Persons with disabilities who wish to request accommodations or who have questions about access, please contact ocs@law.harvard.edu in advance of the event
Signature 1L Events
RSVP links for our signature 1L events will be added when registration opens.
Law Firm Kickoff Reception
Wednesday, September 30
With a focus on law firm practice areas, our first reception of the school year will feature more than 80 practitioners from a variety of specialties and firms across the country. RSVP requested.
Firm Fair
Wednesday, October 14
Mark your calendar for the can’t miss event of the semester: OCS’ Firm Fair. Over 700 law firm offices recruit HLS students each year! Firm Fair offers you the chance to meet with law firm representatives, ask questions, and start to learn which firms will be of interest to you. Stop by any time during the fair to chat with firms; OCS advisers will also be available to answer questions throughout the event. RSVP requested.
Last Call Reception
Wednesday, November 18
Attend our last reception of the semester to learn more about the firms you are seriously considering as well as those you may have missed, so that you can confidently answer the question: ‘Why are you interested in applying to our firm?” RSVP requested.
OCS Events
The following events are planned for Fall 2026. Event links will be added at the beginning of the semester.
Introduction to the Private Sector Job Search – week of September 14
Over the course of the week, OCS advisers will meet with each section to walk through the timeline for the private sector job search process this fall. If you are interested in applying for a 2L summer law firm position, be sure to attend!
Litigation vs. Corporate – Tuesday, September 22 during the lunch hour
Do you know what type of law you want to practice? Hear attorneys from O’Melveny & Myers discuss the merits of the two largest practice areas in Big Law. They’ll discuss what they do, why they chose it, and whether it was what they expected they would be doing when they were 1Ls.
Anatomy of a Deal – Thursday, September 24 during the lunch hour
How exactly do you put together a multi-billion-dollar deal involving multiple parties and jurisdictions? Attorneys from Cleary Gottlieb will walk us through the elements of a cross-border transaction and the legal issues that arise.
The Business of Law – Monday, October 5 during the lunch hour
The managing partners of Paul Hastings dive behind the scenes to discuss law firms’ bottom lines. From the billable hour, to practice area profitability, to fee structures and realization, join us to understand the business side of law.
Geographic Market Series
Legal recruiters from major markets in the US describe what industries and practice areas drive the legal work in their cities.
- New York – Tuesday, September 29 during the lunch hour
- Washington DC – Thursday, October 1 during the lunch hour
- Boston – Thursday, October 15 during the lunch hour
- California – Date TBD, during the lunch hour
- Florida – format to be announced
- Chicago – format to be announced
Additional Fall Programming
OCS will host additional programs during the fall. This page will be updated as the topics and dates are confirmed.
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LLM Series: Job Search Materials
August 31, 2026
10:00 am – 11:30 amProfessional job search documents are the foundation for every successful LL.M. job search. Attend this session to learn the basics about how to draft a U.S. style resume and cover letter, how to choose a writing sample, and how to create a list of references. This event will be recorded… -
LLM Series: Intro to the Overseas-Trained LLM Interview Program
September 15, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:30 pmCome to this information session to learn more about the 2026 Overseas-Trained LL.M. Interview Program (“The LLM Job Fair”). Among other things, we will discuss how the job fair will works and outline important upcoming deadlines. Attendance is encouraged even if you are not yet sure whether you will participate. -
Student Perspectives on Engaging with Faculty
September 16, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:15 pmMore information will be available shortly. -
Litigation vs. Corporate
September 22, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:15 pmDo you know what type of law you want to practice? Hear attorneys from O’Melveny & Myers discuss the merits of the two largest practice areas in Big Law. They’ll discuss what they do, why they chose it, and whether it was what they expected they would be doing when… -
Judicial Clerkships 101
September 23, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:15 pmMore information will be available shortly. -
Anatomy of a Deal
September 24, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:15 pmHow exactly do you put together a multi-billion-dollar deal involving multiple parties and jurisdictions? Attorneys from Cleary Gottlieb will walk us through the elements of a cross-border transaction and the legal issues that arise. -
LLM Series: Networking
