Partner at Hutchison & Steffen and Nevada Supreme Court, Seat F
Hutchison & Steffen
Type of Business: Legal
Based In: Las Vegas, NV
Hails From: Jeonju, South Korea
Years Org. has been in Nevada: 26
Years with Organization in Nevada: 20
Employees in Nevada: 105
How did you get into your profession?
After undergrad, I had the distinct honor of meeting and working with the late, great Rosa Parks. We worked in tandem to build a computer learning center aimed at targeting inner-city youth in an effort to bridge the digital divide. When we spoke, she asked whether I had any other aspirations in life, and I told her that I was thinking about going to law school, to which she responded, “Baby, if you want to go to law school, you go to law school!!” When Rosa Parks tells you to go to law school, you go to law school.
What has been instrumental to your success?
Mentorship, encouragement, opportunities and hard work [have been instrumental]. When someone opens the door for you, walk through.
What career advice would you give to someone just starting in your industry?
Work hard, become the stand-out associate, develop your own style as a litigator, always, always remain respectful and ethical. It takes years to develop a good reputation and only a few bad decisions to ruin it.
What is the best moment of your career?
Other than landing the dream job of a lifetime with Hutchison & Steffen right out of law school, I would say being appointed as a Justice to the Nevada Supreme Court is the cherry on the top of my legal career for sure. I’m still pinching myself.
What would be the title of your autobiography?
“Lifting as We Climb.”
What leaders do you look up to?
There are too many to name in one interview. I read the autobiography of Malcom X in high school, and it transformed by life. I heard Nelson Mandela deliver an address at the Los Angeles Colosseum while in high school, and it transformed my life. I met and worked with Rosa Parks after I graduated from USC, and it changed my life … I could write a book about the people who have inspired me.
What do you hope future generations can learn from your professional journey?
That you can do it. Don’t let anyone tell you “you’re not ready,” “not good enough” or that you should “wait your turn.” You can do it; and you can do it now. Excuses will always be there for you. Opportunity won’t. Carpe diem!
