Dr. Alexander Chen

Biography

Alexander Chen is a Lecturer at Harvard Law School and the Founding Director of the LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic. He teaches courses on Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, and Law, and is recognized as one of the nation’s leading experts in LGBTQ+ civil rights law. His work has been featured in the New York Economist, Guardian, Boston Globe, Bloomberg, and Slate. His scholarship has been published in prestigious journals including the Harvard Law Review and the Boston University Law Review. Chen’s clinical program has been awarded for achieving significant impact litigation settlements, including the passing of the first-in-the-nation plural domestic partnership non-discrimination ordinances. Previously, he worked with the National Center for Lesbian Rights and litigated important cases regarding transgender military bans and health care access for transgender prisoners. He played a role in drafting legislation in California mandating gender-affirming care for transgender foster youth. Recognized by Forbes as part of its 30 Under 30 in Law & Policy and other accolades from various LGBTQ+ organizations, Chen has also received mentoring awards and has co-founded the National Trans Bar Association. He holds degrees from Oxford University, Columbia University, and Harvard Law School, where he was an openly transgender editor of the Harvard Law Review. Chen has clerked for notable judges and contributes as a faculty affiliate at the Harvard Kennedy School's Carr Center for Human Rights.

Research Interests

Courses