Harshbarger said he would like his experience to motivate others to pursue jobs similar to his in the public sector.

"My hope is to interest many law students in public service and the public practice," Harshbarger said, adding he would like to show his students "the incredible opportunities that exist to practice and really make a difference at the state and local level."

"I've been very lucky to be able as a professional to perform in jobs where every day I have a chance to make a difference," he added. "It's very challenging, very rewarding."

Harshbarger received the job after approaching Law School Dean Robert C. Clark about a teaching position last winter.

"I spoke to Dean Clark in December just as I was leaving as Attorney General," he said. "I had the position at Northeastern Law School and I was interested in what might be available at Harvard Law."

Although Harshbarger will be a member of three faculties during the semester--at Northeastern, Harvard, and Boston University--he said he does not think the responsibilities will be too difficult to handle.

"It's a great luxury to have the freedom to only be teaching," he said. "Only to teach two courses in one semester is really quite a luxury...It's a wonderful time to sort of stand back and sort out what I'm doing."