Photograph: Eagle statue outside law school.

Student Organizations

2022-2023 Academic Year Officers

Remember to check your organization's mailbox in the Law Library, Room 214D (Circulation Desk).

Note: Organizations identified with an asterisk ( * ) are inactive.

The information on this page is updated as information about new officers becomes available (many organizations elect officers in March and April for the following academic year).

Please send updates to Martin Wisneski (martin.wisneski@washburn.edu), Jalen Lowry (jalen.lowry@washburn.edu), accounting@washburnlaw.edu).
Copy/paste the following on the To: line of your message:
martin.wisneski@washburn.edu;jalen.lowry@washburn.edu;accounting@washburnlaw.edu

When new officers are elected, let all students know by sending a message to:
all-law-school-students@list.washburn.edu

All-Law-School-Students discussion list: To add or modify organization officers who can post directly to the discussion list see:

Motion to Celebrate
Recognize student achievements and good deeds.
Make a Motion to Celebrate!
(If requested, sign in with Washburn email and password.)

Agricultural Law Society
(updated 7/20/2022)

This organization seeks to create opportunities to educate the next generation of leaders about the necessities of an agriculture friendly society. It encourages healthy conversation about current agricultural law issues to promote the understanding of agriculture practices and laws.

  • President: Paige Harding
  • Vice President: Clarissa Ratzlaff
  • Secretary: Ty Stewart
  • Faculty Advisor: Professor Burke Griggs

* Asian American Law Students Association (AALSA)
(updated 7/20/2022)

AALSA enhances the legal education, community participation, employment opportunities, and academic achievement of Asian law students and other minorities by hosting speakers, coordinating community projects, promoting social activities, and providing study aids to members and other interested parties.

Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
(updated 7/20/2022)

  • President: Jazsmine Peterson
  • Vice President: Rheadawn Chiles
  • Treasurer: Taylor Rice
  • Faculty Advisor: Professor Cheryl Butler

Children and Family Law Society
(updated 9/10/2022)

Christian Legal Society (CLS)
(updated 9/10/2022)

  • President: Ben Gienke
  • Vice President: Elle Perkins
  • Secretary: Noelle Relph
  • Treasurer: Quinn Hughes
  • Faculty Advisor: Professor Emily Grant

Climate Action Group
(updated 9/15/2022)

  • President: Abbie Krane
  • Vice President: Molly Morgan
  • Treasurer: Dusty Gleason
  • Faculty Advisor: Professor Craig Martin

Criminal Law Society (CLS)
(updated 11/3/2022)

This organization seeks to educate individuals interested in the criminal law sector through scholarly discussions with legal experts, public and private defendants, and prosecutors. We discuss various topics within the dynamic field of criminal law.

  • President: Noah Morgan
  • Vice President: Alexandra Solomon
  • Treasurer: Theodore Summers
  • Faculty Advisor: Professor John Francis

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Association (DEI)
(updated 11/5/2022)
Send feedback/comments to DEI.

  • President: Haeli Maas
  • Vice President: Miaeda Hutchinson
  • Secretary: Braden Sullivan
  • Treasurer: Austin Ohnmeis
  • Cultural Programing Chair: Grace Eagan
  • Cultural Programing Chair: Jazsmine Peterson
  • Public Relations Officer: Cristina Silva
  • Public Relations Officer: Grace Venner
  • Community Chair: Sarah Vargas
  • Faculty Advisor: Associate Dean Jalen Lowry

Environmental Law Society (ELS)
(updated 7/20/2022)

  • President: Elisabeth Wilder
  • Vice President: Cole Roberts
  • Treasurer: Autumn Packard
  • Secretary: Jake Overbey
  • Faculty Advisor: Associate Dean Jalen Lowry

* Federal Bar Association (FBA)
(updated 7/22/2022)

The Federal Bar Association represents the Federal legal profession as a premier bar association consisting of more than 18,000 federal lawyers, including 1,500 federal judges, who work together to promote the sound administration of justice, integrity, quality, and independence of the judiciary for the public they serve. The FBA operates nationwide through 6 career divisions, 24 substantive law sections, and hundreds of local chapters throughout the United States. Our local chapter, the Washburn University School of Law Chapter, cordially invites you to consider membership in the Federal Bar Association as part of your academic training and preparation for the practice of law in state or federal courts.

Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies
(updated 9/9/2022)

This organization of conservatives and libertarians is interested in the current state of the legal order. It is founded on three principles: the state exists to preserve freedom; the separation of governmental powers is central to our Constitution; and it is emphatically the province and duty of the Judiciary to say what the law is, not what it should be. The Society seeks both to promote an awareness of these principles and to further their application through its activities.

