Strengthening our relationships with alumni is a strategic priority for LIDS because of the crucial contributions you can make to our work and to law and development at HLS more broadly. Please get in touch. There are a number of concrete ways you can get involved, including:
- Projects: In conjunction with Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe LLP, LIDS facilitates projects each semester. These projects are carried out in partnership with international organizations, NGOs, and governments, and provide an ongoing opportunity for LIDS members to provide analytical support to its partner organizations, while building relationships and learning more about development work in practice. Multi-disciplinary teams of 5-10 students from HLS and several other area schools staff each project. Alumni can work with LIDS on:
- Developing new projects and institutional relationships. LIDS generally solicits project proposals for the fall project cycle in the summer and for the spring project cycle in November and December.
- Serving as attorney advisers by advising student teams on project structure and progress, reviewing work products and providing final approval of student work.
- Serving as expert advisers on projects. We often look to experts in certain areas for specific advice while conducting our projects.
- Independent Clinical Projects: In addition to organizing group projects each semester, LIDS has launched a collaboration with the Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs to offer opportunities to earn independent clinical credit and gain valuable field experience in law and development. LIDS hopes to offer clinical opportunities to our students each year, and seeks alumni ideas for possible partnerships.
- Speak at HLS: If your travels take you to the Northeast U.S., it would be great to have you speak to a group of students about the work you do related to law and development. We have had a number of very successful talks and informal brown bag lunches, including with alumni, and such access to professionals is very helpful for students interested in careers in development.
- Provide Career Advice and Mentoring: Would you be willing to be a contact for students interested in working at your organization who are seeking informational interviews or summer positions? We are also considering creating an alumni mentoring program in the future.
- Serve as an Alumni Liaison: As a relatively young organization, LIDS is in the early stages of building a network of HLS alumni working in law and development. However, since this is not the traditional career path for HLS graduates, it can be difficult to find alumni working in this field. Help us marshal the alumni community from your HLS class or region (particularly in development hubs, such as Washington, D.C.) to build a network of alumni and students.
- Keep in Touch Online: Keep in touch and join us on LinkedIn or Facebook to help build an online network for students and alumni, and sign up for our email newsletter by emailing LIDS with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
- Provide Strategic Advice: As professionals working in law and development, your input is crucial. We value the opportunity to learn about what you think LIDS could do and what value we can provide to you or other organizations as we grow. Furthermore, as former HLS students, we value your advice on how to deepen HLS’s commitment to, and engagement with, law and development both inside and outside the classroom.
- Suggest Funding Opportunities: LIDS operates on a small budget and is looking to connect with new sources of financial support for specific projects and events as well as general programming support.
We recognize that, as busy professionals, your time is limited. We invite you to get involved in any capacity and for any period of time you are able to commit.
If you are interested in getting involved or for more information about the organization, please contact LIDS. To learn more about LIDS, please explore our website.