APAICS | Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies

Early Life

B.J. was born in Seoul, Korea, the youngest child of a police detective and a homemaker. In the early 1980s when B.J. was nine years old, his family immigrated to the United States in pursuit of the American dream of higher education and prosperity. The family arrived in the suburbs of Orlando, Florida where B.J.'s father found work bagging groceries and washing dishes at a Red Lobster restaurant to support the family. Over the years, the family was able to scrape together enough money to open a small grocery store where B.J. worked long hours to help the family. Despite having little money, B.J.'s parents always emphasized the importance of studying hard and having a strong work ethic.


Education

B.J. took his parents' advice to heart, and received a near-full scholarship to attend Stetson University in Deland, Florida where he graduated in three years while majoring in accounting. B.J. then graduated with highest honors from the University of Illinois Law School, a top-tiered law school. After passing the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam on his first sitting and after finishing a clerkship for a federal judge, B.J. joined his family who by then, had moved to the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia.


Public Service

B.J. was working for a large law firm in Atlanta (Alston & Bird LLP) when our country was attacked on 9/11. Like many Americans, B.J. began to reevaluate life and was overwhelmed by a desire to serve his country. He left private practice to join the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia. During his six years as a federal prosecutor, B.J.'s work included investigating corrupt government officials, prosecuting individuals for fraud related to government programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and Hurricane Katrina Relief, dismantling Mexican-based drug trafficking cartels operating in Gwinnett County and deporting dangerous illegal immigrants.

B.J. also won convictions in a number of high-profile cases including the theft of a Coca Cola trade secret, a case which received worldwide media attention; embezzlement by a Make-A-Wish Foundation Finance Director; embezzlement by a former Businessman of the Year; embezzlement by a prominent plaintiff's attorney of client's settlement funds; and theft of Berry College property, among many other cases. During his tenure, he won the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Case of the Year award, and the Crime Victim's Rights Award.

In addition to his past government service, B.J. was appointed by the Governor to serve on two state commissions. He also currently serves as a Trustee of the Client Security Fund of the State Bar of Georgia, which administers over $2 million dollars for payment to victim clients of disbarred attorneys.


Present Day

B.J. is recognized as a Georgia Super Lawyer -- Rising Star, and currently is a Partner at the Atlanta law office of Schiff Hardin, LLP where he works to assist his clients (ranging from small business owners to Fortune 500 Corporations) solve complex business, regulatory, and criminal issues. Through his current position, he has the experience and the knowledge of how businesses are impacted by taxes and other regulatory burdens.


A Time Like No Other

Our nation and the state of Georgia is in one of the worst economic positions we have ever seen in recent memory. In Georgia, our budget has been artificially balanced, we have been plagued with wasteful government spending yet taxes and fees have increased while unemployment has skyrocketed. Cuts have been made to education, risking the quality of education our children will receive while gang activity is threatening to infiltrate our community.

Unfortunately, with so many ethical lapses by elected officials in Georgia, and across the nation, citizens have lost confidence in our leaders and do not trust our government. We, the people, seek strong conservative leadership that will faithfully represent our district's beliefs and needs. We need a State Representative with the right qualifications, integrity and experience to listen to our citizens and present the solutions that our community can count on.

That is why B.J. is running for the State House.

[Official Bio from Campaign Website]