Welcome to the Hot Bench, Julia! And thank you for participating in our 3L Hot Bench send-offs. Let’s just get started with you telling us about what you were up to before law school and what brought you to UVA Law?
Between undergrad and law school, I was back in my hometown, Hong Kong, for two years. I was working at a local charity serving children without families and young pregnant girls. It was a life-changing experience, and I make sure to visit and volunteer whenever I’m back home.
My journey to law school was less intentional than most—I was a philosophy major as an undergrad at UCLA, and I quite literally looked up “what do philosophy majors do for a job.” Google spat out “law school,” and I just kind of took that and went with it. I definitely don’t recommend making big life decisions that carelessly . . . but it did ultimately work out, because I ended up loving it.
It seems like you were doing such impactful work, so how did you come to join a publication of such austere yet dubious character?
I decided to join after I stumbled on the Law Weekly table at the activities fair during my 1L year. I went up to the table just because they were handing out popsicles. But I found that I liked everyone I met, and it made me want to join!
As the Law Weekly’s New Media Editor, have you seen any good “new media” lately that you would recommend to our readership?
Frieren is changing my life, it’s so good. It’s newish—the first season just finished airing last month. I’m also very much looking forward to the new season of Demon Slayer (which starts airing May 12, and which threatens grave harm to my Bar prep.)
What is your favorite place to visit in Charlottesville?
I love Charlottesville so much, it’s almost impossible for me to choose. I love the Downtown Mall—my perfect day involves tea at the Twisted Branch, followed by lunch at Botanical Fare and an afternoon of wandering into all the little shops. Another favorite is the Farmers Market at IX early morning on Saturdays. I also really enjoy just driving around the mountains and back roads – the scenery is so beautiful and always changing from season to season. And most of the year there are horses, cows, deer and other animals everywhere.
What about the most overrated part of Charlottesville?
Monticello is very cool, but there are so many other things to do in Charlottesville that are just as cool and which don’t get nearly as much hype.
I am sure Thomas Jefferson is weeping from the grave. What was your favorite class taken during law school?
I took (and loved) every class Professor Krawiec offers. Repugnant Transactions was my favorite; it had the same energy as some of my undergrad moral philosophy classes. It’s also a class that has really stuck with me—I find myself thinking “what would Professor Krawiec think about this?” super often.
I also recommend Law and Literature with Professor Annie Kim to everyone. That class completely changed the way I read and write, and I truly think I’ll be a better lawyer for having taken it. Professor Kim is a fantastic educator.
What is your favorite law school memory?
There aren’t many places as beautiful as Charlottesville, with such close access to mountains, rivers, campgrounds, waterfalls . . . and I’m moving to New York City after graduation, so my memories in nature will be particularly dear to me. I went on a camping trip with some friends last fall, which is an experience I’ll cherish forever. I’ll also miss the weekly fall visits to Carter Mountain, and all the amazing vineyards nearby.
What brings you the most joy?
Nothing fancy—I get a lot of joy from small things. I really enjoy my day-to-day life. I like waking up early and meditating; collecting and drinking good tea; cooking and trying new recipes; eating dinner with friends; going for walks; drawing and crocheting. I make sure to do each of these things every week. I think it goes a long way toward keeping me sane and balanced in school (and hopefully will when I’m working, too).
Okay, it’s time for our lightning round! What is one class you would have taken if UVA offered it?
I would have loved to take a class on the Philosophy of Law.
Summer or winter Olympics?
Summer! I only really watch diving and gymnastics.
Any ideas for a novel fundraising campaign to cover the Law Weekly’s printing costs next year?
We should start auctioning off our leftover pizza on Tuesday mornings.
What career would you be doing if not law?
I’d like to think I’d be running a board game cafe or something similarly fun. I’ve also always thought it would be fun to illustrate a children’s book or be a postcard designer (is postcard designer a job that exists?)
Favorite painting in the Law School?
The cows!
Alternatives to run against Biden and Trump?
Denise, from the Harris Teeter bar. I seriously love her. The proof is in the photos—if you ever find yourself at the Teeter bar, count how many pictures of me are on the door. Jon Greenstein ’24, Tristan Deering ’24, and I also make up the entire month of September on the Harris Teeter calendar. Yes, really.
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Interviewed by Noah Coco '26