December 6, 2021

Legal Clinic Leaders Series - 3L One Choi

Meet the students who work directly with and in the community to provide quality legal representation to underserved individuals through our Legal Clinic Leaders blog series. We're excited to spotlight these all-star advocates and showcase the many different fields of law you can explore through our legal clinics and the wide range of opportunities available at Southwestern to gain practical lawyering skills. We hope their experiences will inspire YOU to join a legal clinic.

Meet 3L One Choi

Children's Rights Clinic, Spring 2020

Why did you decide to participate in a clinic?

I was looking for more practical experience. I've always been fond of kids, so I knew I wanted to help kids in some way, shape, or form.

What stands out about your clinic experience?

How much the professors care about your professional development.

What skills and knowledge did you learn from your clinic experience?

Special education law, negotiating and drafting complaints.

What do you think helped take you from student to advocate?

The simulations were critical to my success.

What words of advice would you have for future clinic students?

Make sure you learn the law upfront so that you can be a confident advocate. The more well-versed you are, the better you will be. Trust the process.

Please provide an inspiring anecdote from your clinical work experience.

My partner and I had a meeting with the school district to discuss a 504 plan that was deficient and not being administered in its entirety. We knew we were coming in with a tall order, but we were well-prepared and stood our ground. Out of the six additional accommodations we sought, we successfully received five. What made this particular 504 meeting special for me was that Professor Fee, who was always with us until that point, was not there. My partner and I advocated zealously on behalf of the client without the supervision of our professor and obtained stellar results. While the 504 meeting was daunting, it was a special moment that transformed me from a law student to a lawyer.

Interested in learning more about the legal clinics? Visit our Clinics page here.