Member Spotlight: Grace S. Jun

By Brody McBride*

Grace Jun and her dog Carlos

Grace S. Jun’s journey from a rural Korean American farm girl to one of San Diego’s most respected civil rights attorneys is a testament to the transformative power of advocacy. As the founder of Grace Jun Law, Grace specializes in civil rights cases, seeking justice for some of the most vulnerable members of our community. The San Diego FBA is thrilled to feature Grace in this month’s attorney spotlight.

From Farm Fields to Courtrooms

Grace’s path to civil rights advocacy began in the farmlands of rural Riverside County, where she was born and raised. Her parents, both Korean immigrants, worked as farmers growing Korean produce for wholesale distributors in L.A.’s Koreatown. “Everything was manual back then,” Grace recalls of her childhood. “We didn’t have any automation.” Grace spent her early years on the farm helping her father in constructing greenhouses, planting crops, and her favorite responsibility—caring for the family’s barn cats. Grace’s upbringing instilled in her a strong work ethic and a resilience that would later shape her approach to her legal practice.

As the first member of her family to attend college, navigating the college application and financial aid process was a big challenge for Grace. But her determination paid off when she was accepted to UCLA, where she earned a BA in political theory.

A Calling Born from Constitutional Concerns

Grace graduated from UCLA around the time of the September 11th attacks, and she witnessed firsthand the potential for erosion of civil liberties in the aftermath of that tragedy. Grace expressed concern that the laws enacted following the attacks “sharply curbed civil rights and freedoms, as well as hurt our immigrant and minority populations.”

Grace then traveled extensively through Mexico and Guatemala, staying in the most rural areas of those countries. This experience gave her a deep appreciation for the experiences of some of the poorest communities and galvanized her desire to work with marginalized populations. Upon returning to the United States, Grace worked at an immigration nonprofit, where she was introduced to the challenges facing immigrants. As rewarding as this work was, Grace was frustrated by the limitations of what she could accomplish for these vulnerable individuals. She wanted to do more.

A Chance Encounter That Changed Everything 

Grace’s life soon took a pivotal turn through what she describes as pure chance. Searching for a new job, she spotted a listing on Craigslist for a legal assistant position at Iredale & Yoo, a San Diego law firm. The posting mentioned that the firm handled civil rights cases and required only that applicants be organized and type quickly. Believing she met both requirements, Grace applied and was ultimately offered the job. Little did she know, accepting that job would change the whole trajectory of her life.

Grace soon found herself working for two of California’s most prominent civil rights attorneys: Gene Iredale and Julia Yoo. The firm immediately threw Grace into action, giving her increasingly complicated and challenging assignments.

The intensity and purpose of the work captivated Grace. “I had never in my life worked with people more talented, passionate, and devoted,” Grace reflects. Grace witnessed the law as a powerful tool for justice.

Grace knew right away that she wanted to become an attorney. She soon took the LSAT and was accepted to UC College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings). Grace graduated in 2012 and returned to Iredale & Yoo, only this time as an attorney. Grace quickly built a reputation as a formidable civil rights attorney and fierce advocate for her clients, working on some of the highest-profile civil rights cases in Southern California.

A Legacy of Transformation 

Grace’s greatest professional achievement came through her work on the case of Elisa Serna, a 24-year-old pregnant woman who died in Las Colinas jail. Grace represented Elisa’s mother, Paloma Serna. The case ultimately resulted in the largest wrongful-death settlement ever approved by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

Grace & Bridget

But for Grace, the monetary victory was secondary to something far more meaningful. Grace is most proud of her role in Paloma’s transformation from a victim to a powerful activist and voice on behalf of families of those who have died in jail custody. Following the settlement, Paloma founded the nonprofit organization Saving Lives in Custody California, which seeks to empower families who have lost loved ones in custody to seek justice and advocate for systemic change. Through her work with Paloma, Grace realized that the opportunity for transformative action doesn’t end once the case ends. Grace believes “the litigation process can unlock skills and empower clients to become advocates themselves.” 

Forging Her Own Path

After thirteen years of distinguished work at Iredale & Yoo, Grace was ready to make a name in her own right. So, in 2024, Grace made the decision to establish her own civil rights practice. She was largely inspired by Paloma Serna and other impacted families whose loved ones have died in police custody. “I saw, through the experience of Elisa Serna’s family, the limits of litigating cases for money damages.” For Grace, “litigation is a powerful and sometimes life-altering tool. But it should be the beginning, not the end.” Grace wants to help her clients continue to serve impacted families and communities even after their case ends. She wants to help clients like Paloma assist and empower those people who are not able to vindicate their interests through litigation. According to Grace, “I opened my own practice so my work as an attorney could align with this concept of public service.”

Looking Forward

Grace’s advice to young lawyers interested in civil rights work reflects the lessons learned from her own journey: “Don’t be afraid of adversity, criticism, and failure. That’s where the greatest growth is.” She emphasizes the importance of discipline, tenacity, and the fortitude to persevere through the long haul that civil rights litigation demands.

As Grace looks toward practicing law for another 30 years, her goal extends beyond individual case victories to creating lasting systemic change that prevents future tragedies. She hopes to encourage more clients to follow Paloma Serna’s example of transformation from victim to advocate.

Grace embodies commitment to justice and excellence in the legal practice. From her humble beginnings in the farmlands of Riverside County to her current role as a leading voice for civil rights in San Diego, her journey illustrates the profound impact that dedicated advocates can have on their communities and the legal system itself.

*Brody McBride is a member of the San Diego Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and a civil rights attorney.