An Introduction to Harvard Law School
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The unique strength of our community is that it brings together, from around the world, so many exceptionally talented people of different backgrounds, lived experiences, interests, ambitions, approaches, methodologies, and perspectives. At HLS, we don’t look alike; we don’t think alike; we don’t come from the same place. Here, you don’t have to do any particular thing, in any particular way. Whoever you are, whatever you do, however you do it, Harvard Law School is a place where you can thrive.
John F. Manning ’85
Morgan and Helen Chu Dean and Professor of Law
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Faculty
7:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
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119
full-time faculty
49
visiting professors
160
lecturers on law
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First-Year Curriculum
First-year students are divided into seven sections of 70 students each with a faculty leader to create a sense of community
- Civil Procedure
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts
- Criminal Law
- January Experiential Term
- Legal Research and Writing
- Legislation and Regulation
- Property
- Torts
60+ not-for-credit 1L reading groups led by faculty members
Upper-Level Curriculum
The upper-level curriculum has 500+ courses, clinics, reading groups, and seminars (averaging 22 students per seminar)
International and Comparative Law elective requirement
280+ courses and seminars with 25 or fewer students
Seven optional Programs of Study incorporate advice from faculty about how to approach particular subjects and potential careers:
Concurrent Degrees
Students interested in combining legal education with advanced training in a field not covered by one of the Law School’s joint degree programs can consider completing the JD program concurrently with another graduate degree program. Examples of concurrent degree programs pursued by past students:
- JD/MA (Harvard Graduate School of Arts & Sciences)
- JD/MTS or MDiv (Harvard Divinity School)
- JD/MALD (Fletcher School at Tufts University)
- JD/EdM (Harvard Graduate School of Education)
- JD/PhD (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Harvard Law Today
Harvard Law Today
Draining the swamp
When Joe Biden began presidential duties last week, he issued an ethics pledge for his administration. And the students in the Harvard Law School course Legal Profession: Government Ethics—Scandal and Reform were paying especially close attention.
Fallon receives 2021 Daniel J. Meltzer Award from American Association of Law Schools
Harvard Law Professor Richard H. Fallon, an award-winning scholar and teacher, has been recognized by the Association of American Law Schools with the 2021 Daniel J. Meltzer Award.
For Prof. Ruth Okediji, ‘grievous’ Capitol insurrection holds hopeful lessons
Harvard Law Professor Ruth Okediji believes recent events can reinvigorate American democracy and serve as a lesson for the world.
Presidential picks
Harvard Law Today has compiled the names of just a few of the HLS graduates who are expected to fill some of the most high-profile posts in the new Biden administration.
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Public Service
- The Bernard Koteen Office of Public Interest Advising (OPIA) is dedicated to supporting and encouraging law students and lawyers to incorporate an ongoing commitment to public service work throughout their careers
- HLS students are required to serve 50 pro bono hours before graduation. The average HLS student in the 2019–2020 academic year served 640 pro bono hours
- Up to $1M in grant awards is available to graduating students pursuing careers in public service through the Public Service Venture Fund
- More than 58% of 1Ls received Summer Public Interest Funding (SPIF) during the summer of 2019
Clinical and Pro Bono Programs (A–E)
Clinical and Pro Bono Programs (A–E)
- Animal Law and Policy Clinic
- Capital Punishment Clinic
- Child Advocacy Program
- Criminal Justice Appellate Clinic
- Criminal Justice Institute
Clinical and Pro Bono Programs (F–M)
Clinical and Pro Bono Programs (F–M)
- Federal Tax Clinic
- Food Law and Policy Clinic
- Government Lawyer: Attorney General Clinic
- Government Lawyer: United States Attorney Clinic
- Government Lawyer: Semester in Washington
Clinical and Pro Bono Programs (N–Z)
Clinics in Action
Clinics in Action
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4,865,202
Hours of pro bono legal services HLS students have provided since the inception of the program
30+
areas of the law in which HLS offers clinical placements
80%
approximate percentage of students who participate in clinical work
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Research Programs and Centers (A–K)
Research Programs and Centers (A–K)
- Animal Law & Policy Program
- Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society
- Center on the Legal Profession
- Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice
- Child Advocacy Program
Research Programs and Centers (L–Z)
Research Programs and Centers (L–Z)
- Labor and Worklife Program
- Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics
- Program in Islamic Law
- Program on Behavioral Economics and Public Policy
- Program on Corporate Governance
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Student Life
- HLS has more than 100 student organizations
- 75% of students work on one of 17 scholarly journals
- Over one-third of the student body lives on campus in a typical year
- Multiple mentorship and advising programs, including:
- Zero-L: an online course allowing incoming 1Ls to begin law school with confidence
- Amicus: an online community-building platform and directory to connect HLS students and alumni
- Peer-to-peer advising: 1L Peer Advisers, SectionConnect matches, Board of Student Advisers, and student groups all assist new students as they enter HLS
- Programming to support inclusion and equity, including 17 affinity organizations
Student Practice Organizations
HLS Journals
HLS Journals
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International
Each year, hundreds of Harvard Law School students bring their talents and energy into the world
- 9% of the JD Class of 2023 are international students
- Over 100 courses and reading groups in international, foreign, or comparative law
- One comparative or international law course is required
- More than 25 clinics, student organizations, and journals have an international focus
- 110 HLS students traveled to 45 countries in relation to courses, clinics, and research/writing projects during 2019-2020
- HLS has study abroad agreements with 11 universities across 10 countries
- 6,400+ alumni live and work outside of the United States
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After HLS
98% of Class of 2019 graduates were employed at 10 months-
In the past decade, 525+ students have secured public interest fellowships immediately after graduation or after a clerkship
- More than 400 private sector employers participate in the HLS Early Interview Program
- 260+ HLS alumni serve as law clerks on state and federal courts each year
- One-quarter of clerks at the Supreme Court in the past five years have been HLS graduates
- 450+ CEOs/Chief Executives are HLS graduates
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J.D. Admissions & Financial Aid
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The J.D. Application Process
Learn more about the application process and deadlines, and find helpful guidelines about applying to Harvard Law School.
Apply to HLSConnect with Admissions
This fall, we are pleased to offer a number of virtual opportunities to engage with the J.D. Admissions Office. Join us to delve into the admission process, and the HLS experience.
Connect with usStudent Financial Services
Student Financial Services
- 74% of J.D. students receive financial aid
- 45% of students receive need-based grants
- Summer Public Interest Funding (SPIF) provides guaranteed stipends for summer work
- 17% of the class of 2019 participated in the Low Income Protection Plan (LIPP) immediately following graduation
- Loan options are available so all students can finance their three years at HLS