Legal Studies Activities

The Legal Studies Program at SUU offers a variety of law-related activities for students to encourage and support them in their goal to become attorneys and paralegals.

Legal Studies Student Association (LSSA)

The LSSA is the student organization on campus whose members have an interest in law. It is advised by the Legal Studies Director and is part of SUU's student government. The club offers students who wish to be attorneys or paralegals leadership opportunities regarding running for office and directing LSSA events. These events include matters dealing with legal careers such as bringing in attorneys and judges as guest speakers as well as with fun activities such as having a float in the SUU Homecoming Parade and supporting the community through charitable projects. In addition, LSSA and Legal Scholars sponsor an end-of-the-year pizza party during which Outstanding Students are recognized including students with the highest grade in each Legal Studies course and LSSA elections are held.

Students who wish to be LSSA members should go to the "clubs" portion of the SUU Student Association webpage and join the organization.

Field Trips

The Legal Studies Program sponsors field trips so students may get a “real world” view of situations regarding their interest in law. For example, the program sponsors a trip to the annual law school fair at the University of Utah, BYU, or UNLV at which over 100 law schools are represented. Students then have the opportunity to meet with admissions deans from these schools and learn about their institutions and, perhaps, begin a relationship that may end in admission to the law school. Another field trip taken by Legal Scholars is the annual visit to the state Supreme Court in Salt Lake City to observe oral arguments before the court. Field trips are also conducted to such places as the state law library, various law schools, Women in Law Day events at BYU, and large law offices.

Law School Admissions Workshop

Each year Legal Scholars and the LSSA hold the Law School Admissions Workshop during which law school admissions deans from our closest law schools at the University of Utah, BYU, and UNLV speak to SUU’s prelaw students regarding such topics as law school application process, the LSAT exam, law school admissions criteria, and law school funding/scholarships.

LSAT Study Groups and Support

The Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is required for admissions by virtually all accredited law schools. It is one of the most important elements of the law school admissions criteria. The LSSA has a student-led LSAT study group that meet weekly to review test categories and take practice exams. In addition, representatives from Ace Test Prep, a Utah company, visit campus to assist SUU students by providing an overview of the exam and offering a practice test. In addition, Ace Test Prep offers SUU a discount on their programs. See the Legal Studies Director for details.

Intramural Mock Trial Competition

SUU’s Intramural Mock Trial competition is a great activity for students interested in a future career in law, those with theatrical or communications interest, or anyone who likes to be part of challenging and fun events. This competition is held on campus and is open to all students.

During the competition, students role-play as attorneys and witnesses in a hypothetical court action. It takes place in the Mock Trial Courtroom in SUU’s General Classroom Building and trials are conducted before a judge who rules on the case. Participants are recognized for their work through the presentation of awards for winning teams and certificates of recognition for the top student-attorneys and student-witnesses.

For more information, contact: wtmelling@suu.edu.

Study Abroad

Legal Studies partners with Criminal Justice to offer an annual student abroad opportunity each May. Examples of past study abroad themes are “Ireland: Beyond the Troubles” regarding a trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland and “Comparative Criminal Law and Justice” which was studied during a trip to Eastern Canada.

Enhanced Advising

The Legal Studies Director offers enhanced advising to any student who is thinking about a career in law as an attorney or paralegal. The director will speak to the students about his/her career goals and what it takes to accomplish them. Specific information regarding law school admissions, selection, financing, etc. may be obtained from the director as well as advise on writing a personal statement, preparing a resume, and obtaining letters of recommendation. Students who wish to work in a legal environment as a paralegal or other law professional will be assisted with such matters as job hunting tips, law office opportunities, and resume writing. Such one-on-one advising is often an invaluable service to the prelaw or paralegal student.