Each year, the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law Student Affairs Office selects a Student Organization of the Year. Selection is based on their community involvement, on-campus engagement, and volunteerism.
The 2019 Student Organization of the Year is OutLaw Legal Society. The group’s mission includes promoting diversity, raising awareness of legal issues affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, and maintaining an open atmosphere of respect, equality and justice for all. It is an affiliate of the National LGBT Bar Association.
“Selecting a Student Organization of the Year is always difficult,” said Student Affairs Program Manager Rebecca Nugent. “We review reports submitted by each student organization and select the group that has best supported the law school’s core values and the surrounding community. This year, OutLaw worked hard in representing issues important to its members and improving inclusivity at Bowen.”
During the 2019 year, OutLaw Legal Society:
- received its LGBT Bar Association affiliation,
- hosted a park clean-up at MacArthur Park on Coming Out Day,
- co-sponsored the fall Bowen blood drive and gathered signatures to support a national movement to lift the gay blood ban,
- sponsored a member of Lucie’s Place and collected items for their holiday program to ensure a memorable holiday for homeless young queer adults, and
- held a lunch and learn session with Dean Emeritus John DiPippa on current LGBT related Supreme Court cases.
OutLaw was due to receive recognition at The Bowen Awards on March 14, 2020, but the event was canceled to the COVID-19 pandemic. OutLaw will be recognized at the 2021 Bowen Awards, provided circumstances allow a live event.
“OutLaw would like to thank the Law School and its staff, Student Affairs, our advisor Melody Weigel, the students who participated in our events, and the community for helping us make last year a successful year for OutLaw Legal Society,” said 2019 president Damien Powell. “We have a lot more work to do and look forward to everyone’s help.”
OutLaw is one of Bowen’s 22 registered and active law student organizations.
