Law School Student's Mission is to be an Agent of Change

"I strongly believe in contributing to local communities to give back to those in need and hope to continue to do so in the future. Some of her most meaningful experiences have been as a student representative with the Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association's free legal clinic and Mentorship Program."

From an early age, Jennifer Chor knew she wanted to be in a profession in which she could profoundly help others. She concluded that becoming a trial lawyer would enable her to achieve that goal, and she’s never looked back.

Chor is proud to be a first-generation law student. Her grandparents and parents came to the United States as refugees to escape genocide and war in Cambodia. “To be the first in my family to pursue not only a graduate level education, but also a law degree, gives me a strong sense of personal achievement and accomplishment not only in myself, but as a representation of everything my family has endured to give me the opportunity to seek a better future for myself and my family,” she says.

Chor chose to attend the Caruso School of Law through an endowed scholarship because of the University’s certificate programs, Southern California location, and rising rank among other law programs. She is grateful for the opportunity that the scholarship has afforded her. 

“My scholarship has been a tremendous help in lifting some of the financial burden associated with attending law school,” she says. “It provided me with some mental relief with regards to financial budgeting and allowed me to focus instead on school matters. I would highly recommend students apply for it, because you miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take.”

Currently a 3L student, Chor is a respite worker for her special needs brother. Previously, she was the president of Pepperdine’s Asian American Law Students Association, where she worked with her peers as well as with practicing attorneys. 

“I strongly believe in contributing to local communities to give back to those in need and hope to continue to do so in the future,” she says.

Another way she is hoping to accomplish her personal mission is through the Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association, a bar organization for which she is a student representative. “The most meaningful experiences I have had as part of SCCLA were my experiences with the monthly free legal clinic and my involvement in the Mentorship Program,” she says.

Chor says she truly appreciates her time at Pepperdine. “I've made a close circle of friends and have had many opportunities here to both contribute to the student life and do well academically,” she observes. “The professors are well-versed in the subjects they teach and are always open and willing to help students.”