All Areas of Interest

Area of Interest State and Local Government

In the United States’ federalist system, many of the laws that govern our daily lives emanate from state and local governments. These laws exert tremendous influence over issues ranging from the environment to labor to housing, and they shape the political power and (in)equality of individuals and groups. Harvard Law students learn about the workings of America’s decentralized form of government, the intersection of federal, state, and local laws, and the many challenges and opportunities that state and local government law pose.

From Harvard Law Today

Faculty

HLS Professors

Visiting Professors & Lecturers

Clinics

Education Law Clinic / Trauma & Learning Policy Initiative

Emmett Environmental Law and Policy Clinic

Food Law and Policy Clinic

Government Lawyer: Attorney General Clinic

Government and Policy Lawyering: Semester in Washington Clinic

Judicial Process in Trial Courts Clinic

Making Rights Real: The Ghana Project Clinic

Research Programs and Centers

Access to Justice Lab

Animal Law & Policy Program

John M. Olin Center: Law, Economics and Business

Youth Advocacy & Policy Lab

Related Courses

Course Term Instructor(s)
Access to Justice Lab Spring 2026 Seminar D. James Greiner
Advanced Constitutional Law Fall 2025 Course Noah Feldman
Animal Law Spring 2026 Course Kristen Stilt
Constitutional Law: First Amendment Fall 2025 Course Noah Feldman
Education Law Clinic: Individual Representation Fall 2025 Clinic Jodi Guinn
Education Law Clinic: Individual Representation Spring 2026 Clinic Jodi Guinn
Education Law Clinic: Movement Lawyering Fall 2025 Clinic Michael Gregory
Education Law Clinic: Movement Lawyering Spring 2026 Clinic Michael Gregory
Education Law Clinic: Strategic Litigation Fall 2025 Clinic Michael Gregory
Education Law Clinic: Strategic Litigation Spring 2026 Clinic Michael Gregory
All Related Courses