Korea Law Center September Newsletter

Inaugural Korea Law Center Scholars
Shawn Kim and Anna Nahm Awarded
Choi Family Endowed Scholarship

Left: Korea Law Center Faculty Director and Professor of Law Sung Eun ("Summer") Kim, Korea Law Center Scholars Shawn Kim and Anna Nahm, and UC Irvine Law Dean and Chancellor's Professor of Law Austen Parrish.

Right: Carol Choi '85 and Eugene Choi '86, MBA '01, whose generosity established the Choi Family Endowed Law School Scholarship.

On August 18, 2025, as instruction for the 2025-2026 academic year began at UC Irvine Law, the Korea Law Center proudly hosted a welcome reception to honor inaugural Korea Law Center Scholars, Shawn Kim and Anna Nahm.

The reception brought together faculty, students, family, and staff to celebrate this exciting new chapter for both the scholars and the Center. The event offered a warm introduction for Shawn and Anna into the Anteater community and highlighted the Korea Law Center’s expanding commitment to fostering academic exchange and investing in the next generation of leadership in the Korean American legal community.

This milestone marks a significant step in the law school's ongoing efforts to support Korea-interested legal scholars and practitioners with a global outlook and underscores UC Irvine Law’s growing role as a hub for international engagement.

We are proud to share that Korea Law Center Scholars Shawn Kim and Anna Nahm have been awarded the Choi Family Endowed Law School Scholarship.

The scholarship was made possible through the vision and generosity of Carol and Eugene Choi, whose leadership was instrumental in establishing the Korea Law Center at UC Irvine Law.

Both Carol '85 and Eugene '86, MBA '01, are distinguished UC Irvine alumni who advise the UC Irvine Korean Alumni Chapter, and serve on the UC Irvine Law Board of Visitors and as trustees of the UC Irvine Foundation. In recognition of their extraordinary contributions, they were honored with the 2020 Lauds and Laurels Extraordinarius Award - the highest recognition bestowed by the UC Irvine Alumni Association.

We express our deepest gratitude to the Choi family for their support of the Korea Law Center Scholars, the Korea Law Center, and UC Irvine Law. Their commitment continues to open new opportunities for our students and enrich the UC Irvine Law community.

Research Fellow Alumni Spotlight: Damhee Hu

Damhee Hu graduated from UC Irvine Law in 2023 and is currently an associate at Ropes & Gray LLP. Damhee is a part of the firm’s corporate department, focusing on private equity mergers and acquisitions and finance.

Damhee joined the Korea Law Center as a Research Fellow in 2020. She looks back at her time at the Korea Law Center and is appreciative of having been able to learn more about the Korean legal system from the visiting scholars as well as stay connected with the Korean legal community. One of her favorite memories is visiting Korea with other members of the Korea Law Center and UC Irvine Law faculty, during which she had the opportunity to take part in discussions with the leaders of distinguished Korean public interest organizations, law schools and law firms.

Tune in Tuesdays: A Mindful Start to Fall

The Korea Law Center kicked off its mindfulness series for law students (co-facilitated by Professors Summer Kim and Song Richardson) this Fall.

Professor Kim facilitated the first session, opening with introductions and mindful breathing. Attendees were then invited to take an elevator ride into the future, to step into the perspectives of our future selves and get a glimpse of what matters to us today and why. The session ended with journaling and some coffee and donuts together. We thank the students for giving us the gift of their time and presence.

Visiting Scholars Events:

Co-Working Session & Coffee with the Dean

Left: Korea Law Center Visiting Scholars in a co-working session hosted by Yonghyung ("Thomas") Chung and Korea Law Center Faculty Director and Professor of Law Sung Eun ("Summer") Kim.

Middle: Friendly introductions at Korea Law Center Visiting Scholars Reception hosted by UC Irvine Law Dean and Chancellor's Professor of Law Austen Parrish.

Right: Korea Law Center faculty, staff, students, and visiting scholars gathered for the Korea Law Center Visiting Scholars Welcome Reception.

The Korea Law Center kicked off the Fall semester with two community-building events for our Visiting Scholars community.

On Friday, August 29, the Korea Law Center's Thomas Chung and Professor Summer Kim hosted a co-working session, offering scholars a dedicated space to focus on their research and meet other visiting scholars in a collaborative and supportive working environment. The event was a great success, and many of the scholars noted how much they appreciated being able to work alongside others in a distraction-free setting.

The following week, on Tuesday, September 2, the Korea Law Center faculty, staff, and students gathered to welcome the visiting scholars at a Welcome Reception hosted by UC Irvine Law Dean Austen Parrish. The reception provided an opportunity to celebrate the scholars' arrival, learn more about their work, and affirm the Korea Law Center's commitment to supporting our Visiting Scholars and fostering collaboration and community.

Orange County Korean American Bar Association Foundation's Taste of Korea

Left: Members of the UC Irvine Law and Korea Law Center community at the OCKABA Foundation's Taste of Korea event.

Right: Korea Law Center Faculty Director and Professor of Law Summer Kim with Young Ham, Senior Counsel at Hanwha Qcells.

On Wednesday, August 27, the Orange County Korean American Bar Association Foundation celebrated their annual Taste of Korea event at Crowell & Moring LLP in Orange County. UC Irvine Law Dean Austen Parrish and Korea Law Center Faculty Director and Professor Summer Kim attended the event along with alumni, students, and friends of UC Irvine Law.

The evening brought together members of the legal community to celebrate Korean culture and cuisine while supporting OCKABA Foundation's mission to advance opportunities for public service for Korean American legal professionals. The UC Irvine Korea Law Center was proud to be a part of this vibrant gathering that strengthens ties across the Orange County legal community.

UC Irvine Master of Laws (LL.M.)

Information Session

Thursday, October 2, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. or 5:00 p.m. PST (Online)

Are you considering a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in the U.S.? We invite you to connect with UC Irvine Law’s Global Programs team and members of our LL.M. community for an upcoming live webinar designed to support and inspire your legal journey.

Whether you're just exploring your options or ready to take the next step, this is a great opportunity to get your questions answered and hear firsthand what makes UC Irvine Law a top choice.

Reserve your spot today and take the first step toward advancing your career.

Webinar Highlights:

Insights from current students and alumni
U.S. bar exam preparation and professional development resources
A glimpse into UC Irvine Law's extraordinary campus community
Life in Irvine, California, ranked the #1 safest U.S. city

Visit law.uci.edu/llm for more information about our LL.M. program.

We would love to connect with you! If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to the Korea Law Center at klc@law.uci.edu.

The Korea Law Center is supported by charitable gifts and contributions, if you would like to donate to the center you can do so here: Give to UCI.