Harvard Law School Association of Massachusetts
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.
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:
HLSA Executive Committee
Hon. Yvonne E. Campos '88
President
Arianne de Govia '01
Treasurer
Natalie Vernon '17
Vice President of Communications
John Mathews II '07
Vice President at Large
Christopher Wheeler '02
Vice President at Large
Sherry A. William '10
Secretary
Hon. Christine Arguello '80
Executive Committee Member
Alexandria Bradshaw '14
Executive Committee Member
Lindsay Breedlove '09
Executive Committee Member & Past President
Joanne Bush '04
Executive Committee Member
Tony Chan '03
Executive Committee Member
Bea Krain Drechsler '87
Executive Committee Member
Kevin Lesinski '83
Executive Committee Member
Henrik Rossing Lønberg LL.M. '01
Executive Committee Member
Andrés W. López '95
Executive Committee Member
Christopher L. Mann '89
Executive Committee Member & HAA Appointed Director
Marcela Viviana Ruiz Martinez LL.M. '15
Executive Committee Member
Hon. Virna L. Santos '90
Executive Committee Member
Juliana Soares Porto Fonseca LL.M. '13
Executive Committee Member
Margaret Stock '92
Executive Committee Member
Kruti Trivedi '04
Executive Committee Member
Michaele N. Turnage Young '06
Executive Committee Member
Barry B. White '67
Executive Committee Member
Pantea Yashar '04
Executive Committee Member
Jee Young You '05
Executive Committee Member
Venera Ziegler LL.M. '00
Executive Committee Member
HLSA Senior Advisory Council
Salvo Arena LL.M. '00
Senior Advisory Council Member
Trevor S. Cox. '09
Senior Advisory Council Member
Michael Friedland '91
Senior Advisory Council Member
Juanita C. Hernandez '85
Senior Advisory Council Member
Peter C. Krause '74
Senior Advisory Council Member
Andrea Jádi Németh LL.M. '00
Senior Advisory Council Member
Luciana Tornovsky LL.M. '00
Senior Advisory Council Member
Talhia T. Tuck '10
Senior Advisory Council Member
HLS Staff Contacts
Pete Mumma
Director of Alumni Relations
Meagan Flint
Senior Associate Director of Alumni Relations
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Katrina MacherAssistant Director, Digital Engagement
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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
BRAD S. KARP J.D. 1984
Presented October 25, 2024; Cambridge, Massachusetts
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 | 1854 | 1896 - 1904 |
| Melville W. Fuller | 1854 - 1855 | 1904 - 1910 |
| Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. | 1866 | 1911 - 1922 |
| Williams Thomas | 1876 | 1922 - 1936 |
| Robert P. Patterson | 1915 | 1937 - 1949 |
| John G. Buchanan | LL.B. 1912 | 1949 - 1951 |
| John B. Marsh | 1910 | 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 | 1943 - 1946 | 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 |
Harvard Law School Association Governance
The HLSA Constitution was last amended on March 2018.
HLSA Policy on Issuing Statements
The HLSA policy on issuing statements was adopted on December 2023.