College of Law welcomes Northeast Black Law Student Association convention

The Northeast Black Law Student Association (NEBLSA) brings its regional convention to Syracuse, Jan. 28-31. Black Law Student Association (BLSA) members from 33 different law schools, including Columbia University, University at Buffalo, Boston University, St. Johns University, New York University and Cornell University will take part in diverse programs to enable participants to succeed and excel as law students, practitioners and other legal professionals.

“A diverse legal profession is important to the U.S. and global societies to help address societal challenges with critical skills, analysis and insights. That is why the Black Law Students Association at the local-school, regional and national levels remains important to ensuring that the profession is accessible, inclusive and responsive to the many people in our own society and across the globe who are in need of legal services and in search of answers to some of our most vexing issues,” says Paula Johnson, College of Law professor and BLSA advisor.

The College of Law hosts the Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition and the Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition, which includes two teams from SU. There is also a community service event planned during the competition.

“We are excited to have the convention here in Syracuse. Aside from all of the competitions and workshops that will take place, the most important function of this conference is the combining of resources to provide assistance to the SU community,” says Jonathan B. Ambaye, SU BLSA president. “As a College of Law student and SU BLSA member, I’m proud to be a part of such an important event.”

The National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA), founded in 1968, is a national organization formed to articulate and promote the needs and goals of black law students and effect change in the legal community.