ACS At-Large Chapter
Interested but not close to an active ACS chapter? Join our At-Large Chapter to connect with progressive lawyers across the country
Goals
Goals for the ACS At-Large Lawyer Chapter
ACS is launching an At-Large Lawyer Chapter in 2019 with the goals of providing a forum for progressive lawyers in rural and suburban areas that want to make an impact in their local communities and beyond; and serving as an incubator for progressive lawyers in areas where there is no existing infrastructure for a lawyer chapter to establish a stand-alone, sustainable lawyer chapter.
To engage progressive lawyers in rural and suburban areas, the At-Large Chapter will do the following:
- Encourage At-Large Chapter members to engage their alma mater for speaking engagements or events with an ACS student chapter
- Encourage and assist At-Large Chapter members in attending lawyer convenings and the 2019 ACS National Convention in Washington, D.C. June 6-8
- Provide pro bono and other volunteer projects through ACS’s Department of Network Advancement including, but not limited to, Notice and Comment, election protection and voter registration, Love Our Constitution, and Constitution in the Classroom
- Organize programming (including CLE opportunities) that is accessible via Skype or conference line
- Provide At-Large Chapter members access to other national calls
- Facilitate local meet-ups, reading groups, and listening parties with other progressive lawyers and partners
- Create and manage exclusive social media accounts for At-Large Chapter members including, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, and Slack
Get Involved
To get in touch with At-Large Chapter leadership, please email Luke Ihnen, Assistant Director of Chapters, lihnen@acslaw.org.
What's Coming Up
At-Large Chapter Roadmap
We envision the participation in the At-Large Lawyer Chapter to include one or more of the following activities, along with additions developed by the Steering Committee or future leaders:
January:
- Join or renew your ACS National membership and join the At-Large Lawyer Chapter;
- Review the 2019 ACS Program Guide on Progressive Federalism;
- Organize a day of service event on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in your community;
February:
- Host a Love Our Constitution event in your community;
- Partner with a local organization to celebrate Black History Month;
- Submit your written work by February 3rd to the Richard D. Cudahy Writing Competition;
March:
- Attend an exclusive all-members call with ACS National Staff to discuss onboarding and pro bono and volunteer projects (Luke, Meghan, Ashley);
- Partner with a local organization to celebrate Women’s History Month;
April:
- Attend an exclusive all-members call with At-Large Chapter Board of Advisors (current lawyer chapter leaders);
- Attend a happy hour with the closest ACS student chapter;
- Make plans with the student chapter leaders at your alma mater law school to speak in the Fall;
May:
- Organize an ACS Roadshow with local progressive attorneys including, but not limited to, legal aid and trial lawyer organizations;
- Host a Constitution in the Classroom event in your community for Law Week;
June:
- Attend the 2019 ACS National Convention in Washington, D.C. June 6-8 o Sign-up to match with a law student at the National Convention
- Partner with a local organization to celebrate LQBTQ+ Pride Month
- Host a Notice and Comment party with local lawyers and/or law students;
July:
- Attend a happy hour with the closest ACS lawyer chapter;
- Organize an ACS Roadshow with local progressive attorneys including, but not limited to, legal aid and trial lawyer organizations;
- Attend an exclusive all-members call on progressive careers;
August:
- Organize a happy hour with local progressive attorneys;
- Submit an Op-Ed on the upcoming Supreme Court term;
September:
- Host a Constitution in the Classroom event in your community for Constitution Day;
- Attend the 2019 ACS National Lawyer Convening
- Attend an exclusive all-members CLE call;
October:
- Sign-up to participate in election protection (if applicable in your area);
- Speak with the ACS student chapter at your alma mater law school;
November:
- Engage in election protection activities (if applicable in your area);
- Submit an Op-Ed discussing election outcomes (if applicable in your area);
- Attend the ACS Holiday Party in Washington, D.C. (date TBD);
- Attend an exclusive all-members CLE call;
December:
- Attend a happy hour/holiday party with your closest ACS student chapter or lawyer chapter;
- Host a Notice and Comment party with local progressive lawyers and/or law students.