Student Profiles
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Kejia Cao – China
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Sarah Eufrosina Celino — Philippines
Ms. Celino earned her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree at the University of the Philippines (2007). She began her legal career in 2008 working as a litigation lawyer in a Manila-based law firm, Ong Meneses Gonzalez & Gupit Law Office. In 2011, she shifted her practice and became in-house legal counsel for a real estate developer in the Philippines, Robinsons Land Corporation. There, she was part of the team responsible for all legal documents and compliances of the company's high-rise building developments. After three years, she was promoted to branch operations head, tasked with managing the company's residential projects in the province of Cebu. In 2022, she retired from the company and established her independent law practice, focusing on real estate developments and start-up businesses. Ms. Celino is also a licensed real estate broker, and since 2015, she has been serving as board member (2015-2021) and advisor (2022-present) of the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association of Central Visayas. At UC Irvine Law, she seeks to gain a global perspective on law practice by learning the legal system of the U.S. as well as that of other jurisdictions with insights from her international classmates. She also aims to take the California bar exam and become an international lawyer.
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Soonseok Chae — South Korea
Mr. Chae earned his Bachelor of Public Administration degree at Korea University (2012) and Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree at Korea National Open University (2019). He has served as Deputy Director in the Korean government since 2012. Since 2015, he has been working at the Ministry of Government Legislation, where he is responsible for the statutory examination of bills drafted by the Ministry of Interior and Safety and the National Fire Agency. Mr. Chae has also reviewed the enactment or revision drafts of the enforcement decrees related to the Resident Registration Act, as well as the systematic suitability and other aspects of bills proposed by members of the National Assembly, including the Virtual Asset User Protection Act. With the understanding of the U.S. legal system he hopes to gain at UC Irvine Law, he is eager to contribute to the development of Korea’s legislative sector.
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Liangyu Chen — China
Ms. Chen holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from Henan Police College (2022). Her legal experience includes participating in a case on a motor vehicle traffic accident and liability dispute; preparing a judicial appraisal report; drafting a complaint for a debt dispute over a loan contract; and engaging in due diligence for the transfer of accounts receivable for a corporate client. At UC Irvine Law, she hopes to learn more about U.S. law and legal systems as she earns her Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree.
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Hyunah Cho — South Korea
Ms. Cho holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Chemistry and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from South Korea. She began her career in Tax Accounting after being accepted into a graduate program at Fordham University, where she also passed the CPA exam. After a brief stint at an accounting firm on Wall Street in New York City, she furthered her studies in accounting at Babson College in Boston, MA. Ms. Cho earned a Master’s in Taxation from Fordham University and a Master’s in Accounting from Babson College. Upon returning to Los Angeles in 2021, she expanded her experience at the Business Entity C Corporation tax team of RSM US LLP. She later joined the Wealth and Asset Management team within the Financial Services Tax division at Ernst & Young. Her passion for taxation has inspired her to pursue further education at UC Irvine Law, where she is working towards an LL.M. degree. Looking to the future, Ms. Cho is determined to advance her career in taxation. She aims to combine her legal and Tax accounting expertise as a tax attorney and a CPA.
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Youngwoo Choi — South Korea
Mr. Choi earned both his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree (2008) and Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree (2012) at Yonsei University. He has practiced as in-house legal counsel at Hyundai Motor Company (2012-2018) and SK Hynix (2018-2024).
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Zahra (Nazanin) Dolatkhah — Iran
Ms. Dolatkhah earned her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree at Tehran Azad University (2022) with a GPA of 4.0 and studied her Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in Oil and Gas Law at University of Tehran (2024). With experience working for international law firms and energy companies as a contractual specialist in trade law, she has developed a strong foundation in contracts, international business, trade, and investment law. Additionally, she has contributed to the translation of the book, Contract as Promise: A Theory of Contractual Obligation, by Professor Charles Fried. At UC Irvine Law, her goal is to advance her expertise in corporate, business, and contract law, with a particular focus on how these areas intersect on a global scale.
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Maria Colmenares-Bruguera Esquivias — Venezuela/U.S.
Ms. Esquivias holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Universidad Arturo Michelena (2016) and is a licensed attorney in Venezuela. After immigrating to the United States, Ms. Esquivias earned her paralegal certificate. She subsequently interned and later worked as a full-time paralegal at Jacobsma Law, APC, a workers’ compensation and personal injury firm. After finishing her degree at UC Irvine Law, she plans to take the California bar exam and continue her legal career in the U.S.
