Read about HLS Beyond in Harvard Law Today
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Jazz Night in Langdell – Fundamentals of the Music
Check out @Harvard’s Tik Tok post about this event!
Cosimo Fabrizio (JD 25) & Shaan Pandiri (JD 26), October 5th, 6:00-7pm, Langdell Reading Room, REGISTER HERE
Hosted by HLS student musicians Cosimo Fabrizio (JD 25) and Shaan Pandiri (JD 26), the first (that we know of) Jazz Night in Langdell will combine the musical stylings of your fellow students (w/ possible cameo sit-ins by musically inclined faculty) and the jazz education you know you’ve been missing. Come join us and gain a deeper understanding of jazz through the selected works of greats like Jelly Roll Morton, Duke Ellington, and John Coltrane. What’s not to love?
A variety of cozy seasonal snacks and beverages will be on hand. Please Register for catering purposes. This event is for the HLS community only.
And What do you DO? Reimagining Work & Identity
Joy Batra, JD/MBA ’14, October 30th, 12:20-1:20pm, Langdell 232/3
October 11th session is now full but there are spaces in the October 30th session. Please REGISTER HERE
Our jobs have long been seen as the path to social standing and security. The question “what do you do?” is shorthand not only for your job title and social status, but what your commitments are, how you spend your days, and where you fit in the community landscape. But presenting yourself and valuing yourself only in these narrow terms can short circuit our sense of self and even circumscribe our capacity to imagine expanding what ‘counts’ when we pose the better question “Who are you?” Separating your identity from your profession is associated with more resilience, self-esteem, and, yes, better performance at work. In this hour-long interactive session, we’ll explore what emerges when your ‘side-hustles’ and ‘outside interests’ are made as central to your sense of self as ‘what you do for a living’. HLS alum Joy Batra (14) author of The Freelance Mindset, will engage you in the process of drafting a more comprehensive ‘elevator pitch’ answer to the age-old question about what you DO that includes more of who you ARE. All registrants will receive a copy of Joy’s book.
This event is for HLS Students only. Limited space, so please REGISTER in advance w/ dietary restrictions. Lunch will be provided.
Swimming in a Sea of Invisible Waves
Sarah Newman (metalab), October 24th, 12:20-1:20pm, Langdell 232/3 – REGISTER HERE
Have you ever wondered what the world would look like if we could see the information that moves invisibly around us via wifi, cellular, and satellite? Most of us take for granted the basic functioning of our electronics and the modes of transmission used to move the massive amounts of information that support our daily lives, economy, and tech development in the 21st century. If you want to clear up some of your own misconceptions about how things really work, come meet the team behind metalab’s Swimming in a Sea of Invisible Waves for an engaging afternoon of discussion and interaction as they share some of the creations that have emerged from this multimodal project. Part art, part science communication, part public engagement, Sarah Newman and her team have sought to understand, demystify, and create designs to visualize the various radio frequency technologies (wifi, cellular, bluetooth, and satellite) that provide the scaffolding for 21st century information and communication technologies. This event is for HLS ID holder only. Limited space, so please REGISTER in advance w/ dietary restrictions. Lunch will be provided
Money Matters
w/ Professor Norm Champ, November 2nd, 12:20-1:20, Langdell 232/3 – REGISTER HERE
Back by popular demand, Professor Norm Champ returns for a timely discussion of the effects of inflation on your financial outlook. With interest rates at an all time high, should you consider investing in a car or home or is it better to rent and wait it out? Will inflation ever ‘come back down’ and what are the mechanisms driving it? And with credit card debt at an all time high, what should be the primary focus of your financial planning at this stage in your life? Bring your questions to a lunchtime discussion about the current financial realities affecting your life and plans. All registered attendees will receive a free copy of Norm’s book, Mastering Money. This event is for HLS students only.
Space is limited so REGISTER today! Lunch will be provided.
