Record Number of ABA Law Student Division Liaison Appointments for UA Law Students

Photo Submitted

Left to Right, Top to Bottom: Peyton Rheaume, Marcus Montgomery, Raquel DeCastro, Helen Hope, Michaela Parks, Justice Yuille, Jack Curtis, Aly Savage, Leah Barton, Ilse Ghent and Callie Marsh

Sixteen University of Arkansas School of Law students were selected by the American Bar Association's Law Student Division to serve as liaisons of the division to a variety of ABA entities for the 2023-24 academic year. The 16 U of A law student liaisons are the highest number of student liaisons from any single school in the country.

"We are quite proud of the Arkansas law student leaders who will represent the Law Student Division, on behalf of law students across the nation," said Cynthia Nance, dean of the School of Law.

ABA student liaisons represent the Law Student Division within the various association entities and work to encourage law student membership and involvement in ABA activities. Responsibilities of the liaisons include attending national meetings, working with their assigned ABA section, division and forum leadership to facilitate law student content and programming around relevant area subject matter, and writing articles for the law student blog and magazine. Early involvement with the ABA is beneficial for the students' legal careers. Participation in the organization gives students exposure to a certain area of law before graduation, access to continuing legal education, and a variety of career development opportunities.

"The ABA liaison positions are a unique opportunity to get involved with the legal community on a larger scale," said Ilsa Ghent, American Bar Association Representative for the U of A School of Law Student Bar Association. "I was so impressed by the number of University of Arkansas School of Law students willing to step into these leadership roles."

The following is a list of the student liaisons and ABA entities they will represent:

Kaycie Apfel — Standing Committee on the Law Library of Congress
Leah Barton ­— Commission on Women in the Profession
Jack Curtis — Standing Committee on Armed Forces Law
Raquel DeCastro — Science and Technology Law Section
Ilse Ghent — Section of Litigation, Committee on the American Judicial System
Rachel Harris — Division for Public Education
Helen Hope — Real Property, Trust and Estate Law
Thomas Hubbard — Standing Committee on Gun Violence
Callie Marsh — Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defendants
Marcus Montgomery — International Law Section
Haley Petit ­— Section of Dispute Resolution
Michaela Parks — Judicial Division Tribal Council
Payton Rheaume ­— Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Aly Savage — Section of Taxation
Samuel Wilson — Commission on Sexual and Gender Identity
Justyce Yuille — Center for Professional Responsibility

About the School of Law: The law school offers a competitive J.D. as well as an advanced LL.M. program, which are taught by nationally recognized faculty. The school offers unique opportunities for students to participate in pro bono work, externships, live client clinics, competitions, and food and agriculture initiatives. The school strives to identify, discuss, and challenge issues of race, color, ethnicity, and the impact(s) they have on students, faculty, and staff members in an effort to achieve a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community. From admitting the Six Pioneers who were the first African American students to attend law school in the South without a court order to graduating governors, judges, prosecutors, and faculty who went on to become President of the United States and Secretary of State, the law school has a rich history and culture. Follow us at @uarklaw.

About American Bar Association: Founded in 1878, the American Bar Association is committed to advancing the rule of law across the United States and beyond by providing practical resources for legal professionals, law school accreditation, model ethics codes and more. The ABA exists as a membership organization and stands committed to its mission of defending liberty and pursuing justice.