Success Stories

Year 2024 – 2025

Pascal Zysset
Ph.D. in Law, University of Bern, Switzerland
Partner at Häusermann + Partner, Switzerland
Lecturer at the University of Lucerne, Switzerland
Visiting Scholar: August 1, 2024 to November 15, 2024
Faculty Sponsor: Professor Stavros Gadinis

I had a formative time at Berkeley Law School as a Visiting Scholar. From day one, I was inspired by UC Berkeley’s unique combination of academic rigor and its vibrant, diverse community. The encouragement to challenge conventional norms and think beyond established frameworks was palpable, fueling my research and leading to new insights into international aspects of company law. Beyond the academic sphere, Berkeley’s natural beauty and culture provided moments of balance and inspiration. By the end of my time at Berkeley Law School, I had made meaningful contributions to my academic work. But more than that, I left with a renewed commitment to innovation and collaboration, ready to bring that energy back to Switzerland and inspire others as Berkeley Law School had inspired me.

Wagner Menezes
Ph.D. In Law, University of São Paulo, Brazil
International Law Professor, University of São Paulo, Brazil
Director, The Brazilian Center for Research on Contemporary International Law
Visiting Scholar: March 1, 2024 to August 31, 2024
Faculty Sponsor: Professor John Yoo

Being accepted into one of the leading institutions in the world is a great honor. Joining “The Berkeley Law Visiting Scholars Program” was an excellent opportunity for the development of the internationalization of my academic career and personal improvement.

During the visit, I had the opportunity to count on the excellent infrastructure for research, with particular emphasis on the support of the staff, rooms, libraries, and online services. This program allowed me to develop independent academic research and production of scientific articles. I participated actively in educational activities in courses, seminars, and events that allowed me to establish a dialogue with different academics and deepen my pedagogical experience from the experience with the methodologies undertaken in the activities.

Kwangsok Yon
Ph.D. in Law, Seoul National University School of Law
Staff Director, Health and Welfare Committee in the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea
Visiting Scholar: August 22, 2022 to July 21, 2024
Faculty Sponsor: Professor John Yoo

U.C. Berkeley School of Law is a prestigious university with a long tradition, and I have been familiar with it since I was young. In this regard, I was thrilled and honored to stay at this school as a visiting scholar. During my stay as a visiting scholar, I was able to gain a lot of experience and enlightenment, including students who are engrossed in discussions here and there, professors who eagerly teach in classrooms to awaken students’ legal minds, and attending international seminars to discuss the legal system of each country. I have returned to South Korea and am in charge of reviewing bills and budgets for health and welfare in the Korean Parliament.  I am confident that what I have learned from watching the free and extensive debate between professors and students at Berkeley and from my experience living in numerous materials will become my assets and contribute to the development of Korean policy.

Year 2022 – 2024

Liliam Sanchez Carrete
Ph.D. in Administration, University of São Paulo
Professor, University of São Paulo, Brazil
Visiting Scholar: January 19, 2023 to December 22, 2023
Faculty Sponsor: Professor Robert Bartlett

I am grateful to the Berkeley Law Visiting Scholars Program for hosting me for one year in 2023! It has been a life-changing experience in research: the provided structure stimulates staying on campus with so many options to conduct research, such as the law library’s online databases and various online resources.

In addition, I had the opportunity to talk to many stakeholders in entrepreneurship, which gave me the whole vision of Berkeley initiatives that support students to create startups. Finally, considering extension activities, I had the opportunity to experience the process of analyzing and deciding from a Venture Call Fund perspective, which completed knowledge to strengthen my research with significant quality improvements.

Wontae

Wontae Jang
JD in Law, Kyungpook National University
Judge Advocate, Republic of Korea Air Force, South Korea
Visiting Scholar: August 16, 2023 to January 30, 2024
Faculty Sponsor: Professor John Yoo

My name is Wontae Jang, and I am a Judge Advocate (Military Judicial Officer) in the Republic of Korea Air Force. With the support of the Republic of Korea Air Force, I can participate in the Visiting Scholar Program of UC Berkeley School of Law to study international law. As a result, I have been able to participate in research and study activities as a short-term visiting scholar from August 2023 to January 2024.

I received tremendous support from Berkeley Law by allowing me to attend different events and audit law classes. Use the visiting scholar’s areas, libraries, and online resources to research and study International Law. I prepared and submitted a report on the research results related to international law, which could contribute to the defense capabilities of the Republic of Korea. I’m proud to be part of the Berkeley Law community. U.C. Berkeley School of Law gave its best support for the research of Visiting Scholars. I am glad I have an opportunity to join the Berkeley Law Visiting Scholars Program and hope to revisit it.

Kai Wu
Ph.D. in Law, Peking University
Assistant Professor, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, China
Visiting Scholar: February 20, 2022 to February 19, 2024
Faculty Sponsor: Professor Steven Davidoff Solomon

I joined the Visiting Scholars Program twice as a student visiting researcher between 2016 and 2017 and joined again as a Visiting Scholar from 2022 to 2024. My scholarly interests focus on “Environmental Law’s Role in Fostering Responsible Innovation” and “How ESG Initiative Generates Entrepreneurship in Water Technology Startups.” 
 
As a law professor, meeting the challenges of this era will require creativity and tackling the most demanding challenges facing the world today, such as the climate crisis and AI. The Berkeley Law Visiting Scholar Program allows me to learn from law professors, attend numerous law events, audit law classes, and navigate the campus libraries to conduct my research. I become the best version of myself. Also, two of my faculty sponsors, Professor Steven Davidoff Solomon and Professor Daniel Farber’s expertise, strongly supported my research project. Under their supervision, I have achievements that I cannot predict.  

Year 2021 – 2022

Botirjon Kosimov
Ph.D. in Law, Tashkent State University of Law
Acting Associate Professor, Tashkent State University of Law, Uzbekistan
Visiting Scholar: August 1, 2022 to October 29, 2022
Faculty Sponsor: Judge Jeremy Fogel (retired)

I am very grateful to the Berkeley Law for its Visiting Scholars Program, which gave me a lot of opportunities for doing research and personal development. During my time at the Berkeley Law I researched the issues of judicial independence under the supervision of Professor Judge Jeremy Fogel, audited classes of Distinguished Professor Erwin Chemerinsky and Professor Amanda Tyler, and successfully presented the results of research to the Law School Community at the end of my visit. 

After returning to home country, I gave a presentation to the community of my university about my visit to the Berkeley Law School and my research results. I published a book and an article related to my research topic. I integrated what I learnt at the Berkeley Law into my teaching.