She began her journey in corporate law when she worked as a publishing company, but Mikaelian says she was not intrigued by the business side of the publishing industry. Instead, she was drawn to the legal side of the business. She was fascinated by the way contracts were formed, relationships were negotiated, and deals were sealed. This sparked an interest in corporate law, and she decided to apply to law school to learn how to use the law to facilitate change and help people and organizations solve problems.

The Harvard Experience

Mikaelian chose Harvard Law School because of its size and breadth of course offerings, clinics, and extracurricular activities. She says that Harvard Law gave her room to explore and delve into various areas of law. She has taken advantage of numerous opportunities, including serving as a legal fellow for the Federal Reserve, delving into legal scholarship through editing roles on Harvard Law journals, and cross-registering for Harvard Business School courses.

• Property law and contracts courses were among her first areas of interest in corporate law
• She has also dabbled in mergers and acquisitions, entertainment and sport law, startup law, corporate governance, leadership, and emerging fields like AI
• She currently works as a teaching fellow for Harvard Law’s Jury Deliberation in the Age of AI course

Mikaelian credits Harvard Law for providing her with a wide range of opportunities to explore corporate law. She has worked with prominent clients, including startups, and has gained valuable experience in the field. She says that Harvard Law is a fantastic place to study corporate law, citing the unique offerings of the Harvard Law Entrepreneurship Project, Recording Artists Project, and the Cyberlaw Clinic.

Extracurricular Activities

Mikaelian has been actively involved in several Harvard Law student organizations, including the Harvard Association for Law and Business (HALB). She has served as a board member of HALB and has held various leadership positions within the organization. HALB provides a platform for students to explore the intersection of law and business at Harvard, and Mikaelian has been instrumental in organizing and overseeing hundreds of successful events that have brought prominent speakers and leaders from the business and legal worlds to Harvard Law’s campus.

• HALB has hosted prominent speakers and leaders from the business and legal worlds
• Mikaelian has organized and overseen hundreds of successful events
• HALB has provided her with a thorough understanding of corporate law

Mikaelian has also prioritized leadership and has taken on various roles within the organization. She has served as a first-year student on HALB’s Communications team, joined the organization’s executive board, becoming executive vice president of operations, and now serves as the chief of staff. She has also gained experience through internships, including a summer associate position at a firm in New York.

Leadership and Mentorship

Mikaelian has been recognized for her leadership and mentorship skills. She was recently named one of four recipients of the Ms. JD Limitless Leadership Award, which recognizes individuals who are making a positive impact in the legal profession. Mikaelian has spoken to undergraduate prelaw clubs across the country to help the next generation of law students navigate the admissions process. She has also been a role model for young women in the legal profession, and her mentorship has not gone unnoticed.

“I was grateful to be named a Ms. JD Limitless Leadership Recipient this year alongside the chief legal officers of Lowe’s and eBay,” Mikaelian says. “This award reflects my commitment to gender equality, as well as my dedication to empowering those who come after me.”

Mikaelian’s journey to becoming a corporate lawyer has been shaped by her experiences at Harvard Law School. She has gained a deep understanding of corporate law and has developed the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the field. She plans to join a New York firm after graduation, initially focusing on transactional work, such as mergers and acquisitions and real estate.

As she approaches the end of her final year of law school, Mikaelian is thoughtful about what her educational journey has meant to her. She is grateful for the opportunities she has had and is confident about her future. She knows that she will face challenges as she enters the legal profession, but she is ready to take on the opportunities that lie ahead. “I’m privileged to be going to a firm with a rotation program. I’m excited to rotate through a few different groups before solidifying my future practice area,” Mikaelian says. She is approaching her legal career with an open mind and a desire to learn, just as she did when she first approached law school. Because of the unique opportunities she has had at Harvard Law, she is confident that she will make a positive impact in the legal profession. “I’m going to make a difference,” Mikaelian says. “I just know it.” “I am going to make a difference,” Mikaelian says. This is something that she has always believed in and is committed to.

What’s Next for Danielle Mikaelian?

After graduating from Harvard Law School, Mikaelian plans to join a New York firm, initially focusing on transactional work, such as mergers and acquisitions and real estate. She is excited to take on the opportunities that lie ahead and make a positive impact in the legal profession. Mikaelian’s journey is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and a willingness to learn. She is an inspiration to young women in the legal profession and a reminder that with the right mindset and support, anything is possible. This is something that she has always believed in and is committed to. “I am going to make a difference,” Mikaelian says.