Dr. Cindy Zapata

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Cindy Zapata is a Clinical Instructor at Harvard Law School, engaged in the Harvard Immigration Refugee Clinical Program where she supervises and trains law students in the Harvard Immigration Refugee Clinic and the Crimmigration Clinic. Her role includes direct representation, bond representation, and managing immigration applications, with a focus on asylum and humanitarian protections. She also coordinates community outreach efforts including Know-Your-Rights presentations and Advice Counsel sessions in the Greater Boston area. Additionally, she serves as a supervising attorney for the HLS Immigration Project, which is a student-practice organization focused on immigration advocacy. Prior to her current position, Zapata was a litigation associate at Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP. She holds a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, and a B.A. in Political Science from Queens College, City University of New York.

Research Interests

Courses

Immigration Refugee Advocacy, Fall 2025 Immigration Refugee Advocacy, Spring 2026

Requirements for Harvard Law School

Master Program
Requirements
TOEFL
Listening
Required:25
Reading
Required:25
Writing
Required:25
Speaking
Required:25
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
J.D. from an ABA-approved U.S. law school or a first law degree (LL.B. or equivalent) from a foreign law school
Application Checklist
  • Online application form
  • CV/Résumé
  • Personal statements (Parts A and B)
  • At least two recommendations
  • Official transcripts and diplomas
  • Official TOEFL report (if applicable)
  • Application fee ($85)
Specialization Notes

Applied for under 'Department of Law', 'Department of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law', 'Department of Constitutional Law', 'Department of Japanese Legal Studies', and 'Department of Human Rights'.