Student Practice Organizations

Although students must wait until their 2L or 3L year to participate in a clinical, there are many opportunities for 1L students to work directly with clients through the student-run Student Practice Organizations (SPOs). Student Practice Organizations are open to 2L and 3Ls as well!

Watch a video of a panel of students talk about SPOs

HLS Advocates for Human Rights: Students engage in human rights advocacy including representing the interests of victims of human rights violations.

Harvard Defenders: Students represent low-income clients in criminal show-cause hearings.

Mediation Program (HMP): Students provide mediation services for clients in landlord-tenant, small claims, and other cases.

Prison Legal Assistance Project (PLAP): Students represent inmates in Massachusetts state prisons in disciplinary hearings and other matters.

Recording Arists Project (RAP): Students offer pro bono counsel to under-served area musicians in such matters as copyright and trademark registration, and the negotiation of management and merchandising contracts. 

Tenant Advocacy Project (TAP): Provides assistance to low- and moderate-income tenants facing eviction or with other legal problems.