Commencement 2020

Senator Warren will participate in a conversation with Harvard Law School Dean John F. Manning ’85 about the important role lawyers play in society.

This year, the Harvard Law School Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs has recognized six students from the Class of 2020 for their outstanding clinical and pro bono work.

A look back at the 2019-2020 academic year, from summer orientation for incoming students and campus events and celebrations, through the changes brought on by a global pandemic, sending everyone away from campus. But still keeping everyone together thanks to online teaching, learning, and community.

As we close an unprecedented year, graduating J.D.s and LL.M.s reflect on their law school experience and share their hopes for the future of Harvard Law School.

Addressing graduating S.J.D.s, LL.M.s, and the first class of J.D.s he welcomed as dean three years ago, Dean John F. Manning ’85 saluted them for showing “resilience, strength, adaptability, and purpose,” and urged them to build “career[s] of meaning and purpose.”

This year's commencement speaker, renowned public interest attorney Bryan Stevenson ’85 urged HLS graduates to keep their hopes intact and work to change the narratives that sustain inequality.

The Class of 2020 chose Professor David B. Wilkins ’80 to receive the Albert M. Sacks-Paul A. Freund Award for Teaching Excellence.

During HLS' virtual commencement ceremony, a number of graduates were recognized for their outstanding leadership, citizenship and dedication to their studies.

Jordana Arias, program administrator of the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program, received the Suzanne L. Richardson Staff Appreciation Award during Harvard Law School’s Virtual Commencement on Thursday, May 28.

Harvard Law School faculty and staff share virtual goodbyes with graduating students.

Congratulations to the Class of 2020! We're excited to help you celebrate virtual HLS commencement and to share highlights of the day with the Harvard Law School community.

“I’ve always had a passion for engaging in my curiosity,” says João Marinotti ‘20, a linguist turned lawyer whose work focuses on sustainability, business, property, and private law.

With a background in chemical engineering and business, Brian Kulp ’20 is eyeing a future in appellate law

D Dangaran ’20, this year's William J. Stuntz Award winner, intends to focus on gender issues and transformative justice long-term.

Drawing inspiration from his time at HLS, Kelly Kapianga LL.M. ’20, who founded a nonprofit to provide legal services to juveniles, aims to combat corruption in Zambia.

A physician-researcher, Machteld van Egmond LL.M. ’20 explored the intersections among empirical science, law, and medicine during her LL.M. year at Harvard Law School.

Lyla Wasz-Piper ’20 and Kennedi Williams-Libert ’20 have received the 2020 Outstanding Clinical Student Team Award from the Clinical Legal Education Association, recognized for their unique partnership and exemplary teamwork during their time as student attorneys at the Criminal Justice Institute.

The Office of Clinical Pro Bono recognizes Class of 2020 clinical students who have exemplified a pro bono public spirit and demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to delivering high-quality legal services.