Student Profiles
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Sunghun Ahn – South Korea
Mr. Ahn earned his bachelor of laws (LL.B., 2009) and master of laws (LL.M., 2012) degrees at Yonsei University. After passing the Korea Judicial Bar Examination and graduating from the Judicial Research and Training Institute (JRTI), he served as a public service advocate for the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea, where he conducted administrative litigation on behalf of the Minister of Justice. In 2017, he joined Kim, Choi & Lim as an associate attorney of the corporate team. Since 2018, he has worked for Shin & Kim in the criminal defense group. Having built his expertise primarily in the fields of administrative law and criminal law, Mr. Ahn hopes to take his time at UCI Law to deepen his understanding of the U.S legal system and enhance his skills as an attorney.
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Razan Alfuraih – Saudi Arabia
Ms. Alfuraih received a bachelor of laws (LL.B.) degree from Prince Sultan University in 2014. She began her career as a legal researcher for the General Secretariat of the Committees of Banking and Financial Disputes and Violations (BFC) in the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). She subsequently became the Head of the Banking Appeal Section at SAMA. Her legal experience also includes an internship at Clyde & Co, a fully integrated international law firm in Riyadh. She believes the LL.M. program at UCI Law is an opportunity for professional and personal growth as she expands her knowledge in several fields of law.
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Renato Ayres Martins De Oliveira – Brazil
Mr. Ayres Martins De Oliveira earned a bachelor of laws (LL.B.) degree at Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro State University) in 1998. In 2000, he joined the Office of the Attorney General in Rio de Janeiro, which provides legal support and representation for the state in both administrative and judicial courts and advises executive branches on matters of public policy and governance. Mr. Ayres Martins De Oliveira has also been a professor of law, focusing on the areas of tax and finance (2001-08). His work experience additionally includes private practice in business law. At UCI Law, he hopes to deepen his knowledge of the American legal system and prepare to provide a higher level of service when he returns to Brazil.
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Aboli Prakash Bhoir – India
Ms. Bhoir earned her bachelor of legal science (B.L.S.) and bachelor of laws (LL.B.) degrees from Mumbai University in 2020. A member of the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa, she has interned and subsequently worked for Adv. Sudeep Pasbola and Associates in Mumbai. After completing the LL.M. program at UCI Law, Ms. Bhoir plans to prepare for the California bar exam and pursue a career in either criminal law or corporate law. In her free time, Ms. Bhoir enjoys cooking, listening to music, and watching Korean and Chinese drama.
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Minji Choi – South Korea
Ms. Choi earned a bachelor of laws (LL.B.) degree at Chonnam National University in 2013. She has served as a public officer of the Republic of Korea since 2014. While working at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, she participated in several committees of the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a member of the Korean delegation. She has also handled electrical industry policies and administered the Electrical Construction Business Act and the Electric Technology Management Act. She hopes the knowledge she gains at UCI Law will help her develop policies and procedures with a broader perspective.
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Yonghyung Chung – South Korea
Mr. Chung earned a bachelor of laws (LL.B.) degree at Dongguk University in 2016 and a master of laws (LL.M.) degree in international business and commercial law at University of West London in 2018. His professional experience includes serving as a consultant in business administration and funding for a city based start-up hub. He has also worked on a political campaign. At UCI Law, he plans to experience the U.S legal academic culture to the fullest.
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Yoonryung Eom – South Korea
Mr. Eom earned a bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in physics at Pohang University of Science and Technology in 2010 and a juris doctor (J.D.) degree at Yonsei University School of Law in 2016. As a member of Lee & Ko’s environment team and occupational safety and major accidents team, his practice mainly focuses on matters such as assisting clients in establishing systems compliant with applicable environmental and occupational safety regulatory schemes; advising on the mergers and acquisitions of environmental companies; and representing clients on litigation concerning environmental and occupational safety issues. Through the LL.M. program at UCI Law, he plans to focus on comparative studies of American and Korean law.
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Mihiri Nilmini Gunasinghe – Sri Lanka/United States
Ms. Gunasinghe earned a bachelor of laws (LL.B.) degree at University of Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2002 and subsequently completed a post graduate diploma in international relations (PGDIR) at Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (2011) and a post graduate diploma in forensic medicine and science (PDFMS) at the University of Colombo (2013). Additionally, she received her first master of laws (LL.M.) degree from General Sir John Kotelawala University, Sri Lanka in 2015. Most recently, she submitted her dissertation toward the completion of a Ph.D. in Law at University of Colombo. Ms. Gunasinghe started her career as a state counsel (criminal prosecutor) of the Attorney General’s Department of Sri Lanka. As a volunteer, she worked with the Sri Lanka Bar Association and the Colombo Law Society to organize legal aid camps for underprivileged communities. After completing her LL.M. degree at UCI Law, Ms. Gunasinghe plans to sit for the California bar exam. “Giving a voice to the voiceless and standing up for other human beings who have no one else to advocate for them” motivates her work. A positive thinker who always helps others, Ms. Gunasinghe is also a poet, lyricist, dancer, and actor.
