University of Maryland School of Law : Catalog, 1988-1989

of the American Society of International
Law. On the recommendation
of the faculty advisor, a student
who completes an intramural
brief for International Moot Court
may receive one credit and a student
who argues in the interschool
international competition may receive
one additional credit.
Black Law Student Association
The Black Law Student Association
(BLSA), founded in 1967, is a
national organization with chapters
at virtually every law school in the
country. The University of Maryland
chapter, one of the first and
one of the largest in the nation, is
active in recruiting, assisting black
and other minority law students
with their studies while in law
school and preparing them for admission
to and practice in the bar.
The Maryland chapter is a vital,
integral part of the local black
community and bar, sponsoring
and/or participating in many community
oriented activities such as
career day lectures on law as a career
for young blacks and providing
holiday baskets of food for needy
members of the community. The
Maryland chapter has received several
national BLSA honors and
community awards for its achievements.
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National Lawyers Guild
The National Lawyers Guild
(NLG) is a nationwide organization
of 7,000 lawyers, legal workers,
law students and jailhouse lawyers.
Since its founding in 1937,
the NLG has been dedicated to
seeking economic justice, social
equality and freedom to dissent.
The common thread uniting guild
members is the belief in a legal
tradition based on service to the
cause of human justice, the public's
interests and support for the rights
of the poor, workers, people of
color, women, gays and lesbians
and progressive activists.
The NLG at the University of
Maryland shares in this tradition,
presenting a progressive analysis of
current issues through film and
speaker programs. In addition,
members engage in practical work,
such as petition drives and
fundraisers. Finally, NLG provides
a network and support system for
progressive law students.
Women's Bar Association
The Women's Bar Association
(WBA) is a nonprofit organization
dedicated to serving the interests
of women in the University of
Maryland School of Law, in the
legal profession and in the larger
community. WBA attempts to operate
as a sounding board and a
voice for the concerns of its members
and of the student body. Its
goal is to foster a greater sense of
community among women by
focusing on the interrelationships
of women with the law and the
legal profession. Toward this end it
sponsors formal and informal discussions
and programs during the
school year. Membership is open to
all interested students from the day
and evening divisions.
Student Volunteer Advisors
The transition to life as a law student
can be eased with the support
and guidance of students who have
successfully made that transition.
Each year many of the law school's
continuing students from both the
day and evening divisions volunteer
their time to act as informal
advisors to the incoming first-year
students. Although specific activities
vary from year to year, our
students' informal advising typically
begins with spring and summer
meetings with candidates accepted
for fall enrollment. In the
fall semester, the informal counseling
becomes more academic in
nature as the volunteers work with
new students through their Legal
Method classes.