This page highlights important academic advising events and directs J.D. and LL.M. students to the correct department for all their academic advising questions.
Academic Advising Events
Academic Advising Appointments
Clinics? – Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs (OCP)
OCP oversees the academic clinical programs and the clinical registration process. Meet with an OCP adviser to learn more about clinic opportunities, brainstorm which clinic might be the right fit for you, or to ask questions about the clinical registration process.
Appointments are available on Zoom or in person in WCC 3085.
Degree Requirements? – Registrar’s Office
Contact the Registrar’s Office to learn more about your degree requirements and degree audit, or to ask questions about the J.D Written Work requirement.
General Questions + Joint Degrees? – Student Academic Affairs
Betsy DiPardo, Director for Student Academic Affairs, hosts drop in hours every Friday from 12-5pm in WCC 3025 (in the Clinical Wing). Stop by with questions about academic planning, course selection, and other topics on your mind (and to grab candy!).
Student Academic Affairs also oversees joint degree advising. Joint degree advising is by appointment only.
Study Abroad? – International Legal Studies
International Legal Studies offers information and guidance about HLS’ many internationally-focused opportunities within the classroom and beyond. We can also talk with you about study abroad, which includes both semester abroad and the J.D./LL.M. joint degree program with the University of Cambridge. ILS also administers the Winter term international travel grant program which supports students doing independent clinicals or writing abroad over Winter term.
Writing? – Writing Center
Located in WCC 3054, the Writing Center offers real-time, one-to-one consulting sessions to all upper-level J.D. students. These sessions, led mainly by other upper-level J.D. students selected as Writing Fellows, are best suited to argumentative and analytical writing for courses, seminars, workshops, and writing groups as well as independent writing projects. Sessions are available throughout the academic year.
LL.M.? – Graduate Program Advising
The Graduate Program provides individualized advising to LL.M. students on courses, writing, academic skills, curricular problem solving, and other options through direct conversations, LL.M. Advising Groups (each led by a dedicated S.J.D. advisor), specialized workshops, and regular presentations and programming. The specialized workshops are led by S.J.D. candidates with prior experience in the LL.M. program who serve as Advisers and Coordinators. Reach out to us any time at gpcourses@law.harvard.edu.
Careers x Academic Advising
Private Sector + Clerkships? – Office of Career Services (OCS)
OCS advisers focus on private sector careers and judicial clerkships, and can help you decide what opportunities to pursue at HLS to help you further your post-graduate plans.
Public Sector? – Office of Public Interest Advising (OPIA)
OPIA advisers can speak with you about how curricular choices may help you clarify career goals and build relevant skills that public interest employers look for when making hiring decisions.
- Review OPIA’s adviser bios and areas of expertise or the 3 Day Wasserstein Fellow bios.
- Select the appropriate type of advising to make an appointment.
- Please remember that all appointments are scheduled for Eastern Standard Time.
- All appointments are conducted virtually, via Zoom, by phone, or in person in the OPIA suite.
Academic Careers? – Prof. Susannah Barton Tobin
Interested in pursuing a career in academia and becoming a law professor? Meet with Prof. Susannah Barton Tobin for academic career advising.
Additional Resources
Student Support? – DOS-CEEB
The Dean of Students and Office of Community Engagement, Equity, and Belonging (DOS-CEEB) is your primary advocate and resource for navigating life at HLS. We are here to help every step of the way, whether you are trying to navigate your coursework or a life event.
Bar Advising? – Sarah Parker, HLS Bar Adviser
Questions about the bar exam, application and attorney admissions process, and choosing which bar exam to take? Meet with Sarah Parker, HLS Bar Adviser.