Success Stories

Year 2023 – 2025

Kyosuke Kawashima
Ph.D. in Law, The University of Tokyo, Japan
Associate Professor, Rikkyo University, Japan
Visiting Scholar: September 1, 2023 to July 31, 2025
Faculty Sponsor: Professor Charles Weisselberg (September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024)
Faculty Sponsor: Professor Jonathan Simon (September 1, 2024 to July 31, 2025)

My two years at Berkeley Law have been both intellectually rich and personally meaningful. I attended a wide range of lectures and seminars that deepened my understanding of comparative law and sparked new ideas. The professors were remarkably generous with their time, answering my questions with care and offering guidance that has had a lasting impact on my research. Engaging with legal practitioners during lunch talks and other events also gave me a clearer view of how the U.S. criminal justice system operates in practice.

Interaction with other visiting scholars and students was another highlight. Working alongside colleagues from many different legal systems encouraged me to see familiar issues from new perspectives. Presenting at Professor Weisselberg’s seminar, the Visiting Scholars Symposium, and Professor Mayali’s workshop was enriching. Introducing the Japanese criminal justice system to an international audience and receiving thoughtful feedback was an invaluable part of my experience. As I return to Japan, I am eager to build on what I have learned and continue my comparative law research while contributing to a stronger understanding between the United States, Japan, and the global legal community.

Rafaela Santos Martins da Rosa
Ph.D. in Law, Unisinos University, Brazil
Federal Judge, Federal Regional Court of the Four Region, Brazil
Visiting Scholar: January 13, 2025 to March 14, 2025
Faculty Sponsor: Professor Daniel Farber
I am a federal court judge and professor of Brazilian Judicial Training Schools.

I completed two research internships at the UC Berkeley School of Law, and both were fantastic experiences for my professional development. On my first visit in the fall of 2021, I was delighted with the welcoming campus environment, the availability and interest of the entire faculty, the quality of the research materials and libraries, and the variety and diversity of my colleagues. Upon my return in the early months of 2025, I reinforced my conviction about the excellence of the Law School’s Visiting Scholars Program and its commitment to the academic development of its students. My research contributed concretely to climate change law’s theoretical and practical development in the Brazilian scenario.

Wei Chun Tu
Master in Law, National Taiwan University
District Court Judge, Taiwan
Visiting Scholar: July 18, 2024 to July 17, 2025
Faculty Sponsor: Professor Laurent Mayali

The year I spent at Berkeley Law has been deeply inspiring. This academic journey sharpened my understanding of comparative justice and broadened my perspective through rich academic and cross-cultural exchange.

As a trial judge in Taiwan, I have been actively involved in a significant transformation of our criminal trial system — introducing lay participation in serious criminal cases. This shift prompted me to explore established systems of lay participation, and I came to Berkeley Law to study the U.S. jury system.

Berkeley Law is renowned for its strong commitment to social justice and criminal justice reform. Its open, inclusive, and diverse academic environment attracts innovative, critical-thinking scholars and practitioners around the world. I had the opportunity to present my research at the Visiting Scholars Symposium, where participants generously shared insights from their respective legal systems. I was also honored to have an opportunity to give a speech in Professor Mayali’s class, where I engaged in a lively discussion full of sharp observations and thoughtful questions. In addition, I audited Professor Roth’s Evidence and Criminal Procedure courses, which deepened my understanding of the jury system and introduced me to legal issues I had not previously considered.

Berkeley Law was more than an academic institution. It was a space that fostered connection and inspired new visions. I will be returning to my judicial role with renewed insights and a broader perspective on the future direction of Taiwan’s criminal justice system. I’m deeply grateful for the experience and the people who made it so meaningful.

Shinichi Yuhara
Ph.D. in Law, Waseda University
Professor of Law, Seikei University, Japan
Visiting Scholar: September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2025
Faculty Sponsor: Professor Adam B. Badawi

It was a great honor for me to participate in the Berkeley Law Visiting Scholars Program for two years, especially since two of my PhD supervisors and I were able to conduct our research under the guidance of the excellent Berkeley Law faculty members.  Berkeley Law provided me with the opportunity to learn from other research fellows from around the world, as well as a supportive environment in which to pursue my research project.

The most rewarding experience here at Berkeley Law was attending various events and conferences where professors from different universities presented their latest unpublished work.  Not only could I learn about the development and trends in business law research from the presentation, but I could also gain insight into the nuances of each research topic through the vivid discussions among the participants.  I am fortunate and thankful to have had this precious opportunity.

Year 2024 

Wagner Menezes
Ph.D. In Law, University of São Paulo, Brazil
International Law Professor, University of São Paulo, Brazil
Director, The Brazilian Center for Research on Contemporary International Law
Visiting Scholar: March 1, 2024 to August 31, 2024
Faculty Sponsor: Professor John Yoo

Being accepted into one of the leading institutions in the world is a great honor. Joining “The Berkeley Law Visiting Scholars Program” was an excellent opportunity for the development of the internationalization of my academic career and personal improvement.

During the visit, I had the opportunity to count on the excellent infrastructure for research, with particular emphasis on the support of the staff, rooms, libraries, and online services. This program allowed me to develop independent academic research and production of scientific articles. I participated actively in educational activities in courses, seminars, and events that allowed me to establish a dialogue with different academics and deepen my pedagogical experience from the experience with the methodologies undertaken in the activities.

