University of Arizona Law Student Jennifer Shim Awarded Prestigious Scholarship from The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

University of Arizona Law second-year student Jennifer Shim was awarded the Sharon and Ivan Leadership (SAIL) scholarship by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) Law Foundation (NLF) for her outstanding professional promise and leadership potential. 

The national SAIL Scholarship is awarded to an individual with academic excellence, demonstrated leadership and commitment to community. 

“I feel so honored to have been selected for such a prestigious scholarship,” said Shim. “Being named a SAIL scholar is such a great boost to my confidence because it’s recognition of my accomplishments and potential as a future lawyer and leader. As a nontraditional student, with law school marking a significant career change, this milestone is an impactful reminder that I made the right decision to pursue a career in law. 

Shim, a New York City native and first-generation Korean American, credits her journey to law school to her desire to be a role model for her son.  

“Becoming a mother was a transformative experience that led me to deeply reflect on my future. I wanted to be a role model for my son, showing him the importance of pursuing your goals with determination and resilience,” said Shim. “It wasn’t just about me anymore—it was about creating a future that I could be proud of and that my son could look up to. Law school became the path through which I could achieve this and make a meaningful impact.” 

Shim is a member of the Arizona Law Review, president of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association and an Arizona Law Ambassador. She established the JAG Vanguard Society at University of Arizona Law.  

This summer, she completed a judicial internship with the Honorable John Hinderaker (’ 96), U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, and works as a graduate program coordinator for the University of Arizona. Next summer she will be a summer associate at Ballard Spahr LLP in Phoenix. 

As the academic year kicks off, Shim looks forward to applying knowledge from her first year in law school and engaging in more hands-on experiences to help prepare for her legal career. 

“Now that we’ve built a strong foundation in thinking like a lawyer through the core courses during our 1L year, I’m excited to take the next step and start acting like a lawyer,” said Shim, who will be in the Veterans’ Advocacy Law Clinic and taking courses such as Contract Drafting and Basic Trial Advocacy. 

Prior to attending law school Shim was an International English Language Testing System examiner for the Oxford International Education Group and the British Council, an assistant professor at Joongbu University in South Korea, and a key spouse for the United States Air Force, where she served as the focal point between military families and unit leadership at the 355th Civil Engineering Squadron, Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. 

Shim received her MA in International Peace and Security from King’s College London and her BA summa cum laude in International Criminal Justice from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York.