Student Organization Spotlight: APALSA The Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA) serves as a social, academic, cultural, and professional resource for both students from Asian Pacific areas and students who are interested in Asian cultures.

By Law Communications
February 21, 2025

In the Q&A below, members of APALSA discuss the goals of the organization and how students and alumni can get involved with the group.

Tell us a little bit about the organization.

The Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA) serves as a social, academic, cultural, and professional resource for both students from Asian Pacific areas and students who are interested in Asian cultures. Our mission is to advocate for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community at W&L and beyond, seek to promote a greater understanding of AAPI issues and culture, as well as provide opportunities for W&L students to engage with the AAPI community at large.

What kinds of events have you had and what is coming up?

This semester we organized a student mixer program with UVA Law’s APALSA chapter as a social networking event and also hosted our annual Lunar New Year potluck. Some upcoming events to look forward to include a culture trip to Harrisonburg and a 2L Summer job search information session for our members. We are also actively discussing a friendly fried rice cookoff event with BLSA!

How can alumni get involved?

We frequently reach out to alumni to host career panels for our members. APALSA would be delighted to have more W&L alumni participate in these panels, as well as communicate with us when they return to Lexington for alumni events, so that we can host lunch or dinner conversations with our current members.

Are there mentorship opportunities?

Every year, we have an internal mentorship program where 1Ls are (ideally) assigned one 2L and one 3L mentor. The mentorship program seeks to help mentees navigate their legal education, develop professional skills, connect with the legal community, and to provide them with an additional friend in the W&L Law community. Although not enforced, the mentor-mentee relationship typically lasts beyond 1L year and continues being a support system throughout law school for all involved.

How many law students are currently involved?  How has the law school community supported students in this organization?

We roughly have 50 law students signed up as members of APALSA this year – it is the largest our organization has ever been! The law school community has supported APALSA through its continuous efforts to collaborate with us. Just this past year, the Office of Career Strategy and other affinity organizations like OUTLaw have joined forces with us to host both professional and social events. The entire law school is here for us through its support of our internal and external events, and by being there for us individually.

Is there anything else to share about the organization?

You don’t have to be AAPI to join APALSA! We welcome students who are simply interested in Asian cultures and would love to engage with more students at W&L Law. We hope to see even more of our student body at our school-wide events!