Harvard Law School Association
 

On November 5, 1886, the HLSA--the oldest association of its kind--was born through an assembly of about 400 alumni at Harvard Law School in Cambridge. Today, more than 125 years later, the HLSA consists of over 40,000 members and 39 Clubs and Shared Interest Groups around the globe.

 

hlsa-logo

 

The mission of the HLSA is "...to advance the cause of legal education, to promote the interests and increase the usefulness of the Harvard Law School, and to promote mutual acquaintance and good fellowship among all members of the Association."

 

As one becomes a member of the HLSA upon matriculation to HLS, there are no applications to complete nor membership fees to pay.


Connect with the Harvard Law School Association:

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HLSA Executive Committee

 

  • Hon. Yvonne E. Campos '88

    President

     

  • Arianne de Govia '01

    Treasurer

     

  • Natalie

    Natalie Vernon '17

    Vice President of Communications

  • Yashar

    John Mathews II '07

    Vice President at Large

  • Christopher Wheeler '02

    Vice President at Large

  • Sherry A. William '10

    Secretary 

  • Christine Arguello

    Hon. Christine Arguello '80

    Executive Committee Member

  • Alexandria Bradshaw

    Alexandria Bradshaw '14
    Executive Committee Member

  • Lindsay Breedlove '09
    Executive Committee Member & Past President

  • Joanne Bush

    Joanne Bush '04

    Executive Committee Member

  • Chan

    Tony Chan '03

    Executive Committee Member

  • Bea Krain Drechsler '87

    Executive Committee Member

  • Kevin Lesinski '83 

    Executive Committee Member

  • Lonberg

    Henrik Rossing Lønberg LL.M. '01

    Executive Committee Member

  • Lopez

    Andrés W. López '95

    Executive Committee Member

  • Mann

    Christopher L. Mann '89

    Executive Committee Member & HAA Appointed Director

  • Viviana

    Marcela Viviana Ruiz Martinez LL.M. '15

    Executive Committee Member 

  • Santos

    Hon. Virna L. Santos '90

    Executive Committee Member

  • Juliana Soares Fonesca

    Juliana Soares Porto Fonseca LL.M. '13

    Executive Committee Member

  • Margaret Stock

    Margaret Stock '92

    Executive Committee Member

  • Kruti Trivedi

    Kruti Trivedi '04

    Executive Committee Member

  • Turnage Young

    Michaele N. Turnage Young '06

    Executive Committee Member

  • Barry B. White '67

    Executive Committee Member

  • Pantea Yashar '04

    Executive Committee Member

  • Jee Young You

    Jee Young You '05

    Executive Committee Member

  • Venera Ziegler

    Venera Ziegler LL.M. '00

    Executive Committee Member

HLSA Senior Advisory Council

  • Everhart

    Salvo Arena LL.M. '00

    Senior Advisory Council Member

  • Friedland

    Trevor S. Cox. '09

    Senior Advisory Council Member

  • Kim

    Michael Friedland '91

    Senior Advisory Council Member

  • Hernandez

    Juanita C. Hernandez '85

    Senior Advisory Council Member

  • Krause

    Peter C. Krause '74

    Senior Advisory Council Member

  • Jadi Nemeth

    Andrea Jádi Németh LL.M. '00

    Senior Advisory Council Member

  • Tornovsky

    Luciana Tornovsky LL.M. '00

    Senior Advisory Council Member

  • Tuck

    Talhia T. Tuck '10

    Senior Advisory Council Member

HLS Staff Contacts

  • Mumma

    Pete Mumma

    Director of Alumni Relations

  • Flint

    Meagan Flint

    Senior Associate Director of Alumni Relations

  •     Katrina Macher

        Assistant Director, Digital Engagement

  •                         Remy Worley

                            Alumni Engagement Assistant

    

Harvard Law School Association Award Guidelines

Frequency

The HLSA designates up to four Award recipients per year. Awards are presented at an appropriate event in Cambridge or elsewhere, e.g., HLSA Association meetings, during class and affinity reunions and HLSA of Europe reunions. Awards are not presented in absentia; however, posthumous Awards are considered.

Eligibility

  • HLS Alumni
  • HLS faculty members
  • Friends of HLS

Individuals in HLS administrative positions and incumbent members of the Harvard Corporation or Board of Overseers are not eligible to receive Awards. Generally, individuals who have received an honorary degree from the University are not considered.

Criteria

The HLSA Award is intended to honor service in any one or more of the following categories:

  • Sustained or extraordinary service to the legal profession reflecting the qualities of intellect, integrity, leadership and responsibility that HLS fosters.
  • Service to society, recognizing a single contribution to the public welfare that exemplifies the values of HLS.
  • Sustained or extraordinary service to HLS.

