Chair Job Description
The Chair is the chief executive student leader of the Law Student Division and its Council. Chair is the highest-ranking national law student position in the ABA.
You’ll be the leader of a team of talented students from across the U.S. This is a demanding, but rewarding role that involves everything from setting high-level goals and priorities for the ABA Law Student Division to setting agendas for its Council meetings.
Previous association or student governance experience, and/or a previous ABA position, is considered a major plus in this role.
- Time Commitment: Equivalent to a part-time job (25-30 hours weekly).
- Election Method: Elected in March by an electronic vote of the Assembly.
- Officer-Elect Period: Serves immediately upon election in a non-voting, Officer-Elect capacity on the Council through the conclusion of the next ABA Annual Meeting in August.
- Term: Assumes the official one-year term starting at the next Annual Meeting through the following Annual Meeting (August to August).
- Membership Level: Must be a Premium Law Student Division member.
Job Responsibilities
The LSD Chair:
- Represents the Law Student Division and speaks on its behalf.
- Executes the Division’s mission and goals.
- Hosts or appoints host for the ABA Law Student Podcast.
- Establishes, maintains, and furthers the Division’s relationships and contacts with ABA entities, ABA professional staff, and other organizations.
- Coordinates with Division Council and ABA entities to address legal issues concerning students including transmitting resolutions to the ABA House of Delegates and other ABA entities, identifying other entities which may support and/or co-sponsor a resolution, utilizing liaisons to gain support within other entities, and reporting to the membership.
- Chairs the Law Student Division Council and the Assembly.
- Prepares agendas and reports for all Division meetings.
- Participates in the ABA’s annual lobbying delegation to Congress related to current ABA policy and supports other appropriate lobbying efforts.
- Communicates regularly with Council members on Division and Association issues.
- Communicates with ABA officers and executive officials.
- Serves as a voting representative on the Young Lawyers Division Executive Council. Attends and submits reports for each meeting (4 meetings/reports annually).
- Coordinates with ABA entities to appoint law student liaisons to appropriate entities.
- Recognizes outstanding service by a Council member or other Division appointment.
- Follow and understand the current Law Student Division Bylaws.