Meet Cloyie Yoon, a dedicated 2L student at Western State College of Law who is making her mark through leadership in student organizations and community outreach. Through her roles in multiple legal associations and mock trial competitions, she’s building a strong sense of community and support among her peers, both on and off campus, while pursuing her passion for civil litigation.
“When I came to law school, I wanted to get the most out of my experience,” Cloyie explains. “I wanted to find different communities where I could meet new people.” That drive led her to run for leadership positions in the Business Law Association (BLA) and Women’s Law Association (WLA). Now serving as Co-President of WLA and the Marketing Chair of BLA, Cloyie is focused on fostering inclusivity and engagement. “No matter what organization I’m in, I want to provide a sense of community,” she says, “and to offer a platform for growth and networking.”
Leading with Purpose at Western State
Cloyie Yoon has made it a priority to be actively involved in the student community at Western State. “I’ve always been a big advocate for women’s rights and equality,” Cloyie shares. “When the opportunity to run for co-president for WLA was presented to me, I took it.” For Cloyie, this was a chance to empower women and create a more level playing field in law and empower women on campus.
While business law isn’t the field Cloyie plans to practice, she intentionally pursued a leadership position in BLA as a 1L to network with a more diverse group of students. “I knew that it would expose me to a different group of people with different interests than my close group of friends at school,” she says.
Through both WLA and BLA, Cloyie exemplifies what it means to be a student leader. She enjoys helping bring students together to uplift the law school community around her.
Importance of Community and Giving Back
Cloyie’s leadership roles extend beyond Western State. She is currently the 2L representative for the Orange County Korean American Bar Association (OCKABA) and is also a member of both the Orange County Women Lawyers Association and the Orange County Asian American Bar Association.
“Going outside of school exposes you to such a large group of people,” she says. “OCKABA has allowed me to meet a lot of attorneys and law students from other schools with the same background and culture as me. It’s very fulfilling and beneficial.” Cloyie emphasized the significance of mentorship in the Korean community, especially for students like herself who, having grown up without exposure to people in the legal field, greatly benefit from such guidance. “Other attorneys I’ve met were in the same exact position as me, with no one in their family being in the legal profession. They’ve helped me a lot,” she explains. “That’s why when I am able to give back and help someone who was once in my shoes, I would do so in a heartbeat.”
For Cloyie, giving back is a core value. “My friends and family have been so supportive of me throughout my entire life,” she says. “I don’t know how I would be in this position without them.” This is why she believes it’s so important to give back to her friends and family. “It’s the least I can do to show how appreciative I am of them.”
Preparing for the Legal Field with Mock Trials
Along with being a strong believer in giving back, Cloyie is also a dedicated member of Western State’s mock trial team. She has competed in UCLA’s Premier Trial Competition and the Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA) competition. “It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s very rewarding,” she says. “Being on the Mock Trial team has helped me learn to develop confidence in and out of the courtroom.”
Beyond sharpening her litigation skills, participating in mock trials has helped Cloyie develop her time management and teamwork skills; it requires late hours, early mornings, and weekend practices on top of her studies. “You really have to learn how to balance your time properly,” she says.
Why Cloyie Chose Western State
Cloyie’s decision to attend Western State for law school was deeply personal. “I wanted to be close to my family in Orange County,” she explains. But it was more than the location that sealed the deal for her. “I went to different prospective student events. At the one for Western State, all the administrators, professors, even current students were there,” she recalls. “They made me feel a sense of community, or family, just by wanting to get to know me. That made me feel like I belong.”
Cloyie was very impressed by the close-knit environment she saw at Western State. “We’re big but small and intimate at the same time. Everyone knows each other, and it’s very welcoming and warm on campus,” she adds. “I’ve always sought a family-like environment, so Western State just felt like a close family from the beginning.”
Overcoming Self-Doubt in Law School
Like many law students, Cloyie has experienced moments of self-doubt, particularly the tendency to compare her accomplishments with those of her peers. “I’d see what other students were doing and it made me feel like I wasn’t doing enough,” she shares. Although she sometimes finds herself falling back into that mindset, she has worked on prioritizing her own path over comparing it to others. “I have learned to not care about what anyone else is doing and try to just focus on myself,” she explains. For fellow students struggling with similar feelings, Cloyie offers this valuable advice: “Just focus on yourself and do what’s best for you. As long as you give it your all, that’s all that matters.” She also shared some wisdom she received from her father that left a lasting impression on her. “My dad always told me, ‘You will never know until you try. But give it 100% of your best effort so you know you won’t regret it later on.’”
A Love for Travel, Food, and Family
In her free time, Cloyie likes trying new cuisines with her dad, spending time with her dog, cycling, boxing, and going to the beach. A key moment from her childhood was when she traveled to South Korea alone, at the age of 12. “I felt a sense of independence. It exposed me to a different perspective of life, and made me curious to see what other cultures are like,” she shares.
Having developed a love for traveling, Cloyie dreams of visiting Japan, Greece, and Spain next. “Each culture is so different and significant. I want to experience as many as I can.”
A Future Rooted in Purpose
When asked what makes her proud to be a part of the Western State community, Cloyie lights up. “I’m proud to say this school gives us great opportunities and networks to be able to succeed,” she shares. “Seeing the alumni from our school and seeing how successful they are makes me so proud. They came from my school, and I’m on the same route.”
Through her journey at Western State, the oldest law school in Orange County and one the most affordable law schools in California, Cloyie Yoon has transformed from a student seeking community to a leader creating it. Her involvement in student organizations, professional associations, and mock trial competitions demonstrates how personal growth and community building can enhance legal education. A student breaking down barriers and creating inclusive spaces for others, Cloyie is a perfect example of Western State’s mission to develop legal professionals who make a difference, both in law school and beyond.