Awards Committee

The HLSA Awards Committee comprises up to nine individuals appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee of the HLSA.

Selection Procedure

The Awards Committee selects the Award recipients from among the nominations that it receives. The selection of Award recipients is subject to the approval of the Executive Committee and the Dean of the Harvard Law School and to such University approvals, if any, as may be necessary.


 

Harvard Law School Award Recipients

TAMMY ALBARRÁN J.D. 1999
Presented April 5, 2024; Cambridge, Massachusetts

ELIZABETH B. PRELOGAR J.D. 2008
Presented April 4, 2024; Cambridge, Massachusetts

H. RODGIN COHEN LL.B. 1968
Presented October 27, 2023; Cambridge, Massachusetts

LORI E. LESSER J.D. 1993
Presented April 21, 2023; Cambridge, Massachusetts

ROBERT J. KATZ J.D. 1972
Presented October 28, 2022; Cambridge, Massachusetts

CORNELIA T.L. PILLARD J.D. 1987
Presented October 28, 2022; Cambridge, Massachusetts

JED S. RAKOFF J.D. 1969
Presented October 26, 2019; Cambridge, Massachusetts

ROBERT L. WILKINS J.D. 1989
Presented April 6, 2019; Cambridge, Massachusetts

KENNETH C. FRAZIER J.D. 1978
Presented October 27, 2018; Cambridge, Massachusetts

INAUGURAL ALUMNAE CLASS OF 1953
Presented September 15, 2018; Cambridge, Massachusetts

EMANUELE TURCO LL.M. 1967
Presented May 12, 2018; Rome, Italy

DEVAL L. PATRICK J.D. 1982
Presented April 21, 2018; Cambridge, Massachusetts

DAVID GERGEN J.D. 1967
Presented October 28, 2017; Cambridge, Massachusetts

DEAN MARTHA L. MINOW
Presented April 8, 2017; Cambridge, Massachusetts

LORETTA E. LYNCH J.D. 1984
Presented April 7, 2017; Cambridge, Massachusetts

KATHLEEN M. SULLIVAN J.D. 1981
Presented October 28, 2016; Cambridge, Massachusetts

DAVID B. WILKINS J.D. 1980
Presented September 17, 2016; Cambridge, Massachusetts

ROY L. FURMAN L.L.B. 1963
Presented April 8, 2016; Cambridge, Massachusetts

WILLIAM P. ALFORD J.D. 1977
Presented May 16, 2015; Paris, France

CHARLES J. OGLETREE, JR. J.D. 1978
Presented April 24, 2015; Cambridge, Massachusetts

JACQUES SALÈS LL.M. 1967
Presented May 31, 2014; Madrid, Spain

CHARLOTTE P. ARMSTRONG L.L.B. 1953
Presented October 25, 2013; Cambridge, Massachusetts

SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN
Presented September 28, 2013; Cambridge, Massachusetts

JOAQUIN G. AVILA J.D. 1973
Presented September 29, 2012; Cambridge, Massachusetts

AHMED ZAKI YAMANI LL.M. 1956
Presented April 8, 2012; Doha, Qatar

DAVID H. SOUTER L.L.B. 1966
Presented October 29, 2011; Cambridge, Massachusetts

STEPHEN G. BREYER L.L.B. 1964
Presented October 29, 2011; Cambridge, Massachusetts

ANTHONY M. KENNEDY L.L.B. 1961
Presented April 9, 2011; Cambridge, Massachusetts

ANNETTE GORDON-REED J.D. 1984
Presented September 17, 2011; Cambridge, Massachusetts

BRUCE WASSERSTEIN J.D. 1970
Posthumously recognized April 24, 2010; Cambridge, Massachusetts

FINN M. W. CASPERSEN LL.B. 1966
Presented October 24, 2008; Cambridge, Massachusetts

JANE LAKES HARMAN J.D. 1969
Presented September 21, 2008; Cambridge, Massachusetts

ROBERT B. ZOELLICK J.D. 1981
Presented April 4, 2008; Cambridge, Massachusetts

OLARA A. OTUNNU LL.M. 1978
Presented June 15, 2007; Washington, District of Columbia

MICHAEL H. BROWN J.D. 1988
Presented June 7, 2006; Cambridge, Massachusetts

ALAN A.A. KHAZEI J.D. 1987
Presented June 7, 2006; Cambridge; Massachusetts

BARACK H. OBAMA J.D. 1991
Presented September 17, 2005; Cambridge, Massachusetts

DAVID G.T. WILLIAMS 1957-58
Presented June 17, 2004; London, England

DOMENICO DE SOLE LL.M. 1972
Presented June 17, 2004; London, England

NAVANETHEM PILLAY LL.M. 1982, S.J.D. 1988
Presented June 9, 2004; Cambridge, Massachusetts

