Spotlight on Ansar’s Former Paralegal Zeyad Amr

As Zeyad Amr prepares to begin his next chapter at Harvard University, we reflect with gratitude on the dedication, professionalism, and compassion he brought to Ansar’s Immigration Clinic. During his time with the clinic, Zeyad worked closely with refugees, asylees, and immigrant families, helping clients navigate complex legal systems with care and empathy. As he moves forward in pursuing a legal career focused on advocacy and systemic impact, he shares a few reflections on his experience at Ansar and the path ahead.

Zeyad's Story:

What led you to pursue the opportunity at Harvard? I initially started on the pre-med track, but I realized that while medicine creates meaningful impact at the individual level, the law has the potential to drive change on a broader, systemic scale. That ability to shape systems and advocate for entire communities is what drew me to the legal field. As someone born and raised in the U.S., I also felt a strong responsibility to understand the laws that govern our society and to use that knowledge to advocate for those who may not have access to that same understanding or representation.

How did your role here prepare you for your next position? My role at ANSAR reinforced exactly why I want to pursue law. I worked closely with clients, such as refugees, asylees, and individuals with TPS or parole status, who often lacked the resources or knowledge to navigate complex legal systems. Being able to support them directly showed me how impactful legal work can be. It strengthened my commitment to serving vulnerable communities and gave me early exposure to the kind of advocacy I hope to continue in my legal career.

What skills or experiences from this job do you think will be most valuable at Harvard? The most valuable experience was the client-facing work. I learned how to communicate clearly, manage cases from start to finish, and work with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances. That combination of interpersonal skills, problem-solving, and attention to detail is central to legal practice. Having that level of responsibility before law school is something I see as a major advantage

How would you describe the team culture and support you received here? The team culture was very supportive and collaborative. I really valued working with both the legal team and the broader social services team. At times, transitions between supervising attorneys created some uncertainty, but overall the environment was positive, and people were always willing to help and support one another.

What advice would you give to someone stepping into your role? Take advantage of every opportunity and don’t shy away from more complex cases. While it’s natural to start with more straightforward work, the most valuable learning comes from pushing yourself into unfamiliar territory. Lean on the people around you, ask questions, and be open to taking on challenges; you’ll gain much more from the experience that way.

What will you miss most about working here? I’ll miss the direct connection with clients and the opportunity to help people navigate real challenges in their lives. Being able to work through problems with clients and see the tangible impact of that support was one of the most meaningful parts of the role.

Would you consider returning in the future? Why or why not? Yes, I would absolutely consider returning in a pro bono capacity. This type of work is something I hope to continue throughout my legal career. Supporting organizations like this and serving immigrant and refugee communities is something I see as both meaningful and necessary. Overall, I’m very grateful for the opportunity and the experience I gained here. The work being done is incredibly important, and continuing to invest in training, mentorship, and exposure to a wider range of cases would make the experience even stronger for future paralegals!  

We are grateful for the meaningful contributions Zeyad made to the clinic and the communities we serve. We wish him continued success at Harvard and beyond, and we are confident he will continue to make a lasting impact through his future work in the legal field.