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Zixin Gong — China
Ms. Gong earned her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree at China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL) in 2023. Her work at CUPL Press enhanced her academic skills and appreciation for scholarship. Ms. Gong’s legal experience includes her work at Beijing Weiheng Law Firm, where she focused on civil and commercial cases. At UC Irvine School of Law, she hopes to deepen her understanding of the U.S. legal system and prepare for the California bar exam.
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Jiuzhou Guan — China
Mr. Guan holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from Capital Normal University (2024). He has previously worked for Shanghai National Accounting Institute as Program Assistant, providing logistical support for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) training programs for middle/high-level government officials. He has also completed internships at King & Capital Law Firm and No. 4 Intermediate People’s Court of Beijing. Mr. Guan’s passion lies in utilizing legal frameworks to delve into the challenges, opportunities, and solutions for pivotal problems facing the world, especially in the area of environmental law and clean energy.
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Anqi Huang — China
Ms. Huang earned her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree at Wenzhou University of Technology (2015). She worked as a compliance risk control specialist at Urtrust Insurance Co., Ltd. in China, where she advised on compliance and risk management, contributed to the formulation of company regulations, assessed legal compliance, and supervised the implementation of policies. After completing her Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree at UC Irvine Law, she plans to use her enhanced knowledge and skills, continuing her professional career as a legal counselor.
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Ivan Ivannikov — Russia
Mr. Ivannikov earned a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree at the Higher School of Economics Moscow (2023) and a Master’s degree in Management at ESERP Digital Business & Law School, Madrid (2024). After obtaining his bachelor’s degree and working as an in-house lawyer for four years, he founded his own company, specializing in marketplace disputes. Mr. Ivannikov’s goal in pursuing a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree is to deepen his understanding of the American legal system, broaden his legal expertise, and enhance his professional skills to provide a higher level of service as he continues his career.
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Aaron Jones — Wales
Mr. Jones holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A. Hons.) in German (2010) and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B., Hons.) from Swansea University (2015). He has also earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in international maritime law at Swansea University (2017). He spent a year in Recklinghausen, Germany working as an English language teaching assistant at a grammar school. Additionally, Mr. Jones completed a summer internship at the Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law in Heidelberg, Germany. There, he engaged in research and writing on extrajudicial governments as well as the re-establishment of order, peace, and rule of law in the aftermath of war, uprisings, revolutions, governmental change, and founding of new countries. His professional experience also includes working as a paralegal in London before moving to California, where he has worked as an analyst for tax incentive claims as well as a paralegal for accounting and law firms in Orange County. At UC Irvine Law, he wishes to learn and immerse himself in the program, to gain knowledge and experience in U.S. and California legal systems, and to prepare for the California bar exam. Afterwards, he plans to continue his legal career, specializing in maritime and environmental law.
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Niloofar Khajeeijahromi — Iran
Ms. Khajeeijahromi holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in privacy law from Shiraz Azad University. A licensed attorney and member of the Fars Bar Association in Iran, she has been practicing as a lawyer for nine years in various fields of law, specializing in contracts and property. Her professional experience also includes working as an arbitrator at Fars Bar Association Arbitration Center since 2021. After completing her (LL.M.) degree at UC Irvine Law, she plans to take the California bar exam.
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Kyunghan Kim — South Korea
Mr. Kim earned a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree at Seoul National University (2013) and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree Yonsei University School of Law (2016). As a member of Bae, Kim & Lee’s Labor and Employment Group, Mr. Kim provides comprehensive counsel for clients, contributing to the resolution of various cases involving wages and hours, workplace harassment, and collective labor issues related to labor unions. Mr. Kim has extensive experience in general civil and criminal litigation, as well as pro bono litigation in support of civic organizations and individuals. At UC Irvine Law, he seeks to understand the American legal system and study the differences between American and Korean labor laws.
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Manju Devi — India
Born and raised in India, Ms. Manju Devi earned her B.A.LL.B (Hons.) at Chandigarh University (2023). She is a District Court Advocate (junior) in India and licensed to practice law in state and district courts. Ms. Manju Devi’s professional background also includes working as a paralegal and interning at the women’s police department. Additionally, she has worked with the commissioners at the State Information Commission.
