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3L student Ediz Kalkan combined rigorous coursework, mentorship, and hands-on client experience to emerge ready for corporate practice.

3LÌýstudentÌýEdiz KalkanÌýsharesÌýhowÌýUC LawÌýSF’sÌýBusiness Law ConcentrationÌýhelped him gainÌýthe practicalÌýskills, doctrinal knowledge, and professional confidence to pursue a career advising corporate clients.ÌýIt’sÌýone of 12 concentrations thatÌýallowÌýJD students toÌýgain specializedÌýexpertiseÌýin a focused area of legal practice.Ìý

• 3L Ediz KalkanÌýbuiltÌýa strong foundationÌýin corporate law through specialized coursework and mentorship from faculty and industry leaders.Ìý

• He gained hands-on client experienceÌýadvisingÌýstartups through the Startup Legal Garage and through roles in-house and at a law firm.Ìý

• HeÌýemergedÌýprepared to handle sophisticated legal matters and interact confidently with clients.Ìý

3L Ediz Kalkan:Ìý

I always gravitated towardÌýbusiness law courses at UC LawÌýSF, so it made sense to memorializeÌýthatÌýinterest by completing the concentrationÌý— especiallyÌýsince I already planned toÌýtakeÌýmost of the required coursework.Ìý

I have takenÌýmanyÌýpractical- and doctrinal-focused courses, including practical-oriented courses such as Mergers and Acquisitions, Venture Capital and Start Ups, Startup Business Lawyering, Private Equity and Hedge Funds, Corporate Governance, CorporateÌýFinanceÌýand a few others. On the doctrinal side, I have taken Business Associations and am currently enrolled in Bankruptcy and Securities Regulation.Ìý

These courses and professorsÌýequipped meÌýwithÌýa strong foundationÌýinÌýuniversal corporate legalÌýprincipals,Ìýfluency in theÌýjargon, and insightÌýinto how corporate law intersects with markets, public and private companies, and government agencies.ÌýI alsoÌýgained invaluableÌýmentorship and lessons from industry leadersÌý— bothÌýfromÌýtheÌýfacultyÌýandÌýthe dozens of guest speakers invited to the classroom.ÌýÌý

At UC Law SF, IÌýparticipatedÌýin the Corporate Module of the Startup Legal Garage, where IÌýobservedÌýpracticing attorneys and helped real clients withÌýreal startup-relatedÌýlegal needs. I learned substantive law, business strategyÌý—ÌýandÌýmost importantlyÌý—Ìýwas socialized to the practice of law and the etiquette and expectationsÌýofÌýbeing a junior attorney.ÌýÌý

I spent my 1L summer at AXOS Bank, a commercial bank in San Diego, where I gained experience with securities regulation, enterprise banking, and in-houseÌýworkÌýat a public company. From January of my 2L year to now, I haveÌýworked asÌýa law clerk at Bartko Pavia LLP, gaining experience in a traditional law firm setting. I have had the privilege of working with startups all the way to public companies, as well as international clients.ÌýTheÌýexperienceÌýhasÌýstrengthenedÌýmy confidenceÌýinÌýtackling complexÌýlegalÌýissues and interacting with clients.ÌýÌý

ThroughÌýthese experiences,ÌýI’veÌýlearned thatÌýeffectivelyÌýadvisingÌýclientsÌýtakes more thanÌýsubject-matterÌýexpertise.ÌýThis work,ÌýandÌýmy time in the UC Law SF business concentration,ÌýhaveÌýinspired me to pursueÌýan MBA after law school to become a moreÌýwell-rounded professional. My career plansÌýremainÌýfocused onÌýcorporate practiceÌýand enhancing my value as a business advisor.ÌýÌý

I would happily recommend UC Law SF and this concentration because of its robust course catalog, highly successful professors and adjuncts, and extensive resources. Not to mention, UC Law SF is uniquely situated just minutes away from many of the world’s most innovative companies, all of which have legal needs — creating meaningful opportunities for students. My peers and I have been incredibly fortunate to have access to this network of industry leaders and legal professionals. Ultimately, business lawyers can take many paths, but all require the strong foundation that the business law concentration and the incredible people at UC Law SF provide.Ìý

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.Ìý