Staff Community Events

A man takes a photo of a group of people posing behind a table that has some note cards and pies — Staff took part in the law school's annual pie giveaway and thank you note event before Thanksgiving break. Credit: Austin Lewis

HLS hosts a variety of events for its employees to create a community of connection, collaboration, and creativity. On this page, you can see upcoming events for HLS Staff and a summary of events offered throughout the year. You can also learn about programming for staff on the Staff Dashboard

Upcoming Events for HLS Staff

“Religious Liberty, Applied”: In-House Counsel for Faith-Based Organizations

February 10, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:15 pm

Students with an interest in religious liberty law typically orient towards litigation – where there is indeed a great deal of activity, much of it cutting-edge, as the courts continue to work out the contours of various legal doctrines and exemptions applicable to religious organizations and individuals. But there is also fascinating and important work to be done as in-house counsel to religious organizations. This work, too, is cutting-edge and exciting; it requires a lawyer to be up-to-date on all of the latest court decisions and to exercise superb practical judgment in real-life scenarios where faith-based organizations must make difficult and consequential decisions about how to operate consistent with the religious beliefs that animate them. Call it “religious liberty, applied.” Join Wasserstein Fellow Jennie Bradley Lichter as she offers students a window into practicing law as in-house counsel to faith-based organizations. Lunch provided. Please RSVP below! Open to the HLS community.
HLS Beyond and LIL present: Funders and Founders

February 11, 2026
12:20 pm – 1:20 pm

What does it take to build a legal tech startup? How are lawyers using AI now, and how will they use it five and ten years from now? Join Pablo Arredondo, Co-Founder of CaseText and now Vice President at Thomson Reuters following the company’s 2023 acquisition, in conversation with Jon Choi, visiting faculty at HLS and James Carr Professor of Law at Washington University in St. Louis and Co-Founder of Solomon AI, as they discuss entrepreneurship, AI, and the future of the legal profession.
Counting Sheep for Better Sleep

February 11, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:15 pm

A good night’s sleep is key to many aspects of our wellbeing, yet it’s often one of the first things we cut out when times get stressful. In the Counting Sheep for Better Sleep workshop, Center for Wellness and Health Promotion team members will discuss barriers we face to getting…
Mindfulness Strategies with HLS Alum Sarah Stewart

February 23, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm

This hands-on session is equally appropriate for beginners to mindfulness-based strategies and for experienced practitioners. Participants will come away with a clear understanding of mindfulness, reducing tension, improving sleep, increasing focus and attention, and hardwiring happiness. This event is open only to members of the HLS Community. Light Refreshments will…

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Event Overview

Below we’ve provided some descriptions for events offered throughout the year! More details for the events will be emailed directly to the HLS community. If you’d like to learn more about events for staff at HLS, you can reach out to Gloria Alonzo.

Social Events

Tuesdays@Ten

Stop by Tuesdays@Ten for a chance to mingle with your colleagues across departments. These informal, hour-long gatherings provide a chance to break up your morning, catch up outside of the office, and build your HLS community.
Festivities@Four

Typically held on a Thursday or Friday, these festivities are a chance for staff to come together and unwind over apps, drinks, and games.
HLS Holiday Party

Staff, faculty and their families are invited to gather together every December for our HLS holiday party. Come celebrate the end of the year and the holiday season with your colleagues and their families.
HLS Staff-Faculty Picnic

Staff, faculty and their families are invited to gather together every summer during our HLS community picnic. Hosted on campus, stop by to enjoy games and picnic food.

Community Learning Events

Topics@Ten or Two

Join us as we gather to hear one of our faculty experts discuss their latest research at Topics@Ten. These hour-long sessions provide an opportunity for our community to connect with the excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research central to the Law School’s academic mission.
Mock Class

Catch a glimpse of what it is like to be a Law School student. Our hope is that the sessions will give employees a fun and lively view into what happens in our classrooms and also explore some of the topics that our students engage with.

Community Building Events

Dean’s Award for Excellence

The Dean’s Award for Excellence recognizes staff members who embody both the letter and spirit of excellence within the HLS community. Each year staff nominate their colleagues, and honorees are chosen by the advisory committee in accordance with the award criteria. Each year, all staff are invited to celebrate the recipients at an awards ceremony.
Thanksgiving Pie Giveaway

Join us for a day of gratitude and take home a pie during the Thanksgiving season. All staff are welcome to come grab a pie to take home and write a thank you note for a fellow colleague.
Week of Service

At least once per year, we designate a week for service. For this week, we collaborate with a handful of local organizations to send a small group of our staff to volunteer together. This provides an opportunity for staff to go off campus and spend part of their day giving back to the community with fellow colleagues. We provide on campus participation opportunities as well. This event helps unify staff behind good causes and provides an opportunity to engage the staff in community service.