Post-graduation calmness came early to Cambridge this year when, for the first time in decades, Harvard Commencement was held in May. The graduation festivities capped off a wonderfully busy spring filled with Law School-focused news stories and events, from Reunion to Dean’s receptions, many of which are chronicled in this issue of HLS Brief.
The Class of 2010 celebrated their achievements with family and friends, and at Class Day they were treated to terrific remarks from speaker Samantha Power ’99, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Senior Advisor in the Obama Administration. She reminded the soon-to-be graduates: “It is in your hands to decide whether law will be enforced, whether law will be just, whether law will be used to slow or speed the spread of liberty and equality.” And the next day during the University’s afternoon Commencement exercises, graduates, families and friends had the good fortune of listening to featured speaker former U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter ’66 give a major speech that, at its essence, was about the critical importance of the court. I can’t help but think how inspiring it was for our newest alumni to hear, as they prepared to leave the Law School and start their careers, the powerful words of these two distinguished graduates.
Speaking of distinguished alumni, we are of course especially proud that former Dean and current Solicitor General Elena Kagan ’86 has been nominated by President Barack Obama ’91 to the U.S. Supreme Court. “Making the Case for Elena Kagan” includes a collection of op-eds written in support of her nomination.
In closing, I’d like to take a moment to thank Harold P. Hope III ’99 for his extraordinary leadership as President of the Harvard Law School Association. We have benefited enormously from Harold’s tireless efforts and indefatigable spirit. And I welcome most enthusiastically Sharon Jones ’82 as the new President; the Association is in great hands.
Steven Oliveira
Associate Dean and Dean for
Development and Alumni Relations
NEWS
New, Steady Hand at Harvard Law School Martha L. Minow became dean of Harvard Law School on July 1, 2009, at a time when the institution—rocked by financial uncertainty—was left with an unfinished multi-million dollar construction project at the Northwest Corner and a shaken faculty concerned for the school’s future. A year later, faculty and alumni collectively heave a sigh of relief, as the Law School seems to have landed safely on two feet—on better ground, perhaps—with Minow’s steady hand guiding the school forward. Read More
Harvard Law School Awards 27 Fellowships for Post-Graduate Public Service Work Harvard Law School has selected 26 graduating 3Ls and one recent graduate to receive fellowships enabling them to pursue public service work. The one-year fellowships offer Harvard Law School students and recent graduates financial support so that they can work for non-profit organizations or for the government following graduation. Read More
Third Edition of the Journal of Legal Analysis Now Available Online The broad-focused, faculty-edited journal was launched by Harvard Law School Professors J. Mark Ramseyer ’82 and Steven Shavell, in February 2009 with an open access format to provide first-rate scholarship to the widest possible audience. Created in partnership with Harvard University Press and the John M. Olin Center for Law, Economics, and Business, the publication is available free online. Read More
Making the Case for Elena Kagan In a collection of op-eds, HLS professors Charles Fried, Randall L. Kennedy, Lawrence Lessig, Charles Ogletree, Ronald S. Sullivan, Visiting Lecturer Tom Goldstein, and former HLS Dean Robert C. Clark write in support of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan, former HLS Dean and current Solicitor General. Read More
Elizabeth Warren Named One of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2010 Time Magazine has named Harvard Law School Professor Elizabeth Warren one of the 100 Most Influential People in 2010. Warren is listed in the Thinkers category of the annual TIME 100 issue naming the people who most affect our world. Read More
ALUMNI IN THE NEWS
Sumner Redstone '47 Establishes Redstone
Fellowships for
Post-Graduate
Public Service at HLS
Sarah Raskin '86 Maryland's Commissioner of Financial Regulation
Nominated to Federal
Reserve Board of Governors
Edith Ramirez '92 Sworn in as Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission
SPRING REUNION 2010
Reunion Weekend More than 550 alumni and guests from the Classes of 1960, 1970, 1975, 1985 and 2000 returned to campus and enjoyed gorgeous weather during this spring's Reunion Weekend. Alumni heard from HLS professors about their cutting edge research, learned more about the exciting new initiatives on campus, reconnected with old friends, and participated in cultural tours. Read More and View Photos
Watch Videos If you were unable to attend your reunion, or if you were not one of the classes celebrating a reunion this spring, you are still able to experience the lectures and presentations online. A selection of videos from reunion weekend are available on our website. Please choose from the links below:
The Impact of Financial Aid on the Student Experience Welcome: Harold P. Hope III '99, President, Harvard Law School Association; Managing Director, Goldman, Sachs & Co. Introduction and Remarks: Martha Minow, Dean of the Faculty of Law and Jeremiah Smith, Jr. Professor of Law Remarks:Robert J. Katz '72, Senior Director, Goldman, Sachs & Co. Remarks: Michael Admirand '10 Remarks: Eric Powell '12