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Jaisy Joe – India
Ms. Joe earned her bachelor of commerce and bachelor of laws (honors) degrees (B.Com. LL.B. Hons.) from Cochin University of Science and Technology in 2018. She also has an LL.M. degree in Corporate and Commercial Law from Christ University (2022). Working as a legal associate for several years, she represented clients before the State High Court and statutory tribunals in India. She has also conducted arbitration proceedings and has extensive experience in performing legal research, and drafting contracts and petitions. Ms. Joe was the first rank holder for B.Com LL.B. Hons. in her graduating class. She is interested in pursuing a career in corporate law. At UCI Law, she hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the American legal system as she prepares to sit for the California bar exam.
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Changdeok Gim – South Korea
Dr. Gim earned a bachelor of laws (LL.B.) degree as well as a master’s (M.A.) degree in urban planning at Seoul National University; he also has a Ph.D. in human and social dimensions of science and technology from the Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes (CSPO) at Arizona State University. He was an associate researcher at the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI) and an invited research fellow at the Korea Environment Institute (KEI). Dr. Gim’s research areas include science and technology studies, climate resilience, knowledge systems, institutional approaches, and interdependent infrastructure. At UCI Law, he hopes to delve into the intersectional dynamics between law, science, and the environment.
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Hongyul Kim – South Korea
Mr. Kim earned a bachelor of laws (LL.B.) degree at Seoul National University in 2011 and subsequently passed the Korea bar examination. As a member of Bae, Kim & Lee, a highly regarded law firm in South Korea, he has represented clients in criminal cases related to securities, finance, and tax, from investigation through trial and appeal. His particular focus is on white-collar crime, such as violations of the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, embezzlement, and breach of trust. Mr. Kim has also served as a public service advocate for the Ministry of Justice, Financial Services Commission of Korea. At UCI Law, he hopes to deepen his understanding of U.S. laws and regulations so that he can provide a higher level of service after returning to his position in Korea.
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Jeonghwa Kim – South Korea
Ms. Kim earned a bachelor of laws (LL.B.) degree at Hanyang University in 2010 and a juris doctor (J.D.) degree at Hanyang University School of Law in 2015. In 2015, she was appointed as a public prosecutor for the Republic of Korea and has since worked on the criminal investigation of drug and organized crimes, property crimes, fraud, and tax crimes. While studying at UCI Law, she hopes to develop her understanding of the American legal system.
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Kihyun Kim – South Korea
Mr. Kim earned a bachelor of laws (LL.B.) degree at Seoul National University in 2010. He served as a public service advocate for the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea for three years, managing lawsuits against the government and conducting preparations to launch a national treasury loss recovery team. He later worked for Shin & Kim, where he gained extensive experience in advising and assisting clients on white-collar crime concerns, including prevention and defense issues. In 2018, he joined the labor/employment group at Lee & Ko, where his legal practice has focused on the areas of labor, employment, and occupational safety. Mr. Kim is currently a partner at Lee & Ko.
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Minwook Kim – South Korea
Mr. Minwook Kim earned a bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in electrical engineering from Seoul National University in 2009 and a juris doctor (J.D.) degree from Korea University in 2016. He is admitted to both the Korean Patent Attorney Bar (2008) and the Korean Bar (2016). Mr. Kim has worked as an associate Korean patent attorney at Koreana Patent Firm (2009-2011) and as an in-house patent counsel at IP Prosecution Group, Semiconductor R&D Center, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (2011-2013). He is now an associate attorney specializing in intellectual property (mainly dealing with patents and trade secrets) at Lee & Ko.
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Che-Chuan Lin – Taiwan
Mr. Lin earned his bachelor of laws (LL.B.) degree in 2016 at Chinese Culture University, where he served as an elected class representative during the academic year. His professional legal experience includes an internship at Legal Aid, which is associated with legal research for criminal, tort, labor, and international law. His current legal interests include intellectual property, contract, and corporate law. When he's not studying law, Mr. Lin has a habit of watching classic films and reading literature. He also likes to travel around the world and experience different cultures.
