O’Connor, Runckel and O’Malley LLP would like to announce our 2026 law school scholarship recipient, Melia Choy.
Melia Choy graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy and a minor in Political Science. She graduated summa cum laude and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, and is now pursuing her J.D. at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law. She is excited to study environmental law, especially on the island where her family roots lie and where environmental stewardship is vital in protecting the island and its natural resources.
During her time at UC Irvine, Melia served as an Advocacy & Research Intern for the Orange County Coastkeeper. There, she conducted field research along the coast to evaluate the effectiveness of local water policies. She brought these findings to the public by conducting community outreach to educate citizens about the environmental condition of their local beaches. Melia also attended various city council meetings, helping to translate her scientific research into accessible information while advocating for stronger enforcement of environmental policies. Through this role, Melia developed her passion for advocacy and looks forward to using it as a tool for meaningful environmental change.
Beyond her environmental work, Melia was actively involved in UC Irvine’s pre-law fraternity, where she served on the Executive Board for a year. Mentoring fellow pre-law students further solidified her passion for the legal profession. As she begins law school, Melia looks forward to deepening her commitment to environmental law and advocacy, while exploring the many ways the legal profession can serve communities and create meaningful change.
We look forward to seeing Melia succeed in her upcoming years at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law.