Extending the Classroom: International Legal Studies in Theory and Practice William P. Alford '77, Henry L. Stimson Professor of Law; Vice Dean for the Graduate Program and International Legal Studies; Director of East Asian Legal Studies; Chair, Harvard Law School Project on Disability, Tor K. Krever '11, Leslie Lang '10, Whitney Anne May '10
The Future of Libraries in an Era of Google Robert Darnton, Carl H. Pforzheimer University Professor, Director of the University Library John G. Palfrey, Jr. '01, Vice Dean for Library and Information Resources, Henry N. Ess III Professor of Law
A Conversation with Dean Martha Minow Introduction: Michael A. Cooper '60, Of Counsel, Sullivan & Cromwell Martha Minow, Dean of the Faculty of Law and Jeremiah Smith, Jr. Professor of Law
Lessons Learned: The Impact of Career Decisions on HLS Grads Gabriele Plickert Ph.D., Research Fellow, Harvard Law School Program on the Legal Profession David B. Wilkins '80, Lester Kissel Professor of Law and Director, Program on the Legal Profession
FALL REUNION 2010
Save the Date: October 29-31, 2010 Classes of 1950, 1955, 1965, 1980, 1990, 1995,
2005 and Emeritus Club
Boston On May 13, 2010, alumni and members of the Harvard Law School Association of Massachusetts gathered for a reception and presentation in Cambridge, Mass. The evening began with a discussion by Professor Robert C. Bordone '97,"Mistaken Habits of the Merely Effective Negotiator," and culminated in a festive evening reception with Dean Martha Minow. Read More and View Photos
COMMENCEMENT 2010 HIGHLIGHTS
Harvard Law School Celebrates 2010 Commencement (Video/Slideshows) Harvard Law School graduation festivities began on Class Day, Wednesday, May 26, and continued through Commencement Day on Thursday, May 27. This year, the Law School conferred a total of 761 degrees—589 J.D.s, 161 LL.M.s, and 11 S.J.D.s. Read More and Watch Video/Slideshows
Minow to the Class of 2010: "We can build mechanisms of order and rescue..." (Video) As the 761 members of the Class of 2010 were about to start their journey onto the next step in their lives, Dean Martha Minow took a moment to talk to them about another journey. Read More and Watch the Video
Justice David Souter '66, Principal Speaker at Harvard's 359th Commencement In a Commencement Day speech to Harvard’s newest graduates, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter ’66 said that judges have no choice but to interpret the U.S. Constitution beyond its plain language, and he criticized those who argue that its meaning “lies there … waiting for a judge to read it fairly.” Read More Read the full text of Justice David Souter's Speech
Samantha Power '99 Delivers 2010 Class Day Speech (Video) Senior adviser in the Obama Administration and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Samantha Power ’99 was the 2010 Class Day speaker at HLS. Power addressed a law school audience in Holmes Field on May 26, the day before Commencement, urging graduates to make the most of their law school degrees and of every moment of their lives.Read More and Watch the Video
Professor Michael Klarman Receives 2010 Sacks-Freund Teaching Award (Video) During Class Day exercises on May 26, Professor Michael Klarman received the Class of 2010’s Sacks-Freund Teaching Award in honor of his teaching ability, openness to student concerns, and contributions to student life at HLS. Read More and Watch the Video
Judith Murciano Wins Richardson Award Judith Murciano, fellowship director in the Bernard Koteen Office of Public Interest Advising at Harvard Law School, received the Suzanne L. Richardson Staff Recognition Award during Class Day exercises. She was selected by the class of 2010 for her demonstrated commitment to the student experience and for her concern for students' lives and work at the Law School. Read More
Class of 2010 Averages 553 Hours of Pro Bono Service Per Student Two graduating students who each contributed more than 2,500 hours of free legal services while at Harvard Law School shared this year’s Andrew L. Kaufman Pro Bono Service Award, while the Class of 2010 surpassed the HLS record for pro bono hours, performing a total of 329,934 hours, an average of 553 hours per student. Read More
HLS CONNECT
Have you visited HLSConnect.com? HLS Connect is an online networking and advising tool where alumni can register, search and connect with other alumni. The information can be searched and shared by name, location, class year, current or past employment, practice area or type of work, just to name some of the categories. HLS Connect also provides an opportunity for alumni to serve as advisors to current students and other alumni sharing career advice and expertise. Register | Search | Update Your Profile | Become an Advisor
HLSA EVENTS
June 16, 2010 Newark, NJ
Harvard Law School Association of New JerseySpring Reception and Symposium
6:30 - 8:45 p.m., Genova, Burns & Giantomasi
494 Broad Street, 5th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102 Event Details and RSVP (PDF)
June 17, 2010 Washington, DC
Harvard Law School Association Latino Committee Reception
6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Wiley Rein LLP
1776 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 RSVP by June 16
June 22, 2010 Regional
Harvard Alumni Association Global Networking Night Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Helsinki, Hoboken, Houston, Jakarta, Madison, New York City, Philadelphia, Princeton, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. Event Details and Locations
June 22, 2010 London
HLSA of the United Kingdom Dinner
Speaker: Martha Minow, Dean of the Faculty and Jeremiah Smith, Jr.
Professor of Law
7:30 p.m.
The Inner Temple, Parliament Chamber, London EC4Y 7HL RSVP
