Alumni Feature: Jaechul Lee

Meet Jaechul Lee, an LL.M. (’24) alum and a Senior Manager at the Financial Supervisory Service from Seoul, South Korea. Before enrolling in the UC Davis School of Law LL.M. program, Lee oversaw the operations of financial institutions, including banks, securities firms, and insurance companies. “I have a strong interest in finance and majored in law during my undergraduate studies,” Lee explained. “This combination naturally led me to work for an organization that regulates and supervises financial institutions.”

Jaechul’s decision to join the UC Davis School of Law LL.M. program was influenced by a recommendation from his former coworker, Jiho Song, who studied at UC Davis from 2020 to 2022 and successfully passed the Washington, D.C. Bar exam.

Jaechul particularly appreciates the program’s supportive environment. “UC Davis provides excellent support for students through its dedicated professors and administrators. It also offers a very safe and study-friendly environment.”

In addition to the preparation of his LL.M. degree, Jaechul achieved a major milestone by passing the Washington, D.C. Bar exam in July 2024. To prepare for the bar exam, Jaechul followed advice from his coworker, Jiho, and began using a commercial bar prep program before arriving in California. Once at UC Davis, he took advantage of the UC Davis School of Law Bar+ program, led by Associate Dean Greenwood and Professor Morri, finding the program to be “incredibly helpful in preparing for the Bar exam.”

For prospective LL.M. students, Lee advises careful preparation, especially for those unfamiliar with U.S. legal systems and terminology. “Studying U.S. law is very challenging for international students, and language is one of the biggest obstacles,” he noted. “I recommend that students familiarize themselves with U.S. legal terminology before starting an LL.M. program.”

Reflecting on his experience, he noted “In Korea, where I’m from, society is very competitive. In California, I was struck by how people prioritize enjoying life. It’s a mindset I’m trying to adopt.”