About | Recent News and Spotlights | HLS Calendar | Giving to HLS

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!

Download a handout about SPO Opportunities from the 2011 Information Session (PDF)

Student Practice Organizations
1L students can begin representing clients through a Student Practice Organization (SPO), where students' volunteer hours count towards the pro bono requirement. 2L, 3L, and LLM students are also welcome to participate in SPO practice. The following organizations are student-run with professional administrative and/or supervising attorneys on HLS staff to assist and guide students
Harvard Defenders: Students represent low-income clients in criminal show-cause hearings.
Harvard Immigration Project: Develops opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in immigration law.
Harvard Mediation Program (HMP): HMP provides services for clients in landlord/tenant, small claims, and other cases.
Harvard Mississippi Delta Project: Engages students in a broad range of projects in the Mississippi Delta.
Harvard Negotiators: Provides opportunities in negotiation and dispute resolution.
HLS Advocates for Human Rights: Students engage in human rights advocacy including representing the interests of victims of human rights violations.
Prison Legal Assistance Project (PLAP): This clinic represents inmates in Massachusetts state prisons in disciplinary hearings, parole board hearings, and other matters.
Project No One Leaves: Helps former owners and tenants stay in their homes after foreclosure.
Recording Artists Project (RAP): Students offer pro bono counsel to underserved area musicians in such matters as copyright and trademark registration, and the negotiation of management and merchandising contracts.
Tenant Advocacy Project (TAP): This clinic provides assistance to low- and moderate-income tenants facing eviction or who have been denied admission to public housing.

Clinical and Pro Bono Programs

Last modified: May 01, 2013