ROBERT C. CLARK J.D. 1972
Presented June 4, 2003; Cambridge, Massachusetts

ALBERTO R. GONZALES J.D. 1982
Presented June 5, 2002; Cambridge, Massachusetts

JENÖ C.A. STAEHELIN LL.M. 1965
Presented June 26, 2001; Paris, France

JANET RENO LL.B. 1963
Presented June 6, 2001; Cambridge, Massachusetts

KENNETH I. CHENAULT J.D. 1976
Presented September 23, 2000; Cambridge, Massachusetts

CLARK BYSE, Byrne Professor of Administrative Law Emeritus
Presented June 7, 2000; Cambridge, Massachusetts

SAMUEL C. BUTLER LL.B. 1954
Presented June 9, 1999; Cambridge, Massachusetts

ABRAM CHAYES LL.B. 1949
Presented April 24, 1999; Cambridge, Massachusetts

GUSTAVE M. HAUSER J.D. 1953
Presented June 12, 1998; Rome, Italy

RITA E. HAUSER Class of 1958
Presented June 12, 1998; Rome, Italy

ELLIOT L. RICHARDSON LL.B. 1944 (’47)
Presented June 4, 1998; Cambridge, Massachusetts

ARCHIBALD COX LL.B. 1937
Presented June 4, 1997; Cambridge, Massachusetts

JOHN FRANCIS COGAN, JR. J.D. 1952
Presented June 5, 1996; Cambridge, Massachusetts

DEREK BOK J.D. 1954
Presented June 7, 1995; Cambridge, Massachusetts

MARY THERESE WINIFRED ROBINSON LL.M. 1968
Presented May 26, 1995; Dublin, Ireland

ROSWELL BURCHARD PERKINS LL.B. 1949
Presented June 8, 1994; Cambridge, Massachusetts

WILLIAM THADDEUS COLEMAN, JR. J.D. 1943 (’46)
Presented June 9, 1993; Cambridge, Massachusetts

HARRY ANDREW BLACKMUN LL.B. 1932
Presented May 19, 1993; Washington, District of Columbia

ERWIN NATHANIEL GRISWOLD LL.B. 1928, S.J.D. 1929
Presented June 3, 1992; Cambridge, Massachusetts

James Coolidge Carter Award for Distinguished Service

The James Coolidge Carter Award for Distinguished Service recognizes individuals, HLSA Clubs, and HLSA Shared Interest Groups for their outstanding service to the Harvard Law School Association and Harvard Law School. The award is named in honor of James Coolidge Carter, an 1853 graduate of the Law School and first president of the Harvard Law School Association (1886-1896).

 

Mr. Carter was one of the most prominent members of the New York Bar during his day. His keen intellect and congenial demeanor were signature characteristics. He carried himself with quiet dignity in every task he undertook.

 

He had a passion for good government as evidenced by his tenacity in assisting the fraud prosecutions of the “Tweed Ring.” He carried forth that civic zeal by serving on successive commissions, established by Governors Tilden and Hill, which enhanced the administration of municipal government and the judicial system. Many of his ideas on the distinctions between written and unwritten law were later embodied in a series of lectures penned for Harvard Law School at the urging of President Eliot, which were published posthumously.

 

Mr. Carter took a leading part in establishing the Bar Association of the City of New York and served as its president for five terms. He also served as president of the American Bar Association. He was the founding partner of the law firm of Carter & Ledyard. He was prominently mentioned as a possible Justice of the Supreme Court, and was President Cleveland’s first choice for the office of Chief Justice of the United States.

 

James Coolidge Carter was loyal and true to Harvard Law School. In addition to serving as the first president of the HLSA, his will left a generous gift that established the Carter Professorship of Jurisprudence. In turn, Professor James Bradley Thayer dedicated his treatise on evidence to Mr. Carter. And at Mr Carter’s funeral, a delegation that included Professors Langdell, Ames, and Williston paid its final respects to a man who had given much to the Law School.

 
 

James Coolidge Carter Award for Distinguished Service Recipients

HLSA WOMEN'S ALLIANCE NETWORK
Presented October 25, 2019; Cambridge, Massachusetts

 

JAMES E. BOWERS J.D. 1970
Presented October 26, 2017; Cambridge, Massachusetts

 

HLSA ENTREPRENEURS NETWORK
Presented April 8, 2016; Cambridge, Massachusetts

 

DONNA M. CHIOZZI Director of Alumni Affairs
Presented April 24, 2009; Cambridge, Massachusetts

 

SCOTT G. NICHOLS Associate Dean for Development, Alumni Affairs and Communications 1986-2006
Presented June 7, 2006; Cambridge, Massachusetts


 

The First Meeting of the HLSA (November 6, 1886)

