The Charleston School of Law Journal of Law & Public Policy seeks to encourage debate and dialogue on important issues at the intersection of law and society. The Journal has a distinct focus on making policy proposals that uphold and expand upon the promises of justice and general welfare set forth in the Constitution. The Journal welcomes articles, essays, and reviews with an emphasis on advocacy for bipartisan public policy measures that support and advance access to economic, political, and social rights and opportunities for all people.

Members are selected based on a combination of grades (with a particular focus on LRAW grade) and performance on the writing competition. Members are involved in selecting articles, editing articles, and all aspects of the publication process. Members may also choose to contribute their own writing to be considered for publication. 

The Charleston School of Law Judicial Board is comprised of students, faculty, and administrators who shall have the responsibility for prescribing and enforcing the CSOL Honor code and Code of Conduct.

The Latino/a Law Student Association (LLSA) is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive community for Latino students at Charleston School of Law and sending highly qualified, dedicated, and responsible lawyers into every legal arena. These goals may be achieved by a membership that consists of both Latinos and individuals interested in Latino culture and issues. This vibrant membership may be composed of both Spanish- speakers and non-Spanish speakers and represent the various countries of Latin America.

LLSA seeks to remedy the under-representation of Latinos in all segments of the legal community. LLSA strives to increase the number of Latino students enrolled in the Charleston School of Law. In working toward this objective, LLSA will work closely with the Admissions Office on recruitment matters. Furthermore, LLSA strives to provide Latino students enrolled at the law school with academic and social support, as well as keeping abreast of Latino issues in the law.

Through the power of community, LLSA seeks to foster activism in all forms that seeks to improve conditions for the entire Latino population, which is now the nation’s largest minority group. Because of this demographic shift, LLSA must lead out in building coalitions with other communities. Thus, it is in that spirit of community that LLSA vows to work closely with the Black Law Student Association (BLSA), Public Interest Legal Society, Alliance for Equality, Women in Law and all other student and community organizations with similar goals to that of LLSA to empower and improve conditions for all under-represented groups.

About Us

Our objective is to serve as a support network for Latino law students on campus; and to help the retention and success of Latino law students. Besides keeping our members abreast of scholarships, Latino-centric events, and potential employment opportunities, LLSA encourages its members to become involved in public interest organizations that serve the Latino community. LLSA activities include speaker events, Celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Salsa Night, Latin Dance Lessons, and any other relevant Latino social and cultural gatherings. These events aim to help build community and familiarity between Latino and non-Latino students.

The purpose of Law Democrats is to provide members with opportunities for personal and professional growth through interaction with elected officials and members of the Bar. Law Democrats strive to stimulate in our students an active interest in government and politics and work closely with local Democratic leaders to acquaint students and voters with issues and candidates. Through participation in community service activities Law Democrats seek to foster and perpetuate the ideals of the Democratic Party.

The Law Republicans of the Charleston School of Law strive to represent the principles of the Republican Party on campus, provide a forum for the discussion of current events, and to actively assist both the local and national branches of the party.

Charleston Law Review

The Charleston Law Review is an independent organization composed entirely of second and third year students at the Charleston School of Law. In order to gain membership on the Charleston Law Review, students must compete in a writing competition that begins after the conclusion of spring semester finals. After completion of the writing competition, offers for membership are made to students based on a combination of grades and the scored writing piece.

The Charleston Law Review’s primary objective is to foster the knowledge and insight of students, practitioners, scholars, and the judiciary through a traditional forum dedicated to augmenting the pursuit of innovative legal expression, composition, and scholarship. Members of the Charleston Law Review contribute to this objective by editing articles, writing notes, and actively participating in all aspects of the publication process. This participation enables members of the Charleston Law Review to develop invaluable analytical skills and receive extensive writing and editing experience.

• Zachary Porter | Editor in Chief
• Christine Bosco | Associate Editor in Chief
• Christopher Fulmer | Symposium Editor
• Max Redfoot | Senior Articles Editor
• Hannah Weeks | Senior Research Editor
• Marissa Bryan | Student Works Editor
• Kennedi Eaton | Managing Editor
• Ryan O’Hara | Marketing Editor

MALABU

MALABU is Charleston School of Law’s Maritime Law Bulletin. With the historic port city of Charleston as a backdrop, MALABU brings timely and useful maritime-focused articles to practicing attorneys, law professors, students, and those in the maritime field. MALABU is run by a board of law students, and faculty advisors with special interests in admiralty, with generous support from the Charleston Maritime Association.

Resolved: Journal of Alternative Dispute Resolution operates under Charleston School of Law’s Center for Dispute Resolution. Resolved publishes articles focused on the practical issues facing mediators, arbitrators, attorneys, and human resources professionals engaged in the implementation and supervision of dispute resolution programs and is one of only two law journals in the Southeast dedicated to these issues.

Resolved’s main objective is to promote research and writing in the areas of dispute resolution theory, skills, techniques and application. Resolved members are selected based on a combination of their grades and performance on a writing competition upon completion of all first year required courses. Members are involved in editing articles, writing articles, and all aspects of the publication process. Resolved members also host an annual Symposium dedicated to topical issues involving ADR. Because Resolved fosters an analytical approach to ADR, Resolved members gain invaluable exposure to ADR skill sets as well as extensive writing and editing experience.

The Charleston School of Law Maritime Law Society is established to raise awareness and explore various aspects of admiralty and maritime law. This organization seeks to take advantage of both the significant presence of the maritime industry in Charleston, and visits to the Charleston School of Law by distinguished practitioners and members of maritime academia.

We are committed to providing a range of both professional and practical programming. The Maritime Law Society will provide members with the opportunity to participate in demonstrations and tours of the ‘hardware’ of the local industry.