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Sayed Mohammad Mirshafiei – Iran
Mr. Mirshafiei earned a bachelor of laws (LL.B.) degree at Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Branch in 2016. He has worked at a private firm in Iran for five years. His purpose in obtaining an LL.M. degree at UCI Law is to learn more about the American legal system and to qualify for the New York bar exam.
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Sofia Osuna – Spain
Ms. Osuna has a bachelor of laws (LL.B.) degree from the Colegio Universitario de Estudios Financieros (CUNEF University). After successfully completing her LL.M. degree, she plans to pursue a career at a private law firm.
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Younghoon Park – South Korea
Mr. Park earned a bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in computer science and engineering at Seoul National University in 2009 and his bachelor of laws (LL.B.) degree at Korea National Open University in 2016. As a Korean patent attorney, his practice covers a wide variety of intellectual property matters, including patent prosecution before the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) and the Korean Patent Court. At UCI Law, his goal is to gain insight into the American legal system, especially regarding intellectual property rights. He can speak Chinese and Japanese in addition to his native language (Korean) and English.
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Hyun Jung Ro – South Korea
Mr. Ro earned a bachelor of laws (LL.B.) degree at Korea University in 2010. After completing his mandatory military service as a judge advocate at the Ministry of Justice (2014-17), Mr. Ro joined Lee & Ko, where he has been made a partner. At UCI Law, Mr. Ro hopes to enhance his understanding of American law.
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Gunwant Singh Dhaliwal – India
Mr. Singh Dhaliwal earned a bachelor of arts and bachelor of legislative law (B.A.LL.B) honours (Hons.) degree at University Institute of Legal Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh (2020). During his undergraduate studies, Mr. Singh Dhaliwal actively participated in Moot Court and won a prestigious national competition; he also served on the Moot Court Committee. With an interest in foreign policy and international affairs, he undertook a course on “Indian Foreign Policy: Its Crafting and Implementation,” curated by the Council for Strategic and Defense Research (CSDR). Mr. Singh Dhaliwal is a member of the Bar Council of India and has worked as an associate advocate at the law chamber of a Senior Counsel at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He has also interned with the Punjab Human Rights Commission and at the chambers of Senior Counsels in the High Court. After completing his LL.M. degree at UCI Law, he plans to take the California bar examination and pursue a career in immigration law.
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Ryo Tamura – Japan
Mr. Tamura is an attorney admitted in Japan. He earned a bachelor of laws (LL.B.) degree at Waseda University (2012), a juris doctor (J.D.) degree at Waseda Law School (2014), and a master of laws (LL.M.) degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (2022). He began his professional career with the legal division of Toshiba Corporation. After experienced law firm practice, he is currently working for Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. as in-house counsel, focusing on drafting various international contracts and M&A projects. Through the LL.M. program at UCI Law, Mr. Tamura hopes to deepen his understanding of business law in the United States.
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Gulzhanat Tashenova – Kazakhstan
Ms.Tashenova earned a bachelor of laws (LL.B.) degree at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in 2009 and a master of business administration (MBA) degree from Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2012. Prior to acquiring her MBA, she worked as a corporate lawyer in Kazakhstan. More recently, she joined the accounting department in Kazakhstan’s leading oil company. While pursuing her LL.M. degree at UCI Law, she is also working on a new project in the field of education. Passionate about both law and finance, she plans to take the bar exam after she completes her LL.M. degree.
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Yiching Yang – Taiwan
Ms. Yang earned her bachelor of laws (LL.B.) and master of laws (LL.M.) degrees at Soochow University in Taipei; she also has a master of arts (M.A.) in Architecture & Tangible Cultural Heritage from Taipei National University of the Arts. She served as a legal research fellow at the Taiwan WTO Center and worked for the Science & Technology Law Institute in Taipei for several years. She subsequently worked as an in-house paralegal and legal projects manager in the aviation and electric motor industries. At UCI Law, she hopes to broaden her knowledge of the American legal system and develop a more global understanding of the law.
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Geunhyung Yoon – South Korea
Mr. Yoon earned a bachelor of business administration (BBA) at Yonsei University in 2014. After passing the Korean judicial bar examination, he was admitted to the Judicial Research and Training Institute (JRTI). In 2014, he joined Lee & Ko as an associate attorney in the mergers and acquisitions practice group. His practice at Lee & Ko focuses primarily on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and general corporate transactions. Mr. Yoon is currently a partner at Lee & Ko.