Age: 30
Family: Wife, Jin, and 3-year-old son, Christopher.
Pets: None
Education: Indiana University, Bachelor's in Applied Health Science, Psychology and Sociology minors, 2005, graduate with distinction; Florida Coastal School of Law, Juris Doctor, 2010.
Admitted to the Bar: September 2010
Employed by: Combs Greene McLester
Field of practice: Family law is my primary area of practice. I also practice personal injury, bankruptcy and foreclosure defense.
Professional organizations: Jacksonville Asian American Bar Association, current president; The Jacksonville Bar Association, member; United States District Court and Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, member; Asian Pacific American Law Student Association, former vice president and member.
Community involvement: As the current president of the Jacksonville Asian American Bar Association, on April 2 we held a joint meeting and networking event with the Asian Pacific American Law Student Association at Florida Coastal School of Law. The local Asian American Bar Association holds an event like this once or twice a year. It also co-sponsored the Poverty Simulation presented by the Human Rights Section of The JBA. I also participated in an eye-opening presentation illustrating the daily hardships faced by those living in poverty. In addition, I provided pro bono legal services to Community Rehabilitation Center, a nonprofit social services agency that offers behavioral care, primary care and community economic development services for the underserved. Outside the legal community, my wife and I are active members at Deermeadows Baptist Church, assisting in the children's ministry and formerly coaching a team for the first season of Upward Soccer.
How did you become involved?
The root of my volunteer involvement in the legal community began as a law student and member of Asian Pacific American Law Student Association at Florida Coastal. Since then, my employment and networking with other volunteers throughout the community have been my largest source of involvement.
How can someone else become involved?
Getting out in the community and networking not only leads to meeting other professionals, but also provides great opportunity to discover ways to engage in volunteer roles that suit your interests. Find out if your employer takes any pro bono cases you could assist with, contact Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (Kathy Para is a great contact and always has cases that need assistance), become a member of a local volunteer Bar association or become actively involved in your church or other institutions with community outreach projects.
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
Being a young attorney, one of the main things I have learned is that it is possible to find a way to balance work demands and still be active in your community.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
Trawick's "Florida Practice and Procedure" and "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho.