The Red Velvet Lawyer

The Appalachian School of Law Democratic Law Society The Appalachian School of Law campus hosts two student organizations reflecting party politics: The Democratic Law Society and the Republican Law Society. The Democratic Law Society, founded in 2003, dedicates its members to the principles that have historically sustained the Democratic Party. The Mission Statement The Preamble to the Constitution of the Democratic Law Society provides: We wish to stimulate in people active participation in governmental affairs and promote their involvement in the political process. We believe all people should have individual freedom in the framework of a just society, political freedom in the framework of a meaningful participation by all citizens. We are aware that a party must be responsive to be worthy of responsibility. We pledge to promote student activity within the boundary of  the Appalachian School of Law as well as within the local community.  We wish to broaden

The American Constitution Society at the Appalachian School of Law The ASL American Constitutional Society is a recognized  chapter of the national organization of the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy. The American Constitutional Society offers a view of constitutional law that sharply contrasts with the view of the Federalist Society.   The website of the national organization explains the context for the group: SHAPING DEBATE, BUILDING NETWORKS,  MAKING A DIFFERENCE  The American Constitution Society (ACS) believes that law should be a force to improve the lives of all people. ACS works for positive change by shaping debate on vitally important legal and constitutional issues through development and promotion of high-impact ideas to opinion leaders and the media; by building networks of lawyers, law students, judges and policymakers dedicated to those ideas; and by countering the activist conservative legal movement that has sought to erode ou

The Appalachian School of Law Hamilton Society No government could give us tranquility and happiness at home which did not possess sufficient stability and strength to make us respectable abroad.” ALEXANDER HAMILTON Speech at the Constitutional Convention,  June 29, 1787 This student organization, founded in 2006, serves military veterans, current service members, families of service personnel, and veterans' organizations.  It seeks to support a link between duty to country and our legal system. I have a great interest in this organization even though I never served in the military.  I did, however, provide pro bono legal services to Viet Nam veterans who suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder shortly after the Veterans Benefits Administration  recognized PTSD as a compensable military injury.   The diagnosis of PTSD first appeared in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1980.  Shortly after that, the VBA b

The American Association for Justice at the Appalachian School of Law This student organization falls under the umbrella of the national organization as an affiliated Student Chapter. The national organization recognizes, with awards and scholarships , those skillful students, lawyers, and consumer advocates who support the fight for justice. It also publishes the magazine, Trial , which examines complex legal questions arising in litigation practice. The National AAJ Mission   "The Mission of the American Association for Justice is to promote a fair and effective justice system—and to support the work of attorneys in their efforts to ensure that any person who is injured by the misconduct or negligence of others can obtain justice in America’s courtrooms, even when taking on the most powerful interests." History of National Organization   I remember when this powerful organization had a much different name:   The Association of Trial Lawyers of

The Appalachian Women in the Law at the Appalachian School of Law The Appalachian Women in Law get to the point quickly and efficiently. The Mission Statement The Mission Statement set out in its Constitution simply states that the organization "strives to educate, support, and empower women not just in the legal field but within our entire community, as well." Membership is open to all students and alumni. Students created this organization in September 2009. Events and Activities Sponsored by AWIL This active organization sponsors many events.  It is best known for its work on behalf of the local women's shelter.  Among other programs, it collects toiletry items for women using that facility and sells T-shirts to raise cash funds for the shelter.  One notable shirt read: "We want to be on top." Over the last several years, AWIL has hosted lectures and presentations by distinguished women lawyers. Most rece

Appalachian School of Law's Blackwell Inn Phi Delta Phi International  This posting profiles the second legal fraternity on campus.  I profiled Phi Alpha Delta  here.    The Blackwell Inn of Phi Delta Phi International, named after beloved ASL Professor Tom Blackwell,  identifies the following mission. Mission Statement [T]his organization promote[s] the advancement of the highest intellectual, professional, and ethical standards within the Appalachian School of Law community.  To this end, Blackwell Inn hereby establishes . . . an honor fraternity with . . . minimum academic standards.  It shall be the responsibility of this Inn and the charge of each of its members to seek excellence in scholastic and ethical standards towards the achievement of this goal.   The ambitious goals of this fraternity are supported by an international organization . The ASL inn is one of only five fraternal inns established in Province 14 consisting of Tennessee, southern Kentu

Appalachian School of Law Criminal Law Society The Criminal Law Society is one of the oldest student organizations on campus. Mission Statement The Criminal Law Society furthers, within the law school and the legal community, education about criminal law issues. It also provides a forum for individuals within the law school to express views about criminal law. Activities and Events The CLS sponsors the annual Barrister's Ball, a black-tie event that benefits local charities. It also hosts an annual Opening Statement Competition.  The Criminal Law Society also invites speakers and hosts panel discussions on current topics of interest in criminal law.  It collaborated with the Innocence Project to bring Daryl Hunt to campus to discuss his exoneration in 2005 after DNA evidence matched an incarcerated man with the crime scene.  That man later admitted the crime. In 2011, it hosted a debate between Tamara Neo (Rep.) a

The Black Law Students Association of the Appalachian School of Law I am using this week to profile organizations I would describe as affinity groups based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs and values.  I'll focus today on the Black Law Students Association of the Appalachian School of Law. Students at ASL founded the chapter early in the history of the law school. National Affiliate As background, the national affiliate of this local chapter -- the National Black Law Students Association  arose in 1968.  It has over 200 chapters and nearly 6,000 members, and so, is the largest student organization in the U.S. It sponsors two competitions in honor of distinguished African-Americans: The Frederick Douglass Moot Court  Competition  and the Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition. It also sponsors the Nelson Mandela International Negotiations Competition. The NBLSA offers regional career fairs and hosts interviews for students with

I will next cover students organizations I would describe as affinity groups based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs and values.  I will first profile the Christian Legal Society.  The Appalachian School of Law Christian Legal Society Students founded this organization in 2003.   Membership Requirements All members and officers must agree to and affirm a Statement of Faith and Sexual Morality Standards that provides: Trusting in Jesus my Savior, I believe in: One God, eternally existent in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. The Deity of our Lord, Jesus Christ, God's only Son conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary; His vicarious death for our sins through which we receive eternal life; His bodily resurrection and personal return. The presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the work of regeneration. The Bible as the Inspired Word of God. 

Appalachian School of Law's Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International Students have founded two legal fraternities at the law school.  This posting profiles the first legal fraternity on campus.  I profiled the second legal fraternity, Phi Delta Phi, here Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity has lofty aspirational goals. It serves law students, the law school, the profession, and the community. Declaration of Purpose 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 the law; to inspire the virtues of compassion and courage; to foster integrity and professional competence; to promote the welfare of its members; and to encourage the moral, intellectual, and cultural advancement; so that each member may enjoy a lifetime of honorable professional and public service. A national o

The Appalachian School of Law Education Law Association Students created this organization in December 2009. Mission Statement The ELA promotes awareness and understanding of the issues surrounding the law of education, both in the public and private sector.  It promotes interest in and understanding of the legal framework of education and the rights of students, parents, school boards, and school employees.  Student members are committed to the strong support of local education programs and work with interested parties to attain common goals through active participation in community service activities.  Any ASL student or alumnus may join the ELA.