Officially Speaking

Another Path on the Journey—The LSD Liaison Program

Last month I wrote about the benefits of being involved with the other sections, divisions, and forums of the American Bar Association. I talked about how being involved with these entities is a way for law students to learn about an area of law and to interact with the leaders of the profession.

A significant avenue for student involvement is through the Division’s liaisons to other ABA entities. Every year, students are appointed to serve in these important
positions.

Liaisons must strive to facilitate communication between the Division and their entities and to increase law student membership in them. There are three major areas of responsibility: to the entity, to the Law Student Division, and to the liaison’s local governing circuit.

• ABA entity. The liaison’s specific duties depend on the requirements of the particular entity. Each liaison, however, is responsible for attending the meetings for his or her entity. Some sections require the liaison to work on special projects, take minutes at meetings, or write a newsletter for student section members.

• The Law Student Division. Liaisons report on issues of importance to law students that arise at ABA entity meetings. In this sense, liaisons are the eyes and ears of the Law Student Division. Liaisons also act as the voice of the Division when they advocate its interests to their entities. Liaisons must keep the Division’s Board of Governors fully advised of their activities through periodic reports.

• The circuit. Liaisons are also charged with the duty of being visible within their own circuits. Liaisons are expected to attend their circuit’s fall roundtable, spring conference, and summer caucus and to keep the circuit governor informed of their activities.

Although the LSD is unable to reimburse liaisons for travel expenses, many entities will do so. Liaisons are also encouraged to contact their student bar association, law school dean, and local bar association for funding assistance.

Liaisons are appointed by the Division chair, with the assistance of the Appointments Committee, and generally serve for one year. Reappointment for a second term is possible, provided the liaison has another year remaining in law school, has performed satisfactorily, and has reapplied for the position.

 

Applications to be a liaison are due Feb. 1. An application can be found in the back of this issue of Student Lawyer. Applications are also available from your SBA president, ABA representative, or circuit governor.

Although the application form itself is not difficult to complete, the selection process is competitive. Among the factors the Appointments Committee will consider are background in the pertinent substantive area, demonstrated capacity and motivation, participation in Law Student Division activities, participation in the entity, letters of recommendation, interview with the candidate’s regional circuit governor, and input from the entity.

I encourage you to apply for a liaison position if you have the time, the interest, and the commitment, and if you believe you would be a competitive candidate. If you’re interested in a particular section, division, or forum, I encourage you to contact the current LSD liaison to that entity. (A list of this year’s LSD liaisons can be found on pages 46-47.)

If you have any questions about the program, please contact our liaison coordinator, Angela Karras, at 812-330-9363, arkarras@indiana.edu, or me at 888-699-5468, kylemitchell@abanet.org.