From the White House to the Classroom

Notoriety is nothing new for Harvard Law School professors, but first-year law student Eric P. Liu seems to have a monopoly on the limelight these days.

Liu, 25, has recently been featured in a number of national publications for his work in Washington D.C. as President Bill Clinton's youngest speechwriter. This summer, he quit the job to attend the Law School.

"It was a thrilling experience," says Liu, a small, if muscular, 5'4". But he adds, "It has been nice to get away from the pressing deadlines and hurried pace of Washington."

At the White House, the Yale graduate specialized in foreign affairs speeches and accompanied the President on his highly publicized D-Day tour through western Europe this summer.

"We read everything under the sun--a ton of D-Day books, interviewed D-Day vets," says Liu, a Poughkeepsie, N.Y. native. "I've never been so steeped in a subject. The other speech writers and I lived and breathed it for two months."

In addition to writing speeches, Liu has honed his writing skills as founder and editor of The Next Progressive, a magazine written by and targeting members of Generation X.

Editorials in the magazine work to dispel what Liu says is a negative stereotype attached to Generation X. Also to that end, he has edited an anthology titled "Next; Young American Writers on the New Generation."

Released in July, this book contains essays by "Generation X" authors.

Reviews of the book have largely been positive. Citing Liu's contribution to the discussion of "Generation X," Newsweek featured him on its June 6 cover as part of a story on twentysomethings.

"It has of course been very thrilling and gratifying to see some of the things I have done being recognized, but I also believe that there are a ton of young people out there doing a number of amazing things," Liu says. "A lot of them are working at the grass-roots level and making a real difference. They deserve much more ink than me."

Liu says he left his post as a presidential speechwriter for several reasons, including a feeling that he was not making a significant impact on other people.

"It was great, but I want to be in a position where I can have a tangible effect on people's lives," he says.

At Harvard Law School, Liu says he now has a chance to think through a number of complex issues. He thinks his time in Cambridge will allow him to focus on how to help others.

Despite taking a full load of courses, Liu says he will continue to edit "The Next Progressive." He also will not give up speechwriting, which he loves. Liu is defraying his Law School tuition costs by writing speeches for corporate executives.

"My future is still uncertain," he says.