Mindfulness in Law Society
Student Division
Purpose. The Mindfulness in Law Society - Student Division (“MILS-SD”) seeks to improve the mental health and wellbeing of law students across the nation by connecting and supporting individual students and student groups interested in contemplative practice.
Membership. MILS consists of practicing attorneys, judges, professors, and legal support personnel in every area of the law, and MILS membership is free for law students. As a member of MILS-SD, you gain access to a variety of offerings and opportunities to connect and network with a community of legal professionals who care deeply about mental health and work-life balance. We look forward to growing with you as you progress in your meditation and your legal practice.
Offerings. Promoting mindfulness in law schools is a central goal of MILS-SD. Whether you are an individual student hoping to create community through mindful practices or part of an existing student organization, we are here to support your growth.
Meditation. MILS members and leadership are steeped in a wide range of contemplative practices. We offer two free guided meditations every week that are appropriate for all experience levels. These offerings are known as our Mindful Mondays and Wakeful Wednesdays and provide a great opportunity for students to practice meditation live, in community with other students and legal professionals.
Community Connections. Each month, MILS hosts a free Community Connection discussing practical ways of incorporating mindfulness into your life to improve your stress and wellbeing. There is a different theme each month, and these gatherings are another wonderful opportunity to practice and discuss live, in community with other students and legal professionals. Information regarding upcoming Community Connections can be found on our Upcoming Events page.
Contemplative Retreats. MILS hosts virtual and in-person retreats that include teachers leading sessions in a variety of contemplative practices such as yoga, qigong, and meditation. Retreats offer the opportunity to explore a wide range of contemplative practices and hopefully find new practices that land with you. Information regarding any upcoming retreats can be found on our Upcoming Events page.
Online Membership Portal. MILS members have access to a Membership Portal through our website. We post video recordings of our events to the Membership Portal so that members can revisit them at any time. Additionally, we are in the process of building out a repertoire of online content specifically to host on the Membership Portal, which will be additional contemplative content accessible to members only.
Monthly Newsletter. Once a month, MILS emails a newsletter containing information regarding our upcoming events as well as information regarding additional free mindfulness offerings hosted by individual MILS members.
Annual Law Student MILS Orientation. MILS-SD holds an annual Mindfulness Orientation for law students in which we provide an introduction to both mindfulness and MILS as an organization. In addition to the introduction, we have our MILS Student Ambassadors speak and share their stories of how mindfulness and MILS have positively affected their experiences as law students. Videos of past orientations can be found in the MILS Membership Portal.
Law School Student Organizations. Interested in creating a MILS student chapter at your law school? Or, maybe you already have a wellness student organization on campus but are interested in collaborating with MILS-SD. Regardless, we are here to help. We commonly meet with law students to discuss the variety of ways we can help in these instances. Please feel free to email us with any inquiries!
Law School Faculty and Staff. Curious about how mindfulness can support your students and improve their law school experience? We are here for you too! We commonly meet with faculty and staff who have questions about MILS specifically or mindfulness generally and the various ways it can improve student life, both personally and professionally. Please feel free to email us with any inquiries!
Student Ambassador Program. Interested in going one step further than just becoming a member of MILS? Law students with a passion for bringing contemplative practices to their school and legal community are invited to join our Student Ambassadors Program. The program provides an opportunity for students to network with MILS members and leadership and to contribute to MILS' overarching mission while remaining sensitive to the time constraints many law students face.
MILS-SD meets with Student Ambassadors once a month during the fall and spring semesters. As a Student Ambassador, during these meetings, you provide student input and feedback on potential events the Division hosts for law students and help curate those offerings. You also have an opportunity to choose an area that fits your skills and interests (e.g., communications, membership, event planning, logistics, research, etc.) and assist MILS leadership with a project in that area. If we’ve piqued your interest, please email us to discuss further!