Cedar Wang (LLM '22 | China)
After graduating from the UC Davis School of Law LL.M. program in 2022, Cedar Wang, originally from Zhengzhou City, China, began her Optional Practical Training (OPT). The OPT is a temporary employment opportunity that allows international students to work for one year after the completion of their degree, in a field related to their studies. Each year, LLM students take advantage of this temporary training opportunity to gain work experience.
Cedar focused her job search on Chinese law firms in the U.S. which led her to an opportunity at Liu Law Firm, in Southern California.
Shortly after starting at Liu Law Firm, Cedar took on a law clerk position. Starting with client intake, her responsibilities increased to handling small cases with her coworkers and eventually taking part in a high-profile civil litigation case. “I participated in various types of litigations, including criminal, civil, and family law cases, gaining both challenging and immensely educational experiences.” Cedar credits this hands-on experience for helping her develop her legal drafting skills and giving her a profound understanding of the use of procedure in complex legal matters.
Cedar highlights the differences between the U.S. and Chinese legal environments. “The U.S. legal environment differs notably from my experiences in China, especially in terms of workplace culture and legal procedures. One major difference is the U.S. legal system's emphasis on due process and extensive discovery. This was a new experience for me,” she notes.
Finding employment in a new country can be challenging, but Cedar offers an encouraging perspective to her fellow international students: “Our bilingual abilities and diverse cultural backgrounds provide a unique advantage, especially in serving specific client communities.”
Reflecting on her experience, Cedar shares, “My OPT experience has been pivotal in shaping my career aspirations. Working in a professional legal environment in the U.S. has not only improved my legal skills but also enhanced my confidence in pursuing a legal career.”