A student-run organization at Harvard Law School

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The Harvard Federalist Society is a group of conservative and libertarian law students.

Our chief goal is to foster balanced and open debate about the fundamental principles of individual freedom, limited government, and judicial restraint. Membership is open to all: our members hold diverse and often conflicting views on a broad range of issues.

The Society stands for three main principles:

  • The state exists to preserve freedom;
  • The separation of powers is central to our Constitution; and
  • It is the province and duty of the judiciary to say what the law is, not what it should be.

We seek to promote awareness of these principles in the Harvard Law School community and beyond, while creating a learning atmosphere that is open to alternative viewpoints. Each term, we organize a wide range of activities—from speeches and debates by noted legal scholars and political figures to informal social events.

Please note that our goal is to encourage the exchange of ideas on campus. As such, we do not promote particular policies, endorse nominees or candidates, adopt political stances, advocate for political outcomes, or lobby for legislation. Membership is open to all HLS students.

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