External Fundraising (Law Firms)

Fundraising from Law Firms

Some student groups seek sponsorship from law firms to help support the cost of LSSO programs and events. The fundraising process goes through the Law School's Chicago Law Partners (CLP) brochure, which showcases your student organization to a greater number of firms and contacts and ensures that firms receive consistent information.

Applying for Firm Sponsorship through CLP

1. Submit a fundraising proposal paragraph - This paragraph (100-200 words) will be included in the Chicago Law Partners brochure that will be sent out to law firms by the Law School. 
2. Submit a proposed programming list - This should highlight the programs you would like to execute, with info on which quarter you hope to host the event, anticipated costs, event format, and attendance (members only vs. law community, etc.).

         If you are proposing a signature event, your organization will need to provide an additional paragraph describing the event's purpose, audience and impact. A signature event, for the purposes of CLP, is a one-time, large-scale event, which typically includes invited high profile guests and significant costs. 

         LSSOs will receive an email notification from the Office of the Dean of Students if their fundraising proposal has been approved. LSSOs will also receive a copy of the complete Chicago Law Partners brochure for their records.

3. After approval, your LSSO’s fundraising proposal paragraph will appear in the CLP Brochure and shared with the Law School’s firm contacts.
4. The Law School will contact firms with the CLP brochure; most firms will choose to donate based on the brochure. 
5. Firms typically notify the Law School directly about their sponsorship interest, and the Law School will process the invoice and send to the firm. If firms notify the LSSO first, please loop in brandiwelch@uchicago.edu and mui@uchicago.edu soon after so that the Law School is aware of sponsorship. This also avoids any potential delay in processing and your LSSO receiving funds.
6. Firm funds received will be updated in the DOS version of each individual budget spreadsheet. LSSOs have access to view this document, but Treasurers are also responsible for keeping internal budget records and track funds received. Treasurers should also periodically cross-check their internal records with the DOS records to ensure that all expenses and revenue are reflected accurately.
7. LSSOs must provide the sponsorship recognition affiliated with the tier of the firm’s gift in a timely manner. Gifts tiers are below.
8. If law firms or non-law organizations contact your LSSO about sponsorships outside of the CLP process, LSSOs must email Brandi Welch, Dean of Students, to discuss. Sponsorships received from firms or organizations without approval may affect your organization's ability to continue to fundraise for the academic year and in the future.

Apply for Law Firm Sponsorship »

Full Academic Year Sponsorships:

Tier 1 – $500: Tier 1 sponsors will receive recognition in event communications and other digital platforms where the LSSO thanks their annual sponsors.

Tier 2 – $1,000: The same recognition as Tier 1. Tier 2 sponsors may have the opportunity to send representatives to speak at a sponsored student organization event. Tier 2 sponsors can attend events with other sponsoring firms.

Tier 3 – $2000: The same recognition as Tier 1 and Tier 2. Tier 3 sponsors will likely be offered an opportunity to speak or attend an event. The event may include other sponsors.

Signature Event Sponsorships:

Tier 1 – $500: Tier 1 sponsors will receive recognition in event communications and other digital platforms where the LSSO thanks their annual sponsors.

Tier 2 – $1,000: The same recognition as Tier 1. Tier 2 sponsors may have the opportunity to send representatives to speak at a sponsored student organization event. Tier 2 sponsors can attend events with other sponsoring firms.

Tier 3 – $2000: The same recognition as Tier 1 and Tier 2. Tier 3 sponsors will likely be offered an opportunity to speak or attend an event.

LSSOs will need to give recognition in event communications/advertisement, signage at the event, and in event materials (e.g., programs, agendas, etc.). 

LSSOs can also work with individual firms on signature event attendance.

Please contact Brandi Welch, Dean of Students, at deanofstudents@law.uchicago.edu with general firm funding questions.