Scholarship:
Distinguished Scholars Series
Each year, PALSO hosts distinguished scholars who are experts in Pacific and/or Asian law, as available, to engage faculty and students in a formal dialogue on legal issues of concern. Brown Bag Lunch Series
Throughout the year, PALSO hosts speakers, who have substantial knowledge of Pacific and/or Asian law or experience working in the region, to facili
tate an informal dialogue amongst faculty and students not only on legal issues of concern but also about what career prospects in the field abound. A Bridge Between PALS & Students
From the beginning of each year, PALSO hosts a series of meetings with PALS Professors and students, to serve as a bridge between both. An introduction to the PALS Program is typically followed by an introduction to PALS Professors and then an introduction to PALS students. PALS 3L students are paired with prospective PALS 1L students to provide support. Each term, PALSO distributes a PALS Course Guide to students, who either are exploring pursuing or who are pursuing a PALS Certificate or who simply want to broaden their legal education with PALS courses. Asian Language Conversation Groups
Several Asian Language Conversation Groups are facilitated via PALSO, allowing law students to develop their language skills. In the past, PALSO has hosted groups in Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Pacific-Asian Opportunities Databases
PALSO maintains a Pacific-Asian Opportunities Database for students, to access the various avenues available to pursue across the region. Summer Abroad Grant
In 2008, PALSO began providing an annual grant to students pursuing opportunities across the Pacific-Asian region to study different legal systems, within unique socio-cultural contexts, during their summers. The PALSO Summer Abroad Grant provides students a total of $1,000; the total amount may be awarded to a sole recipient or split between multiple ones; and is non-renewable. At a luncheon in the fall, recipients present about their experience. Social:
Asian Happy Hour & Karaoke Night
Typically its first event of the year, PALSO’s Asian Happy Hour & Karaoke Night provides an entertaining way for all students, interested in Asian culture, to interact and meet each other. In the past, PALSO has co-hosted this event with the Filipino Law Students Association (FLSA) to integrate a wider group of students with similar interests. Lunar New Year Party
A celebration of Asian culture coinciding with the Lunar New Year, PALSO’s Lunar New Year Party is the primary social event of the year and provides an excellent venue around which the entire law school community can coalesce. In addition to diverse Asian cultural exhibitions, the party usually features a Chinese Lion Dance (舞獅) and Korean Salmulnori (사물놀이) and includes an Asian dinner buffet. PALSO/LLM Buddies & Luncheon
At the beginning of the year, PALSO students and LLM students are introduced through a buddy system, and a luncheon is held so they can interact with each other. Whilst the LLMs come not just from the Pacific and Asian region, having an LLM buddy to talk with gives PALSO members a chance to get to know and talk with lawyers from other parts of the world to learn about their legal systems.
3L/1L Breakfast
For insight about PALS from a student perspective--including insight about the program generally, faculty, and/or courses--PALSO hosts a 3L/1L breakfast, so 3Ls can “talk story” with 1Ls. Visiting University Students
Throughout the year, PALSO students are provided unique cross-cultural experiences, as they serve as hosts to their peers visiting from around the world.
