Our Constitution

Article I. Name

The official name of the organization is the Korean Law Society (the “KLS”).

Article II. Purpose

The KLS is a network of Korean and Korean American students and scholars at Washington University School of Law (the “WashULaw”). Our goal is to promote academic and professional opportunities and to strengthen a social and cultural community among its members. We are dedicated to functioning as a bridge between our members at WashULaw and similar organizations in the larger university-wide community and in the United States.

Article III. Membership

  1. The KLS’s membership shall be open to all WashULaw students and scholars, including those pursuing joint or concurrent degrees with WashULaw.
  2. The KLS does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, age, nationality, sexual orientation, or learning disability. 

Article IV. Board

  1. The KLS’s Board shall consist of at least the following positions: one President, one Senior Vice President, two Vice Presidents, two First-year Student (“1L”) Chairs, and one Treasurer. Additional positions may be created depending on the needs of the organization, upon more than one-half vote of the current Board members.
  2. Only the currently registered students at WashULaw, including those pursuing joint or concurrent degrees with WashULaw, who are members of the organization may serve as Board members.
  3. The duties of the President shall be as follows:
    1. President shall be the chief executive officer of the KLS and shall have general supervision and control of its activities and programs.
    2. President shall be the head representative for the KLS at all functions of the WashULaw community and at all activities in which the organization participates.
    3. President shall call, determine the agenda, and preside over all Board meetings.
  4. The Senior Vice President(s) shall supervise the duties of the Vice Presidents and resolve internal issues, as needed, with the exception of disputes regarding financial matters. Additionally, the Senior Vice President(s) shall have all powers and responsibilities as delegated by the President.
    1. Financial disputes shall be resolved by a special vote, which must be conducted in a manner agreed upon by the majority of the Board members and with reasonable notice.
  5. Each Vice President shall plan, direct, coordinate, and oversee the events and activities of his or her group.
  6. Each 1L Chair shall assist the Vice President of his or her group in organizing the group events and activities.
  7. The Treasurer shall oversee the financial affairs and ensure the KLS adheres to all relevant Student Bar Association bylaws and practices. Additionally, the Treasurer shall assist the President and the Senior Vice President with planning and implementing activities of the KLS.

Article V. Elections and Terms of the Board Members

  1. All new Board members shall be elected at or before the beginning of each academic year by a fair and reasonable process, which shall be determined by the agreement of more than two-thirds of the incumbent Board members.
  2. Each Board member will serve for a term of approximately one calendar year from the day he or she is elected at the end of an academic year, throughout the summer break, until the following election day.
  3. All Board members can be re-elected to serve more than one term.
  4. No individual may hold more than one Board position, except in the case of section 6 below.
  5. Any Board member may resign at any time during the term. A special election shall be held to fill the vacant position within one month from the time resignation comes into effect.
  6. A Board member may be suspended for good cause by more than a two-thirds vote of the remaining members of the Board. Suspensions may not last longer than a month without a vote for removal or reinstatement by the members. The suspended Board member may be reinstated or removed for good cause by a special vote. For the special vote, one-half of the members is the quorum required, and more than one-half of the voting members (the quorum) must vote either for removal or for reinstatement.
  7. Vacancies in any Board position shall be filled by a special election for the duration of the remaining term. If such vacancy occurs within 90 days of the end of such term, the Board may appoint any member to serve the remainder of such term, or leave the position unfilled until the next election at which such position would be filled.

Article VI. Special Elections and Referenda

  1. Any member, with the signature of at least ten other members, may petition the Board for a special election or referendum for various endorsements, statements, and other actions by the KLS.
  2. Upon the agreement by more than two-thirds of the Board members, the Board may initiate and oversee a special election and/or referendum for the issue, subject to the rules and regulations of WashULaw. 

Article VII. Meetings

  1. Board Meetings shall be held at least two times per semester. The initial Board Meeting shall be held during the first week of each semester.
  2. Notice of all special meetings and elections and their results shall be communicated to all members of the KLS by the President.

Article VIII. Amendments

  1. Amendments to this constitution may be proposed by either the President, an agreement by the majority of the Board members, or an agreement by more than two-thirds of the general members.
  2. For the Proposed amendments to be ratified, one-half of the general members is the quorum required. More than two-thirds of the voting members (the quorum) must vote in favor of the amendments.
  3. Upon ratification, the President shall notify the amended constitution to all members within four days of ratification.

Last revised on September 12, 2022