Student Chapter Resources
Running an ACS Student Chapter
ACS Student Chapter Handbook
ACS Student Chapter Template Constitution
Faculty Advisor Checklist
Model Calendar
Student Chapter Board Template Update
Recruiting and Building a Chapter
If your school currently does not have an active ACS student chapter and you are interested in growing or reviving a chapter, reach out to the ACS Chapters Team by emailing campus@acslaw.org. Please also review the ACS Student Chapter Handbook (link above) for additional guidance. We are excited to work with you and provide guidance as you work to grow your chapter.
Become an ACS National member here. Current law students who become a member today ($25) will have their membership extended until December 31 of their graduation year. ACS National members will receive special invitations; scholarships and other discounts to national and lawyer chapter events; the opportunity to apply for and participate in ACS workshops, trainings, and mentorship opportunities; regular updates on our activities; and access to our job bank and our weekly bulletin. While becoming an ACS National Member is not a prerequisite to attend most ACS events (national, student, or lawyer chapter events), we strongly encourage students to become an ACS National member as a first step in a career-long engagement in the ACS network
Programming Ideas and Resources
The ACS National Office will assist your chapter’s efforts by providing substantive, financial, and administrative support whenever possible. We encourage chapters to host at least one event per month and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in chapter programming, speakers, co-sponsorships, and membership. If you need assistance, please connect with us at campus@acslaw.org.
- Review our Program Guides, the ACS Broken Law podcast, the ACS National blog, and Model Calendar for ideas and resources on programming.
- Volunteer. Through ACS’s volunteer efforts, we connect lawyers and law students across the country to opportunities tailored to their interests, skills, and schedule. We are constantly looking for volunteers for ongoing research and pro bono projects. Information on some of our current projects can be found here. Please sign up on our volunteer survey or email us at LCEmails@acslaw.org if you’d like to help or if you know of any volunteer opportunities or trainings where our members could be helpful.
Event Logistics
- Posting Events: All student chapters MUST post their events to the ACS Calendar using the Event Posting Instructions.
- Funding and Reimbursement Requests: The ACS National office directs a portion of our national budget to help pay for student chapter events. These funds may cover event costs (such as food, drinks, etc.) or speaker travel costs (such as coach airfare, taxi, mileage, or one night’s hotel stay). To access ACS National funds, you MUST request and receive approval for funding BEFORE your event. Requests for funding should be received two weeks before the event. Funding and reimbursement instructions can be found here. ACS’s policy regarding reimbursable expenses are available here. The national office will notify your chapter of what amount it has been approved to spend.
- Speaker Release Form: Provide all speakers a copy of our speaker release form for their signature in advance of their respective program.
- Advertising:
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- Make extensive use of fliers to promote your event. All approved student chapters may use the official ACS logo in conjunction with the “(Name of Law School) Student Chapter.” Chapter leaders may email us at campus@acslaw.org to request the logo.
- Share the program with your faculty, other student groups, through your school calendar, on social media, through student listservs, and other student-related outlets (GroupMe, WhatsApp group, etc.)
- Sign In sheets for your event. Email your completed sign in sheets to campus@acslaw.org.