Biography
Se Hwa immigrated from Korea to Southern California in 2005. As the eldest child in a family where English was a second language, she developed a natural inclination toward advocacy from an early age, often serving as a bridge between her parents and various institutions. This formative experience shaped her understanding of the challenges faced by those navigating complex legal systems without adequate support.
With that understanding, Se Hwa pursued a legal career with the mission of supporting others during their most vulnerable moments. She began her practice in disability rights and special education law, championing the rights of students and their families seeking appropriate educational services and accommodations. She later transitioned to family law, where she found her calling in guiding clients through some of life’s most challenging transitions. Her multicultural background and early experiences as her own family’s advocate have given her unique insight into the complex dynamics that families face.
Se Hwa is dedicated to providing compassionate, skilled representation that empowers her clients to move forward with confidence. She understands that legal matters involving family are deeply personal and approaches each case with the sensitivity and thoroughness it deserves. Her goal is not only to achieve favorable outcomes but to help clients emerge from difficult circumstances ready to make a new start and build a better future for themselves and their families.
Interesting Facts
Se Hwa centers her strategy on ensuring clients not only feel genuinely heard but also that they are able to maintain control over the decisions affecting their lives. Drawing from her early experiences in bridging language and cultural gaps, she prioritizes clear communication and aims to translate complex legal concepts into understandable explanations, striving to enable clients to make informed decisions about their future. While addressing immediate legal needs, she works to position clients for long-term success and stability. Se Hwa views each case as an opportunity to help individuals and families emerge stronger, more informed, and ready to embrace their next chapter with confidence.
Se Hwa earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Irvine, graduating cum laude with a double major in Psychology and Criminology. She went on to receive her Juris Doctorate from the University of Illinois College of Law.
During law school, she was selected for the Anderson Fellowship Extern position with Equip for Equality in Summer 2022, followed by her designation as the Fall 2022 recipient of the Brad & Terri Lane Internship through the Public Interest Law Initiative’s Student Internship Program. She also served as a Teaching Assistant for two undergraduate Introduction to Law courses and graduated as a Leadership Scholar with a Pro Bono notation.