An Introduction to Harvard Law School

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, Provost and Dane Professor of Law

Faculty

  • Student to Faculty Ratio 7:1
  • Full-time Faculty 119
  • Visiting Professors 49
  • Lecturers on Law 155

Curriculum

Harvard Law Today

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 2023–2024 academic year served 635 pro bono hours
  • Up to $1.1M in grant awards is available to graduating students pursuing careers in public service through the Public Service Venture Fund
  • More than 55% of 1Ls received Summer Public Interest Funding (SPIF) during the summer of 2024

Clinical and Pro Bono Programs

Clinics in Action | 2L Adeyemi Adediran ’21 goes to the Seventh Circuit
  • Hours of pro bono legal services HLS students have provided since 2005 6.3 mil
  • Areas of the law in which HLS offers clinical placements 35+
  • Approximate percentage of students who participate in clinical work 90%
Clinics in Action | Child Advocacy Clinic internship with the Children’s Law Center of Massachusetts
  • In-House Clinics 24
  • Externship Clinics 13
  • Student Practice Organizations (SPOs) 11

HLS Clinics

Research Programs and Centers

Student Life

Student Practice Organizations (SPOs)

HLS Journals

International

Each year, hundreds of Harvard Law School students bring their talents and energy into the world

  • 9% of the JD Class of 2027 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 30 clinics, student organizations, and journals have an international focus
  • More than 160 HLS students travel to 45+ countries for courses, clinics, research projects, and fieldwork in a typical year
  • HLS has study abroad agreements with 10 universities across 9 countries
  • 8,000+ alumni live and work outside of the United States

After HLS

  • 97.5% of Class of 2023 graduates were employed at 10 months
  • In the past decade, 600+ 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
  • 250+ HLS alumni serve as law clerks on federal and state courts each year
  • 20% of clerks at the Supreme Court in the past five years have been HLS graduates
  • 540+ CEOs/Chief Executives are HLS graduates

Financial Aid

  • Roughly 70% of J.D. students receive financial aid
  • Around 35% of students receive need-based grants
  • Summer Public Interest Funding (SPIF) provides guaranteed stipends for summer work
  • Roughly 11% of J.D. students participate in the Low Income Protection Plan (LIPP) immediately following graduation
  • Loan options are available so all students can finance their three years at HLS

J.D. Admissions