On June 3 and 4, the Harvard Law School Class of 2009 celebrated Class Day and Commencement ceremonies.
A class unsurpassed
The Class of 2009 had a record-breaking tenure at HLS, racking up 308,605 hours of pro bono service, an average of 544 hours of pro bono work per student—13 times more than the 40 hours required for graduation. They also raised $7,688, with a record-breaking 55 percent of the class participating in the fundraising campaign.
 | U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan ’86 returned to HLS to deliver the Class Day address on June 3. The former dean urged students to take advantage of changing times: “The greatest challenges often produce the biggest opportunities,” she said. |
 | “Find work that you love. It’s that simple. … The work will shape who you become,” said HLS Professor Elizabeth Warren, the recipient of the Sacks-Freund Award for Teaching Excellence. |
 | Acting Dean Howell Jackson ’82 said, “You can now bring to our most perplexing problems the creativity and training desperately needed for finding innovative solutions. You will change our world for the better and, in doing so, you will uphold the legacy of Harvard Law School.” |
 | Dean of Students Ellen Cosgrove received the Suzanne L. Richardson Staff Recognition Award for her contributions to student life. |
