I work at Miller Barondess, LLP, a civil-litigation boutique in Century City, California. It has certainly been an interesting ride, and the experience I’ve gained is invaluable. Last year, I was part of a trial team on a case involving the creation of a large manufacturing export business involving parties and witnesses located in several different countries. After a two-month jury trial and nine days of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of $46.5 million for our clients. Earlier this year, I was part of a trial team on a case involving a dispute over a large real-property purchase and sale. After two weeks (out of an estimated six) in front of a jury, the case settled favorably for our client. I’ve worked on a variety of matters including several employment matters, intellectual-property disputes, and even a palimony case.
 

When I was a student, I wanted to spend my time outside the classroom—I was anxious to do something. So, for example, during my third year of law school I interned at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office and tried my first jury case while I was a student, under the supervision of fantastic attorneys. Sharing this experience and others with my classmates, who also shared their experiences with me, was truly exciting—we were going through the experience of becoming lawyers, and we were doing it together.

So I’d have to say that my fondest memories are about the people, about growing with each other. I often lunch with my former classmates, who’ve become great friends. And I still contact professors with whom I’ve had meaningful relationships. When I see an interesting article regarding international property law, I think of Christopher Stone, who took me on as a research assistant. When I consult usage guides and dictionaries, I think of Jean Rosenbluth, who instilled in me a desire to be the best writer I can be. T. Peter Pierce, Charles Donovan, Greg Dovel and Sean Luner—there are many, many others.

 

I tell law students that law school is about much more than studying and getting great grades. Sure, it’s about that, too, but it’s also about making connections in this legal community that the student, whether he or she knows it or not, has already joined. It’s about experiencing things in law school. It’s about learning about practices that maybe the student has never heard of or considered. The common advice given to law students is that they have to network. Many of them tell me that they feel like they have to be artificial. I’m no expert, but I’ll say this to current law students: get out there and get involved with projects, groups, and organizations that you are passionate about. Find people who are interested in the same things that you are and who care about the same issues that you do. You’ll eventually find that you’re not “networking” in any artificial sense, but that you’re really making new lasting connections and finding people whose companionship you enjoy. That’s what truly lasts.

 
Why do you stay involved with the law school?

Helping others provides a sense of satisfaction, so one major reason that I remain involved is because I enjoy meeting and mentoring new students. When I came to USC, I hardly knew any attorneys, and I wasn’t connected to the legal community here. I benefited enormously from attorney mentors, many of whom have become great friends and colleagues. I do my best to stay involved through USC Law’s Asian Pacific American Law Students Association. I also sit on the Korean American Bar Association of Southern California’s Law Student Committee and help organize and host programs for law students in Southern California.