HLS Executive Education Program Guide 2025

Program Guide Advancing the legal profession by strengthening its leaders.

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“We promise participants an exciting, unique opportunity to gain new knowledge from leading experts, share perspectives with a dynamic cohort of peers, and develop insights from deep, focused reflection. Participants learn to see the challenges they arrived with in a different light and leave our programs inspired to lead in new ways.”

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IN 2007, HARVARD LAW SCHOOL EXECUTIVE EDUCATION was launched to fill a

critical void — the need to intentionally develop lawyers as leaders to help them realize their full personal and professional potential. Now, many years later and in an increasingly complex environment, we are dedicated more firmly than ever to our mission of advancing lawyers as leaders, giving them both the vision and the skills to enact change and make a positive difference in the world.

We promise participants an exciting, unique opportunity to gain new knowledge from leading experts, share perspectives with a dynamic cohort of peers, and develop insights from deep, focused reflection. Participants learn to see the challenges they arrived with in a different light and leave our programs inspired to lead in new ways.

And even after our Harvard Law School Executive Education programs end, our participants have continued opportunities to share and exchange ideas both as members of our alumni network and Harvard University’s Professional and Lifelong Learning alumni community. When our participants share their stories of transformative change, we know that we have succeeded in our mission of strengthening the legal profession and making a difference in the world.

Lead with impact. Transform your future.

Sincerely,

Scott A. Westfahl Professor of Practice Faculty Director, Executive Education Harvard Law School

Rebecca Coyne Assistant Dean Harvard Law School Executive Education

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A TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE Harvard Law School Executive Education is dedicated to providing leadership development programs to meet the unique needs of lawyers and legal organizations.

As the complex challenges facing members of the legal profession evolve, you will need to learn, exercise, and master new skills to continue to advance in your career.

Harvard Law School Executive Education programs are unmatched in helping lawyers and legal professionals develop the knowledge and tools to meet your most difficult challenges.

1,400+ Firms and Organizations Represented in our Network

Harvard Law School Executive Education combines several elements to provide a completely unique experience to legal professionals: • The opportunity to learn from expert faculty, industry thought leaders, and legal practitioners from Harvard and other leading institutions.

• An immersive learning model featuring cases and content tailored specifically to the legal industry.

• The convening power of Harvard Law School, bringing together a diverse cohort of participants and perspectives in every program.

• A global alumni network providing connections that you can take advantage of long after you have left the program.

You will leave prepared and empowered to thrive as a leader in the legal profession.

Your newly acquired skills will allow you to adapt for continued success.

“HLS Executive Education provides busy legal professionals with a chance to do something that they almost never have the opportunity to do: think about their own challenges, and how they can become better leaders, managers, and stewards of their organizations.

Given the tremendous changes transforming the global market for legal services, this time for reflection and renewal has never been more important.”

David B. Wilkins Lester Kissel Professor of Law, Harvard Law School Faculty Director, Center on the Legal Profession Faculty Chair, Leading the Law Firm of the Future Co-Faculty Chair, Leadership in Law Firms and Leadership in Corporate Counsel

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“I can genuinely say that attending Leadership in Law Firms was the single most fulfilling week of my career. We travelled (in our minds!) from EXECUTIVE huts EDUCATION in Zimbabwe to the board rooms of clients and really challenged ourselves. Harvard Law School Executive Education really knows how to pull together a very engaging, thought-provoking, and content-rich program.”

Emily Monastiriotis Head of Dispute Resolution, Partner Simmons & Simmons LLP

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WORLD RENOWNED FACULTY Harvard Law School Executive Education programs are developed and taught by expert faculty in law and business. We leverage expertise from across Harvard University including Harvard Law School, Harvard Business School, and Harvard Kennedy School, as well as other leading institutions, to feature cutting-edge research and knowledge, as well as innovative teaching methods and exercises in all our programs. With a unique combination of academic expertise and experience in practice, our faculty have

an intimate knowledge of law firms, corporate legal departments, and professional services firms.

Throughout the program experience, you will participate in engaging conversations with world renowned educators, researchers, authors, and practitioners. Our faculty’s diverse backgrounds ensure that participants leave our programs with a range of practical, implementable skills and strategies.

“Teaching in our executive education programs is a great privilege and tremendous fun. Our sessions are lively, interesting, and challenging, because we introduce participants to new ideas and tools, and then rigorously explore how to apply them in the real world.”

