Originally published in Student Lawyer magazine, September 2003 (Vol. 32, No. 1)

National Officers Take Lead of the ABA Law Student Division

The ABA Law Student Division welcomed its new national officers in August at the ABA Annual Meeting in San Francisco. The chair, vice chair, and secretary-treasurer were elected last spring by the Division's Board of Governors. The vice chair for student bar associations was chosen at the Annual Meeting, after this issue of Student Lawyer went to press.

Michael Pellicciotti, the Law Student Division's new chair and a third-year student at Gonzaga University School of Law, plans to focus on diversity during his term by further developing the Division's Diversity Action Plan adopted last year. He also wants to ensure that students are well-informed about the Law Student Division's activities.

"The ability the Division has to unite tens of thousands of law students on short notice is simply amazing," he says. "For example, last year's Work-A-Day program was successful at creating hundreds of hours of public service across the country."

Pellicciotti also plans to reach out to SBA presidents across the country in order to strengthen their involvement in the Law Student Division. He notes that this year's Board of Governors includes six SBA presidents.

Pellicciotti wants to devote his life to public service after graduation. Having earned a master's degree in rural development, he hopes to use his skills as a lawyer to improve economic development for communities while also protecting their culture and environment. Before becoming chair, Pellicciotti served as governor of the Division's 12th Circuit. He also was a U.S. Fulbright Scholar to Canada.

Chris Jeter, a second-year student at Oklahoma City University School of Law, is the Division's new vice chair. His goals include strengthening community service and increasing ABA membership. "Our membership has been on a steady increase for the last 10 years," he says. "Our recent leaders have sent us on an ascending path. There is, however, still much to be done."

Once he graduates, Jeter hopes to specialize in civil litigation and spend most of his time in the courtroom. Before becoming vice chair, he was class president at his undergraduate university and an SBA section representative.

Jose Diaz, the Division's new secretary-treasurer and a second-year student at Columbia University School of Law, is primarily concerned with students getting enough funds and resources. He's also very aware of the importance of diversity in the legal profession and hopes to increase minority awareness on a national level. "I truly believe in the ABA, and I honestly want to make a difference," he says.

Having a passion for both litigation and international law, Diaz hopes to open his own law firm in Miami one day. Previously, Diaz was on the student executive board at his law school and was the student body president at his undergraduate university.

Rounding out the Division's national officers is the vice chair for student bar associations, charged with reaching out to SBAs and involving them in the Division's activities. An article about the student who was elected to this position at the ABA Annual Meeting will appear in an upcoming issue of Student Lawyer.

Kenneth Gorton