The Law School Democrats of America (Law School Dems), or the National Democratic Law Students Council (NDLSC), is the

law student Legal education is the education of individuals in the principles, practices, and theory of law. It may be undertaken for several reasons, including to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for admission to legal practice in a particular ...

arm of the Democratic National Committee. Membership consists of over 1500 law students at more than 85

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located throughout the

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History

Law School Democrats of America was founded in 2006 at Harvard Law School by David Burd. The organization's first event was a national convention, keynoted by DNC Chairman

Howard Dean Howard Brush Dean III (born November 17, 1948) is an American physician, author, lobbyist, and retired politician who served as the 79th governor of Vermont from 1991 to 2003 and chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) from 2005 to 2009 ...

, at Harvard Law School. Originally consisting of a small number of the Ivy League law schools, the organization has grown substantially since its founding, and now has chapters at law schools in every region of the United States. The NDLSC works with the Democratic National Committee and other organizations on issues such as election reform and voter protection. NDLSC continues to found new chapters and expand membership, and coordinate the placement of law students to work on Democratic campaigns, including the upcoming 2012 presidential re-election.

Activities

Since 2006, hundreds of law students have taken an active role in Democratic politics, and local and national elections as members of the Law School Democrats. Student activities have included canvassing, legal research, phone banking, voter protection, and other activities. The Law School Democrats seek to ensure that every eligible voter is allowed to cast a vote and that every vote is counted, support Democratic campaigns and candidates, connect law students and attorneys interested in Democratic politics, and cultivate the next generation of Democratic leaders.

National Convention

Every year the Law School Democrats holds a national convention. The convention generally takes place in February or March over a weekend, and consists of discussion panels, keynote speakers, receptions, and an election for a new board of directors (President, Vice-President of Communications, Vice-President of Finance, Vice-President of Membership, Vice-President of Programming). During election years, regional directors are often appointed by the board of directors to help coordinate law student involvement in Democratic campaigns and voter protection efforts. Past conventions were held in

Boston Boston (), officially the City of Boston, is the state capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the cultural and financial center of the New England region of the United States. It is the 24th- mo ...

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...

, Columbus, Ohio,

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, and

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Krystle Cadogan, ''GW Law Dems to Host 5th Annual National Democratic Law Students Convention'', Nota Bene http://www.notabene.gwsba.com/story/573-gw-law-dems-host-5th-annual-national-democratic-law-students-convention Notable convention speakers include former DNC Chairman and Vermont Governor

, New York Congressman

Charles B. Rangel Charles Bernard Rangel (, ; born June 11, 1930) is an American politician who was a U.S. representative for districts in New York from 1971 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the second-longest serving incumbent member of the ...

, Democratic political consultant

Bob Shrum Robert M. "Bob" Shrum (born July 21, 1943) is the Director of the Center for the Political Future and the Carmen H. and Louis Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics at the University of Southern California, where he is a Professor of the Practice o ...

, Illinois Treasurer and former U.S. Senate candidate

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, Maryland Attorney General

Doug Gansler Douglas Friend Gansler (born October 30, 1962) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 45th Attorney General of Maryland. Gansler previously served as the State's Attorney for Montgomery County, Maryland, from 1999 to 2007. He won ...

, and Illinois Congresswoman

Jan Schakowsky Janice Schakowsky ( ; née Danoff; born May 26, 1944) is an American politician who has served as the U.S. representative from since 1999. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is anchored in Chicago's North Side, including ...

. The 2011 Law School Democrats National Convention took place April 1–3 at the

Georgetown University Law Center The Georgetown University Law Center (Georgetown Law) is the law school of Georgetown University, a private research university in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1870 and is the largest law school in the United States by enrollment and ...

in Washington, D.C.

References

{{Reflist Democratic Party (United States) organizations Student wings of political parties in the United States Political organizations established in 2006

History

Activities

National Convention

See also

References