Difficult Conversations: Exploring the Role of Power in Everyday Conversations
w/ Professors Sheila Heen & Rachel Viscomi, November 6th, 5-6:30pm, Langdell 232/3 – REGISTER HERE
Most people conceive of power in terms of dominance, where one either has it or does not. But in the skillful hands of Sheila Heen (co-author of Difficult Conversations) and Rachel Viscomi (Director of the Negotiation and Mediation Clinic), you’ll learn to understand power as a more fluid concept that is context dependent. This workshop will focus on everyday scenarios that challenge a zero-sum understanding of power and teach how to identify the predictable mistakes and blind spots that often impede us when navigating relationships – both personal and professional. You’ll walk away with a set of strategies for maintaining and wielding your own power as you maneuver through the often opaque terrain of daily life. Lunch will be provided.
Limited space, so please REGISTER in advance. Registered attendees will receive a free copy of the newly published and significantly revised 3rd edition of Difficult Conversations. This event is for HLS students only.
Ethical AI for Lawyers
w/ Ryan Groff (Casetext) and Barbara Taylor (DLA Piper), November 14th, 12:20-1:20, Austin Hall 100 Classroom North – REGISTER HERE
Ryan Groff and Barbara Taylor lead this session on Ethical AI based on a new CLE requirement for lawyers at DLA Piper, designed in collaboration with Casetext. Between “robot lawyers” and sanctions from judges for misuse of AI, it can be hard to navigate this powerful new tool. At this workshop you will learn about real, trustworthy applications of generative AI, including legal research, document review, and contract analysis. Learn how to distinguish between responsible and irresponsible uses of AI and discern how to apply existing legal ethics requirements to generative AI. Space is limited so REGISTER today! Lunch will be provided. This event is for HLS students only.
From Spark to Flame: Lawyers as Creatives
A Panel Featuring HLS Students and Alums w/ Catherine Grace Katz (JD 23), Adam Sandel (JD 21), Stobo Sniderman (SJD candidate), Lowry Yankwich (JD 22), and moderated by Professor Rebecca Tushnet
Monday, February 12, 12:15-1:20, Millstein West A, Please REGISTER HERE
Come meet and hear about the creative process from a cohort of HLS students and alums who have sought to incorporate creative projects into their professional lives. While not centered in the law, all 4 describe their time in law school as part of, not separate from, their creatives endeavors. Between them there are 4 non-fiction books (and 2 more forthcoming) covering such varied topics as the history-changing role of 3 statesmen’s daughters at the end of WW2, Indigenous and white Canadian relations, a philosophical guide to the good life, the nature of prejudice, and fitness. There are also 2 podcasts and a blog which range in topic from an ongoing collection of performances and discussions of Bach’s Goldberg Variations, to piano music more generally and the people who play it, and fitness and philosophy. Professor Tushnet moderates a discussion amongst them about how they started (and finished) projects, stumbling blocks they encountered in that process, and everything in between as they nurtured their sparks into something concrete they have put out in the world. Lunch will be provided. Registration Required.
Valley of the Birdtail: An Indian Reserve, A White Town, and the Road to Reconciliation
w/ Discussant Professor Martha Minow and co-authors Stobo Sniderman (SJD candidate) and Douglas Sanderson (Amo Binashii) FEBRUARY 14th, 4:00-5:00pm, Langdell 232/3 – REGISTER HERE
Professor Martha Minow joins co-authors Stobo Sniderman (SJD 26) and Douglas Sanderson (Amo Binashii) for a discussion of their award-winning and bestselling book, Valley of the Birdtail. The story follows multiple generations of two families, one white and one Indigenous, and weaves their lives into the larger history of Canada. It is a story of villains and heroes, irony and idealism, racism and reconciliation and reflects much of what has gone wrong in relations between Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous Canadians. First 35 attendees will receive a free signed copy of the book. Light snacks and drinks will be provided.
Financial Planning for Different Legal Careers
w/ Director of Financial Education at AccessLex, Derek Brainard, FEBRUARY 27th, 12:20-1:20pm, Langdell 232/3 – REGISTER HERE
No matter what your plans are for the future—BigLaw, work at a small or mid-sized firm, solo practice, or public interest positions– at some point soon you’re going to need to think about your financial future. All of these paths come with unique financial planning considerations, so we’ve invited a targeted expert from AccessLex Institute to lead both an introductory seminar and a more advanced workshop (later in March) on financial planning. The topics covered will range from spending, managing debt, and protecting your money, to investing for the future. Register for the intro session and select the topics most important to you and we’ll customize the session to attendees’ interests. You can also indicate now whether you’d be interested in attending the more advanced workshop. At both sessions you’ll also have the opportunity to schedule free individual financial coaching. Lunch will be provided. Space is limited and REGISTRATION required so sign up now!
