2L, 3L students, and LLM students are invited to apply to participate in a unique law student group Civil Rights History trip organized by judges from the Massachusetts and Rhode Island U.S. District Courts. Join law students and faculty from Massachusetts and Rhode Island law schools as Justice Riders on a 50-person bus tour through Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham, and Tuskegee in an immersive study of the history of the American civil rights movement. Highlights include The King Center in Atlanta, The Legacy Museum & Peace and Justice Memorial in Montgomery, a private tour with Civil Rights foot soldiers in Selma, and a walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
The tour will operate January 5-10, 2026. Please read this tentative itinerary for more details.
For JDs:
JD students must enroll in the winter term writing program for January 2026 term and are expected to spend the term outside of the tour on related research and writing.
As part of the applications, JD students are required to secure a faculty sponsor and write a 50-page paper for two writing credits or a 75-page paper for 3 writing credits that is related to civil rights. Students and their faculty supervisors should determine their expectations surrounding what is to be submitted by the end of the winter term (i.e. outline, research, etc.) and the final paper submission deadline, as indicated in the Handbook for Academic Policy. Graded H/P/LP/F. JD students with questions regarding the winter term writing program should contact the Registrar’s Office.
For LLMs:
LLM students interested in this opportunity must also apply to, be admitted to, and enroll in the winter term writing program and have a related meeting with Amy Johnson to make sure their projects are on track to meet program guidelines; LLM students who are admitted to the winter term writing program and the Civil Rights History Tour must spend the remainder of the winter term in person in Cambridge, working on their related research and writing.
As part of the application, LLM students must have secured a faculty supervisor and registered for a 50-page paper for two writing credits related to civil rights; Students and their faculty supervisors should determine their expectations surrounding what is to be submitted by the end of the winter term (i.e. outline, research, etc.) and the final paper submission deadline, as indicated in the Handbook for Academic Policy. Graded H/P/LP/F.
LLM students must also submit their winter term writing program application to the Graduate Program by Wednesday, November 12.
LLM students should contact Caitie Parmelee (cparmelee@law.harvard.edu) in the Graduate Program regarding eligibility, winter term writing program guidelines, and LLM writing requirements. LLM students will fulfill the additional in-person requirements (mandatory meetings, etc.) for the WWP in Cambridge beginning on January 12, 2026.
Funding and Civil Rights Tour application – JD and LLM students
Trip funding is provided by HLS. Selected students will be required to make their own travel arrangements to and from Atlanta and will be reimbursed up to $300. The remaining travel logistics are arranged and fully funded with group tour bus, single occupancy hotel rooms, site entry fees, and many meals included. Other personal expenses are not covered.
Space and funding is limited. Student application is due November 14 via this form.
Simultaneously JD students must submit a winter term writing registration form to the Registrar by November 14.
Application includes:
1) Statement of Interest approximately 500 words – Discuss your interest in civil rights law and explain how participating in this trip will contribute to your academic, professional, and/or personal development. Describe what unique perspective or experiences you bring that could enhance the group’s understanding, including professional or coursework experience.
2) Resume
3) Unofficial Transcript
4) Paper topic (related to civil rights law and/or civil rights history)
5) Faculty Supervisor
For questions regarding the trip and application process, please contact Lee Mestre (lmestre@law.harvard.edu) in the Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs.
Note: Per the Harvard International Office, students on visas traveling within the US must be certain to carry their original immigration documents, including passport with visa, and I-20 form or DS-2019 form, and their most recently issued I-94 record.