Commencement
Explore Resources For Commencement
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Due to the ongoing concerns regarding COVID-19, on March 20, 2020, the University announced it would be necessary to postpone the in-person commencement exercises. Virtual commencement will be held on May 28, and the in-person ceremony will be postponed to a later date.
Watch the Live Stream
Watch the Live Stream
Watch the live webcast of the Harvard Law School Virtual Commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 28. A current Flash player may be required to view the broadcast. The Virtual Commencement Program is available for download.
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Watch live broadcast of virtual 2020 commencement ceremony
Watch the live webcasts of the University-wide Virtual Commencement Ceremony, Honoring the Class of 2020, and the Harvard Law School Virtual Commencement Ceremony. A current Flash player may be required to view the broadcasts on older web browsers.
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Goodbye, Good Luck to the Class of 2020
We may not be able to come together for commencement this year, but faculty and staff wanted to pass along their well wishes and congratulations to the Harvard Law School Class of 2020. We will miss you!
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Share Virtual Commencement with Us!
Congratulations Class of 2020! We’re excited to help you celebrate virtual HLS commencement and to share highlights of the day with the Harvard Law School community.
Summations: Reflections from the Class of 2020
Summations: Reflections from the Class of 2020
Summations: Reflections from the Class of 2020
Harvard Law students bring unique experiences to law school and all have tailored their academic careers while at HLS to explore their individual interests, while contributing to the greater community in a myriad of ways. As they prepare to graduate, several members of the Harvard Law School Class of 2020 reflect on the interests they brought to—and the experiences and lessons they will take from—their time at Harvard Law.
Harvard Law School Last Lecture Series 2020
Harvard Law School Last Lecture Series 2020
Last Lecture
The Last Lecture Series at Harvard Law School, sponsored annually by the 3L and LL.M. class marshals, is an HLS tradition in which selected faculty members impart insight, advice, and final words of wisdom to the graduating class.
Class Day Speaker
Class Day Speaker
Bryan Stevenson ’85 named Harvard Law School’s 2020 graduation speaker
Bryan Stevenson J.D./M.P.P. ’85, a widely acclaimed public interest lawyer, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative and best-selling author of “Just Mercy,” will be the speaker for the Harvard Law School Class of 2020’s graduation ceremonies. The school’s virtual celebration will occur on Thursday, May 28, 2020, with an on-campus ceremony to take place at a date to be announced.
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Harvard Law School Class Day and Commencement 2019
Commencement Coverage from Harvard Law Today
Commencement Coverage from Harvard Law Today View all Commencement 2020 coverage
Harvard Law School 2019-2020 year in pictures
A look back at the 2019-2020 academic year, from summer orientation for incoming students and campus events and celebrations, through the changes brought on by a global pandemic, sending everyone away from campus. But still keeping everyone together thanks to online teaching, learning, and community.
Reflections of the Class of 2020
As we close an unprecedented year, graduating J.D.s and LL.M.s reflect on their law school experience and share their hopes for the future of Harvard Law School.
The Intrepid Class of 2020
Addressing graduating S.J.D.s, LL.M.s, and the first class of J.D.s he welcomed as dean three years ago, Dean John F. Manning ’85 saluted them for showing “resilience, strength, adaptability, and purpose,” and urged them to build “career[s] of meaning and purpose.”
Stevenson: “We have to find ways to create more equality, more opportunity, more justice”
This year's commencement speaker, renowned public interest attorney Bryan Stevenson ’85 urged HLS graduates to keep their hopes intact and work to change the narratives that sustain inequality.
Sacks-Freund winner David Wilkins: “I have no doubt of the amazing things that you will achieve for yourselves and for our world.”
The Class of 2020 chose Professor David B. Wilkins ’80 to receive the Albert M. Sacks-Paul A. Freund Award for Teaching Excellence.