‘It’s an incredible sensation to assist a prosecutor or judge in recognizing someone’s humanity’

Upon learning she had been chosen president of the Harvard Law Review in February 2024, Sophia Hunt messaged her family group chat: “What do Barack Obama and I share in common?”

That shared experience, of course, was being chosen by their colleagues to lead the nearly 140-year-old student publication that has significantly influenced American law throughout its existence.

“The writings we publish may be examined by judges, attorneys, educators, and scholars and can not only shape the law itself but also influence our understanding of what the law can and ought to be,” she remarked.

After obtaining her Juris Doctorate, Hunt intends to enter the realm of criminal defense—once she successfully passes the bar exam. Her interest, she explained, originates from her work with the Office of the Federal Public Defender following her initial year at Law School.

“That was truly an eye-opening experience,” she reflected. “It was wonderful to apply legal research and writing in real-world scenarios.”

Hunt became a part of the Harvard Defenders, a student initiative that offers pro bono legal assistance to low-income defendants in criminal show-cause hearings and aids clients aiming to seal their records, among other legal matters.

She also participated in the Tenant Advocacy Project at HLS, assisting in representing clients dealing with issues such as the termination of Section 8 housing vouchers. Additionally, she provided representation and legal research support to incarcerated individuals through the Prison Legal Assistance Project.

In her final year at Law School, she collaborated with Harvard’s Criminal Justice Institute.

“It felt like being a novice public defender, where I visited clients in detention, represented them in court, and drafted motions,” she mentioned. “Often, it involved merely conversing and listening to an individual’s narrative, being the first to hear their story. That has been immensely rewarding.”

“I derive immense significance from working and advocating for individual clients.”

Hunt graduated from Harvard College in 2019 with a degree in history and literature. She then proceeded to Stanford to pursue a Ph.D. in sociology.

However, after three years of exploring the intersection of law and society and completing her master’s, she felt a pull towards law school and took a leave of absence from her Ph.D. program.

“In the back of my mind, I’ve pondered — is being an attorney the optimal way to assist the individuals and communities that I care about? Should I engage in more policy-oriented work, or consider academia and contribute innovative ideas to transform the law from that perspective?” she elaborated.

“I derive immense significance from working and advocating for individual clients,” she reiterated. “It’s an incredible sensation to share their stories and help a prosecutor or judge perceive someone’s humanity.”

Besides her academic responsibilities and involvement in groups that connected her with the courtroom, Hunt mentioned she became a part of the Harvard Law Review in her second year at HLS to “deepen her engagement” with the Law School community and enhance her scholarly skills.

Hunt was subsequently elected by the community to lead the Law Review as its second-ever Black woman president, following ImeIme Umana, elected in 2017.

“Merely being mentioned alongside her is a tremendous honor,” Hunt stated. “It was a privilege to be up for consideration among all these extraordinary former presidents, including those who were Black. For me, I hope we’ve moved beyond the era of firsts and seconds. I trust it has become more routine at this point—someone being chosen because they are viewed as the most qualified for the role.”

Reflecting on her time in the leading role, Hunt described it as both demanding and gratifying, but ultimately more a matter of management than shaping the Review’s voice.

“In terms of editorial choices, what remains crucial is that our collective body is engaged in the pieces we publish,” she indicated. “I aimed to echo the collective’s wishes and interests in executing those decisions. Collaborating so intimately on so many exceptional pieces was simply outstanding.”

Maureen Brady, Louis D. Brandeis Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, remarked that Hunt’s leadership abilities should greatly benefit her during trying times.

“It’s an extraordinarily significant moment in our world,” asserted Brady, who instructs property law and related disciplines. “There’s vast discord, and remarkable division. I believe law school is about mastering a common language that we can employ to debate issues and to profoundly disagree, but also to, hopefully, achieve justice. Sophia embodies that, having led a diverse range of individuals, and following a fascinating path toward justice.”

Post-bar exam, Hunt aims to serve as a clerk for a judge in Mississippi.

“Throughout law school, you analyze a multitude of judicial opinions and now to transition and contribute to the crafting of those opinions … it will be intriguing to witness the process from the other side.”

She added: “I’m eager to enjoy good food and meet numerous new faces, and I think I need to get into college football.”