September 29, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:15 pmNetworking is a vitally important part of your LL.M. job search. Many law firm jobs are obtained, or sometimes even created, through networking. Attend this program to learn what networking is and how to creatively and professionally network your way to a job. Lunch will be served. This program will… -
2L Judicial Clerkship Update and Q&A
September 30, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:15 pmMore information will be available shortly. -
DC Market Lunch
October 1, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:15 pmHeard the phrase “government-facing work”? Want to learn what that means? Come learn about DC legal market from an expert headhunter. Topics covered will include hot practice areas and the industries that drive the market. Lunch will be served. Please contact ocs@law.harvard.edu with any dietary restrictions at least three business… -
Business of Law
October 5, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:15 pmThe managing partners of Paul Hastings dive behind the scenes to discuss law firms’ bottom lines. From the billable hour, to practice area profitability, to fee structures and realization, join us to understand the business side of law. -
Panel of Judicial Clerks
October 7, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:15 pmMore information will be available shortly. -
LLM Series: Interviewing
October 13, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:15 pmAn interview is your chance to showcase your qualifications and enthusiasm for a law firm position. Attend this session to learn how to prepare for and succeed in your US-style interviews. Lunch will be served. This program will be recorded and posted to the OCS website for those unable to… -
International Student Q&A
October 14, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:15 pmInternational JD Students have unique concerns when seeking summer, and ultimately post-graduate, employment. Bring your lunch and your questions to an informal meeting with OCS’s Yih-hsien Shen and OPIA’s Jillian Tuck. Let us dispel rumors, address fears, and provide you with suggestions to help you in your job search. -
Firm Fair
October 14, 2026
5:00 pm – 8:00 pmMark your calendar for the can’t miss event of the semester: OCS’ Firm Fair. Over 700 law firm offices recruit HLS students each year! Firm Fair offers you the chance to meet with law firm representatives, ask questions, and start to learn which firms will be of interest to you. -
Boston Market Lunch
October 15, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:15 pmEnjoying Boston? Interested in life sciences/tech? Come learn about the Boston legal market from an expert legal headhunter. Topics covered will include hot practice areas and the industries that drive the market. -
California Market Lunch
October 19, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:15 pmDo you believe the West Coast is the best coast? Come learn about the Northern and Southern California legal markets from an expert legal headhunter. Topics covered will include hot practice areas and the industries that drive the markets. Lunch will be served. Please contact ocs@law.harvard.edu with any dietary restrictions… -
Last Call Reception
November 18, 2026
6:00 pm – 8:30 pmAttend our last reception of the semester to learn more about the firms you are seriously considering as well as those you may have missed, so that you can confidently answer the question: ‘Why are you interested in applying to our firm?” RSVP requested – link incoming.
On- and Off-Campus Employer Events
OCS coordinates events with employers to take place on and near campus. These employer events are a great opportunity to meet attorneys and learn more about particular firms that recruit HLS students. Events in the Fall and Spring semester will be posted in this section.
Note that employer events that are not coordinated by OCS will be posted as Other Career Events.
- Coffee Chats will take place in-person in the OCS suite (WCC 4020) from 2:30 to 4:30pm. These are drop-in events (no RSVP).
- Receptions will take place in-person at local restaurants in Cambridge or Boston. Events take place in the evening. RSVP is highly encouraged (see specific event for link).
Event links will be posted at the beginning of the semester.
Virtual Employer Chats
EIP Connections
November 2026
Through our Connections program, OCS coordinates virtual small group chats (limited to three students, maximum) for EIP employers throughout the month of November.
Sign up will take place in October. Details tba.
Other Career Events
In addition to OCS and Employer events, we share information from employers, student groups, and other legal organizations and groups about career-related events and opportunities. Information about these events is not generated or solicited by OCS.
Upcoming Other Career Events to see a list of upcoming career-related events and opportunities.
Program Recordings
Missed a program or event? Browser our program libraries to see if it was recorded.
- OCS Program Library
- Practice Area Podcast Library
- Beyond Big Law Podcast Library
- Clerkship Program Library