Yungmoon’s Career Story

We are proven trial lawyers whose training begins even before we set foot in the door as full-time associates. Our in-house training provides the opportunity to learn from the best in the industry, which in turn enables us to benefit from early courtroom experience. Besides substantive training, the Firm also invests in our personal development, for example, through encouraging pro bono work and investing in diversity initiatives.

The open assignment system truly allows you to shape your career path. The hallmark of the open assignment system is flexibility — you select who you work with, and the types of matters you work on. These choices allow you to develop experience in a specific area or, conversely, to explore a new area of law. I have been approached by partners to work on cases, and I’ve also reached out to specific partners to join others. Having the ability to choose your matters enables you to shape your career path however you like, and you never know where it may take you.

I had the opportunity to examine a witness at trial as a second-year associate. That would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of my entire trial team. That early trial experience impacted my approach to cases and is something that I will always carry with me.

The Firm’s emphasis on pro bono work has shaped my career in a significant way. Just months into my career, I represented a victim of domestic violence at a hearing and obtained a victory for the client. The client was extremely grateful, and I felt empowered by impacting our client’s life in a positive way, even as a junior attorney working outside my practice area.

I am the local coordinator for the Los Angeles Asian American Affinity Group, participant in the Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI), and member of the Associates’ Committee. All of these groups have been wonderful resources for me during my time at Kirkland. I have had meaningful discussions in these groups, ranging from substantive programming, to current issues, to catching up on lives outside the office. The groups provide a wonderful opportunity to meet attorneys from other practice areas within the office, as well as attorneys from different offices across the world.

I attended the summer diversity retreat in Chicago, where I not only met other associates and summer associates of many different backgrounds, but was also able to participate in very frank discussions about what the Firm is doing well when it comes to diversity, and where we can continue to improve our efforts to recruit and retain diverse talent.