organizations that seek to educate the public on veterans affairs and provide veterans legal assistance. The MLC welcomes all students with interest in the military, military law, veterans affairs, or global strategic policy.

2022-2023 Executive Board
Joseph O’Donnell — President
Russell Marks — Vice President
Dane Pham — Treasurer
Evan Summers — Secretary

Associate Dean Amy Gaudion — Faculty Advisor

Dickinson Law students also participate in national moot court competitions. Team members, chosen each year through an intra-school competition, advance their writing, problem-solving, and advocacy skills under the guidance of faculty members and experienced lawyers. We sponsor moot court teams in a variety of areas such as labor law, environmental law, securities law, constitutional law, and transnational law. View our Moot Court Board Constitution and Bylaws.

2022-2023 Executive Board
Matts Batryn — Executive Chair
Jacob Guthrie — Vice Chair
Heather Townsend — Intra School Competition Chair
Millie Krnjaja — Recruitment Chair
Blaze Campbell — Treasurer

Mohamed Rali Badissy — Faculty Advisor

The Moving Party is an organization that creates a culture of inclusivity by exploring different genres of dance from around the world. We aim to foster a safe space where students can express their appreciation of dance, creativity, and diversity while promoting a healthy environment for mental well-being through exercise and artistry. The Moving Party primarily focuses on hip-hop but also delves into Bollywood, Latin dance, ballet, and any dance form that our members bring to us. All students are welcome to come and dance, and we also have performance opportunities for on-campus events.

2022-2023 Executive Board
Raisa Zaman — President
Anthony Austin — Vice President
Andriana Vega — Treasurer

Alison Lintal — Faculty Advisor

The Neurolaw & Policy Society (NLS) seeks to provide learning and experiential opportunities to law students with an interest in the legal, ethical, and political issues that arise from the emergence of neuroscientific and cognitive research in the legal field. The organization educates students on neuroscientific and cognitive issues arising in law by sponsoring related programs that will benefit our members, the law school community, and the general public. NLS strives to encourage and empower its members, as future lawyers, to be informed and talented advocates for scientific evidence and research in the legal field.

2022-2023 Executive Board
Noah Yeagley — President
Kaci McNeave — Vice President
Sara Henry — Secretary
Ethen Kincaid — Treasurer
KC Read-Fisher — Web Team Coordinator

Gary S. Gildin — Faculty Adviser

OutLaw is Dickinson Law’s LGBTQ+ student organization — an inclusive community of LGBTQ+ and allied students at Dickinson Law. Together we address legal and social issues affecting the LBGTQ+ community by organizing collaborative programs that address issues of critical importance to the Dickinson Law community and helping connect students with opportunities across the legal profession. Whether you want community, are just asking questions, interested in learning more about LGBTQ+ issues, new to the community, or a lifelong ally, OutLaw is for you.

2022-2023 Executive Board
TJ Walker — President
Tianna Anderson — Vice President
Hannah Betz — Treasurer
Kasey Shell — Secretary

Associate Dean Jeffrey A. Dodge — Faculty Advisor

The purpose of this Fraternity shall be to form a strong bond uniting students and teachers of the law with members of the Bench and Bar in a fraternal fellowship designed to advance the ideals of liberty and equal justice under law; to stimulate excellence in scholarship; to inspire the virtues of compassion and courage; to foster integrity and professional competence; to promote the welfare of its members; and to encourage their moral, intellectual, and cultural advancement; so that each member may enjoy a lifetime of honorable professional and public service.

The Burr Chapter of the Dickinson Law campus in Carlisle provides numerous benefits to its members, including Judges’ Night, Mock Trial Competition, Biennial Convention, outline bank, scholarships, networking opportunities, and discounted bar prep.