  • President: Andrew Foreman
  • Vice President: Drew Brown
  • Secretary: Carissa Occhipinto
  • Treasurer: Dillon Schreckler
  • Communications Director: [vacant]
  • Sentinel: [vacant]
  • Faculty Advisor: Dean Jeffrey Jackson

Hispanic American Law Students Association (HALSA)
(updated 9/16/2022)

  • President: Sandra Velazquez
  • Vice President: Cristina Silva
  • Treasurer: Devon Medina
  • Faculty Advisor: Professor Mary Ramirez

International Law Society (ILS)

* J. Reuben Clark Law Society
(updated 7/20/2022)

This organization offers a forum of activities that promote professionalism and sound ethics in the law school environment. The Society also seeks to instill in its members the importance of family, religion, and morals within the future practice of law.

Jessup International Law Moot Court

* Labor and Employment Group of Washburn
(updated 7/20/2022)

LLM Students Organization (LSO)
(updated 10/14/2022)

This organization fosters unity, growth, and togetherness among Washburn Law's LL.M. students.

Moot Court Council

Native American Law Student Association (NALSA)
(updated 7/20/2022)

  • President: Marley Barnett
  • Vice President: Tara Hammer
  • Treasurer: Paige Harding
  • Secretary: Yvonne Sparrowsmith
  • Faculty Advisor: Professor Antonia Kowalska

* Oil, Gas, and Energy Law Society
(updated 7/20/2022)

This organization promotes the study of the law governing development of oil, gas, and other minerals, energy regulation, water rights, environmental law associated with the development of mineral and energy resources, and the regulation of the use of public lands. Visit their Facebook group.

Parents-at-Law
(updated 4/15/2022)

Parents-at-Law provides support, resources, and advocacy for parents and non-traditional students in the Washburn Law community.

Phi Alpha Delta (PAD)
(updated 8/11/2022)

  • Justice: Autumne Hovde
  • Vice Justice: Tristin Dierking
  • Treasurer: Carissa Occhipinto
  • Marshall: Haleigh Karl
  • Clerk: Dillon Shreckler
  • Social Chair: Paige Harding
  • Faculty Advisor: Dean Jalen Lowry

Pro Bono Society (formerly Equal Justice Works)
(updated 7/20/2022)

This organization focuses on all aspects of public interest law. Its goal is to provide access to the legal system, as well as representation, for those normally without the funds to do so. As an organization we have sponsored forums on controversial topics such as gun control and the death penalty. We have sponsored a coat and winter clothing drive for the Topeka Rescue mission. Along with our national organization, we have participated in local and national internships, fellowships, and even help seek out job opportunities.

  • President: Marley Barnett
  • Vice President: Zach Green
  • Treasurer: Meg Sparrow
  • Secretary: Rebecca Smith-Grantham
  • Advisor: Tammy King, Assistant Dean for Professional Development

Rainbow Bar (formerly Genders & Sexualities Alliance)
(updated 8/29/2022)
Send feedback/comments to Rainbow Bar.

  • President: Casey Smith
  • Vice President: Theodore Summers
  • Treasurer: Riya Baral
  • Secretary: Meg Sparrow
  • Faculty Advisor: Professor Emily Grant

Rural Practice Organization
(updated 7/20/2022)

  • President: Clarissa Ratzlaff
  • Vice President: Ty Stewart
  • Secretary: Paige Harding
  • Treasurer: Tyler Robertson
  • Faculty Advisor: Associate Dean Shawn Leisinger

* Sports and Entertainment Law Society
(updated 7/20/2022)

Tax and Estate Planning Association (TEPA)

The Tax and Estate Planning Association (TEPA) is a student-run organization which aims to enhance the education of students by providing opportunities to learn about tax and estate planning law and gain practical experience. One of TEPA's major functions is to coordinate the Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program each year. TEPA also provides opportunities for students to interact with and learn from professionals and practitioners within the tax and estate planning industries by inviting such professionals to speak at events open to the entire student body.

* Veterans' Legal Association of Washburn (VLAW)
(updated 7/20/2022)

This organization provides any Washburn law student, staff or faculty member opportunities for involvement with military, veteran and law enforcement organizations within the scope of legal and law-enforcement careers, provides support and guidance for members, veterans and their families at the law school, and serves the community by addressing military, veteran and law-enforcement issues.

Washburn Business Law Society

Washburn Intellectual Property Law Society (WIPLS)
(updated 4/14/2021)

The Society provides a forum for students interested in patent, copyright, trademark, and trade secret law and seeks to expand awareness of intellectual property (IP) and its importance in the global marketplace and legal world.

Washburn Law Democrats (WLD)
(updated 9/1/2022)

This organization pursues liberty, justice, and freedom for all, regardless of race, religion, or sex, through support of the Democratic Party and its ideas, ideals, and candidates.

