Professionalism and Bar Exams

Professionalism Primer
Professionalism encompasses a code of conduct that will serve you throughout your entire career. It involves your personal reputation, your understanding of the profession, and your skill set that will help you thrive in a fast-paced and ever-changing industry. The development of your professional profile starts the day you enter Harvard Law School and continues throughout your career.
Professionalism Primer
Professionalism Primer
- On the Job Fundamentals
- For Summer Associates
- For Junior Associates
- Tutorials and Resources
- Self-Directed Learning with Hotshot
On the Job Fundamentals
As a new professional everything you do will impact your reputation. The following fundamentals apply whether you are a summer associate or a seasoned partner. While many seem obvious, it is easy to overlook the basic building blocks of your professional presence.
For Summer Associates
Think of your summer experience as an 8 to 10 week interview. In addition to the fundamentals, review the resources below and learn what you can do to make a great impression over the summer.
Summer Associate Professionalism Primer
For Junior Associates
In addition to fundamentals, the following resources address the specific needs of junior associates. Take time to review all the information and to make sure you hit the ground running.
Junior Associate Professionalism Primer
Tutorials and Resources
Review the following tutorials and resources to further support your professional development.
- Listen to our podcasts in the Advice from the Exerts Series and learn valuable tips for Summer Associates and Junior Associates.
- Complete the Prepare to Practice program by LexisNexis. This tutorial is design to help students master some of the practical skills you need to arrive practice ready on day one.
- Hotshot Legal uses short videos to teach a range of legal and business topics. The videos provide simple explanations of complex concepts. Topics include Accounting & Finance, M&A Basics, Excel & Data Analysis, and Venture Financing, and new content is continually added. Just click on the link above, click sign up, and fill in your name, HLS email, and create a password.
- Checkout additional Professional Development resources including previously recorded OCS Programs and online resources.
Self-Directed Learning with Hotshot
We’re happy to announce a new program that’s designed to help students and new grads develop their practical legal and business skills this spring and summer. Whether you’ll be working remotely, have had your summer positions shortened or postponed, have time before beginning to study for the bar, or otherwise want to sharpen your skills, we’d like to support your ongoing learning over these next few months and help you become even more practice ready.
Featured Videos and Podcasts
Featured Videos and Podcasts
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Professional Development Resources
Program Recording Videos and Other Resources
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Advice from the Experts for Summer Associates
How to Secure an Offer from Your Summer Job
Advice from the Experts for Summer Associates
How to Secure an Offer from Your Summer Job
Learn More -
Advice from the Experts for Junior Associates
How to Hit the Ground Running as a Junior Associate
Advice from the Experts for Junior Associates
How to Hit the Ground Running as a Junior Associate
Learn More
Bar Exams
Bar Exams
Bar Exams
In order to obtain a license to practice law in a given state, law school graduates must apply for bar admission through a state board of bar examiners. Learn more about the Bar Exam or the Patent Bar Exam.