LLM Alumni Profile

More than a decade after completing his LL.M. degree at UC Davis School of Law, Luis Pereda (LL.M. ’13) has built an impressive resume having served as a university dean, held posts in both the Executive and Judicial branches of the Mexican government, been elected to the Supreme Court of Mexico's Evaluation Committee of the Federal Judicial Branch, and built a parallel life as a law professor, bar association treasurer, and host of Mexico's first legal news program. We asked Luis to reflect on the journey, and his answers speak for themselves.

1. What is your name, home country, and hometown?

My name is Pedro Quagliato. I am from Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.

2. Where (and what) did you study before coming to King Hall? 

Before going to King Hall, I studied law at Universidade Paulista, completed an MBA at Fundação Getulio Vargas and completed a specialization in Consumer Law at the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo.

After graduating from the UC Davis School of Law LL.M. program in 2022, Cedar Wang, originally from Zhengzhou City, China, began her Optional Practical Training (OPT). The OPT is a temporary employment opportunity that allows international students to work for one year after the completion of their degree, in a field related to their studies. Each year, LLM students take advantage of this temporary training opportunity to gain work experience.

Cedar focused her job search on Chinese law firms in the U.S. which led her to an opportunity at Liu Law Firm, in Southern California.

Transcript: 

My name is Janjay Titus Flanjay. I'm from Liberia, West Africa. Particularly from a very small community known as Chocolate City.

And I hold a bachelor's degree in law from Cavendish University, Uganda.

What are your plans after the LL.M. Program? 

After my LL.M. program, I do plan on doing the New York Bar, and I am planning on focusing on commercial areas in commercial law and international law.

What inspired you to join the legal profession?

Born and raised in Mexico City, Alejandro Linares Caraballo embarked on his journey towards international legal education after earning his J.D. Law degree at the Universidad Panamericana. It was a friend's encouragement that led him to consider the LL.M. program at UC Davis School of Law.

"Of course it was a mixture of emotions," Alejandro reminisces about his arrival at UC Davis. "Excited, nervous, but also curious about what lay ahead." Despite the initial uncertainty, he found comfort in the presence of his friend, who had been part of the program for two years already.

Hi. My name is Akshitha, and I am from India.

And my interest in law began with a curiosity about how ideas, creativity, innovation are protected. Growing up, I was always fascinated about how intellectual property shapes industries and in technology and entertainment.

An idea coming out of a human's intellect really fascinates me that, you can actually protect someone's creativity and someone's idea and that curiosity evolved into a passion for studying law.

What’s your favorite class so far?

Carlos Eduardo Carneiro Saba (LL.M. ’19), an International Commercial Law LL.M. alumnus from São Paulo, Brazil, has built an international legal career shaped by advanced education and global experience. With a background that includes a law degree from Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie and multiple specialized programs in Brazil, he now serves as Chief Legal Officer and Institutional Affairs Director for North Latin America at Louis Dreyfus Company. His decision to pursue an LL.M.

Hi, I'm Nikki Bhandari. I'm from Nepal. I used to work as a lawyer in corporate law firms, and I also used to do and litigation department.

Why did you choose to pursue the legal field? 

I used to debate, and I was very good at speech and all those things at the beginning of my school. And that's why I thought about it. And then I wanted to pursue law.

Dr. Eyüp Kul, an alum of the UC Davis School of Law Master of Laws (LL.M.) ICL Degree Program, is leaving his mark in the legal landscape of his home country, Türkiye. Beginning his journey at Marmara University Law School, Kul continued his pursuit of legal excellence by enrolling in UC Davis in 2008. After completing his LL.M., he returned to Marmara University to obtain his PhD at the Institute of Social Science. Since then, Dr.

My name is Hironobu Kumoto. I'm from Tokyo, and I have been a Japanese lawyer since 2016.

Why did you choose to pursue an LL.M. degree?

In my legal firm, there is a set of international law matters. So there, I have to cooperate with U.S lawyers. So I want to know the common sense of the U.S lawyer.

Why did you choose to come to UC Davis School of Law?

Because I want to take my family to the United States. I have to choose a very safe place. Davis is very good for my family.