Scott A. Westfahl Professor of Practice Faculty Director, Executive Education Harvard Law School

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EXCEPTIONAL TEACHING AND LEARNING APPROACH Original Learning Materials Based on Cutting-Edge Research We develop original materials that draw on cutting-edge research by leading legal and business scholars. Our close relationships with one of the world’s leading centers for the study of the legal profession, the Harvard Law School Center on the Legal Profession, and Harvard faculty enable us to have firsthand access to new ideas and scholarship. We transform these insights into immersive classroom learning experiences using the Case Study Method, a pedagogical process first developed by the Harvard Business School. The Case Study Method pedagogy encourages participants to engage with one another directly to hear varied perspectives, explore and reflect on new ways of thinking, and practice different frameworks.

Active Learning for Greater Impact Our faculty guide participants in discussions around the real-life dilemmas and challenges that legal professionals and organizations face. Utilizing interactive classroom conversations, experiential simulations, and hands-on exercises, participants experiment and practice the new tools and concepts. This not only fosters a deeper understanding of the subject matter but also gives participants both the practical abilities and confidence to use these tools immediately upon returning to work—to lead and create change successfully in their organizations and the legal industry.

“The Harvard Law School Executive Education program was an intense intellectual experience.

I appreciated the content of the program, the use of the case study method, and the excellent selection of discussion topics. However, the biggest advantage was the interaction between experienced lecturers and participants from all over the world. This extraordinary atmosphere of academic discussion, and constructive exchange of views produced amazing results. Everyone was fully engaged and was willing to share their knowledge, comment on cases, and listen to others. These were ideal conditions to strengthen my leadership competencies, to benefit from many experiences, to get to know different ideas for solving problems.”

Wojciech Bartnik Regional Legal Counsel Northern & Eastern Europe

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“While the faculty is uniformly terrific, the one thing that sets the program apart is the active participation of law firm leaders from every corner of the globe. This diverse, highly talented student body has transformed the program into an incubator for new ideas and fresh approaches.”

Tracy Walker IV Managing Partner McGuireWoods LLP

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PARTICIPANT CONNECTIONS AND PERSPECTIVES Your program cohort will bring diverse perspectives to class discussions, adding deep value to your experience. Harvard Law School Executive Education has a global draw that attracts professionals and leaders from around the world. The unique experience of connecting with lawyers and legal professionals from other countries, organizations, and roles is one aspect of the program participants find beneficial long after the program concludes.

After completing a program, you will become part of the Harvard Law School Executive Education Alumni Network.

650+

Participants Annually

100+

Countries Represented Annually

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A GLOBAL NETWORK Harvard Law School Executive Education alumni are part of a global network with a shared experience. The camaraderie born out of the intensive Executive Education journey lays the foundation for professional opportunities and friendships that can last a lifetime. These relationships often become the most valuable legacy of the HLS Executive Education experience.

As part of the Alumni Network, learning with us doesn’t end with the program. You have access to the latest research and content produced by our faculty, and you are invited to attend exclusive on- and off-campus events to connect with Harvard Law School alumni and to engage with new cohorts of Harvard Law School Executive Education participants.

11,000+

Alumni in the Harvard Law School Executive Education Alumni Network

55% International

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“Among executive education programs, HLS stands out for capturing the hardest parts of what we do and giving you a place to practice how to handle it. No other program focuses as much on your leadership and effectiveness.

You will emerge better. Better able to manage your job, develop your career, and to serve your team and clients.”

Fred Headon General Counsel, Labour and Employment Law Air Canada

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PROGRAMS THAT HELP YOU In Person Programs AI AND THE LAW: NAVIGATING THE NEW LEGAL LANDSCAPE This dynamic program explores the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the legal profession. You will develop a comprehensive understanding of AI technology, its applications, and the evolving laws that regulate it. This program equips you with the knowledge and tools needed to confidently address the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in today’s legal landscape.

THE EVOLVING ROLE OF DIGITAL ASSETS IN THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL SYSTEM This program provides a comprehensive exploration of how digital assets are reshaping the financial landscape.

Participants learn about the latest trends, regulatory challenges, and opportunities presented by cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology, and other digital innovations. You will gain a deep understanding of emerging technologies' potential impacts, equipping them to navigate the digital transformation of the global financial system effectively.

