Written Work at Harvard Law School

At HLS, students have excellent opportunities for writing in many different areas of the law and using a variety of different formats. Faculty members encourage student writing and are available to supervise students. The Written Work Requirement is a degree requirement for the JD and the LLM. JD and LLM students interested in doing additional writing beyond the requirement may choose to write optional papers for writing credit. JD and LLM students may participate in the Winter Writing Program in order to focus on a particular writing project.

J.D. Written Work Requirement

• Overview
• Option 1
• Option 2
• Required Option 1 Registration Form
• Required Option 1 Proposal Form
• Required Option 2 Registration Form
• J.D. Written Work Requirement FAQ

The J.D. Winter Writing Program

Use the information and forms below to apply for any extra-credit writing project for the January 2009 winter term.

• Instructions for Students
• Instructions for Faculty
• Required J.D. Winter Writing Program Registration Form
• Required J.D. Winter Writing Program Proposal Form

LL.M. Written Work Requirement

Use the information and forms below to register for the written work requirement. Please print out and complete the applicable form and the proposal, obtain your supervisor’s approval and signature, and return completed documentation to the Graduate Program Office in Lewis 203.

• Required Registration Form for LL.M. Long Paper (with proposal form)
• Required Registration Form for 25-Page Paper (with proposal form)
• Additional Rules Relating to the Written Work Requirement
• Registration and Submission Deadlines for the Written Work Requirement

The LL.M. Winter Writing Program

Use the information and forms below to apply for any extra-credit writing project for the January 2009 winter term.

• Instructions for LL.M. Students
• Application Form
• Instructions for Faculty Supervisors

Optional Written Work (J.D. and LL.M.)

Use the information and form below to add an optional paper to a fall or spring semester. To add your optional paper to the winter term, scroll up to the separate section for the Winter Writing Program applicable to you (JD or LLM).

• Optional Written Work
• Required J.D. Optional Written Work Registration Form
• Required LL.M. Optional Written Work Registration Form

If you have questions related to J.D. Written Work, contact the Registrar's Office at registrar@law.harvard.edu

All questions related to LL.M. written work should be directed to Nancy Pinn in the Graduate Program Office, Lewis 203.