Student Life

“If we have a critical mass of people saying ‘yes, I worked my tail off, but I also had a lot of fun, and I was in an environment where I found my niche, I found good friends, I built lasting relationships, and I was part of a community’? That’s a win to me.”

 

~Stephen Ball ’10, Dean of Students, HLS
A group of students walking down the second floor hallway of the WCC

You Belong at HLS

Studying law is a collaborative endeavor at Harvard Law School. We work together to create a student-centered environment in which learning is inspiring, transformative, and supportive. We know you will strengthen the HLS community and we want you to be strengthened by it.

Our goal is for you to thrive in every aspect of your experience at Harvard Law School.

  • Courses 500+
  • Student Organizations 100+
  • Student Journals 17
  • Clinics, Externships & SPOs 47

“There’s a huge support system that’s here to help you.”

—Nicholas Gozales JD ’24

[HLS] taught me so much about friendship, inclusion, what the law is, and what the law should be.”

 —Jessica Zhao ’22

At home at Harvard

Your life at Harvard Law School unfolds within a major research university, giving you access to a world-class campus: unparalleled libraries, acclaimed museums and theaters, enriching extracurricular activities, and a wider community of diverse and engaged students.

You have access to everything Harvard has to offer.

“The [HLS] community has been a place where I’ve really found not only a voice, but a sense of companionship and friendship that I’m going to miss and cherish for the rest of my life.”

—Emily Chazen ’22

Dean of Students Office

From Orientation through Commencement, DOS staff are here to support you. Whether you have a quick question, a more serious personal or academic concern, or just need guidance or support, contact or stop by DOS!

a group of students talking in a group outside the WCC

Student Activities

Walk into any gathering of an HLS student organization and you’ll encounter a remarkable spectrum of life experiences and perspectives. You will find your people.

HLS Students in the News

student and judge talking while walking
  • Featured image for Students honored at 2023 Class Day article

    Students honored at 2023 Class Day

    A selection of Harvard Law students from the Class of 2023 were recognized for their contributions during the Class Day ceremony on May 24. They were honored for outstanding leadership, citizenship, compassion, and dedication to their studies and the profession. Ralph D. Gants Access to Justice Award Stephanie Perez ’23 was the recipient of the

    May 25, 2023

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Announcements

  • HLS Library Exhibit: Visualizing Capital Punishment

    Visit the Library’s latest exhibit, Visualizing Capital Punishment: Spectacle, Shame, and Sympathy, which explores the power of imagery to change minds about the death penalty, and features items from the Library’s Historical & Special Collections. Throughout the year, we’ll be offering programming on this historic yet timely topic. Please visit the exhibit and join us

    September 1, 2022

  • California Air Resources Board’s Legal Office Externships

    Anticipated Start Date: The beginning of the fall term (around 8/15/22), with a working period of 8-10 weeks. Qualifications: • Current law school student. • Background or interest in air quality, climate, environmental justice, and public interest work. • Strong legal writing and research skills. • Ability to exercise good judgment and work effectively and

    July 5, 2022

  • Liberty Justice Center Internships

    Opportunities for law students The Liberty Justice Center offers a rich educational opportunity for law students to contribute to a cutting-edge public interest law firm. The Liberty Justice Center is a national nonprofit, nonpartisan public interest litigation center that represents clients at no charge. We are litigating in more than two dozen states to protect

    July 5, 2022

  • NYC Office of Technology & Innovation Fall 2022 Remote Legal Internship

    Position: UNPAID – Fall 2022 – Remote Legal Summer Intern/Extern Who we are: NYC Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) Location: Remote Term: Fall 2022 Start: August 2022 About Us: OTI partners with over 100 government entities to help them obtain the right technology solutions that meet their business needs and delivery services to New

    July 5, 2022

  • Legal Internship, U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Public Integrity Section

    https://www.justice.gov/criminal-pin 1301 New York Ave, NW, 10th Floor Washington, DC 20530 Legal interns work closely with PIN trial attorneys on a range of investigative and litigation issues related to PIN’s efforts to combat public corruption. Projects deal with the procedural and substantive aspects of criminal law and include researching and briefing complex legal questions, drafting

    June 21, 2022

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