Student Bar Association

SBA Business
Event Planning Form
Budget Requests
Honor Code
ABA: Student Division

For more information please contact
Todd Adolphson, SBA President

Opportunity
With more than 30 student organizations, Gonzaga Law provides ample opportunity to get involved. Working with your peers on matters of common interest leads to the formation of deep and lasting relationships. A student group may also provide you with your first real opportunity to use your growing legal expertise on behalf of an effort you believe in.

Mission

• Representing Gonzaga’s Law Student Community

  The Gonzaga Student Bar Association (SBA) is the student body representative organization. It is a non-profit corporation formed under the laws of the state of Washington.

  Its purpose is to encourage and enhance the academic and social environment of the school on behalf of students.

  All law students are members of the SBA and members of the corporation, which receives its funds from a mandatory Student Body Association fee of $30 per semester per full-time student, and $15 per part-time student.

  These fees are collected by the law school and remitted to the Student Bar Association.

  No other dues or fees are charged.

• Activities

  The SBA sponsors activities in which all law students are encouraged to participate.

  • The SBA and constituent student organizations promote and host lectures, community outreach events, and socials.
  • The SBA co-sponsors the William O. Douglas Lecture Series, which brings nationally recognized speakers to campus to speak on subjects related to the First Amendment.
  • SBA officers organize and conduct Heidelberg, the annual social evening that is the law students’ spring celebration.

• Education

  Each year, the SBA provides a tutorial for first-year students in which 1Ls may receive assistance from fellow students in a relaxed environment.

  Second- and third-year students are given a chance to instruct, and may receive compensation.

• Community

  • The SBA reaches out to the Spokane community through providing assistance to bring various speakers and workshops, which the public can attend.
  • The ABA-LSD representative of the SBA sponsors a work-a-day program to give back to the community by providing services.
  • The SBA also donates money to local charities.

• Financial Provider

  • The SBA provides financial support to the various organizations that fall under its supervision.
  • The SBA and ABA-LSD provide funds for new groups to cover start-up costs.
  • The SBA has also provided charitable donations to the University Legal Assistance Program.

• On-Campus Role

  The SBA acts as a liaison between:

  • Law students and the law-school administration.
  • The law school and the American Bar Association.

• Social Events

  The SBA sponsors:

  • An annual shareholders meeting called Heidelberg. This semi-formal event includes recognition awards of the winners of the yearly competitions sponsored by Moot Court, as well as awards for the faculty.
  • Barbecues and family social events.

SBA Officers

• President, Todd Adolphson

  Todd Adolphson was born and raised here, in beautiful Spokane, Washington. After graduating from Lewis and Clark High School, he headed to Seattle to attend the University of Washington. He graduated from the Foster’s School of Business at UW with a degree in Marketing. After graduation, Todd spent a few years working in Seattle and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and finally decided to head back to his roots in Spokane and focus on a law career. As of right, now he could not be happier with the decision. When he has time after class and studying, Todd enjoys playing basketball, skiing deep powder in Noth Idaho and following GU and UW sports.

• Vice President, Ashley Schneider

  Ashley grew up in Tucson, Arizona. She attended the University of Arizona where she graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration, with a major in Marketing and a pre-law thematic minor. She is an avid Arizona Wildcats fan (Bear down!). Ashley is now enjoying her time at Gonzaga and is active in the law school community. Outside of school, Ashley enjoys playing and watching sports, traveling, and chocolate. It is Ashley’s lifelong goal to one day be on Survivor.

• Treasurer, Loriann Miller

  Loriann Miller is the Treasurer for the SBA

• Secretary, Alexis Klempel

  Alexis is originally from Bismarck, ND. She attended Gordon College in Wenham, MA (north of Boston), and graduated with a degree in Political Science in December 2009. During her first two years of law school, she was actively involved in the Women’s Law Caucus and served as Co-President of the club her second year. She looks forward to using this experience to contribute to the SBA. In her free time, Alexis enjoys visiting her family and playing sports (especially basketball).

• American Bar Association Representative, Lorianne Frodsham

  Lorianne Frodsham (Lori) was born and raised in the historic town of Jacksonville, Oregon. She attended Brigham Young University where she received her B.A. in Art History and Curatorial Studies with a minor in Business Management. During her undergraduate studies, Lori volunteered for a year and a half doing public service work in Hawaii. After graduating from BYU in 2010, Lori worked as a reading coach at a middle school and interned with an immigration attorney in Southern Oregon. This work solidified her desire to attend law school (which she loves). In addition to SBA Lori is also involved in Street Law and the J. Reuben Clark Law Society. Lori loves kickball, good food, and traveling to exciting places.

• 3L Representatives

  Jessica Lewis
  Lorianne Frodsham (Lori) was born and raised in the historic town of Jacksonville, Oregon. She attended Brigham Young University where she received her B.A. in Art History and Curatorial Studies with a minor in Business Management. During her undergraduate studies, Lori volunteered for a year and a half doing public service work in Hawaii. After graduating from BYU in 2010, Lori worked as a reading coach at a middle school and interned with an immigration attorney in Southern Oregon. This work solidified her desire to attend law school (which she loves). In addition to SBA Lori is also involved in Street Law and the J. Reuben Clark Law Society. Lori loves kickball, good food, and traveling to exciting places.

  Teresita Varela
  Teresita del Carmen Varela grew up in and around sunny Orlando, FL. She graduated from Miami-Dade College in 2005 with an A.A. in Accounting and a Certificate in Bookkeeping. She went on to finish her B.S. in Accounting at Hodges University in Fort Myers, FL in 2008. Teresita has had a passion for accounting and made that passion a career. After working as an accountant for more than six years, she felt the need to help others on a larger scale, and decided law was the perfect arena. During her 1L year, she volunteered with the Neighborhood Accountability Boards (NAB) and helped juveniles avoid the Juvenile Court system. Outside of SBA, Teresita also participates in Native American Law Students Association, GSA-Outlaws, Animal Legal Defense Fund, Women’s Law Caucus, and various other committees at GU. Her hobbies outside of school include traveling, hiking, baking, and sleeping.

  Taymour Semani
  Taymour Semani is an SBA 3L Rep.

• 2L Representatives

  Alex Ainsley
  Alex Ainsley is a 2L representative for the class of 2014. He grew up in sunny Mukilteo, Washington. After graduating from Kamiak High School, he moved south and attended Seattle University. He graduated early with a degree in Political Science and a minor Philosophy. Following graduation, Alex worked as a construction worker and interned for a political consulting firm. Since arriving at Gonzaga, he has loved his time in Spokane. When he is not in the library, Alex enjoys playing guitar, obsessing about the Seahawks and watching mindless television.

  John Cadagan
  John Cadagan is a 2L Rep.

  Brian Duke
  Brian Duke is a 2L Rep.

• 1L Representatives

  TBA