Collaboration, not competition
Learn about our supportive community
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Honor Every Voice.
At Boston College Law School, we are known for our supportive and inclusive community, where people from all backgrounds are celebrated for their unique perspectives and lived experiences. In this current moment, we’re inspired by our students, faculty, and alumni who are using their voices in pursuit of racial justice—in and out of the courtroom.
Lisa Brathwaite
Director
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Programs
“A commitment to diversity is a cherished part of our holistic approach to education. A truly just intellectual community embraces and celebrates a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives, recognizing the value in every voice.”
Events & Initiatives
DEI Events
Get Involved
-
Laurel Davis and Joe Liu
DEIB Committee
BC Law has a standing Committee that works to effect positive change around Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging issues. The Committee includes members of the faculty and staff, and works hand-in-hand with student leaders. Laurel Davis and Joe Liu are the Diversity Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee co-chairs.
-
BC Law's Public Interest Law Foundation
BC Public Interest Law Foundation
PILF is a student-run organization that focuses on making public interest law more accessible to all BC Law students. Members of the PILF Board organize events, fundraise, and engage in alumni outreach to foster a culture of public interest at BC. General members of PILF are encouraged to attend events, participate in volunteer opportunities, and engage in public service with the support of PILF stipends.
-
BC Law's Public Interest Law Foundation
Working Group Events
The PILF DEI team holds programs, events and facilitates conversation about anti-racism and its intersections with public interest law.
-
BC Law's Public Interest Law Foundation
Critical Perspectives in Law & Professional Identity
In 2021, BC Law piloted a new 1L required course meant to introduce students to a core set of critical perspectives that will give them the basic skills to begin to think deeply about the role of race, gender, identity, wealth, and power in the law, in the law school, and in their own professional formation.
BC Law Student Organizations
LAHANAS
LAHANAS is the umbrella student organization of BC Law’s affinity groups that have a particular focus on historically underrepresented populations. LAHANAS, open to all members of the Law School who seek community within these groups, assists students in their transition to the Law School.
Asian Pacific American Law Students Association
APALSA encourages more Asian, Pacific, and Native Americans to enter the legal profession and serve their respective communities. APALSA has numerous programs to assist students, raises awareness of APA-related issues, and maintains an income tax assistance program in Chinatown as well as an elementary school tutoring program.
Black Law Students Association
BLSA works to sensitize the legal establishment to the needs of the Black community, to promote the needs of Black students, and aid in the recruitment, retention, and placement of students of color. BLSA encourages professional competence through academic and career workshops.
Disability Law Students Association
The Disability Law Students Association strives to bring greater awareness to the organization and its members among the community.
First Generation Professionals
First Generation Professionals (FGP) supports students who are the first in their families to attend college or professional school and may come from low-income or working class backgrounds. FGP facilitates professional development events, community-building social events, and faculty relationships that foster personal, academic, and career growth. Our most important work is responding to the needs of first generation and low-income students at BC Law. Because the profession of law lacks significant socioeconomic diversity among its members, FGP seeks to narrow that gap. Many budding first generation lawyers do not know lawyers, cannot turn to family members for career advice, do not enjoy the benefit of personal connections, may not be aware of the invisible expectations of the profession, have significant familial or financial obligations outside of law school, or all of the above. FGP provides a community where similarly situated law students can relate to each other about the many compounded burdens facing first generation students in addition to the intense demands of law school.
Jewish Law Students Association
The Jewish Law Students Association promotes the discussion of Jewish issues pertaining to legal education and the practice of law. The association’s projects include a speaker series, luncheons and observance of Jewish holidays.
Lambda Law Students Association
Lambda is a BC Law coalition of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender students, staff, faculty, and supporters who foster a supportive social network, educate the community about LGBTQ+ identities, sponsor panels on legal issues affecting LGBTQ+ individuals, promote diversity in the law school and the legal profession, and strive toward equality before the law.
Latin American Law Students Association
LALSA promotes Latino issues through campus programs and outreach efforts serving the Latino community. LALSA strives to mentor Latino students at BC Law and assist them through the first year.
Middle Eastern Law Students Association
MELSA serves all students of Middle Eastern heritage and works to provide them with a space in the law school community. MELSA is a resource for all law students interested in the laws and politics of the Middle East to come together to discuss on going developments in the Middle East and bring these issues to the attention of the broader law school community.
Native American Law Students Association
NALSA aims to increase the Native American law student population and promote legal issues affecting Native communities. NALSA encourages both Native and non-Native students to advocate for and raise awareness of these issues within and beyond the BC law community.
South Asian Law Students Association
SALSA was created to recognize the unique needs of South Asians engaged in a legal education and strives to provide its members with the academic, professional, and cultural tools they need to be successful students, lawyers, and community members.
Annual LAHANAS Retreat
-
Celebrating over a decade of partnership between BC Law and Goulston & Storrs
-
Students Marcus Hernandez '18, Mohamed Elfarra '18, and Alex Peña '18 talk at the retreat reception.
-
For many years, Goulston & Storrs has partnered with the BC Law LAHANAS program for an annual diversity retreat, culminating with a reception at their offices overlooking Boston Harbor.
-
Cusaj Thomas '18 talks with Jesse Navarez '09, an associate at Goodwin.
-
KG Gasseling '18 talks to LAHANA students and alumni at the reception.
-
Students and alumni network at the reception.
-
Thui-Dien Bui '15 addresses the crowd at Goulston & Storrs.
-
Former Associate Dean for External Relations, Diversity & Inclusion Tracey West and Jason Triplett '14
-
Marcus Nemeth enjoying a conversation at the retreat reception.
Diversity in the News
University Resources
Forum on Racial Justice in America