  • President: Emma Hochman
  • Vice-President: Devin Canfield
  • Treasurer: Lauren Martin
  • Secretary: Derek Leiblie
  • Outreach Chair: Grace Eagan
  • Faculty Advisor: Associate Dean Shawn Leisinger

Washburn Law Film Society
(updated 3/27/2022)

Washburn Law Journal

Washburn Law Republicans
(updated 9/15/2022)

  • President: Joel Amend
  • Vice President: Jack Roenne
  • Treasurer: Quinn Hughes
  • Secretary: Clarissa Ratzlaff
  • Faculty Advisor: Dean Jeffrey Jackson

Washburn Mental Health Society (WMHS)
(updated 11/8/2022)

This organization advocates for the mental health of law students, encourages students to put mental health first, and promotes healthy stress coping mechanisms.

  • President: Gabriel Walker
  • Vice President: Christin Smith
  • Scribe: Jacob Kleespie
  • Treasurer: Conner Mitchell
  • Events Coordinator: Makenzie Fankhauser
  • Diversity Chair: Sandra Velazquez
  • Faculty Advisor: Professor Joseph Mastrosimone

Washburn Student Bar Association
(updated 10/7/2022)
Visit website OR send feedback/comments to WSBA OR contact via email at wsba@washburnlaw.edu.
Send items for the weekly newsletter to: wsbanewsletter@washburnlaw.edu.
See photos of council members.

Council Members: Office | Member | Assigned Committee

  • President: Audriana Berry Dunn
  • Vice-President: Nicholas Smith
  • Treasurer: Nichole Smith [Finance]
  • Treasurer-Elect: Brittni Winter [Finance]
  • Secretary/Historian: Theodore "Ike" Summers [Constitution]
  • Secretary-Elect: Emmy Winterhalter [Constitution]
  • Communications Director: Casey Smith [Student Engagement]
  • Communications Director-Elect: Gabby Altenor [Student Engagement]
  • ABA Rep: Jeff Fogg [Facilities]
  • ABA Representative-Elect: Ron Mayer [Facilities]
  • Rep-at-Large: Makiah Newman [Facilities]
  • Rep-at-Large: Caitlin Riffer [Events]
  • Rep-at-Large: Nathan Seltzer [Finance]
  • Rep-at-Large: William Appel [Constitution]
  • Rep-at-Large: Ryan Petersen [Constitution]
  • Rep-at-Large: Alyssa Crenshaw [Finance]
  • 1A Rep: Jonnette Oakes [Events]
  • 1B Rep: Oliva Higdon [Student Engagement]
  • 1J Rep: Zach Green [Constitution]
  • 2L Rep: Kiley Deain [Student Engagement]
  • 2L Rep: Alison Chambers [Facilities]
  • 3L Rep: Taylor Thompson [Student Engagement]
  • 3L Rep: Briana Hogan [Constitution]
  • LL.M./M.S.L.: Nnenna Nwafor-Orizu [Events]
  • Events Director: Miaeda Hutchinson [Events]
  • Events Director-Elect: Riya Baral [Events]
  • Faculty Advisor: Dean Jalen Lowry

Washburn Student Bar Association Barristers' Ball Committee
(updated 10/2/2022)

The annual Barristers' Ball and Charity Auction, sponsored by the Washburn Student Bar Association, is a charity event that raises money for donation to local non-profit organizations. The Committee solicits donations for auction from area businesses, faculty, and other donors; members also plan ball festivities such as the theme, location, caterer, and music. The ball and auction provide an evening for students, faculty, staff, and alumni to socialize over dinner and dancing. Past recipients of proceeds include Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) (Topeka), Kansas Legal Services (Topeka), the School of Equestrian Arts (Lecompton, Kansas), the Capper Foundation, the Topeka Community Cycle Project (TCCP), YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment, Topeka Literacy Council, Kids Voting Kansas, and Boys & Girls Club of Topeka.

Women's Legal Forum (WLF)
(updated 9/10/2022)

This organization promotes awareness of women's issues in the law, provides law students with access to professionals in the area, endorses community outreach, and encourages women to become involved and stay involved in the law.

  • President: Sarah Lynch-Chaput
  • Vice President: Grace Eagan
  • Secretary: Megan Green
  • Treasurer: Makenzie Fankhauser
  • Legal Community Liaison: Sandra Velazquez
  • Special Events Coordinator: Christin Smith
  • Faculty Advisor: Associate Dean Jalen Lowry

Short URL for this page:
https://washburnlaw.edu/organizations

Information Meetings

Student Officer (9/14/2022) (50 minutes)

Presidents and Treasurers (9/15/2022) (50 minutes)

Websites

Centers:

Other Organizations:
Return to Current Student Resources