Article from the Boston Post
November 6, 1886
Harvard Law School

THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HAS A GREAT MEETING

An Oration by Judge Holmes – Dinner in the Hemenway Gymnasium – Speeches by Prominent Advocates

The 250th anniversary celebration of the founding of Harvard College will be inaugurated today.  The organization of the Harvard Law School Association, which is an accompaniment, but no part of the regular celebration, took place yesterday under the happiest auspices.  There was a polished oration by Judge Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. followed by a banquet and speeches at the Hemenway Gymnasium.  The large attendance and earnest remarks told not only of the great interest manifested in the new association, but of the love and veneration for the time-honored university.  The formation of the law association has for a long time been discussed, and at a meeting held on Sept. 23 it was decided that there could be no more fitting time to perfect such an organization than during the celebration of the 250th anniversary.  The meeting adjourned until yesterday, when the first meeting of the association was held in Austin Hall, Cambridge.  The Hon. George O. Shattuck presided, and, in opening, said: “Brethren of the Harvard Law School – The time to which this meeting was adjourned has arrived.  As you all know, a preliminary meeting was held on Sept. 23 and a constitution adopted and a committee appointed to nominate officers.”  Before the report of the nominating committee was presented, Mr. Wade moved to so amend the constitution that all who have been members of the law school for a whole academic year, not including commencement week, may become members of the association, and also that honorary members may be elected when recommended by the council.  Mr. Darwin E. Ware seconded the motion, saying that the amendment, if adopted, would permit the admission of fresh, young blood, as by the terms of the constitution, as originally adopted, members of the law school would not be eligible to membership in the association in time to attend the annual meeting to be held in the week preceding commencement.  The amendments were adopted.  Mr. Darwin E. Ware, chairman of the nominating committee, presented the list of candidates, which was published in full in the Post of yesterday, all of whom were elected.  The meeting then adjourned to meet in Sanders Theatre at 1 o’clock.


To read more on the history of the First Meeting of the HLSA, head here.


Past Presidents of the HLSA

Name HLS Degree & Year HLSA Presidential Term
James C. Carter 1853 1886 - 1896
Joseph H. Choate 54 1896 - 1904
Melville W. Fuller 54 55 1904 - 1910
Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. 1866 1911 - 1922
Williams Thomas 76 1922 - 1936
Robert P. Patterson   1937 - 1949
John G. Buchanan LL.B. 1912 1949 - 1951
John B. Marsh 10 1951 - 1953
Robert N. Miller LL.B. 1906 1953 - 1955
Raymond S. Wilkins LL.B. 1915 1955 - 1957
Wilkie Bushby LL.B. 1921 1957 - 1959
Paul Carrington LL.B. 1917 1959 - 1961
James A. Fowler Jr. LL.B. 1919 1961 - 1963
Henry L.F. Kreger HLS 1920 1963 - 1965
Edward S. Pinney LL.B. 1921 1965 - 1967
John Richardson LL.B. 1911 1967 - 1969
Carlye E. Maw LL.B. 1928 1969 - 1971
R. Ammi Cutter LL.B. 1925 1971 - 1973
Stuart N. Scott LL.B. 1930 1973 - 1974
Robert Amory Jr. LL.B. 1938 1974 - 1976
D. Nelson Adams LL.B. 1935 1976 - 1978
Harris K. Weston LL.B. 1943 1978 - 1980
John R. Maloney 43 46 1980 - 1982
Sheldon Oliensis LL.B. 1948 1982 - 1984
Jas Murray Howe LL.B. 1950 1984 - 1986
Fred N. Fishman LL.B. 1948 1986 - 1988
George M. Burditt LL.B. 1948 1988 - 1990
Carolyn C. Clark LL.M. 1968 1990 - 1992
Wesley S. Williams Jr. J.D. 1967 1992 - 1994
Charlotte P. Armstrong LL.B. 1953 1994 - 1996
Charles L. Brock J.D. 1967 1996 - 1998
Jacques Sales LL.M. 1967 1998 - 2000
Robert N. Shapiro J.D. 1978 2000 - 2002
Emanuele Turco LL.M. 1967 2002 - 2004
Elizabeth S. Stong J.D. 1982 2004 -2006
Jay H. Hebert J.D. 1986 2006 - 2008
Harold P. Hope III J.D. 1999 2008 - 2010
Sharon Elaine Jones J.D. 1982 2010 - 2012
Paul Perito J.D. 1964 2012 - 2014
Salvo Arena LL.M. 2000 2014 - 2016
Peter C. Krause J.D. 1974 2016 - 2018
Daniel E. Eaton J.D. 1989 2018 - 2020
Christopher L. Mann J.D. 1989 2020 - 2022
Lindsay D. Breedlove J.D. 2009 2022 - 2024