By Alec Zadek '08
News Editor

The University of Virginia chapter of the Black Law Student Association (BLSA) was named the Chapter of the Year at the 2008 National Black Law Students Association’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Convention in Arlington, Virginia. The award marks the third consecutive year that UVA has received the honor, and the fourth time since 2002.

The UVA chapter’s first annual Diversity Reception, which was held during the fall semester, received the region-wide award for Program of the Year, and its two mock trial teams overmatched other law schools including Georgetown to take first and second place in the regional Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition.

The success of the advocacy teams can be attributed to their rigorous preparation and the support of their chapter.

“We dedicated double-digit hours each day ironing out the kinks in our trials during the week before spring break,” remarked second-year student Stephen Anthony. “We ran about four trials in front of guest judges and juries who provided us with constructive feedback.”

Each year the top two teams from the six regional competitions advance to the final round of the Mock Trial Competition, which will be held at the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) Convention in Detroit, Michigan. If the presence of two UVA teams among the twelve from around the country is not enough to impress the mock trial competitors, then the presence and reputation of the UVA chapter should. For the second year in a row, the UVA Chapter will compete for the NBLSA Chapter of the Year, an award it won last year.

The chapter’s successes at the regional and national conventions are only a footnote to their impressive work at UVA and in the Charlottesville community. The foundation of the chapter is the idea that each member is part of a family, which works to educate and help each other develop as people and professionals.

“Our obligation as members and a policy council is to ensure that each family member is taking affirmative steps to meet his or her academic and professional expectations, while using our legal minds and tools to give back to our community,” said second-year Dana Weekes, BLSA president.

The UVA chapter is devoted to helping first-years adjust to the rigors of law school. In addition to tutoring and mentoring programs, the chapter coordinated mock interviews for each of its first-year members. First-year Karla Hardy, one of the members of the mock trial team, expressed her gratitude for the extensive development opportunities within BLSA.

“Being a part of the Black Law Students Association has been a central part of my first year experience here at UVA Law because the leadership has done an excellent job of creating programs that are timely and relevant. I find myself surrounded by useful advice and supportive friendships, as well as opportunities to serve, all as a result of my involvement with BLSA.”

First-year Ellen Yiadom noted that the success of the UVA chapter of BLSA and its reputation for development were some of the main reasons she chose UVA over other law schools.

“BLSA was one of the reasons why I came to Virginia and the reason why I am still here. Prior to applying to Virginia, I was aware of the awards BLSA had received, but nothing prepared me for the wonderful experiences I had last semester and continue to enjoy this semester. The programming for the 1L class has been extensive and included the 1L book drive, exam prep sessions, and the Diversity Reception, just to name a few. What has impressed me most about this organization is its dedication to professionalism. BLSA is not an extracurricular activity; it is an institution within the law school. I hope its legacy continues into the future.”

The chapter’s devotion to its members is matched by its commitment to the community. This year the chapter observed Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Black History Month. Members also spent a day at the Ronald McDonald House, where they mopped floors, sanded rust from railings, and performed other maintenance work in order to improve the facility.

One of BLSA's crowning achievements this year was the establishment of the Michael J. Klarman Paper Competition Award, which will be awarded annually to a current student at an accredited law school in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The award is in honor of UVA Law's Professor Klarman for his scholarly work in constitutional law and civil rights.