IRVINE, Calif. (March 4, 2025) — The University of California, Irvine School of Law (UC Irvine Law) and Seoul National University School of Law (SNU Law) have launched their first pro bono collaboration, underscoring the schools’ shared commitment to global legal education and public interest work. UC Irvine Law’s Michael G. Ermer Pro Bono Program and Korea Law Center have partnered with SNU Law’s Public Interest Legal Center to provide students with hands-on comparative legal research experience. The first project through this initiative will focus on labor rights and gig economy regulations.
Under the supervision of Professor Julia Choi, a clinical professor at SNU Law specializing in labor rights in Korea, first-year UC Irvine Law students Jamie Morishima and Elizabeth Hwang will analyze the effects of California Assembly Bill 5 (AB 5), a law that redefines certain gig workers as employees rather than independent contractors. Their findings will offer valuable insights into labor protections and potential legislative developments in Korea, where gig workers currently lack employment protections.
“This collaboration is an exciting opportunity for our students to engage in meaningful comparative legal research,” said Grace Lee, Program Director of the Korea Law Center. “We hope this is just the beginning of more joint efforts with SNU Law.”
The partnership builds upon discussions held during UC Irvine Law’s visit to SNU Law in December, where Jasminder Deol, Assistant Dean of Career Development; Anna Davis, Director of Externships and Pro Bono Programs; and Grace Lee presented at the International Conference on Public Interest Career Development and Clinical Legal Education in Asia.
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