Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Honor Every Voice.

At Boston College Law School, we are known for our supportive and inclusive community. As a central part of our Jesuit, Catholic mission, 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 justice—in and out of the courtroom.

More: A Commitment to Inclusion

Lisa Brathwaite

Assistant Dean

Boston College Policies

“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.”

Odette Lienau, Marianne D. Short, Esq., Dean, Boston College Law School

Inclusive Excellence

Our community is diverse—in backgrounds, interests, and experiences. Discover what BC Law students and alumni are like, where they work, and what they do, on campus and beyond.

Black History at BC Law

In partnership with the Black Law Students Association and the Black Alumni Network, we have launched a website focused on Black history at BC Law, with an interactive timeline, video interviews, profiles and photo galleries, BC Law Magazine stories, a tribute to Professor Emerita and BAN co-founder Ruth-Arlene Howe ’74, and much more. The site captures the rich history and important contributions of Black students, alumni, faculty and staff to the life of the Law School and the profession.

Visit the Site

Events & Initiatives

Events

BC Law DEI

Get Involved

DEIB Committee

BC Law has a standing Committee that works to effect positive change around Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging for all. The Committee includes members of the faculty and staff, and works hand-in-hand with the student community.
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.

Learn more about PILF
Working Group Events

The PILF DEI team holds programs, events and facilitates conversation about anti-racism and its intersections with public interest law.
Critical Perspectives in Law & Professional Identity

As part of the 1L program, BC Law includes a course that introduces students to a core set of critical perspectives that will help them think 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

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.

See all our student organizations

Asian Pacific American Law Students Association

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.

Contact APALSA

See all our student organizations

Black Law Students Association

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.

Contact BLSA

See all our student organizations

Disability Law Students Association

Disability Law Students Association

The Disability Law Students Association strives to bring greater awareness to the organization and its members among the community.

Contact the Disability Law Students Association

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First Generation Professionals

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.

See all our student organizations

Jewish Law Students Association

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.

Contact JLSA

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Lambda Law Students Association

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.

Contact Lambda

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Latin American Law Students Association

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.

Contact LALSA

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Middle Eastern Law Students Association

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.

See all our student organizations

Native American Law Students Association

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.

See all our student organizations

South Asian Law Students Association

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.

Contact SALSA

See all our student organizations