Harvard Law School Dean John F. Manning ’85 invited members of the LL.M. Class of 2021, whose LL.M. year was entirely virtual, to experience life on campus and connect with each other in person this week. The fall visit, organized by the Graduate Program, was an opportunity for this group to attend Harvard Law School classes in-person for the first time. The visitors also attended special faculty talks, toured the Harvard Art Museums and the Freedom Trail, and enjoyed festive gatherings with faculty and current students.
Many of the visitors were able to participate in this year’s special Commencement for the Class of 2021, but others were visiting Cambridge for the first time, traveling here from as far away as China, Japan, and Singapore. Together, they represent 22 countries on five continents.
While many of these alumni are living and working in their home countries, several are in other locations, including New York, London, Oxford, and Brussels. Some are working at law firms, and others include a prosecutor, a law teacher, an in-house counsel, a government regulator, and a digital asset expert.
Monday’s events included a welcome lunch with the faculty director of the Graduate Program, Professor Gabriella Blum LL.M. ’01 S.J.D. ’03. The classmates exchanged warm greetings and updated each other about what they have been doing in the 18 months since completing their studies, reminiscing about the strong bonds they developed with each other, as well as with classmates who were unable to attend this week. The visitors also enjoyed a tour of campus and Harvard Yard, and a Halloween-themed party with members of the LL.M. Class of 2023 and their families.
The fall visit will continue through Saturday, with a reception hosted by Dean Manning, talks by Professors Cass Sunstein ’78 and Mark Wu, and a mock class with Professor Alexandra Napatoff. The 2021 graduates will also take part in a festive pre-Thanksgiving dinner, and attend the Harvard-Columbia football game.
