Catherine Peshkin has been appointed dean for student services at Harvard Law School. Peshkin, who has served as interim dean for student services since October 2024, was previously the assistant dean for the Graduate Program and International Legal Studies.
“Since joining Harvard Law School in 2012, Catherine has served in key leadership roles in which her empathy, commitment, and wisdom have tangibly enriched the experiences of thousands of students and graduates,” said John Goldberg, the Morgan and Helen Chu Dean and Professor of Law at Harvard Law School. “Catherine is completely devoted to our educational mission and to ensuring that our students have the resources they need to thrive during their time on campus and beyond. I am delighted that she has agreed to continue sharing her knowledge, dedication, and empathy with our students and our community as HLS Dean for Student Services.”
In this role, Peshkin will be responsible for coordinating the efforts of the law school’s Dean of Students and Community Engagement, Equity, and Belonging Office (DOS-CEEB); J.D. Admissions; Career Services; the Office of Public Interest Advising; and Student Financial Services.
“The opportunities and support that Harvard Law School provides its students are truly unparalleled,” said Peshkin. “It has been a privilege to work alongside the incredibly dedicated student services teams at HLS over the last several months, and I am grateful for the chance to lead and build upon this important work moving forward.”
For nearly a decade, from 2012 to 2021, Peshkin oversaw the law school’s graduate student recruitment as director of admissions and financial aid for the Graduate Program. In that position, she reviewed more than 10,000 admissions applications, presided over the disbursement of need-based financial aid, and worked closely with nearly 2,000 LL.M. and S.J.D. students. For her professional achievements and positive impact on the Harvard Law School community, she received a Dean’s Award for Excellence in 2018.
After being named assistant dean of the Graduate Program and International Legal Studies in 2021, Peshkin helped students from around the globe return to campus after the unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthened community between J.D. and LL.M. students and within the LL.M. and S.J.D. cohorts, launched alumni initiatives including the “World Class” newsletter, and led the planning and execution for the Law School’s 2024 celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the LL.M. program.
Peshkin began her career in academic administration at Duke University School of Law as the assistant director of J.D. admissions. She then earned a joint J.D./M.B.A. degree at Duke and spent several years practicing law in New York, where she was an associate in the business finance and restructuring group at Weil, Gotshal & Manges, and later an associate, then partner, in the corporate restructuring group at Kirkland & Ellis. Prior to joining Harvard Law School, Peshkin spent an unforgettable sabbatical traveling internationally for nearly 18 months and directed special projects at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
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