Jaewon Lee (Class of 2021) works at the Korean Ministry of Justice and is currently seconded as a Legal Expert to the UNCITRAL Regional Centre for Asia and the Pacific (UNCITRAL RCAP).

Looking back, I can see how faithfully God has guided me toward a prayer I had almost forgotten. As an undergraduate studying International Studies, I often prayed that I would one day be able to contribute to God’s justice in hurting parts of the world. That prayer led me to HILS, where I hoped to prepare for a career as a Christian lawyer. I still remember sharing that goal during my admissions interview.

During the busy and demanding years of law school, however, that vision gradually faded into the background. By the time I graduated, I had largely forgotten that prayer. But God had not. He led me first to the Ministry of Justice and then to UNCITRAL.

One of my most meaningful experiences at the Ministry of Justice was working on Official Development Assistance (ODA) programs. I had the opportunity to support a developing country as it strengthened its legal system, including through the establishment of courts and the development of legal frameworks. At UNCITRAL, I continue similar work by providing technical assistance to countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

HILS prepared me for this work in ways that go far beyond learning U.S. law. The school strengthened my ability to reason carefully, analyze complex issues, and make sense of unfamiliar legal materials. The Socratic Method was especially valuable because it taught me to think on my feet and approach difficult questions with clarity. Those skills are part of my daily work as I engage with international conventions, diverse legal systems, and projects across multiple jurisdictions.

Working in government and at an international organization like UNCITRAL requires a great deal of flexibility. It means moving quickly between broad international frameworks and practical, country-specific challenges. UNCITRAL brings together delegates from around the world to harmonize international trade law and support member states in modernizing their domestic laws. In that setting, the analytical foundation I gained at HILS helps me understand unfamiliar systems and work across the differences between civil-law and common-law traditions.

What sets HILS apart, however, is not only the training it provides. HILS taught me to view my work as a calling and to care for the people I work with. The example of the professors—their commitment to their students and their willingness to live out what they taught about being Christian lawyers—has stayed with me. Their example continues to guide me in my professional life.

My advice to current and prospective students is simple: trust God completely. He is always ahead of your plans. My time at HILS was not without self-doubt or anxiety about the future, but Proverbs 16:9 has remained a source of encouragement: “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” Where you are today is not simply the result of your own effort. It is also the result of God’s guidance and the faithful prayers of the HILS community. As you walk humbly with Him, He will lead you step by step.

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