The American Constitution Society for Law and Policy (ACS) recently named the Georgia State Law chapter as Rising Chapter of the Year for 2015-16. ACS awards this annual recognition to chapters that have made the greatest strides as a new or recently revived chapter in establishing a presence on campus.
The ACS Georgia State Law chapter is comprised of students concerned about the pervasive conservative beliefs in American law and politics. Veselin Simonov (J.D. ’17) is the chapter president.
“As a chapter, we are incredibly humbled by the honor ACS National chose to bestow upon us, and we are deeply grateful to everyone that made it possible. It has been a roller coaster of a year and we're already gearing up for what we have planned for the future,” Simonov said.
Professor of Law Neil J. Kinkopf is one of the chapter’s faculty advisors and encouraged Simonov to join and help revitalize it.
“Last year Professor Kinkopf led an effort to rebuild ACS after it had been dormant for nearly two years. I joined because I felt that law students would appreciate some more diverse discussion and programming,” he said. “Our ideological counterpart, the Federalist Society, was active, but I felt that progressive voices were going unheard. I saw ACS as a platform to amplify those progressive voices through cooperation with similar-minded students and groups.”
The chapter hosted several thought-provoking events throughout the school year. Among them include one they co-hosted with the Muslim Law Students Association discussing U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East with members of Veterans for Peace.
In the fall, the chapter organized the annual Georgia Legislative Preview, which brought together state representatives Scott Holcomb and David Wilkerson, as well as Political Insider blogger Jim Galloway to discuss issues in the then-upcoming legislative session. The chapter also hosted Aimee Maxwell (M.Ed. ’83, J.D. ’87), director of the Georgia Innocence Project, to speak about exonerations in Georgia and Alabama.
One of the biggest events they hosted, and one Simonov is most proud of was the discussion about the implications of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's death.
“News of his passing broke on a Saturday, we planned on Sunday and by the end of Monday we had our speakers confirmed and the catering set,” he said. “The attendance was fantastic and the panel members gave a very insightful discussion of the immense importance of the empty seat on the court. I was truly in awe that we were able to put together such an informative, deep discussion in so little time.”
The chapter has 11 students on its executive board. And, Simonov says, any student that is interested in chapter events and is willing to help is considered a member. The board’s goal is to keep ACS an open and accessible organization that encourages free discussion of ideas.
“Students should become involved with the chapter because it provides numerous networking and educational benefits, and it gives them the opportunity to socialize with a wonderful group of inspiring, hard-working and fun classmates and lawyers,” Simonov said.
He and chapter board member, Shaun Moore (J.D. ‘17) will attend the ACS National Convention in Washington D.C. the week of June 6 to receive the official Rising Star Chapter award.
ACS has lawyer chapters in more than 40 cities. There are 200 law school student chapters, and ACS helps supplement funding for their events. Students can join the ACS for $10.
To learn more about the ACS Georgia State Law chapter, visit Facebook. More information about ACS membership is available at acslaw.org.