Following a tragic death in the law student community, the University in general and the Law School and particular want to offer some helpful resources:

Student Psychological and Testing Services (answered 24/7)
210-825-3622

Texas Lawyers Assistance Program (available to law students)
800-343-8527

The Office of Academic and Student Affairs offers services for all law students. First-year students learn basic law school skills, such as briefing cases, outlining, and exam preparation, from Academic Scholars trained and supported by our office. Students approaching the bar exam receive bar exam skills instruction. Students at any stage in their law school careers can come into the office for individual appointments to discuss academic issues or to improve their skills, for supplements and resources on various areas of law study, or simply to chat with one of the staff members.

Contact Information:

Kathryn Tullos, J.D.
Director, Office of Academic and Student Affairs
Raba Law Faculty Building, Room 106-A
Telephone number: (210) 436-3541

Kevin Robinowich, J.D.
Associate Director, Office of Academic and Student Affairs
Raba Law Faculty Building, Room 106-B
Telephone number: (210) 436-3987

Preyal Shah, J.D.
Associate Director, Office of Academic and Student Affairs
Raba Law Faculty Building, Room 106-C
Telephone number: (210) 436-3779

Office of Academic and Student Affairs
Raba Law Faculty Building, Room 106-E
Telephone number: (210) 431-4340
academicaffairs@stmarytx.edu

Programming

The Office of Academic and Student Affairs offers a number of programs each semester, including:

1L Summer Skills Academy

All incoming 1Ls should attend one of these full-day sessions. Here you will receive your first glimpse of the skills and techniques you will need to perfect to succeed in law school. In one day you will learn how to read and understand a case, how to prepare for class and the Socratic Method, how to begin to incorporate the material into a full semester outline, and how to tackle a law school exam. Each session is usually booked to capacity, and you do not want to miss this opportunity. Registration form

1L Academic Scholar Program

All 1Ls will be assigned to an Academic Scholar during their first fall semester. Academic Scholars are upper-level law students who have been selected by the Office of Academic and Student Affairs to help teach the skills necessary to succeed in law school. The Scholars will hold weekly 50-minute lectures focusing on these skills while allowing 1Ls to feel comfortable enough to ask questions. Academic Scholars are also happy to speak with their assigned students on an individual basis to answer questions or guide students to the proper resources.

Preparing for a Law School Exam for 1Ls

During this fall presentation, professors who teach in the 1L curriculum provide their best advice on how to prepare for a law school exam, such as techniques for answering multiple choice questions and organizing essays, how much time to spending preparing for each exam and how to know when you are prepared.

1L Fundamental Skills Workshop

This four-session workshop is available for all 1Ls and is mandatory for the bottom quartile of the first-year class. It focuses on providing the skills necessary to organize and synthesize the materials read throughout the semester and to improve exam performance. A modified version of this workshop is also provided online to the bottom ten percent of the second-year class.

Bar Preparation

The Office of Academic and Student Affairs offers and organizes a variety of opportunities for 2Ls and 3Ls to begin preparing for the bar exam early. In fact, many of the skills which lead to success on the Texas Bar Exam also help in law school exam performance. The office offers presentations to help understand the role of bar preparation courses and the breakdown of the three-day Texas Bar Exam, as well as skills to succeed on the Bar's multiple choice and essay exam questions.

Handouts

• Bar Tested Subjects
• Creating a Study Schedule
• Improving your Outlines
• Brief Template
• Basic Legal Vocabulary
• Study Group Tips
• Organizing Your Essay Answer
• Some Tips to Make Your Exam Answer Readable
• Issue Spotting Tips
• IRAC Trouble-Shooting Tips
• Multiple Choice Exam Tips
• Effective Study Skills
• Bar Exam Study Schedule List of Subjects Tested
• Overcoming Test Anxiety
• Road Map for Success- Bar Preparation
• Straight Talk about the Bar Exam
• The Texas Bar Exam
• Studying for Multiple Choice Exams

Lectures

We are creating a library of faculty presentations teaching skills-based techniques and substantive legal knowledge to help you succeed in the law school curriculum. Currently, iTunes is needed to view these short videos. Keep checking back for more titles.

Substantive Due Process

David Dittfurth, Professor of Law

Study Tips for Estates and Future Interest

Victoria Mather, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs and Professor of Law

Individual Appointments

The Office of Academic and Student Affairs offers individual appointments to all law students Monday through Friday. Students may utilize these appointments to take practice exams for their current courses, discuss methods to improve academic performance, obtain feedback on course outlines, or to ask other questions. Daytime and evening hours are available. Contact Patricia Solano at (210) 431-4340 or academicaffairs@stmarytx.eduto schedule an appointment.