Examples of these activities may include tours of State Port facilities or Coast Guard Station, and visits aboard tug or pilot boats. As well, the Maritime Law Society will provide a series of speakers, to discuss a range of both contemporary and historical issues in maritime law.

The Military and Student Veterans Organization provides a continued sense of community for those who served in the military in the United States or abroad.  While we primarily consist of veterans, reservists, and those considering a military career post law school, we welcome anyone with an interest in supporting the military community.  Members of our organization provide resources and encouragement to new law students, participate in various community building activities off campus, and volunteer with Veterans Treatment Court. 

The Paleontology Law Coalition’s mission is to inform its members of the link between paleontology (and related fields) and the legal field. The club explores this relationship by examining state statutes, international laws, case law, congressional acts, and other bodies of law that govern the excavation, preservation, and transportation of paleontological finds.

Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International is a professional law fraternity advancing integrity, compassion and courage through service to the student, the school, the profession and the community.

Phi Alpha Delta is a fraternity which unites students and teachers of the law with members of the Bench and Bar in a fellowship designed to: advance the ideals of liberty and equal justice under law; to stimulate excellence in scholarship; inspire the virtues of compassion and courage; foster integrity and professional competence; promote the welfare of its members; and encourage their moral, intellectual, and cultural advancement so that each member may enjoy a lifetime of honorable professional and public service.

Mission, Vision & Core Values

Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International is a professional law fraternity advancing integrity, compassion and courage through service to the student, the school, the profession and the community. We are the preeminent law fraternity promoting the bonds of fraternalism and we are the leader in the development and advancement of professional ideals. Bound together by tradition and our common interest in the law, we share these core values: Integrity, Compassion, Courage, Professionalism, Service, Diversity, and Innovation.

A Fraternity of Firsts

Phi Alpha Delta was the first law fraternity to:

• Open membership to all genders, races, creeds and national origins.
• Host one of the largest Mock Trial Competitions for law students in the country.
• Conduct a “Senior Transition Program” for pre-law students entering law school.
• Establish a Pre-Law Program to assist undergraduate students interested in the law.
• Hold P.A.D. Day at the Supreme Court, a day designated for P.A.D. attorneys to be admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.
• Conduct an Annual Food Drive to directly benefit food banks chosen by Chapters in their local communities.
• Win a CFEA Award for Excellence in the highly-competitive multimedia category for the P.A.D. History Video.
• Implement an on-line membership database for networking students and alumni together.

The International Legal Honor Society of Phi Delta Phi, established in the year 1869 at University of Michigan to promote a higher standard of professional ethics, is among the oldest of legal organizations in the United States. It holds a unique position in the history of the United States bench, bar and the law schools. Over time, Phi Delta Phi has truly become an International Society. Phi Delta Phi’s reputation as an organization devoted to legal excellence has spread throughout the world, with many successful chapters in North America, Central America and Europe.

Phi Delta Phi has hundreds of chapters throughout the world and the number increases yearly. Phi Delta Phi has initiated in excess of 200,000 members. Phi Delta Phi’s mission is Phi Delta Phi promotes the highest standard of ethics and professionalism in law schools and the legal profession. Phi Delta Phi’s mission is to preserve and defend the dignity, honor and respect of the legal profession. 

Some notable members of Phi Delta Phi include Franklin D. Roosevelt, Gerald R. Ford, Robert F. Kennedy, William H. Taft, Antonin Scalia, Theodore Roosevelt, and Sandra Day O’Connor. 

Pro Bono Society is a student-led organization operating at the intersection of Law and Public Policy. The organization is an introduction to how policies influence and expand the law to achieve a desired outcome. We partner with local leaders, advocates, and experts to help shape policies that promote justice and the general welfare of society. Our foundation is a belief that all people deserve economic, political, and social rights and opportunities; and that those rights and opportunities ought to be protected and promoted equitably. 

The Real Estate Society provides its members with the opportunity to meet those involved in the industry from local attorneys to nationwide developers. The Society hosts speakers each semester with the aim of educating students about opportunities in real estate law. It also seeks to facilitate connections with attorneys, so members can be the first to be considered for clerkships involving real estate or property law. In addition, the Real Estate Society has launched a program designed to give members first notice of real estate related projects that will satisfy their pro bono graduation requirement.

The Second Amendment Association is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to promoting interest, education, and experience with the Second Amendment among both novices and enthusiasts.

Each student is a member of the Student Bar Association (SBA), by virtue of attending Charleston Law. The mission of the SBA is to serve as the collective voice for the student body and to help provide an exciting experience through social, academic and community service events. More specifically, the SBA administers the budget of student funds, recommends positive change to campus policy and provides the Weekly Dicta. Each semester the SBA collaborates with organizations on campus to help achieve its goals and expand its membership. Student committees contribute to the success of the SBA as it hosts memorable events like Fall Ball and Barrister’s Ball.

The SBA is composed of an Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branch and was formally created by a Constitution ratified by the SBA in 2009.

The overriding goal of the Charleston School of Law is to teach the practice of law as a profession with a chief aim of this practice towards providing public service for those who suffer because they are helpless, weak, or are victims of prejudice.  Women in Law is a student organization created to promote this goal among the Charleston School of Law student body by serving and contributing to the Charleston community.

Women in Law also encourages the informed and active participation of women in government through ties with the South Carolina Women Lawyer’s Association. The organization holds regular meetings during which members and guests are exposed to professionals in the legal field who provide valuable information regarding areas of law that are of particular interest to women and can speak to the specific issues facing women entering the legal field. Professor Debra Gammons, Faculty Supervisor