Dr. Michael Garcia

Associate Professor

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Biography

Michael J. Garcia is a distinguished legal scholar and lecturer at Harvard Law School, where he is set to teach courses on State Constitutionalism in Fall 2025. He has had a notable career in law, serving as an Associate Judge on the New York Court of Appeals since his nomination by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in January 2016. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he graduated summa cum laude from Albany Law School in 1989, where he was also the valedictorian. His prior positions include serving as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, where he worked on several high-profile terrorism investigations. Additionally, Judge Garcia has held significant roles in various governmental agencies, including the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security, where he led the transition of the Immigration and Naturalization Service into ICE. He has been actively involved with international law as the Vice President of INTERPOL Americas and as Chair of the Investigatory Chamber of FIFA's Ethics Committee. His contributions to the legal field have earned him various awards and recognition, including involvement in the American Law Institute.

Research Interests

Courses

State Constitutionalism

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'.