One of the easiest ways for students to make friends and network at Utah Law is by joining a student organization—and there are nearly 600 to choose from. Lauren Finch, who serves as president of Utah Law’s J. Reuben Clark Law Society (JRCLS), became involved in the chapter during her first year of law school after learning about it at the student organization fair.
“I hadn’t known about the organization initially, but when I saw that one of my good friends and neighbors was the club’s president, I decided to sign up,” she recalls. “Now, as a 3L, I’m honored to serve as the president myself and am incredibly glad I joined!”
The J. Reuben Clark Law Society consists of more than 65 professional and 125 student chapters worldwide and affirms the strength of personal religious conviction in law. The society also promotes fairness and virtue through public service and professional excellence. While most society members belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this is not a requirement.
“Membership in JRCLS offers access not only to our chapter’s events but also to those hosted by the Salt Lake JRCLS chapter, providing valuable opportunities to network with local attorneys and listen to discussions on compelling legal topics,” Finch explains. “It’s also a wonderful way to connect with fellow law students who share similar values and convictions.”
Finch notes that the society recognizes law students’ demanding schedules and typically hosts just one event per school year, in the fall, and occasionally holds another in the spring.
“Some events feature notable speakers, such as Camille N. Johnson (president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ women’s organization), who visited in 2023. Others involve partnering with the Salt Lake chapter for engaging presentations and networking opportunities,” she says. “Our goal is to offer events that explore compelling legal topics while fostering connections between students, attorneys, and professionals in the legal community.”
Membership in the JRCLS require little commitment and no fees and low commitment, Finch says, which makes it appealing to many students.
“The most rewarding aspect of being part of JRCLS is the opportunity to connect with a diverse group of attorneys, fellow students, and notable speakers,” she says.
Kiersten Rule, who serves as vice president of Utah Law’s JRCLS chapter, has also been part of the society since her 1L year and notes that while it is an awesome place to network, it’s also a community.
“I remember feeling absolutely terrified during my first semester of law school, but every upperclassman that I met through JRCLS was so supportive and kind during a time when I desperately needed support from other students,” she says. “JRCLS really is the best of both worlds! It’s an inclusive community of high-caliber students, but it also doesn’t demand much from law students who are often already trying to balance a lot.”