Student Affairs Programs & Opportunities

In Real Law (IRL) is a BU Law program led by alums Jamie Whitney (J.D. ’94) and Robin Walker (J.D. ’99) that connects first generation law students, law students of color, and law students with underrepresented identities from Boston University, Boston College, Suffolk, and Northeastern, to a diverse group of highly successful attorneys practicing in Boston. Each year, IRL provides 2 to 3 live events where law students and attorneys have honest and in-depth discussions about the unique challenges faced by those who identify with groups historically under-represented in the legal profession. Above all else, IRL aims to introduce law students to Boston’s inclusive legal community welcoming all identities, backgrounds, and cultures. 

Held throughout the school year, BYO Reunions are convening spaces for students with underrepresented identities in the legal profession, primarily serving students of color and LGBTQIA+ students. These events offer opportunities to connect with peers, administrators, and professors who are part of your community of support. We welcome all students, regardless of whether they were able to attend Be Yourself Orientation.

Friday Connections is a new program from Student Affairs designed to encourage BU Law students to explore Boston’s vibrant cultural, educational, and social offerings while building connections within the law school community. Three to four times per semester, JD students can participate in outings that highlight Boston’s rich history and culture. The program has three main goals:

• To engage BU Law students with the greater Boston community through immersive activities in the city’s diverse neighborhoods.
• To foster meaningful connections among students, faculty, and staff by sharing memorable and engaging experiences together.
• To encourage the wellbeing practice of active rest by cultivating interests and hobbies outside of the work of law school.

Student Affairs team will randomly select 12 participants—ideally four students from each class year. One to two BU Law faculty and staff members will accompany students to each outing. To ensure a wide range of students can participate, selected students may attend only one event per semester. The Office of Student Affairs fully covers all expenses for these experiences.

Socials and Student Appreciation

We host a variety of programs throughout the year to show our appreciation for our students and celebrate the exciting milestones throughout law school. These programs might include socials with your section, Trick or Treat Yourself pop up, the Holiday Mixer at the end of the first semester, an on-campus Ice Skating Night, BU Law Loves Its Students pop-up, and free Chair Massages during each final exam study day.

We offer a Student Organization and Engagement Fair in the fall, typically the first Friday after classes begin. This helps new and returning students to connect with the 30+ student organizations that make BU Law such a special community. We also collaborate across the community to offer an Opportunities Fair in the spring, typically in January. This fair offers students an overview of the many opportunities they may pursue during their 2L and 3L years. Some of the opportunities represented at the fair include Clinics and Externships, Study Abroad, Lawyering Fellows, Advocacy Programs, and paid positions like Research Assistants, Teaching Assistants, Equity Fellows, and Student Engagement Fellows.

Throughout the year, we offer opportunities for our student leaders to learn how to thrive in their roles. This includes the big Training and Transition Day in April for incoming and outgoing boards, as well as optional training opportunities in summer, fall and spring to enhance your leadership development and skills.

Each February, we recruit a team of volunteers to help welcome our next class during JD Orientation, Be Yourself Orientation and Transfer Orientation. This opportunity is open to rising 2Ls and 3Ls. This volunteer opportunity includes a variety of levels of commitment, from co-directing the summer planning  to chairing committees for the student-led Orientation sessions to volunteering just on the specific days. Look for a brief information session in February when applications open. With one required meeting in mid-April, most planning is done remotely during the summer months (and outside of work hours to accommodate your summer internships). Check in with anyone in Student Affairs to learn more!

During each BU Law Commencement ceremony, we engage in a community process to select the JD Student Commencement Speaker (there is also an LLM speaker selected by Graduate and International Programs). You have 2 options to be involved in the process for Student Commencement Speaker:

• Option 1 – You may nominate yourself or others to be the speaker at Commencement.
• Option 2 – You may be part of the committee that chooses the student speaker for Commencement.

Details on the process and timeline for this opportunity are typically shared in February, with deadlines for nominations and committee interest falling in late February or early March.

Speakers may be self-nominated or nominated by others. Those who wish to be considered for JD Student Commencement Speaker will submit a written speech of under 5 minutes (presented) by an announced deadline. The Committee will then determine which speaker-hopefuls will present their speech to the committee for consideration. There may be subsequent rounds, but typically the speaker selection is finalized by early to mid-April.

You may also apply to be part of the committee that selects the student speaker for Commencement. The Committee will meet several times throughout March and into early April to select a student commencement speaker. Specific meeting times will be shared when the process in announced each year.

If anyone is nominated as a speaker AND seeks to be on the Committee, they will be given a choice of which to pursue, but cannot do both.

Equity Fellow(s)

Equity Fellows are 3Ls who work in a paid position with the Law Student Affairs team to develop initiatives that promote an inclusive law school community and enhance the extracurricular experience, especially for students underrepresented in the legal profession. They support Affinity Organization Leaders and their members by advising on leadership development skills, event management, budgeting, fundraising, and other needs that incoming e-board members might have.

Student Engagement Fellow(s)

The Student Engagement Fellow is a paid position that supports the Student Affairs team in its work with the BU Law student organizations.  This role includes leading various projects, which may include advising student leaders, event planning and event planning guidance, policy research and development, budgeting, and supporting key systems and processes.