There are several options for those looking to get involved with pre-law student organizations on campus - all welcome any interested student. Most have an open membership process however Mock Trial has a competitive selection process (all students are welcome to tryout). While the groups below are closely tied to the field of law, pre-law students can be found in many of the more than 1400 Ohio State student organizations across campus.
Check out the complete Student Activities Directory!
Phi Alpha Delta (PAD) Pre-Law Fraternity
Thursdays at 6pm in Hitchcock 035 (will change to Lazenby 021 after Fall Break)
"The purpose of [Phi Alpha Delta] 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 integrity." - PAD Purpose Statement
*PAD is not a Greek Life fraternity - it is an extra-curricular interest group open to any/all Ohio State students regardless of gender.
Undergraduate Black Law Students Association (UBLSA)
Alternating Tuesdays at 6pm in Hale Hall 101 (Sep 2, 16, 30, etc.)
"The purpose of the Undergraduate Black Law Student Association is to cultivate and foster the needs and interests of the diverse pre-law community at the Ohio State University through meetings and events focused on connections with legal professionals as well as preparation for the demands of the law school and the admission process." - UBLSA Purpose Statement
Civil Alliance
Wednesdays at 5:30pm in Evans Lab 2003
"Our goal [for Civil Alliance] is to give pre-law students the opportunity to create change within our surrounding community, get experience in the law field, and bring awareness to the organization Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO)." - Civil Alliance Purpose Statement
Latines in Law
Alternating Wednesdays at 7:30pm in Busch Hall Courage Room (Sep 3, 17, Oct 1, etc.)
"The Latines in Law student organization would support undergraduate Latinx students who are interested in pursuing further studies at law school by providing additional resources and guidance catered towards Latinx students. We plan for this to include (but not be limited to): Latinx speakers who can share their experiences in law school & the law field, service opportunities related to the law field and Hispanic community, mentorship program(s), collaborations with organizations on the undergraduate level and at Moritz, and more." - Latines in Law Purpose Statement
Pre-Law Pathways
regular meeting schedule tba
"Pre-Law Pathways is dedicated to helping undergraduate students navigate and discover their ideal legal specialization before choosing to pursue a legal education. Our mission is to provide students with the resources, mentorship, and exposure needed to explore diverse legal fields. Through speaker events, networking opportunities, hands-on case studies, and mentorship programs, we aim to provide students with a clearer image of the vast array of diverse law fields there are. By the time our members graduate, they will have a clearer understanding of the legal discipline that aligns with their interests and career aspirations. We believe that informed decision-making is the key to success in the legal field, and we are committed to equipping our members with the knowledge and connections to confidently pursue their legal careers." - Pre-Law Pathways Purpose Statement
The NeuroLaw Group
Mondays at 6pm in Lazenby 001
"The NeuroLaw Group is an interdisciplinary club for undergraduates that explores the intersections of neuroscience in law, ethics, policy, and society, including but not limited to the legal implications of brain interventions (nano-biotechnologies, stem cells, drugs, surgeries), policy on criminal responsibility and mental capacity to stand trial, neuroscience in educational development, pertinent medical bioethics, and various emerging technologies, from self-driving cars to brain-computer interfacing devices. In addition to interesting discussions on the future of neuroscience and society, The NeuroLaw Group also invites speakers currently studying or working at this growing, exciting intersection." - NeuroLaw Purpose Statement
Ohio Innocence Project (OIP) Collegiate Chapter
Mondays at 5:30pm in Ohio Union Founder's Room
"[The purpose of Ohio Innocence Project is to] prevent Wrongful Conviction by promoting awareness of its existence on College Campuses and to generate student and community support for the Ohio Innocence Project, and its efforts to remedy Wrongful Convictions." - Ohio Innocence Project partial Purpose Statement
Mock Trial
As a competition-based organization Mock Trial meetings are for team members only
"The purpose of the Undergraduate student Mock Trial is to replicate all aspects of the legal process. Student will learn how to prepare witnesses for trial and how to portray them at trial. Student attorneys will also learn to prepare witness examinations and statements for trial and the rule of evidence and procedure used in actual courtrooms. All of this preparation is tested at invitational and regional competitions. To test our performances, Mock Trial must travel to invitational tournaments in Ohio and neighboring states. These tournaments allow students to perform the materials they’ve prepared for months and be critiqued by attorney judges. Mock Trial provides students with valuable experience in preparing for trial and being in the courtroom. Secondary purposes of Mock Trial are to: Establish a group of students interested in attending Law school or law-related professions and to increase interactions between undergraduate students and the OSU Law School." - Mock Trial Purpose Statement