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Learn More: Contact OPIA with any questions: opia@law.harvard.edu
OPIA recently hosted a panel of HLS alumni to speak about their transitions from practicing at law firms to public interest careers. Watch or listen to the video to hear about what they did to successfully make the transition and what they experienced along the way. The panel offered tips on how best to use your time in law school and early in your career to ensure that if you choose, you can achieve the same success.
The Hub for Innovative Law Offices (the "Hub") helps public interest lawyers build solo practices and small firms that serve the public interest. Program participants will receive access to subsidized workspace, financial support, legal resources, mentoring, educational instruction on substantive law and law practice management, and training on marketing, business, and client development for public interest lawyers. The Hub is open to attorneys with active bar licenses. If selected, participants must commit to starting their law practice no later than September 1, 2026.
Apply for the 2026/2027 program year by May 31 (priority May 1).
The Legal Resistance Defense Fellowship is a seven-month academy to train and prepare criminal defense attorneys to more skillfully represent individuals facing politicized federal and state prosecutions. The fellowship consists of monthly learning sessions, a retreat, and ongoing mentorship with seasoned attorneys who have zealously defended political prosecutions. Apply by April 12!
As we continue to advise students on their summer internship job searches, some of our law students are still seeking positions. Please let us know if your office is still accepting applications for this summer, or will accept a late application from an HLS student, by filling out our online job submission form. While we have students looking in a range of cities/states, our students are particularly interested in opportunities in NY or DC. Thank you!
OPIA is now seeking applicants for the 2026-2027 Wasserstein Fellows Program. Applications are due April 6, 2026. Wasserstein Fellows are practicing public interest lawyers who spend three days in Cambridge meeting with individual Harvard Law students to advise them about public interest career paths. They also speak to students in group settings and assist OPIA staff in developing additional advising insights and resources. Learn more about the Wasserstein Fellowship responsibilities, eligibility, and selection criteria.