About

• Spring 2012
• Fall 2014
• Fall 2015
• Fall 2016

a. The purpose of CBLA shall be to educate the Columbia Law School community about current events affecting the business world, promote, encourage and assist Columbia Law Students and alumni in their pursuit of careers surrounding the intersection between business and law and serve as a unique forum for students interested in business and law. CBLA aims for its members to gain exposure to leading governmental and business figures, institutions, and professional opportunities in business both within and outside of law. CBLA also serves as a center for members of the Columbia Law School community interested in many aspects of business and law. CBLA recognizes that lawyers with business training and business leaders with a legal background can gain a critical competitive edge in the economy and that its membership likely represents many future business leaders.

a. Requirements for Membership 
i. CBLA shall be comprised of members of the Columbia Law School Students.  
ii. Membership and leadership shall be open to all Columbia Law School students without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, handicap or disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, political affiliation, or the general exercise of a student’s right of free speech or association.
 
b. Duties and Powers of the Executive Board of Officers
i. The Executive Board of Officers of CBLA shall be a President(s) and other officers described below in vi.
ii. All Officers shall be elected near the end of the spring semester to begin serving immediately for the following year.  Representatives shall be elected at the beginning of each fall semester to begin serving immediately. Election takes place by application and internal board determination. The President(s) have final decisionmaking authority.
iii. All Officers may be held personally liable for any expenditures made by
their organization but not authorized by an organization recognized by the
Senate.   
iv. All Officers must comply with any and all University regulations pertinent to student organizations.
v. The outgoing President(s) shall served as an advisor to the incoming Officers whenever useful or necessary.
vi. Executive Board Positions.

1. President(s): The role of the President is largely self-made and personality based but it generally includes coordinating and fostering communications among executive board members, developing group philosophy, reaching out to existing contacts and developing new ones that are consistent with the group’s mission. Also liaises with Career Services and manages the law firm lunch program. Selects and works with 1L Board Representatives. Oversees all duties and activities of the association. 
2. Event Chairs: Assists the entire board in planning and organizing events. Duties will be divided among chairs and include: (i) assisting the President(s) in maintaining communication with existing speaker contacts, soliciting ideas for new, relevant high quality speakers and panelists, (ii) coordinating: greeting speakers, booking rooms, requesting letters of credit, ordering food and (iii) marketing: assisting in writing email and website blurbs, sending reminder emails, creating and printing flyers. Also alternate taking minutes at board meetings with other Chairs. Work with 1Ls in the Spring in developing their event hosting and communications skills. 
3. Treasurer: In tandem with the President(s), the Treasurer develops the CBLA budget and submits funding forms to Student Senate every semester. The Treasurer also keeps a log of receipts and expenses after every event and assists the President(s) in managing CBLA’s account. Also manages and deposits member dues. Requires attention to detail. 
4. Sponsor Relations Chair: Manages the fundraising program by serving as point person with law firm sponsors, including maintaining communications with current sponsors, soliciting sponsorship opportunities to new ones, and working with the Treasurer in keeping track of donations and gifts. Requires attention to detail and regular email communications. 
5. Membership Chair: Maintains and promotes the membership of CBLA. Duties include (i) planning 1-2 social events for the CBLA Executive Board and CBLA members, (ii) thinking of ways to engage members and promote CBLA membership, (iii) managing member lists, (iv) sending monthly or semesterly email updates to CBLA’s upcoming alumni database. 
6. Self-Created Position: CBLA encourages self-created positions that serve to expand upon CBLA’s mission of being the premiere student group at CLS dedicated to the interaction between business and law. This can mean narrowing the scope of one of the above-mentioned positions or envisioning a new role.  Determined by the President(s).

d. Procedures for Arriving at Policy Decisions
Each Officer shall have an equal vote in policy decisions, except any tie votes may be broken by the President(s). Presidents have final decision-making authority.  

e. Procedures for the Selection and Removal of Officers
Any Officer shall be removable by a two-thirds vote at a regular business meeting which shall constitute a quorum if that Officer has missed the previous two meetings or if the Officer is not adequately performing his/her duties. Adequacy will be determined by the Presidents.  In the event of resignation or removal, a replacement may be elected by the Society as needed, by a simple majority vote, a quorum being required.

a. Meetings shall run on an informal basis, consistent with fairness and good order.  However, in the case of procedural dispute, Roberts Rules of Order shall govern.  Meetings shall be held at least twice per semester.  A quorum of 50% of members in good standing is required to conduct the Society’s business.  Absent members may be represented by a duly executed proxy.
 
 

a. This constitution may be amended by a vote of not less than two thirds of the CBLA Executive Board of Officers.