Board Spotlight: Sophia Lee Shin

Sophia Lee Shin, an associate at K&L Gates, has been a BEST board member since 2015. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, she received her B.A. from Stanford University and her J.D. from Yale Law School.

What drew you to first get involved in human trafficking issues?
I have always been drawn to social justice and community service, but I discovered my passion for human rights advocacy while in college. My passion for human rights is what pushed me to pursue a career in law; I went to law school because I knew that a deeper understanding of the rule of law would allow me to better address the many issues in the field of human rights.
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When I was in college, I had the opportunity to work as an intern for Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. During law school, I worked as an intern in the Manila Office of International Justice Mission, assisting in the prosecution of alleged child sex traffickers. When the opportunity came to join BEST’s board, I was thrilled to be able to participate again in the work of promoting and protecting human rights.

What inspired you to join the BEST board?
I am motivated by BEST’s mission. I appreciate that BEST sees the potential in what I believe is an under-utilized space—partnerships between the non-profit and private sectors to solve complex problems of human trafficking.

Why do you feel it’s important to invest in your community?
Serving our community is a value that my parents went to great lengths to instill in me from a very young age. I believe that God loves each and every one of us, that we are all connected to one another, and that we are called to lend a helping hand to our neighbors, whether that neighbor is next-door or halfway around the globe.

When you are not working or volunteering, what other things do you like to do?
My husband and I love to explore the city. We live in downtown Seattle and love the city’s energy. I am also an avid reader; having been an English major in college, I especially enjoy Victorian Era English literature. I also enjoy playing the violin on occasion.