Even as early as grade school, Alex Choi knew he would become a lawyer. While his 6-year-old friends had to beg their parents for G.I. Joes, Choi never whined when persuading his parents to get him what he wanted.

“Even when I was little, I enjoyed arguing with people,” said Choi, 34. “I don’t know if it’s because I was arguing and complaining, but in the back of my mind, I always told myself that this would be my ultimate career.”

That career officially began for Choi after acquiring his J.D. from USC’s Gould School of Law. He had done his undergraduate work at Stanford.

In April, Choi made partner at the downtown office of Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP, a California-based business and real estate law firm. Choi’s role will be similar to that of his previous position, senior counsel, where he worked directly with clients. But he will now have more input into overseeing the office’s operation.

“I will continue providing services to clients and building business for the firm,” said Choi. “However, I will have more involvement, voice and direction in the firm’s activities.”

Choi, a bilingual, first-generation Korean American, also has assisted Allen Matkins reaching out to foreign markets.

“My ability to speak Korean has been very helpful,” Choi said, citing Allen Matkins’ clients in the real estate sector. “As the U.S. market is slowing down a lot lately, we see a lot of investments from Korea coming into the United States. The economy is becoming global and opportunities are not just in the United States anymore.”

If Choi has one problem with his childhood dream job, it’s the long hours. He estimates an average workweek runs 60 to 70 hours.

“It’s never fun working at midnight,” Choi said. “But I’ve learned to deal with that over the years. Fortunately, thanks to today’s technology, I can work from home and see my family more often.”

Choi lives in Hancock Park with his wife, Ellen, and newborn daughter, Sophia. He enjoys playing sports and following his favorite pro teams.

Yoo Mi Chin