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

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

Research Programs and Centers

Access to Justice Lab Animal Law & Policy Program Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society Center on the Legal Profession Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice East Asian Legal Studies Program Environmental & Energy Law Program Foundations of Private Law Harvard Law School Project on Disability Human Rights Program Institute for Global Law and Policy Institute to End Mass Incarceration John M. Olin Center for Law, Economics, and Business

Julis-Rabinowitz Program on Jewish and Israeli Law Labor and Worklife Program Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics Program in Islamic Law Program on Biblical Law and Christian Legal Studies Program on Behavioral Economics and Public Policy Program on Corporate Governance Program on Institutional Investors Program on International Financial Systems Program on International Law and Armed Conflict Program on Law and Political Economy Program on Law and Society in the Muslim World Program on Negotiation Shareholder Rights Project Systemic Justice Project Tax Law Program Youth Advocacy & Policy Lab (Y-Lab)

Student Life

• HLS has more than 95+ student organizations
• 75% of students work on one of 15 active 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: SectionConnect matches, Board of Student Advisers, and student groups all assist new students as they enter HLS
• Programming to support inclusion and equity, including 20 affinity organizations

Student Practice Organizations (SPOs)
Harvard Defenders Harvard Law Entrepreneurship Project Harvard Mediation Program Prison Legal Assistance Project Advocates for Human Rights Harvard Immigration Project	Mississippi Delta Project Harvard Law School Negotiators Project No One Leaves Recording Artists Project Tenant Advocacy Project

HLS Journals

Journals
Harvard Business Law Review Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review Harvard Environmental Law Review Harvard Human Rights Journal Harvard International Law Journal	Harvard Journal of Law and Gender Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy Harvard Journal of Law & Technology Harvard Journal on Legislation Harvard Journal of Sports and Entertainment Law Harvard Latinx Law Review	Harvard Law & Policy Review Harvard Law Review Harvard National Security Journal Harvard Negotiation Law Review Unbound: Harvard Journal of the Legal Left

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