Study Group Appointments

Appointments for study groups who want to learn new methods of group learning or simply want to improve study group productivity are also available. Daytime and evening hours are available. Contact Patricia Solano at (210) 431-4340 or academicaffairs@stmarytx.eduto schedule an appointment.

Personal Concerns or Learning Disabilities

While the Office of Academic and Student Affairs focuses primarily on academics, it is understood that performance is often affected by outside circumstances. For this reason, students are encouraged to take advantage of the University's Student Psychological and Testing Services

Academic Advising

The Office of Academic and Student Affairs offers course advising to all law students prior to each registration period. Students may utilize these appointments to ensure they take the courses needed to pass the Texas Bar Exam, learn abou the material covered in a particular course, and learn more about the professors and exam formats. Daytime and evening hours are available. Contact Patricia Solano at (210) 431-4340 or academicaffairs@stmarytx.eduto schedule an appointment.

The Witan

All law students should read the Witan every week. The Witan is the official School of Law newsletter published weekly by the administration and contains important announcements from the administration, faculty, staff, and student organizations. The Witan is the primary means of alerting students to important announcements, including scholarship opportunities, writing contests (that have cash prizes), course registration (for 2L and 3L classes), upcoming events, and more.

Vol. 15,Jan. 14, 2013

Archive: Fall 2012

Vol. 1, Aug. 20, 2012

Vol. 2, Aug. 27, 2012

Vol. 3, Sept. 3, 2012

Vol. 4, Sept. 10, 2012

Vol. 5, Sept. 17, 2012

Vol. 6, Sept. 24, 2012

Vol. 7, Oct. 1, 2012

Vol. 8, Oct. 8, 2012

Vol. 9, Oct. 15, 2012

Vol. 10, Oct. 22, 2012

Vol. 11, Oct. 29, 2012

Vol. 12, Nov. 05, 2012

Vol. 13, Nov. 14, 2012

Vol. 15,Dec. 03, 2012

Registered Student Organizations

Aggie Bar Association
The Aggie Bar Association is composed of students who completed their undergraduate studies at Texas A&M University, as well as other friends of Texas A&M. The Association serves as both a professional and social organization. A mentor program pairs students with Aggie members of the local bar.

American Constitution Society
ACS's nationwide network of student chapters is fostering a new generation of progressive leaders. Through hundreds of programs each year featuring renowned advocates, scholars and judges addressing a wide range of legal and policy issues, chapters educate their members about the critical issues facing our country. Working with ACS lawyer chapters and the national office, they also provide students with meaningful opportunities for professional development and mentoring; participation in substantive projects; and membership in both a local community and a national network. Currently, there are over 180 law school chapters.

Animal League Defense Fund Association
St. Mary's University School of Law SALDF is dedicated to providing a forum for education, advocacy, and scholarship aimed at protecting the lives and advancing the interest of animals through the legal system, and raising the profile of the field of animal law. St.MU School of Law SALDF is starting its second year. We plan on having our annual Boo Bash puppet show to education children about caring for their pets and celebrating "Snicker's" birthday in honor of all Seeing Eye dogs and Assistant Dogs. In addition, there well be plenty of events to volunteer for to raise awareness of animal welfare. Animal welfare and Animal rights is a new field of law with plenty of opening for interested attorneys.

Asian-Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA)
APALSA provides an opportunity for St. Mary's Law students to share experiences and discuss issues with the Asian-Pacific American legal community and visiting Asian scholars. APALSA welcomes all St. Mary's Law students who are interested in the Asian-Pacific American legal community.

Austin Young Alumni Association
Connecting students to Austin by service and social events.

Baylor Bar Association
The Baylor Bar Association is composed of students who completed their undergraduate studies at Baylor University, as well as other friends of the Baylor Bears. The Association serves as both a professional and social organization.

Black Allied Law Student Association (BALSA)
The Black Law Students Association (BLSA) of St. Mary's University School of Law places its primary focus on the matriculation, retention, and graduation of black law students in San Antonio. The organization engages in academic programs and social events that provide critical resources and benefits to students who might otherwise remain marginalized. This activity underlines our overall mission: to increase the number of competent black attorneys practicing within the State of Texas. The association endorses the idea that a larger pool of competent black legal advocates will mitigate the disparate effects the American common law system of justice currently delivers to the black population. BLSA seeks to (1) provide support for its members through scholarships and relationship building; (2) enhance leadership skills; and (3) to leverage available resources to increase our impact as legal advocates in addressing issues affecting minority communities. Membership is open to all students, staff and faculty members who support these goals.

