Student Q&A: Irene Lee, 2L and President of the Student Bar Association at UCI Law (She/Her)
Irene grew up in Arcadia, CA. In 2020, she graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a degree in Business Administration. Currently, Irene is involved with the Orange County Korean American Bar Association. Over the summer, she externed for Chief Judge Philip S. Gutierrez.
During her first year of law school, Irene developed a keen interest in labor and employment litigation as well as real estate litigation.
Q: Congratulations on your role as SBA president at UCI Law! What are you most excited about in this role?
I am very grateful for the opportunity to lead and learn from the student body. My primary goal as SBA President is to create a sense of community by increasing accessibility and planning campus activities, such as game nights, spirit days and movie nights. The SBA Board is exceptional this year, and I am super excited to work with everyone!
Q: What motivated you to pursue a law degree and why did you choose UCI Law?
My interest in the law developed through working in the downtown Los Angeles fashion industry. I witnessed how frustrating it is for laypersons, especially those with language barriers, to find legal representation. I chose to attend law school to be able to help my family and community.
- Irene Lee, 2L
I chose to attend UCI Law because of the excellence and quality of the faculty, in addition to the abundance of hands-on opportunities. I also love the city, the 55 mph speed limit, and the proximity to my family. Being a student at UCI Law has allowed me to leave my comfort zone and learn more about diverse perspectives. Choosing UCI Law has been one of the best decisions I have made, and I could not imagine attending any other law school.
Q: What has been your proudest accomplishment so far at UCI Law? (or what do you hope to accomplish?)
Looking back on 1L, I am proud of applying for leadership positions, fully immersing myself in my community, and getting to know my peers. I would not be where I am today without the friends I made along the way (you know who you are). However, I have only finished my first year of law school, and I am excited about the opportunities that the future holds
Q: What advice would you give to prospective students who are thinking about going to law school?
To prospective students considering or planning to attend law school, I would encourage them to take full advantage of office hours, student organizations and networking opportunities!