THE FUTURE OF LEGAL Law firm leaders must develop a sophisticated strategy as they seek to build resilient organizations that will continue to provide outstanding service to clients and attract and retain top talent. This forwardthinking program provides you with the knowledge and practical tools you will need to build an organization that can adapt in the face of today’s challenges and achieve continued success tomorrow.

IMPACTFUL LEADERSHIP: ENHANCING YOUR STRATEGIC INFLUENCE This program provides you with the skills and knowledge to utilize strategic communication techniques and refine your leadership style.

With program content focused on client- and stakeholdercentricity, leveraging your personal brand, and pitching and powerful storytelling, this program is designed to give you the ability to effectively influence across diverse settings and stakeholders.

Online Programs COMPUTER SCIENCE FOR LAWYERS This self-paced, online program gives participants an introduction to critical issues in technology facing clients, ranging from cybersecurity to generative AI to data management. The course also offers opportunities to engage with faculty during live, virtual sessions.

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INTERNATIONAL FINANCE: POLICY, REGULATION, AND TRANSACTIONS This self-paced, online program provides participants a fundamental overview of how the global financial system works and how it is regulated. You will gain an understanding of the regulatory framework and policy purpose of global banking regulation, global securities regulation, and cutting-edge issues.

LEAD WITH IMPACT LEADERSHIP IN CORPORATE COUNSEL This program is designed to give you the frameworks, concepts, and tools needed to succeed in an increasingly complicated in-house role. You will develop your capabilities around building an effective legal department, creating a culture of innovation, interacting with boards, managing through crises, and understanding the disruptive forces that are changing the global market for legal services.

LEADERSHIP IN LAW FIRMS Our flagship leadership program focuses on the core challenges you face as a senior law firm leader. You will sharpen your skills in organizational alignment, balancing professional responsibilities, leading change, and fostering innovation. After this transformative experience, you will leave with the tools you need to more effectively leverage your leadership role and to steer your firm.

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE This program provides women in the legal profession with the opportunity to gain insights into the unique challenges you face, utilize your strengths to advance, and connect and network with women in the profession to develop a support system. You will develop methods for navigating your career more strategically through personal influence, self-advocacy, and more effective team leadership, and leave with tools to amplify your leadership ability.

EMPOWERED LEARNING AS A TEAM We encourage participants to consider enrolling in programs as part of a pair or small group from your firm or organization. This experience provides lasting benefits including greater accountability and opportunity for impact when you return to your organization.

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“The Harvard program is essential to the development of our lawyers, our culture and building strong and long-lasting relationships with our clients. It has clearly defined who we are as an organization, and who we want to work with, and have work with us. It is our cultural heart.”

David J. Wolfson Partner and Executive Director Milbank LLP

CUSTOM PROGRAMS TO FIT YOUR ORGANIZATION With Harvard Law School Executive Education, your firm or organization can develop a custom leadership program that addresses your unique business, law, and leadership challenges. We will collaborate with you to design a highly tailored program that aligns with your organization’s goals. Programs can be customized across a range of roles and experience levels, practice areas, or locations and can range from several sessions to multi-day programs.

Leveraging our expertise in core content areas including strategy and alignment, leadership, innovation, and change management, we have designed programs that: • Help associates master corporate language, gain business skills, and develop client relationships • Support new partners in their transition to expanded leadership responsibilities • Strengthen senior partners’ ability to develop and drive firm strategy • Foster collaboration between clients and partners • Enhance in-house lawyers’ ability to understand and become trusted advisors to their internal clients

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Developing a custom program is a true partnership between our program development team and representatives of the organization. We have worked with a wide variety of firms and organizations to provide high-quality professional education solutions to meet their unique needs and we welcome the opportunity to design a custom program for your organization.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP LEARN MORE

Visit go.execed.law.harvard.edu to read additional details about the programs and the Harvard Law School Executive Education experience.

APPLY

Find Admission requirements, program dates, application deadlines, and additional details at go.execed.law.harvard.edu and submit your application today.

CONTACT US

Questions? Contact us execed@law.harvard.edu or +1-617-496-4487 for assistance.

CONNECT

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Tel: +1-617-496-4487 | execed@law.harvard.edu | go.execed.law.harvard.edu