Board of Advocates
The Board of Advocates, also referred to as BOA, organizes and conducts competitions throughout the fall and spring semesters to give students of St. Mary's University School of Law practical experience in the art of advocacy. The BOA consists of 20 law students who are responsible for the organization of in-school advocacy competitions. The types of competitions that BOA sponsors include, but are not limited to: moot court, mock trial, and negotiations. 3Ls and 2Ls may participate as competitors in any of the fall and spring competitions, excluding First Year Moot Court. In addition, any law student may volunteer as clients, witnesses, and bailiffs at the Fall and Spring competitions. Selection to BOA is made at the end of each Spring semester.
Chair: John Craig - jcraig4@stmarytx.edu

Christian Legal Society
The Christian Legal Society is a non-denominational Christian fellowship for all law students who have put their faith in Jesus Christ for their salvation or want to. We are guided by Christ's command: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matt. 22:37-40. Our fellowship aims to cultivate a heart for "knowing God" (Jer. 9:23-24) and for serving our neighbors through three interrelated activities: 1) Spiritual Formation: Cultivating spiritual growth through communal prayer, fellowship, and worship; learning to share one's faith; and devotional study of the Bible and classic Christian works. 2) Compassionate Outreach: Showing the love of Christ to the campus community by proclaiming the gospel in word and in deed, such as through a life of integrity and charitable good works, or as Martin Luther put it, "to be as Christ to our neighbor." 3) Christian Calling: Addressing the question, "What does it mean to be a Christian in law?", that is, submitting every aspect of one's calling in the legal profession to Christ's authority.

Dallas/Fort Worth Alumni Student Chapter
The Dallas Alumni Student Chapter (DASC) develops networking opportunities for St. Mary's University School of Law students seeking legal employment in the North Texas market. The DASC strives to increase cooperation with alumni working in the North Texas area by coordinating social functions, such as happy hours, with the Dallas Chapter of the St. Mary's University School of Law Alumni Association.

Democratic Law Students Association
The Democratic Law Student Association seeks to make known and promote the principles of the Democratic Party, including the values of family, freedom, and fairness. In recognition that the power of our government derives from the individual strengths of our diverse population, DLSA reinforces the principle that any society should be rooted in equal opportunity and ethical representation. By becoming a member of the Democratic Law Student Association, you have the incredible opportunity to meet other like minded students, connect with local campaigns, and network with local Democratic attorneys.

Evening Student Bar Association
The Evening Student Bar Association (ESBA) promotes the various and unique issues of, and secures opportunities for, the evening law students at the St. Mary's University School of Law. In addition to being the voice of the Evening Program to the SBA and school, the ESBA is dedicated to helping ease the transition into law school for evening students.

Environmental Law Association
The purpose of the Environmental Law Society is to promote awareness of environmental issues, to provide a forum for discussion of environmental topics and to encourage interaction with environmental groups and other practitioners in the area of environmental law.

Federal Bar Association
Raising the Bar to New Heights. As the professional organization for private and government lawyers and judges involved in federal practice, the FBA offers an unmatched array of networking and leadership opportunities. From international law to bankruptcy, we cover it. For over 80 years, we have led the way for legal practitioners in government. If you're interested in taking charge of your legal career, join us. Visit our website at www.fedbar.org for our special student membership rates.

The Federalist Society
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies is a group of conservatives and libertarians interested in the current state of the legal order. It is founded on the principles that the state exists to preserve freedom, that the separation of governmental powers is central to our Constitution, and that it is emphatically the province and duty of the judiciary to say what the law is, not what it should be. The Society seeks both to promote an awareness of these principles and to further their application through its activities. This entails reordering priorities within the legal system to place a premium on individual liberty, traditional values, and the rule of law. It also requires restoring the recognition of the importance of these norms among lawyers, judges, law students and professors. In working to achieve these goals, the Society has created a conservative and libertarian intellectual network that extends to all levels of the legal community. To learn more about the Federalist Society go to www.fed-soc.org.

Health Law Association
The Health Law Association provides a forum for discussion of the legal, medical, and ethical issues pertaining to health law, including issues relating to access to health care, health care delivery and financing, malpractice, professional regulation, medical technology, and corporate issues.