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Haolei Liu — China
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Sedat Orhan — Kurdistan
Mr. Orhan earned his Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) degree at the Turkish-German University (2024). In 2022, he completed with distinction RSC Pathways, a course offered by University of Oxford’s Refugee Studies Centre (RSC). He has additionally completed the Statelessness Intensive Course at the Peter McMullin Centre of Melbourne Law School (2023). The United Nations Human Rights Office has published his report on the cultural rights of refugees in Türkiye. Currently, he is providing advisory support to a British company that helps foreign companies expand into the Middle East. His current interests include intellectual property and immigration law. At UC Irvine Law, Mr. Orhan hopes to develop his understanding of U.S. law and legal systems and prepare for the California bar exam. He speaks Kurdish, English, German, and Turkish.
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Görkem Özcan — Türkiye
Mr. Özcan earned his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree at Suleyman Demirel University (2022) and has been admitted to the Turkish Bar Association. His legal practice includes experience in criminal law, family law, and insurance law. He has particular interest in intellectual property and extensive experience preparing expert reports in this area of law. At UC Irvine Law, Mr. Özcan hopes to deepen his understanding of the American legal system, and after graduation, plans to take the California bar exam.
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Changkun Park — South Korea
A patent attorney from South Korea, Mr. Park earned his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering at Seoul National University and Bachelor of Law and Public Administration degree at Seoul Cyber University. He has served as an in-house patent counsel at Samsung Electronics for over 10 years, where his responsibilities include managing patent litigations, negotiating licenses, and reviewing contracts. Mr. Park’s experience also includes patent analysis and the procurement of essential patents. At UC Irvine Law, he hopes to deepen his understanding of the American legal system and enhance his skills. After completing his Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree, he plans to return to Korea to continue his career.
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Roberto Sagredo — Chile
Mr. Sagredo earned his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Pontifical Catholic University of Chile) in 2017. He was admitted as a lawyer by the Supreme Court of Chile in 2018. Since 2019, Mr. Sagredo has been a professor of constitutional and indigenous law at the University of O’Higgins in Rancagua in Chile, where he also teaches introductory law courses. At the university, he has taught collaborative online courses alongside colleagues at the National University of Córdoba in Argentina. He regularly participates in constitutional law seminars and conferences in his country, focusing on incorporating indigenous issues into Chilean legal culture. He also engages in the private practice of law, mainly in family and succession matters. At UC Irvine Law, he is eager to learn about U.S. legal culture as well as pedagogical approaches in legal education, hoping to develop networks for intercultural exchange. After completing his Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree, he plans to continue his career as a professor.
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Sung Min Son — South Korea
Mr. Son holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from Seoul National University (2012). In South Korea, he has served as a military legal officer since 2015 and as a public prosecutor since 2018, working at four different district prosecutors’ offices, including the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office. Mr. Son is particularly interested in emerging legal technology, such as utilizing AI to categorize forensic files seized during investigations. His goal at UC Irvine Law is to gain a broader international perspective, as his experience thus far has been primarily focused on domestic legal practice. Mr. Son hopes to clarify and refine his path as he continues his legal career.
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Xiaojuan Song — China
Ms. Song earned her Bachelor’s degree at Zhengzhou University and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree at Renmin University of China. She is a licensed attorney and patent agent in China, focusing on intellectual property law. At UC Irvine Law, she plans to develop a better understanding of the American legal system. After completing her degree, Ms. Song plans to pass the California bar exam and continue her legal career.
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Beyza Yildirim — Türkiye/U.S.
Ms. Yildirim holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from Istanbul University (2018). Her legal experience includes an internship at a law firm based in Istanbul, where she conducted legal research and drafted petitions; she also served as a judicial law clerk in Türkiye, gaining practical courtroom experience. Additionally, Ms. Yildirim has worked at a multinational legal corporation, where she advised travelers about international passenger rights. At UC Irvine Law, she hopes to expand her legal knowledge and strengthen her skills as she prepares to take the California bar exam and continue her career.
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Tianshuo Yu — China
Mr. Yu earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A) degree at Dalian University of Foreign Languages (2017) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law (2020). His legal experience includes working as a paralegal at River Delta Law Firm, specializing in labor law, and at AllBright Law Office, specializing in baking law. Mr. Yu has additionally served as a legal specialist at Shiseido, China.