Student Practice Organizations

Harvard Defenders represents low-income clients at Massachusetts criminal show-cause hearings before clerk magistrates, assists with sealing Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI), and provides referrals to other legal services. 

The Harvard Law Entrepreneurship Project provides legal research and analysis to entrepreneurs in the Harvard and MIT communities in teams of HLS students and a practicing attorney from leading startup law firms. 

In Harvard Mediation Program, students serve as mediators in pairs for small claims court cases, harassment prevention orders, and tenant-to-tenant disputes. Students also provide trainings to HLS students and local community agencies. 

The Harvard Prison Legal Assistance Project provides representation to prisoners at disciplinary, parole, and other administrative hearings in MA state prisons. Students assist incarcerated individuals with prison-related problems (medical, civil rights, and property) by responding to letters and calls. May also work on impact litigation, prison policy initiatives, and commutation petitions. 

HLS Advocates for Human Rights provides legal research and engages in human rights advocacy on student-led projects with human rights practitioners and NGOs around the world. Promotes awareness of human rights issues on campus and organizes training sessions. 

The HLS Immigration Project provides community outreach, education and advocacy, and pro bono legal representation to immigrants through these main projects: Client Engagement and Services, Policy, and International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP). 

The HLS Mississippi Delta Project provides legal assistance and policy support for mission-driven organizations in the Mississippi Delta region. Students work in teams on projects advancing food justice, criminal/economic justice, environmental justice, and reproductive justice. 

Opportunities include regular simulations where students practice their negotiation skills and get feedback; real-life client projects in interpersonal negotiation, systems design, and training locally, nationally, and internationally.

Project No One Leaves works with City Life-Vida Urbana, a grassroots organizing group in Boston, to support and defend communities facing gentrification, eviction, foreclosure, and deportation through canvassing and organizing efforts.

The Recording Artists Project counsels clients in such matters as copyright and trademark registration, sample clearances, and the negotiation and drafting of contracts related to music production, management, performance, licensing, and merchandising. 

The Tenant Advocacy Project provides direct legal services and representation to community members seeking assistance with matters related to housing justice and stability, including public housing and rental voucher access, eviction record sealing, security deposit recovery, and assisting renters needing reasonable accommodations to maintain and access housing.