Career Path Of A Lawyer At King And Spalding
Christopher's career path, driven by internships focusing on "entrepreneurship and leadership," led from undergraduate studies at UC Davis to the Marine Corps, where the experience, though initially surprising ("running around in the woods with a pack and a rifle"), shaped their perspective. This journey continued through USC Gould School of Law, an MBA at UCLA Anderson, and smaller firms, ultimately culminating in a position at King & Spalding, LLP, demonstrating a unique blend of military service, legal expertise, and business acumen.
Career Exploration, Leadership Development, Military Experience, Entrepreneurship, Networking
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Christopher Jew
Associate (lawyer)
King & Spalding, LLP
University of California, Davis
USC Gould School of Law, J.D.; UCLA Anderson School of Management, MBA
Economics
Healthcare, Medical & Wellness, Law
Legal
Worked 20+ Hours in School, Veteran
Video Highlights
1. During his undergraduate career, he completed internships at College Works painting (entrepreneurship and leadership) and the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School. This combination of experiences reflects his interest in leadership and law, shaping his career path.
2. He pursued a multifaceted career path, combining law school (USC Gould School of Law), military service (five years in the Marine Corps), and an MBA (UCLA Anderson). This showcases diverse experiences that enhanced his skillset and broadened his perspective.
3. He emphasizes the importance of networking and using available resources (GI Bill) to achieve career goals. His transition from the Marines to a smaller firm and then King & Spalding highlights the value of connections and adapting to different environments.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college and any internships or jobs you had before your current role?
I'm about 34 years old, and roughly 12 years out of college. My path to becoming a lawyer at a large law firm has been varied. I attended UC Davis for my undergraduate studies, graduating in about three years.
During my time at Davis, I completed two main internships. One was with College Works Painting, focusing on entrepreneurship and leadership. The other was with the Marine Corps at Officer Candidate School. I majored in managerial economics, and reading business books sparked my interest in leadership.
At the same time, I had always wanted to be a lawyer, dating back to mock trial and debate in high school. One of the books I encountered during an internship was "Good to Great," which highlighted the Marine Corps as a strong leadership organization.
A question asked at an internship training event was, "What would you regret not doing?" This framework is useful for considering life decisions, especially when faced with uncertainty.
I recall being torn between law schools. I flipped a coin, but realized I genuinely wanted to attend the other school. After my first internship, I decided to join the Marine Corps while still pursuing my goal of becoming a lawyer.
I asked the Marines if I could be both a Marine and a lawyer. They explained it would be a long path: finish undergraduate, attend law school, and then commit to the Marine Corps for four or five years. Because I was eager to join the Marines, I accelerated my undergraduate graduation by a year.
My path then led from undergraduate studies to USC Gould School of Law, as I was committed to becoming a lawyer. Following law school, I served in the Marine Corps for five years. The Marine Corps uniquely requires its lawyers to undergo the same training as all other service members.
Right after passing the bar, I found myself running through the woods with a pack and rifle, questioning my decisions. However, the training, as everyone warned, was not indicative of the broader Marine Corps experience.
After completing the initial training pipeline, I was stationed at the Marine Corps base in 29 Palms, California. There, I held positions in legal assistance, prosecution, and operational law. Eventually, I decided I loved the Marine Corps but wanted to deepen my legal expertise and have more control over my location.
This led me to decide to leave the service in 2019. Before my departure, I used my GI Bill to pursue a Master of Business Administration at UCLA Anderson. I pursued this MBA for two reasons: I believed it would make me a better business person, recognizing that lawyers are essentially providing professional services to solve problems, much like consultants.
Secondly, if I ever decided against a legal career, which was partly why I joined the Marine Corps to create options, I would have an alternative. After leaving the Marines in 2019, I still wanted to be a lawyer.
I initially worked at a smaller law firm for about a year and a half. Through networking and connections with former colleagues, I inquired about the specialized field of healthcare law, which I now practice. They mentioned an open position, and that's how I ended up at my current firm.
Overall, I believe my internships were the primary drivers of my career path. The entrepreneurship and leadership internship ultimately led me to the Marine Corps and down the path I'm on today.