Thank you to Hyeyoon Son for sharing so much great information! To learn more about this new series, please check out the LL.M. Spotlight Series page. Have great advice and a great story to share? Reach out!

1. What made you choose the law school LL.M. program you ultimately decided on?

I chose UVA Law for its prestigious international law program and tight-knit community, which were ideal for advancing my expertise as a Korean attorney in the Korea Exchange (KRX). At KRX, I specialized in derivatives trading regulation and market oversight, earning the 2023 Chairman’s Award for Regulatory Excellence for strengthening compliance frameworks, including collaborations on Dodd-Frank Act, EMIR, and SEC initiatives.

UVA’s robust curriculum in business and corporation, capital market law, with courses
like Securities Regulation and Secured Transactions, corporation law directly complemented my experience in global financial regulation. Moreover, UVA’s proximity to Washington, D.C., a hub for regulatory agencies and NGOs, perfectly aligned with my goal of
pursuing a Korea-D.C. cross-border practice in capital markets.

2. What was your favorite course in the law school you went to?

Secured Transactions and Corporations were my favorite courses at UVA Law, each captivating for their complexity and alignment with my work in derivatives regulation and listed company compliance at the Korea Exchange (KRX).

Secured Transactions, rooted in UCC Article 9, fascinated me with its approach to secured lending and risk management, a topic I found equally compelling in my Korean JD studies.

Corporations, however, stood out even more for its exploration of shareholder rights, board responsibilities, and corporate governance, which mirrored my KRX role in overseeing listed stocks, crafting public disclosure regulations, and ensuring compliance with corporate oversight standards. Delving into fiduciary duties, shareholder activism, and board accountability offered fresh insights into balancing investor protection with corporate innovation—challenges I navigated daily at KRX while shaping compliance frameworks for listed firms.

These courses honed my expertise for a Korea-D.C. cross-border practice in regulatory
compliance.

3. What was your favorite memory from your LL.M. year outside the classroom?

My favorite memory from my LL.M. year at UVA Law was the vibrant community spirit that embraced both JD and LL.M. students equally, despite LL.M.s being a smaller group.

UVA Law opened every opportunity to us, from moot court competitions to journal tryouts,
encouraging active participation beyond the classroom. Joining these activities alongside JD peers was incredibly rewarding and fostered a sense of belonging. Equally unforgettable were the weekly Friday parties, where students, after a rigorous week of study, let loose with infectious enthusiasm. These lively gatherings, filled with laughter and camaraderie, showcased how passionately UVA Law students balance hard work and play, making them a highlight of my year.

4. What is one piece of advice that you have for 2025-26 international LL.M. students?

My advice for 2025-26 international LL.M. students is to embrace both your home roots and new connections to thrive abroad. When homesickness strikes, video calls with family can be a comforting lifeline, helping you recharge emotionally.

As the only Korean LL.M. student at UVA Law, I initially felt isolated, grappling with the distance from my home country. However, actively engaging with fellow LL.M. students through study groups, events, and casual hangouts transformed them into a second family, creating cherished memories that eased my loneliness.

By staying connected to your loved ones and building new bonds at your law school, you’ll find a balance that enriches your LL.M. journey and fuels your global career aspirations.

5. Where did you study for your first degree in law (country, school)?

I earned my first law degree in South Korea at Korea University.

6. What are your plans for after the LL.M.? (Or if not finalized, what field do you hope to work in)

I plan to leverage my D.C. Bar license for a Korea-D.C. cross-border practice, focusing on capital markets and regulatory compliance.

7. If you plan to take a bar exam, which one are you going to sit for? What made you choose it?

I’m preparing for the D.C. Bar Exam, drawn by its emphasis on federal and capital market law, which aligns seamlessly with my experience at the Korea Exchange (KRX) and my ambition to work with D.C.-based regulatory agencies and NGOs.

At KRX, I specialized in derivatives regulation, managed compliance for listed companies, and advised on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) involving capital market transactions, ensuring adherence to global standards like Dodd-Frank and EMIR. This hands-on experience in navigating complex financial regulations and cross-border M&A deals made D.C.’s focus on securities law and federal oversight a perfect fit.

The city’s proximity to institutions like the SEC and NGOs dedicated to international financial policy further fuels my goal of bridging Korean and U.S. regulatory frameworks, making the D.C. Bar the ideal choice to advance my cross-border career.

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hyeyoon-son-673530307/

Beyond Non-JD Note: These stories and pieces of advice will be told by the people who chose to participate, with some light editing occasionally provided by me. Some participants reach out to me, while I reach out to some whose advice and journeys I think would be particularly good fits. Their advice, information, and positions may (sometimes) be different from mine. That’s totally okay! While I do try to vet information, be sure to double check advice with trusted mentors in your network, especially as it applies to your situation, goals, or profile.