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Korea Law Center - Jurist-In-Residence Program

The Jurist-in-Residence Program at the Korea Law Center provides Korean legal and business professionals and government officers with an opportunity to design an independent study/research program and establish a foundation in U.S.-Korea law over one (1) or two (2) semesters at the UC Irvine School of Law on a non-credit basis.

Intended to offer the flexibility for visitors to tailor their study to their particular needs and interests, the program will be available in January 2011.

Eligibility

Visiting Jurists. The successful applicant will be a member of the legal profession such as a practicing lawyer, prosecutor, or judge who would like to conduct specific research or pursue independent study in a field related to their work and to Korean and U.S. legal systems, matters, or processes.

Visiting Scholars. The successful applicant will be an established scholar or professor from a Korean law school or other college or university who seeks to pursue study and research related to Korean and U.S. legal systems, matters, or processes.

Visiting Practitioners. The successful applicant will be a business or government official whose professional responsibilities encompass matters of law or directly relate to the legal system.

All participants in the program must have strong English language skills and enjoy independent study and research.

Program Duration

Participants can choose between semester or year-long placements.

The spring semester begins in January and ends June 30. The fall semester begins in August and ends December 30.

Fees and Conditions

Participants will pay a program fee of $4,300 per semester. These fees do not cover any living, transportation, or other miscellaneous expenses. Students should budget an additional amount for living expenses, transportation costs, books and supplies.

Participants will be required to participate in a 2-hour session each month during the semester facilitated by Ryul Kim, Executive Co-Chair for the Korea Law Center.

Participants will have access to the UC Irvine Law Library, public talks and workshops, and all conferences that are open to the public. Students will not have access to Law School courses, and consultation with UC Irvine Law School faculty must be scheduled in advance of the visit. Participants will not be provided with office space or individual study carrels, and participants are responsible for securing their own housing for the duration of their stay.

Visa

Participants are responsible for obtaining requisite visas and travel documents for themselves and members of their family before entry to the United States. The UC Irvine School of Law will serve as the sponsor for participants obtaining a J-1 visa but participants must inform themselves of all the necessary documentation and provide all required information to the Law School on a timely basis. Please note that issuance of a visa is likely to take several weeks.

For more information regarding visas, please review the UCI International Center web site.

Contact

Please contact the following individuals for more information about the program:

Application Process

Step 1: Applicant should provide co-chair Ryul Kim, Esq. or Ju Myung Hwang, Esq. with the following:

• Personal statement describing research/study plan and explaining how their participation in the program will further their professional objectives
• Resume
• Letters of recommendation
• TOEFL score (preferred and recommended, but not required)

Step 2: The UC Irvine School of Law will evaluate each applicant’s credentials and proposed program of study and notify applicants whether they will be admitted as a Jurist-in-Residence.

Step 3: Staff of the UC Irvine School of Law will assist applicants with the J-1 visa application. Upon receipt of the letter of acceptance from the School of Law, the nominated Jurist-in-Residence must provide:

1. Completed Form A to start the visa application process. The link to both the form and instructions on how to complete it may be found on the UCI International Center web site
2. Academic Personnel Form – AP-9; your signature is required.
3. Other required documents:
   • Documentation of financial support
   • Personal statement
   • Resume
   • Copies of the biographical information passport pages for yourself and your dependents
   • Passport-size photo

Step 5: Please be advised that all Jurists-in-Residence and their dependents will be permitted to enter the U.S. no more that 30 days before the report/start date of their program. After arriving in the United States and prior to the start date of their appointment, the participant must report to the UCI International Center for final visa processing.

Step 6: Employment and program agreement documentation will be sent to applicant in a separate email message; applicant must apply for a Social Security number upon arrival in the U.S. if s/he does not have a Social Security card from a previous visit to the United States.

Step 7: Payment of program fees is due upon arrival. A check for $4,300 per semester should be made payable to UC Regents.