Ryan Balaoing
2L; Admissions Ambassador
Hometown:
Milpitas, CA
Professional Interests:
Civil Rights; Criminal Law; Employment and Labor Law; Public Interest
Student Organizations and Extracurricular Activities:
Student Bar Association (Director of Professional Identity and Development, 2024-2025; 1L
Appropriations Committee Representative, 2023-2024); Public Interest Law Fund (Executive Board Member, 2024-2025); UCI Law Mock Trial; UCI Law Admissions Ambassador; First Generation Professionals
Clinic:
Civil Rights Litigation
Housing:
On-Campus
Pro Bono Projects:
Community Legal Aid SoCal’s Clean Slate Clinic; Camp Pendleton Legal Assistance Office; 22nd Judicial District, LA Public Defender’s Office; Elder Law & Disability Rights Center Estate Planning Clinic; Veterans Legal Institute
Meet Ryan:
Hi, my name is Ryan and I'm a first-generation law student and the proud son of immigrants from the Philippines. The law school application and admissions process was definitely a challenge for me, but I quickly decided that UC Irvine Law was my top choice for pursing a legal education. The school's youth and innovative academic program, its community and collegiality, and its emphasis on public interest and service aligned strongly with my own background, interests, and goals.
Since starting at UC Irvine Law, I have enjoyed many of the school's resources and opportunities. For example, participating in pro-bono has allowed me to explore different areas of law and provided me valuable practical experience outside the normal law school curriculum. I was even fortunate enough to travel to Louisiana with UC Irvine Law's Pro Bono Program during Spring Break and work with the Northshore Defenders. This led me to accept a 1L summer job with the Orange County Public Defender's Office; working with the OCPD was such a rewarding experience and gave me a better understanding of the challenges that defendants face within our criminal justice system.
Coming from the Bay Area, I have also enjoyed exploring Southern California. Whether its relaxing at the beach, studying at different coffee shops or attending yoga with friends, there is so much that Orange County has to offer.
I look forward to using the knowledge, experiences, and skills that I have gained at UC Irvine Law to assist underserved communities as a public interest lawyer. I also hope to share my experiences at UC Irvine Law with prospective students and to help inform their choice as they pursue a legal education!