Jacob Chin

Jacob Chin is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Harvard Law School, where he supervises and teaches students in Family Law and Wage and Hour Practices. He joined the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau (HLAB) as a Clinical Fellow in 2021, developing family defense practices and community education initiatives. He also collaborates with workers' centers to address wage theft among immigrant communities. Previously, he served as a Staff Attorney at the Bronx Defenders’ Family Defense Practice, advocating for families involved with child welfare systems. Jacob holds a J.D. from CUNY School of Law, an M.P.A. from the University of Minnesota, and a B.A. from Boston College.

Education:

• J.D., City University of New York School of Law
• M.P.A., University of Minnesota
• B.A., Boston College

Research Interests: Jacob’s work focuses on intersectional legal advocacy, including family defense, civil rights, and systemic reform. He emphasizes community engagement, policy impact, and equitable access to justice, particularly for marginalized families and workers. His expertise spans child welfare law, labor rights, and anti-racist legal strategies.

Teaching and Advising: Jacob teaches courses such as Introduction to Advocacy: Civil Legal Aid and Ethics, Theory, and Practice. He advises students on clinical practices and has developed programs to support workers’ rights and family defense initiatives. His work often integrates movement lawyering and policy advocacy to address systemic inequities.

Labs/Teams: Jacob collaborates with workers’ centers and community organizations to advance immigrant rights and combat wage theft. His family defense practice includes partnerships with advocacy groups to challenge family policing and support impacted families.