State Bar of Georgia Lawyers Serving the Public and the Justice System

FAQ/Georgia Law Honor Society [+] Show All Answers

1. How did the Georgia Law Honor Society begin?

   GLHS was founded in August of 2007 as a project of the Georgia Law-Related Education Consortium, which at that time was housed at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia. GLHS is now administered by the State Bar of Georgia's Law-Related Education Program.

2. How does a school apply for chapter membership?

   Schools wishing to apply for chapter membership are required to complete a School Chapter Membership Application, which involves submission of acceptable proof both that the school participates in a civic or community service project related to law studies and/or criminal justice and that the school offers qualifying law-related coursework. A list of qualifying courses and activities can be found on the State Bar of Georgia website under "Law-Related Education." Annual dues for school chapter membership are $50.00 and should be enclosed with the application.

3. How does a student apply for membership?

   Students wishing to apply for membership are required to complete a Student Membership Application and pay $10.00 student dues ($5.00 to the school chapter and $5.00 to the State Bar of Georgia Law-Related Education Program). The school chapter will collect all of the applications, checks and transcripts, and mail the documents together. On the application, the student must prove that he or she has met/exceeded the required minimum GPA and has completed, or is currently enrolled in, qualifying law-related coursework by attaching an official school transcript to the application. If the qualifying coursework does not appear on the transcript, the student is required to include a copy of his or her current schedule proving enrollment. The student will need to demonstrate an active interest in law and/or criminal justice by proving participation in at least one qualifying law-related activity and at least one qualifying law-related community service project. The student must have two Chapter Council Faculty Members sign the application to verify his or her eligibility for membership.

4. If a student was inducted last year, is he or she required to complete the Student Membership Application again this year?

   Yes. A current student member is required to complete the Student Membership Application every year to confirm that he or she remains eligible under Article III, Section 1 of the GLHS Constitution.

5. If a student was inducted last year, is he or she required to pay the student dues again this year?

   Yes.

6. If a student was inducted last year, is he or she required to submit an official transcript again this year?

   Current members do not need to submit another transcript but must provide certification of their current GPA. The student should indicate his or her current GPA on the application form; two faculty council members must then sign the application to certify that the stated GPA is correct. The GLHS Constitution gives the faculty council members the responsibility for ensuring that members maintain their eligibility.

7. Is an established school chapter required to complete the School Chapter Membership Application every year?

   Yes. A school with an established chapter needs to complete the School Chapter Membership Application every year to confirm that the school has a civic or community service project related to law studies and/or criminal justice as required by Article II, Section 2 of the GLHS Constitution.

8. Is an established school chapter required to pay the $50.00 chapter dues every year?

   Yes.

9. What are the responsibilities of the Chapter Council Faculty Members?

   General guidelines are provided in the Constitution, but individual schools are encouraged to tailor student membership requirements to recognize each school's unique curriculum, extra-curricular activities, volunteer opportunities, and student body. Faculty members are asked to ensure each student's consistent and regular attendance at chapter meetings and to confirm that each student is actually participating in at least one law-related activity and at least one law-related community service project. Additionally, school chapters can set a GPA requirement, but not less than the 3.0 set by the Georgia Law Honor Society.

10. What do students receive as members of the Georgia Law Honor Society?

    Each dues-paying student member receives a membership certificate and pin, and graduating seniors in good standing will have the opportunity to purchase purple honor cords to reflect their membership at graduation ceremonies.

11. What happens if a student member loses eligibility?

    The student will lose their membership and will not receive a membership certificate and pin. Additionally, graduating seniors will not be able to purchase purple honor cords.

12. What is the Georgia Law Honor Society?

    The Georgia Law Honor Society of Secondary Schools promotes and rewards strong academic achievement in law-related coursework and emphasizes the value of leadership, volunteer service, and respect for the judicial system. The purpose of the GLHS is to create enthusiasm for scholarship in law-related fields, to promote law based service opportunities, to promote leadership, to provide citizenship education opportunities, and to instill a sense of respect for the justice system in law studies students throughout the state of Georgia.

13. Which schools are eligible?

    Accredited public and independent secondary schools within the state of Georgia are eligible to start a school chapter. Homeschool organizations wishing to sponsor a chapter are considered on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, member schools must participate in a civic or community service project related to law studies and/or criminal justice.

14. Which students are eligible?

    Student membership in a school chapter is based upon the following qualifications: (1) Member of the junior or senior class; (2) In attendance for at least one semester in the chapter school; (3) Completed or currently enrolled in qualifying law-related coursework; (4) Meet/exceed required minimum GPA (set by school; no less than 3.0); (5) At least one qualifying law-related activity; and (6) At least one qualifying law-related community service project.