About Me
Name
Li Zhang
Prior Education
East China University of Political Science and Law (bachelor of law, 2020).
Before Ann Arbor
I lived in Shanghai, China.
Before My LLM Year
I graduated from East China University of Political Science and Law in 2016 and started my career as a lawyer in Shanghai. After a few years in practice, I realized I wanted to go deeper in a specific field rather than be a generalist, so I made the jump to the in-house legal team at a financial company focused on non-performing loan (NPL) transactions and restructuring.
What Makes Me Different From My Classmates
My focus is about as niche as it gets: bankruptcy, restructuring, and distressed debt. My former employer was a Chinese state-owned enterprise, an entity that lives somewhere between the public and private sectors. Both of these experiences gave me a perspective on how law, policy, and market forces interact.
My Time at Michigan Law
Why I Chose Michigan Law
Michigan’s small class size was a huge draw, as it gave the chance to actually know my professors, fellow LLMs, and JD classmates, rather than being lost in a crowd.
For someone focused on restructuring, being close to Detroit also mattered. It’s one of the most storied chapters in American bankruptcy history, and I’ve had the rare opportunity to sit in on real courtroom proceedings and hear from practitioners who lived through it firsthand.
What Makes Michigan Law Special
I came to Michigan knowing absolutely nothing about sports. Then, football season started. There was something special about 100,000 people in the Big House, all wearing maize and blue and losing their minds over the same thing at the same moment. I now understand why people plan their whole fall around game days.
Beyond the sports, Ann Arbor itself is a gift. The campus is full of squirrels and the occasional deer, and there is a rhythm to the year that makes every month feel like a different place. There’s a kind of peace that comes from living in a city that is small enough to be quiet but big enough to never be boring.
My Favorite Class
Professor Dickinson’s International Commercial Transactions. He’s a towering figure in the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and anti-corruption law. Michigan Law is full of brilliant professors, but Professor Dickinson has had a particular influence on me. His understanding of what it means to be a well-rounded lawyer (the soft skills as much as the hard law) and his sharp, internationalist perspective on the world have shaped how I think about my career.
What Surprised Me Most About Michigan Law
I came in expecting academic excellence, so that part wasn’t a surprise. What I didn’t expect was how warm and approachable the professors and faculty would be. They were always there when I needed them, whether it was a question about coursework or just navigating life as a newcomer. The encouragement they offered went beyond the classroom. For an international student landing in a new country with a new legal system, that kind of support means more than I can say.
What the “Michigan Difference” Means to Me
To me, the Michigan Difference is that it doesn’t just train you to be a good lawyer — it pushes you to think bigger. The conversations here cross borders, disciplines, and comfort zones. I came in with expertise in one niche area and left with a much wider understanding of how law functions in the world.
My Favorite Memory from My LLM Year
Professor Halberstam invited the LLM students to his home on Halloween, as he recognized this was the first Halloween experience for many of us. He lives in a neighborhood where kids go all out with their costumes, and every house is decorated to within an inch of its life. I enjoyed sitting on Professor Halberstam’s front porch and handing out candy to an endless parade of tiny superheroes and witches. It sounds simple, but it was one of those moments of pure joy.
The Most Difficult Thing About the LLM Year
Exams. It was a lot to manage law school exams in a second language, in an unfamiliar system, under time pressure. But I put in the work, and the results were better than I expected.
Favorite Study Spot
The Law Library is gorgeous, but my go-to was Hatcher Graduate Library, just across the street. The upper floors have individual study carrels with beautiful views of campus.
The Best Things About Ann Arbor
The pace. Ann Arbor has this rare quality of being a stimulating place that doesn’t feel chaotic or exhausting. People are friendly in that Midwestern way that isn’t performative. There’s always something happening (a lecture, a concert, a game), but there’s also quiet when you need it.
If I Could Time Travel, I Would Give Myself This Advice at the Start of My LLM Year
Don’t let the pressure of the year crowd out the experience. Go to events, let yourself enjoy life. The studying will get done. The memories and friendships won’t come back if you miss them.
Extracurricular Activities
Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA)
Fun Stuff
When I’m Not Studying
I live in Northwood, which has a wonderful community vibe with lots of families and activities like craft sessions and outdoor outings. I also make a point of going to concerts at Hill Auditorium and checking out whatever exhibitions are around campus.
My Favorite Way to De-stress
Cycling.
Favorite Book
Dream of the Red Chamber (Hong Lou Meng).
Favorite Movie
The Legend of 1900.
Favorite TV Show
Any good interview program.
Favorite Musical Artist
Chris Botti.
Favorite Beverage
Lemon tea.
Favorite Food From Home
Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings).
Favorite Food in the United States
Chocolate chip cookies.
Favorite Item at the Kirkland & Ellis Cafe
Decaf Americano.