U of A School of Law Student Elected to Leadership of Two National Organizations
Second-year law student Justyce Yuille was selected to serve as vice chair of the American Bar Association Law Student Division Council and regional secretary for the Southwestern Region of the National Black Law Students Association. Yuille was elected by her peers to serve both organizations.
Student leaders in the American Bar Association (ABA) Law Student Division Council are the voice of law students in the ABA, the largest legal association with more than 43,000 student members nationwide. The council oversees the general operations of the division, including administration of the division's annual awards program, five national practical skills, writing competitions, fellowships and student scholarships.
The Southwest Black Law Students Association is a regional affiliate of the National Black Law Students Association, the nation's largest law student-led organization. Through the implementation of academic and educational initiatives, the organization seeks to increase the number of culturally responsible Black and minority attorneys who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community. The Southwest region oversees 20 chapters in the following states: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas.
"Being entrusted with leadership roles in not just one but two national law student organizations is both an honor and a responsibility," Yuille said. "It's an opportunity to not only contribute to the legal community but also to learn and grow alongside fellow passionate individuals dedicated to shaping the future of our profession."
Yuille was recently elected to serve as the president of the School of Law Wellness Society for the 2024-25 academic year. She is a founding board member of the Northwest Arkansas Book Festival, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the NWA community. Currently, Yuille serves as the sole Law Student Division liaison to the ABA Center for Professional Responsibility. She is a Marshall-Motley Scholar for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and during her first year of law school was the recipient of the Jaden Atkins Law Student Leadership Award. In 2024, she was selected as a Multicultural Center Honoree for Women's History Month.
Yuille received her Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice with Fulbright Honors and a Bachelor of Arts in political science and African & African American studies from the U of A in 2020. As an undergraduate, Yuille made history by becoming the first African American chief justice of the Associated Student Government. She served on the Executive Council, was a re-chartering member of the UARK NAACP Chapter and the chapter's first vice president. Yuille was a Black Alumni Society Scholar and received the Volunteer of the Year Award, Mayoral Community Engagement Award and was recognized as the Associate Justice of the Year by the Associated Student Government.
About the School of Law: The law school offers J.D. as well as an advanced LL.M. program, with classes taught by nationally recognized faculty. The school offers unique opportunities for students to participate in pro bono work, externships, live client clinics, advocacy and journal experiences, and food and agriculture initiatives. 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.
Contacts
Erin Feller, director of development and external relations
School of Law
479-575-3468,
feller@uark.edu