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.
Follow the links below for details about writing at HLS.
J.D. Written Work Requirement:
- Overview
- Option 1
- Option 2
- Required Option 1 and Option 2 Registration Forms
- 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 add your written work requirement to a fall or spring semester.
- Introduction
- Additional Rules Relating to the Written Work Requirement
- Registration and Submission Deadlines for the Written Work Requirement
- Required Registration Form for LL.M. Long Paper (Print and fill out, obtain supervisor's signature and submit to the Graduate Program Office together with proposal)
- Required Registration Form for 25-Page Paper (Print and fill out, obtain supervisor's signature and submit to the Graduate Program Office together with proposal)
The LL.M. Winter Writing Program
Use the information and forms below to apply for the Winter Writing Program if you have registered for an LL.M. Long Paper and would like to spend the winter term working intensively on your paper in lieu of a course. Please read all of the instructions, provide a copy of "Instructions for Faculty" to your supervisor, and complete the Required Application Form in its entirety. Completed applications are due in the Graduate Program Office by November 14, 2008.
- Rules Relating to the LL.M. Winter Writing Program (See Section A 2 b)
- Instructions for Students (PDF format)
- Instructions for Faculty (PDF format)
- Registration Deadlines, Submission Deadlines, Deadline Extensions, Final Deadlines for Degree Candidates
- Required Application Form
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 (See Section A)
- 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.