Empowering the next generation of legal scholars and leaders
The application for the 2024-2025 Future Leaders in Law Program is now closed.
Harvard Law School’s Future Leaders in Law Program, in partnership with Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP (Paul, Weiss), is designed to elevate, inspire, empower, and impact the lives of each program participant and the legal profession by focusing on early talent generation and igniting excitement about law as a career path.
About the Program
The Future Leaders in Law Program will bring together individuals with a range of lived experiences, primarily individuals from first-generation and less advantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, for a weeklong residential fellowship at Harvard Law School (HLS) to help prepare them to apply for admission to law schools around the nation. While on campus, Future Leaders in Law Fellows (Fellows) will engage with HLS faculty, staff, students, and alumni. During this weeklong residency and over the course of the yearlong program, participants will benefit from test and application preparation services, mentorship and networking opportunities, field trips, as well as academic and professional skill-building elements.
This program will be fully funded, with all costs covered to participate, including transportation and lodging, and preparation materials. We will provide need-based assistance for law school application fees and LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS) reports, and the LSAT administration. In addition, a $3,000 stipend will be awarded upon program completion.
Core Program Components
- Summer Residency at Harvard Law School (Cambridge, MA) & Paul, Weiss (New York, NY): Designed to expose Fellows to law school, career exploration, network building, and skills development to demystify and navigate law school, its application process, and beyond.
- Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) Preparation Course: Participants will receive synchronous instruction and preparation for the Law School Admissions Test through test prep company Advantage Testing.
- Empowerment Seminars: Saturday Sessions in which Fellows will continue to engage and benefit from workshops, skills building, application preparation, and mentorship opportunities. These empowerment sessions are designed to continue preparing participants for the law school application process.
- Mentorship: Fellows will receive valuable mentorship and advice from Harvard Law School affiliates.
- Zero-L®: Upon completion, Fellows will receive access to Zero-L®, an online course designed by Harvard Law School to introduce incoming law students to the American legal system, the vocabulary of law school, and what it means to be a law student in the U.S.
“We are launching the Future Leaders in Law program to help elevate, inspire, empower, and impact the lives of program participants and the legal profession by focusing on early talent generation and igniting excitement about law as a career path,”
Monica E. Monroe, Assistant Dean for Community Engagement, Equity, and Belonging
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants for the Future Leaders in Law Program must:
- Be in pursuit of an undergraduate degree with an expected graduation date of 2024 or 2025 OR be a recent graduate (Class of 2021, Class of 2022, and Class of 2023).
- Have a 3.3 cumulative undergraduate GPA.
- Intend to apply for a J.D. program for matriculation starting Fall 2026.
- Be at least 18 years old as of the program start date.
- Commit to attending and participating in all core program components.
All majors are encouraged to apply!
Acceptance into the Future Leaders in Law Program is independent of the Harvard Law School J.D. Admissions process. Participation in the Future Leaders in Law Program does not guarantee admission into Harvard Law School. We regret that Harvard Law School is unable to provide visa sponsorship for the Future Leaders in Law Program.
Key Program Dates
| Application Opens | March 1, 2024 |
| Application Deadline | April 7, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EDT |
| Notification of Decision | Early June 2024 |
| Summer Residency | July 12, 2024 – July 21, 2024 Harvard Law School (Cambridge, MA) & Paul, Weiss (New York, NY) |
| LSAT Preparation Course | Summer & Fall 2024 |
| Mentorship | Winter & Spring 2025 |
| Empowerment Seminars | January 25, 2025 February 22, 2025 March 22, 2025 April 26, 2025 May 17, 2025 |
Application Components
The application portal will open on March 1, 2024. All application materials must be submitted electronically by the deadline, April 7, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EDT (Eastern Daylight Time). You may begin, save, and complete your application progress before the deadline.
A confirmation email will be sent to the email address you used to create an account. Your application will be marked as complete upon receipt of all required materials, including letters of recommendation. After submission, all submissions are considered final, and you will be unable to reopen and edit the application.
For more information, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions on our website.
Application Components:
- Personal Background
- Academic History
- Future Leader Details
- Resume
- Statement of Professional Interest
- Question: How will your participation in the Future Leaders in Law program impact your future in the legal sector? Please describe any significant life experiences, overcoming any obstacles, leadership, or community engagement experiences that have shaped your interest in pursuing an education in the legal field.
- Optional Question: If there is anything else you would like the selection committee to consider that has not already been shared in your application materials, you have the option to submit an additional statement on the application portal.
- Recommendations
- Required: 1 Academic Letter of Recommendation
- Optional Reference: 1 Additional Academic or Professional Letter of Recommendation
- Character & Fitness
The application portal will be available starting March 1, 2024. We encourage all applicants to promptly identify and send out the Letter of Recommendation Request Form on the Future Leaders in Law application portal to allow sufficient time for their recommender to complete the form.
All program finalists will be invited to interview via Zoom in mid-to-late May. Applicants will be notified of their decision in early June 2024.
Apply to the Future Leaders in Law Program!
The application for the 2024-2025 Future Leaders in Law Program is now closed. Interested in learning more about the Future Leaders in Law Program? Introduce yourself here.