Pascal Zysset
Ph.D. in Law, University of Bern, Switzerland
Partner at Häusermann + Partner, Switzerland
Lecturer at the University of Lucerne, Switzerland
Visiting Scholar: August 1, 2024 to November 15, 2024
Faculty Sponsor: Professor Stavros Gadinis

I had a formative time at Berkeley Law School as a Visiting Scholar. From day one, I was inspired by UC Berkeley’s unique combination of academic rigor and its vibrant, diverse community. The encouragement to challenge conventional norms and think beyond established frameworks was palpable, fueling my research and leading to new insights into international aspects of company law. Beyond the academic sphere, Berkeley’s natural beauty and culture provided moments of balance and inspiration. By the end of my time at Berkeley Law School, I had made meaningful contributions to my academic work. But more than that, I left with a renewed commitment to innovation and collaboration, ready to bring that energy back to Switzerland and inspire others as Berkeley Law School had inspired me.

Year 2022 – 2024

Liliam Sanchez Carrete
Ph.D. in Administration, University of São Paulo
Professor, University of São Paulo, Brazil
Visiting Scholar: January 19, 2023 to December 22, 2023
Faculty Sponsor: Professor Robert Bartlett

I am grateful to the Berkeley Law Visiting Scholars Program for hosting me for one year in 2023! It has been a life-changing experience in research: the provided structure stimulates staying on campus with so many options to conduct research, such as the law library’s online databases and various online resources.

In addition, I had the opportunity to talk to many stakeholders in entrepreneurship, which gave me the whole vision of Berkeley initiatives that support students to create startups. Finally, considering extension activities, I had the opportunity to experience the process of analyzing and deciding from a Venture Call Fund perspective, which completed knowledge to strengthen my research with significant quality improvements.

Wontae

Wontae Jang
JD in Law, Kyungpook National University
Judge Advocate, Republic of Korea Air Force, South Korea
Visiting Scholar: August 16, 2023 to January 30, 2024
Faculty Sponsor: Professor John Yoo

My name is Wontae Jang, and I am a Judge Advocate (Military Judicial Officer) in the Republic of Korea Air Force. With the support of the Republic of Korea Air Force, I can participate in the Visiting Scholar Program of UC Berkeley School of Law to study international law. As a result, I have been able to participate in research and study activities as a short-term visiting scholar from August 2023 to January 2024.

I received tremendous support from Berkeley Law by allowing me to attend different events and audit law classes. Use the visiting scholar’s areas, libraries, and online resources to research and study International Law. I prepared and submitted a report on the research results related to international law, which could contribute to the defense capabilities of the Republic of Korea. I’m proud to be part of the Berkeley Law community. U.C. Berkeley School of Law gave its best support for the research of Visiting Scholars. I am glad I have an opportunity to join the Berkeley Law Visiting Scholars Program and hope to revisit it.

Kai Wu
Ph.D. in Law, Peking University
Assistant Professor, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, China
Visiting Scholar: February 20, 2022 to February 19, 2024
Faculty Sponsor: Professor Steven Davidoff Solomon

I joined the Visiting Scholars Program twice as a student visiting researcher between 2016 and 2017 and joined again as a Visiting Scholar from 2022 to 2024. My scholarly interests focus on “Environmental Law’s Role in Fostering Responsible Innovation” and “How ESG Initiative Generates Entrepreneurship in Water Technology Startups.” 
 
As a law professor, meeting the challenges of this era will require creativity and tackling the most demanding challenges facing the world today, such as the climate crisis and AI. The Berkeley Law Visiting Scholar Program allows me to learn from law professors, attend numerous law events, audit law classes, and navigate the campus libraries to conduct my research. I become the best version of myself. Also, two of my faculty sponsors, Professor Steven Davidoff Solomon and Professor Daniel Farber’s expertise, strongly supported my research project. Under their supervision, I have achievements that I cannot predict.  
 

Kwangsok Yon
Ph.D. in Law, Seoul National University School of Law
Staff Director, Health and Welfare Committee in the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea
Visiting Scholar: August 22, 2022 to July 21, 2024
Faculty Sponsor: Professor John Yoo

U.C. Berkeley School of Law is a prestigious university with a long tradition, and I have been familiar with it since I was young. In this regard, I was thrilled and honored to stay at this school as a visiting scholar. During my stay as a visiting scholar, I was able to gain a lot of experience and enlightenment, including students who are engrossed in discussions here and there, professors who eagerly teach in classrooms to awaken students’ legal minds, and attending international seminars to discuss the legal system of each country. I have returned to South Korea and am in charge of reviewing bills and budgets for health and welfare in the Korean Parliament.  I am confident that what I have learned from watching the free and extensive debate between professors and students at Berkeley and from my experience living in numerous materials will become my assets and contribute to the development of Korean policy.
 

Year 2022

Botirjon Kosimov
Ph.D. in Law, Tashkent State University of Law
Acting Associate Professor, Tashkent State University of Law, Uzbekistan
Visiting Scholar: August 1, 2022 to October 29, 2022
Faculty Sponsor: Judge Jeremy Fogel (retired)

I am very grateful to the Berkeley Law for its Visiting Scholars Program, which gave me a lot of opportunities for doing research and personal development. During my time at the Berkeley Law I researched the issues of judicial independence under the supervision of Professor Judge Jeremy Fogel, audited classes of Distinguished Professor Erwin Chemerinsky and Professor Amanda Tyler, and successfully presented the results of research to the Law School Community at the end of my visit. 

After returning to home country, I gave a presentation to the community of my university about my visit to the Berkeley Law School and my research results. I published a book and an article related to my research topic. I integrated what I learnt at the Berkeley Law into my teaching.