Hands-On Client Advocacy Work Prepares 3L Yingting Xu for Practice 

Headshot of law student Yingting Xu wearing a white shirt with the San Francisco City Hall building blurred out.

Yingting Xu hones skills in labor and employment law through clinics, volunteer work, and leadership roles — experiences that prepare her to excel professionally.

3L student Yingting Xu explains how UC Law SF’s clinics, courses, and leadership opportunities helped her gain the skills and confidence to practice labor and employment law. 

 

  • Gained a strong understanding of employment and labor law through coursework, volunteer experience, and extracurricular activities 
  • Drafted mediation briefs, interviewed clients, and negotiated settlements in the Individual Representation Clinic 
  • Organized events to connect students with practicing attorneys as president of the Employment & Labor Law Student Association 

 

3L Yingting Xu:  

I chose to pursue my interest in work law based on my pre-law school experience as a paralegal at a boutique employment law firm. There, I developed a deep appreciation for labor and employment law and its unique impact on everyday life. I like that this field requires not only intellectual rigor but also an understanding of people’s lived experiences. 

One of my favorite law school experiences was working as a student-attorney in the Individual Representation Clinic. Under the supervision of Professor Mai Linh Spencer and staff attorneys, I drafted mediation briefs, interviewed clients, and negotiated settlements. The clinic bridged the gap between theory and practice and sharpened my lawyering skills. 

In other courses, I learned from amazing faculty members, including Professors Reuel Schiller and Stefano Moscato. Their classes on labor law and employment discrimination strengthened my understanding of workplace regulation and its legal foundations. 

In my first year, I volunteered as an intake worker for the Asian Law Caucus Workers’ Rights Clinic, which provides consultations to low‑income workers across California, many of whom are non‑English speakers who might otherwise struggle to access legal assistance. This exposed me to a wide range of workplace issues, from unpaid wages to wrongful termination, and showed me how meaningful pro bono work can be in building essential lawyering skills while serving local communities. 

In my second year, I served as president of the Employment & Labor Law Student Association. Our goal was to create a welcoming space for students interested in work law. We hosted panels, roundtables, and mentorship events that connected students with practicing attorneys. We also collaborated closely with work law faculty advisors, Professors Schiller and Seema Patel, to introduce students to work law and highlight different paths within the field.  

Collectively, these experiences showed me how work law intersects with the Bay Area’s diverse industries and workforce. Through coursework and hands-on opportunities, I gained the competency and confidence toenter the practice of employment and labor law. 

After graduating this May, I will return to a management‑side labor and employment law firm where I worked during my 2L summer. I learned from talented attorneys there, and I’m excited to return and continue growing into the litigator I hope to become. 

I would absolutely recommend UC Law San Francisco and its work law-focused curriculum and clinical programs. These experiences provide a practical, usable skillset for lawyering, which makes a real difference when applying for externships and/or jobs.  

The Evidence of Success series highlights UC Law SF students as they share how the college’s opportunities equip them with the experience, skills, and confidence to excel in the legal profession.