Brought to you by HLS Beyond and SFS
Jazz Night in Langdell – Leap into Spring Edition
Cosimo Fabrizio (JD 25) & Shaan Pandiri (JD 26), February 29th, 5:30-7pm, Langdell Reading Room, REGISTER HERE
Back by popular demand, HLS Beyond and the HLS Library offer another opportunity to enjoy the stylin’ sounds of your peers Cosimo Fabrizio (JD’ 25) and Shaan Pandiri (JD’26), and their musical friends (including some faculty cameos!). On the rare occasion of February 29th, we hope you’ll leap at the opportunity to spend some downtime time with friends in the sonorous surrounding of the Landgell reading room. Even though we can’t call it a first this time, I think we can all agree it’s an occasion worth repeating. Snacks and beverages will be on hand. Please Register for catering purposes. This event is for the HLS community only.
Why I Changed My Mind
HLS Faculty Panel, March 6th, 12:20-1:20, Austin 100 North – Register HERE
See a recording of the event HERE and Harvard Gazette coverage HERE
Back by popular demand, a third iteration of the faculty panel Why I Changed My Mind featuring HLS faculty members’ stories of professional moments of reckoning when ideas they had previously thought settled in their worldview changed. Though (ideally) academia is a place where revising one’s ideas is a constant, in reality getting something ‘wrong’ (for students and professors) can be scary. In the current cultural climate it often feels that there is less and less room for the idea that one’s ideas can (and should!) evolve over time as new arguments, information and data emerge. Faculty speakers will demonstrate this process in action as they share their stories on a panel moderated by Jonathan Zittrain, George Bemis Professor of International Law. Lunch will be served.
Featuring: Janet Halley, Eli Goldston Professor of Law Juliette Kayyem, Robert & Renee Belfer Sr Lecturer & faculty chair of the Homeland Security (HKS) Ruth Okediji, Jeremiah Smith Jr. Professor of Law
Advanced Financial Planning for Different Legal Careers – Investing
w/ Director of Financial Education at AccessLex, Derek Brainard Wednesday, March 27th, 12:20-1:20pm, Langdell 232/3 – REGISTER HERE
Now that you’ve learned about the basics, it’s time to think about specific investing strategies that suit your future financial profile – whether that’s BigLaw, work at a small or mid-sized firm, solo practice, or a public interest position. Investment analysis and risk assessment are important frameworks to familiarize yourself with as you begin setting up your retirement plan, consider purchasing life insurance, select an appropriate health insurance plan, shop around for liability insurance, and even begin estate planning. Come with your specific questions and get them answered by an expert from AccessLex Institute. You’ll have the opportunity to indicate specific topics of interest on the Registration Form and a chance to schedule free individual financial coaching on site. Lunch will be provided. Brought to you buy HLS Beyond and SFS.
The New Legal Order: Social & Legal Ramifications of the Quantum Future
Dr. Katri Nousaianen (HLS), Dr. Joonas Keski-Rahkonen (CCB), Dr. Ben Waber (MIT) & Dr. Ofrit Liviatan (Gov Dept) April 2nd, 12:20-1:20pm, Langdell 232/3 – REGISTER HERE
We are approaching a brave new world of quantum technologies. Emerging novel quantum resources, such as quantum computers and simulators, have an enormous potential to provide benefits beyond the capabilities of today’s technology in terms of social impact and commercial applications. In the legal arena “quantum-boosted” artificial intelligence could substantially improve the quality and efficiency of discovery acceleration, research, and innovation processes, while lowering transaction costs. At the same time, the emergence of quantum technologies will fundamentally affect societal and legal development, underlying power dynamics, and international relations. The duty to anticipate the social and legal ramifications of a widespread adoption of such technologies will fall to governmental authorities, policy makers, and lawyers. Come join in on an ongoing conversation between Drs. Katia Nousiainen (HLS), Ofrit Liviatan (Govt), Joonas Keski-Rahkonen (CCB), & Ben Waber (MIT) to learn more about this rapidly developing field and its multi-disciplinary implications. Limited space, so please REGISTER in advance. Staff & Faculty welcome! Lunch will be provided