2015-2016 Membership Guide National Black Law Students

National Black Law Students
Association
2015-2016
Membership Guide
About NBLSA
The National Black Law Students Association is the nation’s largest
student run organization representing nearly 5,000 law students,
pre-law students and alumni, and encompassing over 200 chapters
and affiliates throughout the United States and six other countries.
History. Algernon (A.J.) Cooper founded the
National Black Law Students Association
(NBLSA) at New York University Law
School in 1968. The organization’s purpose
includes giving a voice to Black law students
and bringing about change in the legal
community.
Today. NBLSA continues to articulate and
promote the needs and goals of Black law
students. NBLSA prides itself on giving
students an opportunity to develop their
advocacy, writing and business skills as they
work to promote diversity in legal education
and the legal profession. Each year, the
organization holds an annual convention to
engage in legal activism and prepare new
generations of Black lawyers to "effectuate
change."
National. The National Executive Board is
comprised of both elected and appointed
officers and is led by an elected National
Chair.
Regions. NBLSA is divided into six
geographic regions: Mid-Atlantic, Midwest,
Northeast, Rocky Mountain, Southern and
Western. Regions function as the conduit
between the national organization and its
chapters.
Chapters. Chapters are NBLSA’s
foundation. They develop creative
programming that furthers NBLSA’s
strategic goals, and are a critical component
of the NBLSA membership experience. Each
chapter has an executive board comprised of
elected and appointed officials.
2
Benefits of NBLSA Membership
As a member of NBLSA, you are part of an established and esteemed
organization that has numerous benefits!
• Unparalleled networking opportunities with other law students,
NBLSA’s extensive Alumni Network, and practicing attorneys.
• Subscriptions to and publishing opportunities with NBLSA’s magazine,
“The Legal Pad.”
• Leadership positions on the National and/or Regional Executive
Member Boards.
Education & Career Development
Education and scholastic achievement are part of the core of the NBLSA
mission. NBLSA also promotes programming and experiences that allow
members to interact with the vast network that the organization has to offer.
Membership entitles individuals to benefits such as:
Participation in Regional Job Fairs
Participation Regional Academic Retreats
Member-only pricing for Conventions
Opportunities to participate in community service and international
service
• Eligibility to apply for up to $25,000 in NBLSA scholarships
•
•
•
•
3
Publication Opportunities and Practical
Experience
NBLSA provides students with the opportunity to write
amicus briefs, publish their works in legal journals, and
become fellows of the National Bar Association and
NBLSA. Members also have the opportunity to compete
in prestigious annual competitions: Frederick Douglass
Moot Court Competition, Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial
Competition, and the International Negotiations
Competition.
Advocacy
NBLSA strives to effectuate legal change in the
community. Through sincere advocacy and social action,
NBLSA continues to be at the forefront of legal activism.
NBLSA participates in grassroots work, voter protection,
legislative outreach, environmental justice and judicial
advocacy. Some initiatives will include, but are not
limited to higher education (access and affordability),
voter rights, criminal justice and election protection.
Members also have the option to attend the Annual
Legislative Conference held by the Congressional Black
Caucus, which will take place September 16-20, 2015 in
Washington, D.C.
Additional Job Opportunities
All members are encouraged to go to NBLSA’s
Symplicity site and create an account. Job opportunities
and clerkships are posted here throughout the year,
which are not included in the National Blasts. NBLSA
maintains partnerships with entities, such as the Lawyer’s
Committee and the Advancement Project, that are
seeking to hire NBLSA students. NBLSA also has
partnerships with certain corporations, such Walmart and
State Farm. There are even organizations that go through
NBLSA to publish their internship cycles, such as the
Just the Beginning Foundation.
Exclusive Membership Discounts
Currently members may receive discounts from
companies such as: Adaptibar, Alamo, AVIS Car Rental,
Barrister Books, Brooks Brothers, Budget Car Rental,
JoS. A. Bank, Kaplan Bar Review, LaQuinta,
Multistate Edge, Themis Bar Review, Sprint, and more.
4
To learn more about NBLSA and its exciting initiatives, please visit
the website at nblsa.org or contact the National Director of
Membership, Josephine Biemkpa at membership@nblsa.org. To
become a member of NBLSA, please visit http://nblsa.site-ym.com.
Contact us at:
National Black Law Students Association
1225 11th Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001-4217
(202) 618-2572
www.nblsa.org