Harvard Law School is proud to express our immense gratitude to the alumni, friends, organizations, and others who have supported our mission. We’re pleased to share with you this year’s honor roll, as well as news and updates from the past year that demonstrate what we have been able to accomplish through the power of your support.
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Students who performed 1,000+ pro bono hours in 2023–2024 122
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New funds established in past fiscal year 24
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Advanced degree holders in J.D. Class of 2026 and LL.M. Class of 2024 98
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First-time donors to the Annual Fund in past fiscal year 93
Donor Support in Action
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The Rappaport Forum
Funded through the generosity of Jerome “Jerry” Rappaport ’49 and Phyllis Rappaport, the Rappaport Forum, which models civil discourse through thoughtful debate between experts with different viewpoints on complex issues facing society, held four events on topics including the First Amendment, the implications of generative AI, and more.
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Expanding Educational Access
In February 2024, Harvard Law School officially announced the launch of the Opportunity Fund, a financial aid initiative designed to ensure that all accepted students can pursue their legal education at HLS. The Harvard Law Today featured the Opportunity Fund in a recent article, available for you to read here.
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Shaping the Future of Environmental Law
Building on the Law School’s existing programs in environmental law, a landmark $15 million gift from alum Dan Emmett ’64 will establish the Emmett Environmental Law Center at Harvard Law School, helping HLS scholars tackle some of the most pressing legal issues in the field. Read more in the official press release.
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New Faculty Faces
During the past academic year, Harvard Law School welcomed many exceptional scholars and legal professionals to its faculty ranks. New faculty members invigorate the Law School’s classrooms through their unique perspectives and dynamic backgrounds. A list of 2023–2024 faculty appointments is available here.
It has been an honor to witness firsthand the engagement and passion of our valued donor community, whose transformational philanthropy is changing the lives of the next generation of legal professionals. We feel fortunate to have a wide range of supporters: alumni eager to enable others to have the experiences that meant so much to them as students, individuals and organizations that see the immense potential in our cutting-edge research, and so much more. Whoever you are, and whatever your reason for giving, please know that your choice to support our mission makes possible extraordinarily impactful teaching in and outside the classroom, vital clinical work on behalf of persons in need, and scholarship exploring everything from legal history to the future of lawyering in the A.I. world. From all of us here at Harvard Law School, you have our deepest gratitude.
Interim Dean John C.P. Goldberg
Priority Areas
Our mission is to provide an advanced legal curriculum that encourages discourse and prepares students for success in their post-graduate pursuits, and also to ensure that all students, regardless of their backgrounds, can thrive on campus. Our priority areas reflect this mission and provide the foundation on which we are building a better HLS for all.
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Clinical Programs
From in-house programs to partnerships with organizations around the country, HLS offers unparalleled clinical opportunities that transform the lives of our students and those they help through their practice.
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Annual Fund
The Annual Fund, a vital source of unrestricted funding, supports all aspects of life and learning at Harvard Law School.
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Financial Aid
By making a gift to financial aid, you are supporting students who will go on to advance justice and uphold the rule of law.
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Public Service
HLS is paving the way for students to pursue training and careers that help them answer the call to serve.
Spotlight on the Clinical Program
Each year, the HLS clinical program helps hundreds of students fulfill their dreams of pursuing hands-on advocacy that can make a life changing difference to the health, safety, and well-being of clients facing a range of legal concerns—the threat of eviction, a lack of access to clean water or food, the prospect of deportation, and more. As meaningful as legal aid is to these individuals and communities, it has just as deep an impact on participating students, often changing the trajectories of their own lives and careers. Below are a few direct testimonials from students about how their clinical experience shaped their worldviews.
Student Voices
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‘There is always someone who will fight for them’
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Shaping a human rights career: Nikki Santos ’24 reflects on her experience in the International Human Rights Clinic
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‘My clinical experience was transformative’
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‘Advancing economic parity and justice’ in the Transactional Law Clinics
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Movement lawyering gives Caroline Hatley ’24 deep dive into legal strategy
The Harvard Law School Honor Roll of Donors
In grateful recognition of our dedicated supporters, access the 2023–2024 honor roll listings here.
Volunteers
We would like to honor the many volunteers who further our mission through their tireless fundraising efforts with the Annual Fund.
Donor Societies
We would also like to offer special thanks to our leadership donors who comprise our dedicated giving societies, all listed in this year’s honor roll. Read more about each giving society below.
Support HLS
If you have not yet made your gift this year, we hope you will renew your support today. Thank you for making a difference at HLS.
Capturing Camaraderie, Fostering Connections
The Law School was thrilled to host a number of milestone celebrations in the 2023–2024 academic year that brought together students and alumni from across generations. Relive these joyous occasions through the photos that bring to life the spirit of unity, friendship, and awe that characterizes the Harvard Law School experience.
For questions about or corrections to the honor roll listings, please contact donorrelations@law.harvard.edu.
Honor roll and website photography: Lorin Granger, James Rasaiah, Tony Rinaldo, Martha Stewart; Class portraits: Atlantic Photo Service