Harvard Law School celebrates 2013 Commencement

The Law School’s Class Day program was held on Wednesday, May 29, on Holmes Field, in front of Langdell Library. This year’s Class Day speaker, author and legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin ’86 reflected on his time at the law school. (See related story)

Watch video of Toobin’s speech (requires QuickTime)

Professor Benjamin I. Sachs, who was selected by the class of 2013 to receive the Sacks-Freund Teaching Award, delivered remarks at the ceremony, as did Isabel Lima, Office Manager at WilmerHale Legal Services, who was the recipient of the Suzanne L. Richardson Staff Appreciation Award.

Watch Professor Sachs’ address to the Class of 2013 (requires QuickTime)

Several students were recognized for their outstanding leadership, citizenship, compassion and dedication to their studies and the profession. (see related story).

Click here to watch the full HLS Class Day ceremony (requires QuickTime)

Harvard University’s 362nd Commencement was held Thursday, May 30. The Harvard Law School Class of 2013 marched from the Law School campus to Tercentenary Theater in Harvard Yard for a university-wide ceremony.

During Harvard Law School Commencement exercises, held in the afternoon in front of Langdell Library, Dean Martha Minow congratulated the more than 700 law school graduates in the Harvard Law School Class of 2013 on their many accomplishments.

Click here to view the full HLS Commencement ceremony (requires QuickTime)

Two graduating students—from the JD Class and the LL.M. Class—also spoke, sharing their insights on their time at HLS and offering advice to fellow graduates.

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Commencement Highlights:

Sachs tells Class of 2013: ‘The really interesting stuff is going to begin when the precedent runs out’ (video)

Professor Benjamin I. Sachs is this year’s winner of the prestigious Albert M. Sacks-Paul A. Freund Award for Teaching Excellence, an honor bestowed each spring by the Harvard Law School graduating class. The award recognizes teaching ability, attentiveness to student concerns and general contributions to student life at the law school.

Lima receives staff appreciation award

Isabel Lima, office manager at the HLS WilmerHale Legal Services Center in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston, received the Suzanne L. Richardson Staff Appreciation Award during Class Day exercises on May 29. She was selected by the Class of 2013 for going above and beyond in assisting the many students who pass through the WilmerHale center, helping the organization to run effectively, as well as acting as a liaison to the many Spanish-speaking clients and neighbors in the community.

Lena Silver ’13 wins pro bono service award

Lena Silver ’13 is the winner of this year’s Andrew L. Kaufman Pro Bono Service Award, performing the highest number of pro bono service hours in the Class of 2013. During Silver’s time at Harvard Law School, she provided 2,270 hours of free legal services.

Students honored at Class Day ceremony

A number of Harvard Law students received special awards during the 2013 Class Day exercises on May 29. The honored students were recognized for their outstanding leadership, citizenship, compassion and dedication to their studies and the profession.

Author and legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin ’86 named this year’s Class Day speaker

Author, lawyer and Emmy Award-winning legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin ’86 will serve as Class Day speaker on May 29 at Harvard Law School.

Several other members of the Class of 2013 were recognized for their achievements during law school.