Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School

05/28/2026

An Article about litigating veterans' rights in federal court, written by Dana Montalto, Attorney and Associate Director, Veterans Legal Clinic, was formally published this week.

This Article is the first scholarly piece to explore in depth the history, text, and statutory context of a federal law--38 U.S.C. § 511--that has led many veterans to be denied an opportunity to assert their civil rights in any judicial forum, and the statute's impact on veterans' ability to assert their rights to remedy injustices in how they access benefits and care.

Read the full Article at

United States veterans should possess the same access to courts as other Americans, but a misreading of a federal law has led many veterans to be denied an oppo

05/27/2026

Earlier this month, FJC advanced student Caroline Arnold '26, pictured here with Senior Clinical Instructor Marianna Yang, wrapped up her law school experience arguing a 30A Judicial Review case in Superior Court, seeking reversal of a neglect finding by the Department of Children and Families. Part of FJC’s expanded practice in administrative proceedings, 30A cases offer students the opportunity for research, briefing, and oral argument.

To learn more about the Legal Services Center and its 6 civil practice clinics, including the Family Justice Clinic, visit https://legalservicescenter.org/

05/25/2026

Boston Mayor & former LSC student attorney Mayor Michelle Wu 吳弭 '12 is the 2026 HLS Class Day Speaker. "While studying at Harvard Law, Wu also gained experience in community advocacy at the WilmerHale Legal Services Center in Jamaica Plain where she provided legal advice to low-income small business owners."

Read full story at https://hls.harvard.edu/today/mayor-of-boston-michelle-wu-is-harvard-law-schools-2026-class-day-speaker/

05/22/2026

Congratulations to Jordan Hoogsteden ’26, recipient of the William J. Stuntz Memorial Award for Justice, Human Dignity, and Compassion. During his tenure as president of Harvard Defenders, Jordan "put a new emphasis on “holistic training,” collaborating with other clinics from throughout the law school. These have included immigration training and collaborations with the LGBTQ Clinic, and the Housing Law Clinic at the Legal Services Center. He also credits his work with the Crimmigration Clinic, the Criminal Justice Institute, and the Housing Clinic for “helping me find my own voice in advocacy, and learning a lot of the hard legal skills.”

Read the full story https://hls.harvard.edu/today/the-name-of-the-game-is-harm-reduction/

Photo Credit: Lorin Granger

05/21/2026

Congratulations to James Morrison ’26, recipient of the Frank S. Righeimer Jr. Prize for Student Citizenship. James served as part of LSC's Consumer Protection Clinic across 2 semesters.

“They were the victims of a predatory lending scheme. They had shielded that information from me until I was an undergraduate. And that was a wake-up moment for me, when I shifted toward wanting to go to law school. I thought I could make sure those things don’t happen to people in the future.”

Read the full story at https://hls.harvard.edu/today/i-wanted-to-have-a-pay-it-forward-mentality/?utm_campaign=15May2026&u%E2%80%A6

Photo Credit: Lorin Granger

05/20/2026

Congratulations to Patrick Healy ’26, who received the inaugural Dean’s Community Impact Award. Patrick was part of LSC's Estate Planning Project of the Veterans Law and Disability Benefits Clinic during his time as a student attorney.

“Impact can’t be conditional on having a certain title or position,” he said...I had to adapt and change how I had an impact. I’m just as proud of that as anything. I don’t want to live in a world where only certain people can have an impact. I don’t believe that’s the kind of democracy we have.”

Read the full story at https://hls.harvard.edu/today/impact-cant-be-conditional-on-having-a-certain-title-or-position/

Photo Credits: Lorin Granger

05/19/2026

Congratulations to Jett Watson ’26, recipient of the 2026 David A. Grossman Exemplary Clinical Student Award! We were lucky to have Jett as part of LSC's Veterans Law and Disability Benefits Clinic across 4 semesters.

"...Watson has embodied Grossman’s spirit of compassionate, client-centered representation as he served veteran clients on individual and system levels. Watson’s work in the clinic not only helped secure a class action settlement for hundreds of post-9/11 veterans from Massachusetts, but provided a sense of safety, security, and care to clients he worked with on estate planning, benefits, and discharge status reviews."

Read the full story at https://hls.harvard.edu/today/jett-watson-honored-with-the-david-a-grossman-exemplary-clinical-student-award/

Photo Credit: Lorin Granger

05/18/2026

One year after Massachusetts’ eviction sealing law went into effect, more than 6,200 petitions have already been filed across the Commonwealth — a powerful reminder of how access to housing can change when people are given a real second chance.

LSC is proud to support this work through our CORI Sealing Initiative alongside advocates, community partners, and lawmakers who helped make eviction sealing a reality and continue expanding access through community workshops and legal support.

Read the full story from The Boston Sun -

News Sen. Edwards, housing advocates, celebrate one year of eviction sealing in the Affordable Homes Act
 by Special to the Sun • May 8, 2026 • 0 Comments One year ago this week, a historic provision championed by State Senator Lydia Edwards went into effect as part of the Affordable Homes...

05/15/2026

Sarah Kate Childs '27 of LSC's Family Justice Clinic and a client celebrating a win after a hearing at Norfolk County Probate and Family Court. To learn more about the Legal Services Center and its 6 civil practice clinics, including the Family Justice Clinic, visit https://legalservicescenter.org/

05/06/2026

Students from LSC’s Housing Clinic at last month's clinical registration fair, pictured here with Director of the Housing Law Clinic, Maureen McDonagh, and Housing Justice for Survivors Project Director, Julia Devanthéry.

Curious about LSC’s six community-based clinics and three collaborative projects? Visit legalservicescenter.org to learn more!