Atlanta Society category interest

Joy Hong (J.D. ’24) spent much of her childhood moving around the country due to her dad’s position with the United Methodist Church. This took her family all over the southeast, from central and south Florida where she was born, to towns across Kentucky and Georgia, and she quickly learned how to make friends and build connections in each new town they traveled to.

Through it all, Hong had a dream of one day living in New York City to find something else that was hard to come by in the small southeastern towns where she grew up: a strong Asian American community.

“I’m so used to meeting new people,” Hong said. “But there often weren’t many Asian Americans where I lived, and it was hard to find a space where I felt proud of being Asian.”

After earning her B.A. in Public Relations from the University of Georgia, Hong landed a job handling internal and external communications for the Dechert law firm in Midtown Manhattan. Now within walking distance to Rockefeller Center and the Empire State Building, Hong not only found a vibrant city with strong, diverse communities but she also discovered an introduction to the legal field that planted seeds for her future.

Just as her career began hitting its stride, the COVID-19 pandemic and its ensuing lockdowns hit communities across the U.S. and New York rapidly became an epicenter for the virus’ spread. Speculation about the origin of the virus led to a notable rise in incidents of racism and hate crimes aimed at Asian Americans, and social distancing measures increased isolation among vulnerable members of the community.

Hong remembers feeling new apprehension about things as simple as her workday commute. “I was suddenly worried about taking the subway,” she said. “I was constantly checking behind me, worried that I might be a target.”

At the same time, Hong found herself more motivated than ever to support underrepresented communities like her own.

“When the pandemic hit, I think it forced everyone to gain some new perspective,” said Hong. “As I witnessed what people were experiencing around me, it made me want to become an advocate for those inside and outside of my Asian American community.”

This was the final push for Hong to apply for law school.

Knowing she would have friends and family nearby, Hong narrowed her search to law schools in the greater Atlanta area and moved back to Georgia.

“I came to law school not entirely sure about a lot of things, but I was certain about wanting to be involved in the Atlanta legal community,” recalled Hong. “Georgia State made the most sense.”

If she wasn’t in class or studying, Hong dedicated her time to one of the many student organizations she joined. In her years at Georgia State Law, Hong was elected vice president of student affairs for the Student Bar Association (SBA) and president of the Asian Pacific-American Law Students Association (APALSA). For APALSA, Hong’s love of community led her to plan a networking event with other Asian American law students in Georgia to build connections.

Georgia State Law’s Director of Student Engagement Cody Teague remembers Hong as a dedicated student and an enthusiastic supporter for these organizations. “The most impressive part of Joy’s contributions is the care with which she handled them,” he said.

“She consistently advocated for the student community and seamlessly navigated her coursework, her peer relationships and her leadership obligations with a calmness and dependability that was impressive.”

After graduation, Hong will join Fisher Phillips, a national law firm specializing in labor and employment law, as an associate in their Atlanta office. As she begins her career, Hong will also benefit from the strong network of practicing attorneys that she built while still in school.

While still a student, she connected with the greater Atlanta legal community by serving on the nominations committee for the Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association and held a volunteer position for the Korean American Bar Association of Georgia. Leaning on these essential connections helped Hong find mentors for guidance as her law school path took shape and friends who she could call to help ease her nerves during challenging finals.

“These organizations provided representation, mentorship, community and leadership opportunities,” said Hong. “Law school has taught me so much about how to be a lawyer, but I think the best part of my journey has truly been the people I’ve met. I am so grateful for the mentors who have been the best champions, advisors, listening ears, and friends the past three years,” she said.