Meet the 2025–2026 APALSA Executive Board! This year’s leadership team is committed to fostering community, celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures, and supporting students both academically and professionally at Western State. Through advocacy, networking opportunities, cultural programming, and community engagement, APALSA continues to create a welcoming space where students can connect, grow, and make a lasting impact on campus and beyond.
Meet the Executive Board:
Ryan Trieu, 3L
APALSA President
Favorite Field(s) of Law:
Family Law.
Role Models:
My Dad!
Future Goals:
Hopefully become a named partner at a reputable firm in Orange County.
Hobbies:
I love to surf and snowboard!
Fun Fact:
I am a third-generation Western State student! My grandfather and father both graduated from Western State.
Advice for new students:
Don’t stress yourself out too much and always be a straight shooter. Staying persistent with everything you do here will lead to great success!
Matthew Secoquian, 3L
APALSA Vice President
Favorite Field(s) of Law:
Immigration Law; Public Interest; Entertainment Law.
Role Models:
T1 Faker; My parents!
Future Goals:
The biggest goal I have set for myself right now is passing the bar! Other than that, my goal is to position myself and my career in a way that I can volunteer pro bono services as often as I can.
Hobbies:
Photography; Ceramics; Playing Video-games; Collecting Pokemon Cards.
Fun Fact:
I love the movie Hoppers everybody HAS to go watch it.
Advice for new students:
A quote that helped me survive law school this far is from a current attorney, @RebMasel
“One lecture, one class, one week at a time. Make a task list for each day that’s reasonable for YOU. Once you’re done with that day’s STOP. There is ALWAYS something more you ‘could’ be doing in law school it never ends. But you’ll drive yourself insane if you don’t allow yourself to stop and not feel guilty about. If something happens or your motivation is shot or you have a mental breakdown and can’t finish your task list on any given day, give yourself the grace and patience you deserve and spread those tasks to the next few days.”
Brian Chu, 3L
APALSA Treasurer
Favorite Field(s) of Law:
Estate Planning, In-House Counsel.
Role Models:
My parents.
Future Goals:
My future goals are to pass the bar and become a reputable attorney.
Hobbies:
I love watching basketball and fixing/assembling mechanical watches.
Fun Fact:
I’m ambidextrous!
Advice for new students:
Don’t lose sight of how you got here, you know yourself best and you already know how to get past any burdens that law school will give you.