Caroline Bishop
May 14, 2026 13:48
Harvey Academy debuts a free course equipping law students with practical AI skills, addressing a critical gap in legal education.
Harvey Academy, the educational arm of legal AI firm Harvey, has unveiled a free course aimed at preparing law students for the rapidly evolving AI-driven legal profession. The course, titled Harvey Law Schools: Preparing for Legal Work, is part of Harvey’s broader initiative to integrate AI literacy into legal education, a sector where structured training has often lagged behind technological advancements.
Open to students enrolled in Harvey’s Law School Program, the course focuses on real-world applications of AI in legal workflows, including contract drafting, due diligence for M&A, case research, and deposition preparation. The aim is to equip students with hands-on experience and critical judgment skills for their future roles as interns, clerks, and first-year associates.
Why This Matters
The legal industry is increasingly embracing AI tools to streamline tasks and enhance efficiency. However, this adoption has highlighted a significant skills gap, particularly among new entrants to the field. According to Harvey CEO, the Academy was launched to address this gap, ensuring that future lawyers are not only familiar with AI tools but also capable of using them responsibly and ethically—a key focus of the curriculum. The course also offers a certificate of completion, signaling practical AI competence to potential employers.
The timing is noteworthy. Harvey Academy debuted in early 2026 with foundational courses such as Intro to Harvey and AI for Legal Basics, but this marks its first program tailored specifically to law students. Since August 2025, Harvey’s Law School Program has rapidly expanded, now partnering with over 40 institutions worldwide. By embedding AI training into academic environments, Harvey aims to normalize AI fluency as a core skill for modern legal practitioners.
Setting the Bar for AI Literacy in Law
The new course curriculum was developed with input from student ambassadors across Harvey’s partner schools. It addresses both the technical and ethical dimensions of AI use, emphasizing professional judgment, the limitations of AI outputs, and alignment with legal ethics. This dual focus on innovation and responsibility has become a hallmark of Harvey’s approach, as highlighted by Caroline Johnson Cruse, a second-year law student at the University of Texas:
“The real promise of legal AI lies in combining innovation with judgment—using technology to enhance, not replace, the lawyer’s strategic insight. Tools like Harvey are leading the charge in this space, streamlining diligence and contract work so lawyers can focus on higher-level strategy and client outcomes.”
A Competitive Edge for Students
Law students who complete the course can earn a shareable certificate, which could differentiate them in a competitive job market. Practical AI fluency is quickly becoming a sought-after skill among legal employers, particularly as firms increasingly adopt AI-driven tools. Eversheds Sutherland, for instance, recently integrated Harvey’s platform for global operations, underscoring the growing demand for AI-proficient legal professionals.
For students, the free course offers a low-risk, high-reward opportunity to gain relevant skills before entering the workforce. As the legal industry moves toward greater AI integration, programs like Harvey Academy are likely to play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of lawyers.
Students at participating schools can access the course immediately via Harvey’s online platform. Faculty and administrators interested in joining the program can contact Harvey at [email protected].
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