Hispanic Law Student Association (HLSA)
HLSA encourages the enrollment of, and provides support to, Hispanic law students. In addition to its social and fund-raising events the Association participates in regional and national conferences. HLSA also hosts an internal moot court competition from which students are selected to represent St. Mary's in the Hispanic National Bar Association's Moot Court Competition. Membership is open to all students regardless of ethnic background.

Legal Society for Musicians
Legal Society for Musicians is a group that fosters commraderie amongst those who love simply love music. The Society sponsors Law-la-palooza, an annual event that raises money for local charities while at the same time putting on a good old fashioned Rock Show.

Longhorn Bar Association
Established in 1981, the Longhorn Bar Association brings together friends of The University of Texas including students, professors, and members of the bench and bar. The activities of the group provide support to students, the St. Mary's University School of Law and the wider community. Hook 'em!

Military Law Association
The mission of the Military Law Association is to promote the interests of the military within the legal community. Our members include students who are veterans, active duty/reserve, interested in a career with the Armed Forces, have family in the Armed Forces, or simply want to be a part of a great organization. MLA actively promotes Judge Advocate careers through internships, professional development of its members, social events, and host veterans clinics which enables students to sit in and assist with wide range of legal issues concerning our nations veterans.

Oil, Gas, and Energy Resources Legal Society
The Oil, Gas, & Energy Resources Law Society mission is to educate law students about oil, gas, and energy resource law issues and to create a forum for law students to network with attorneys and law firms in the field. Membership is open to everyone.

OUTlaw Association
OUTlaw/LEGALIS, is an organization that promotes awareness and the interests of the LGBT community. OUTlaw regularly brings speakers to campus who are pioneers in legal issues that are unique to the LGBT community (probate, adoption, immigration law for same sex partners and couples). All students at St. Mary's are welcome to join our organization or just stop by a meeting if interested.

Phi Alpha Delta
With over 300,000 members worldwide, Phi Alpha Delta is the largest professional fraternity in the world. Its goal is to form a strong bond uniting students and teachers of law with the members of the bench and bar. This international organization offers professional programs, student loans, job preparation and placement assistance, insurance, and other services.

Phi Delta Phi
Phi Delta Phi is the oldest legal fraternity in the nation, and it seeks to promote the ideals of the legal profession through intellectual development and community service. Membership is based on academic achievement. Students who are in the top 20 percent of their class at the end of any semester are eligible to join.

Red Raider Bar Association
The Red Raider Bar Association is composed of students who completed their undergraduate studies at Texas Tech University and the friends of Texas Tech.

Republican Law Students Association
The Republican Law Students Association provides a forum for law students who wish to promote and foster the goals of the Grand Ol Party, the Constitution of the United States, and the values of St. Mary's University.

SELS Sports & Entertainment Law Society
Provides a forum for discussion within the areas of sports and entertainment law, and sponsors presentations by guest speakers relating to industry topics and issues.

St. Mary's Law Journal
The St. Mary's Law Journal strives to publish four issues of a legal periodical of scholarly merit and practical use every year; and to further the legal education of its members by developing its members' advanced legal research and writing skills and providing practical experience in the day-to-day operation of a legal publication. A seven-year survey of state and federal court decisions ranked the St. Mary's Law Journal as the tenth most frequently cited law review in the United States. The survey ranked the top 10 most-cited American legal periodicals as: Harvard Law Review, Columbia Law Review, Yale Law Journal, Michigan Law Review, New York University Law Review, Georgetown Law Journal, University of Chicago Law Review, Vanderbilt Law Review, Texas Law Review, and St. Mary's Law Journal.

St. Thomas More Society/Catholic Student Association
The St. Thomas More Society has a two-fold purpose: to provide for the spiritual well-being of students and to provide a forum for discussion.

Tech & Intellectual Property Association
The purpose of the Tech & IP Association is to promote interest in and knowledge of technology and intellectual property; provide members with networking and skills-building opportunities; and provide a forum to discuss legal issues relating to the field.

The Scholar
The Scholar: St. Mary's Law Review on Minority Issues seeks to speak on behalf of minorities by reaching out to the larger community, to inform them, to share with them, to educate them, and to grow with them. The goal of The Scholar is to give all minorities a "voice" in the publication of a legal journal on issues affecting all minorities. The Scholar is a sign of hope for a promising future and for a better understanding of all members of our society.

Women's Law Association
The Women's Law Association addresses the concerns of women law students. Seminars, speakers, and fund-raisers are frequently sponsored by the organization. In addition, the Association has established a mentor program that pairs its members with local lawyers. Membership in the Association is open to both women and men.