DOS Student Support

Dean of Students Office

1585 Massachusetts Avenue
Wasserstein (WCC) Suite 3039
Cambridge, MA 02138

Phone: 617-495-1880

Fax: 617-496-0544

A white bush in bloom in spring in front of Langdell Hall on Harvard Law Campus

The Dean of Students Office is your primary advocate and resource for navigating life at Harvard Law School. We’re here to help every step of the way, whether you’re trying to navigate your coursework, a life event, or preparing for the bar.  Please contact us or make an appointment to learn more about our student support services.

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Make an Appointment

Support Where You Need It

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The Well

Health and wellness at HLS means resources for mind, body, and spirit.

Visit The Well to find everything from physical health and athletic activities to mental and emotional support.

Lawyer-Specific Resources

1L Year

The basics of 1L: sections, holding events & the BSA. Learn about it all here!

Replace Your Tent Card

Most professors request or require students to display their name tent card during class sessions. If you are a current student and have lost the tent card that was provided to you previously, please submit a request to replace your tent card.

Please note: this form is NOT for incoming students–all incoming students will automatically be given their first tent card at the beginning of the fall term.

LOA and Visits Out

photo of campus from overhead

DOS facilitates personal and medical leaves of absence, as well as visits to other law schools due to hardship or for specialized study.

Students seeking information regarding these programs should review the program-specific information linked below and contact DOS at dos@law.harvard.edu with any further questions.

  • Leave of Absence

    For polices, processes, and financial considerations related to taking a leave of absence, please consult Section X of the Handbook of Academic Polices, as well as SFS’s Financial Aid Policy Overview and information specific to leave of absence.

  • Berkeley Exchange Program

    The Berkeley Exchange Program was designed for the purpose of enhancing the educational opportunities available to law students at both Harvard and Berkeley by providing them with exposure to a different faculty and student body.

    During the J-term of your 2L year, you can petition the Administrative Board, via email to the Dean of Students Office, to study at Berkeley in your 3L year.

    For procedures and general information about the program, please visit our Berkeley Exchange webpage. Information on the program and deadlines can also be found in sections III.F.2 and IX of the Handbook of Academic Policies.

    In addition, interested students should consult SFS’s Financial Aid Policy Overview and Berkeley Exchange Financial Information. It is recommended to speak with the Registrar’s Office to confirm your status before submitting your application and finalizing your 2L spring schedule.

  • Visits At Other Law Schools

    The Program for Visits at Other Law Schools is available for HLS students who desire to study out of residence at another ABA accredited law school due to personal hardship or significant academic need. In order to participate in this program, you must petition the HLS Administrative Board through the Dean of Students Office.

    For information on policies and deadlines, please visit sections III.F.3 and IX of the Handbook of Academic Policies. In addition, interested students should consult SFS’s Financial Aid Policy Overview and Financial Information for Visits at Other Law Schools.

    Applying to visit away from Harvard Law School:

    1. Before planning a visit, make sure you have an audit of your credits and what you must complete by third year.
    2. Petition the Administrative Board via email to the Dean of Students explaining your reasons for wanting to study at another school. Please include the following information:
      • The school(s) you wish to visit
      • Your plans to complete the professional responsibility requirement
    3. Contact the other law school to determine their criteria for allowing visits (contingent on HLS Administrative Board approval).
    4. Once accepted, your courses and academic program at the other school must be approved in advance by the Registrar’s Office.

     

  • Visits into HLS

    HLS will consider students currently enrolled at other ABA accredited law schools for a one-semester or one-year visit to the Law School only in cases based on exceptional circumstances.

    Application information:

    1. Applications are only accepted from students currently attending ABA accredited law schools.
    2. You must petition the HLS Administrative Board by emailing the Dean of Students Office with an explanation of the reasons you want to study at Harvard Law School. Please address your letter to the secretary of the Administrative Board.
    3. Your application must include a certified transcript from your home law school.

    Please note that students visiting Harvard Law School as part of the Visiting Program will receive their law degrees from their home law school and will be subject to the academic rules of their home institution as well as those of Harvard Law School.

    Interested students should also refer to Financial Information for Visits into HLS.

Notary Services

Need something notarized? Schedule an appointment with a notary on the HLS campus below.

The following HLS notaries offer drop-in hours for notary services or take appointments by email only:

NotaryLocationDays AvailableDrop-in HoursBy Appointment Contact
Lauren ChapmanRegistrar’s OfficeMonday-Friday9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Kerri BrummelRegistrar’s OfficeMonday-Friday9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Cassie FiliosOffice of Career ServicesMonday-Wednesday9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Please email ahead to confirm		cfilios@law.harvard.edu
Theresa KnappLangdell LibraryMonday-Wednesdayn/atknapp@law.harvard.edu

Additionally, notaries can be found at the Smith Campus Center and many banks, such as Bank of America and Santander,  Some of these services are free; most require appointments. Please read what is required of you before going to any location.