2022-2023 Executive Board
Jaden Harding — President
Eli Yemzow — Vice President
Julia Martinez — Treasurer
Evan Summers — Secretary
Jonathan Biedler — Marshal

Faculty Advisors
     Alison Lintal
     Associate Dean Laura Williams

The Dickinson Law Public Interest Law Fund (PILF) is dedicated to the legal and social aspects of public interest work. PILF promotes awareness and understanding of public interest work through education, fundraising, and social activities. Each year, PILF also raises money for the Degenstein Foundation and Cherie M. Millage Fellowship program, which supports law students who work for public interest organizations.

2022-2023 Executive Board
Sophia Adams — President
Cris Meija — Vice President of Fellowship
Phyillis Macharia — Vice President of Fundraising
Andrea Faulknor — Vice President of Service
Samuel Roos — Auction Chair

Tom Lee — Faculty Advisor

The Speakers Trust Fund of the Student Bar Association shall provide a forum for the equitable distribution of the Speakers Trust portion of the Student Activities Fee. It shall maintain an open door policy for every student organization and every member of the student body at The Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University. The Trust shall promulgate an agenda for the student body that shall include, but not be limited to, providing students with a slate of speakers that will enhance the quality of life at the school and encourage diversity of ideas.The Speakers Trust shall review student organization and individual student proposals for speakers in an objective, nondiscriminatory manner. It shall encourage student organizations and individual students to sponsor speakers of premier quality and esteem with various backgrounds and experiences to reflect the growingly diverse student body. While student organizations and members of the student body may invite speakers with controversial, and even offensive, ideologies, the Trust does not necessarily endorse these speakers.

2022-2023 Executive Board

Anthony Fernando — President
Talia Kowalski — Vice President
Kaci McNeave — Secretary

Associate Dean Jeffrey A. Dodge — Faculty Advisor

Specialty Court Support’s (SCS) mission is to educate Penn State Dickinson law students about how the law can focus on treatment and rehabilitation to improve long-term success for people entangled in the criminal justice system due to mental health issues. Often, many of the participants in specialty court programs have not had jobs or resumes due to the nature of their untreated mental health issues or addiction. SCS will allow for law students to interact with specialty court participants and identify non-legal solutions through résumé building, job preparation, and additional assistance outside of what the treatment teams already provide.

2022-2023 Executive Board
    Aria Plants — President
    Noah Yeagley — 1L Representative
    Alaina Kuzmitsky — Media Coordinator

Faculty Advisors
    Hon. Jessica Brewbaker
    Gary S. Gildin

Dickinson Law’s Sports and Entertainment Law Society is for the benefit of students who are interested in the area of sports and entertainment law. The Sports and Entertainment Law Society works to expand the member’s knowledge of the sports and entertainment industries, and facilitate career guidance and networking opportunities by introducing members to mentors and practitioners in the industry. Although our main focus in the SELS organization is towards those interested in sports and entertainment law, we welcome all of the students interested in other areas: labor and employment, intellectual property, contracts, mediation and arbitration, consulting, marketing, government relations, class-actions, and a variety of other areas in the law that are touched on by the industry. Active members of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society also have a unique opportunity to compete in a baseball arbitration competition.

2022-2023 Executive Board
Britton Yoder — President
David Leshik — Vice President
Abraham Lamptey — Secretary
Dane Pham — Treasurer

Stanley Brand — Faculty Advisor

The Women’s Law Caucus (WLC) seeks to promote an awareness and understanding of the legal and social issues facing women today through discussion, education and networking. The WLC is open to the entire law school community. The WLC sponsors lectures, fundraisers and social activities in an effort to expose law students to the gender issues we all face. Each year the WLC is committed to raise money for local women’s shelters and other organization. The WLC also sponsors the Honorable Sylvia H. Rambo Award Dinner, which honors an outstanding woman in the legal profession. The award is given in honor of Chief Judge Sylvia Rambo of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. All of our events are open to the entire Law School community.

2022-2023 Executive Board
Lauren Hillegas — President
Tessa Brandsema — Vice President
Gelareh Etesam — Treasurer
Natasha Rappazzo — Philanthropy Chair
Jamelia Graham — Mentorship Chair
Burke Depuy — Public Relations Chair

Associate Dean Laura Williams — Faculty Advisor