 | This article contains promotional content .(September 2025) |
| Law School Democrats of America | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
| Mother party | Democratic Party |
| Website | [www.lawdems.org/] |
The Law Democrats of America (Law Dems) is a partisan group, but it is not officially affiliated with the Democratic National Committee (DNC). The organization is currently led by President Marc J. Hawk III, and the Executive Vice President is Spencer Jones.
Law School Democrats of America was founded in 2006 at Harvard Law School by David Burd. The organization's first event was a national convention, keynoted by DNC Chairman Howard Dean, at Harvard Law School. [1]
Law Democrats of America is a national network of law students, legal professionals, and activist advancing democracy, civil rights, and civic change beyond law school. LDA is committed to defending the rule of law, expanding access to justice, and equipping the next generation of civic-minded legal leaders. Through organizing, education, and advocacy, LDA builds a pipeline of progressive legal talent ready to shape the future of our democracy—before and beyond electoral politics.
Law Democrats of America seeks to:
Since 2006, hundreds of law students have taken an active role in Democratic politics, and local and national elections as members of the Law School Democrats. [2] Student activities have included canvassing, legal research, phone banking, voter protection, and other activities.
The Law Democrats seek to ensure that every eligible voter is allowed to cast a vote and that every vote is counted, support Democratic campaigns and candidates, connect law students and attorneys interested in Democratic politics, and cultivate the next generation of Democratic leaders.
Every year the Law Democrats holds a national convention. The convention generally takes place in February or March over a weekend, and consists of discussion panels, keynote speakers, receptions, and an election for a new board of directors. Past conventions were held in Boston, New York City, Columbus, Ohio, Chicago, [3] and Washington, D.C. [4] Notable convention speakers include former DNC Chairman and Vermont Governor Howard Dean, New York Congressman Charles B. Rangel, Democratic political consultant Bob Shrum, Illinois Treasurer and former U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias, Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler, and Illinois Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky.
The 2011 Law School Democrats National Convention took place April 1–3 at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.
In 2025, the Law School Democrats of America officially rebranded as Law Democrats of America (LDA) to reflect a broader mission in response to recent attacks on legal education and the rule of law. This transformation expands LDA’s reach to include not only law students but also pre-law students and legal professionals, creating an inclusive national network committed to advancing democracy, civil rights, and civic change.
One of LDA’s signature initiatives, the March for the Rule of Law, includes a series of teach-ins, litigation trainings, and a culminating weekend of coordinated marches across the United States.
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