Bloomberg promotes Arts & Science alum Angela Moon to head of legal news

January 31, 2023 by David Goldberg - A&S News

One of the world’s biggest news agencies, Bloomberg LP has named Arts & Science alum Angela Moon its new executive editor of legal coverage.

She credits A&S for developing the skills to drive her stories forward, whether she was interviewing billionaires or unearthing dirty dealings on Wall Street.

“U of T is where I found genuine interest for journalism,” says Moon who earned her honours bachelor of arts as a member of Innis College in 2004.

“If you’re a curious person and want to have a positive impact on society, Arts & Science exposes you to so many different people and ideas. Looking back at my career, I think that’s more important than learning how to write a headline.”

Born in Seoul, the daughter of a diplomat, Moon was consistently exposed to new cultures. She lived in South Korea, Nigeria and Thailand before coming to Canada in her teens. That’s when the aspiring writer was drawn to the alma mater of her literary idol.

If you’re a curious person and want to have a positive impact on society, Arts & Science exposes you to so many different people and ideas. Looking back at my career, I think that’s more important than learning how to write a headline.

“Margaret Atwood is my hero and she’s someone I wanted to become,” says Moon, who majored in English literature and international affairs. “But as I went through my undergraduate degree, I also loved the courses on global economics and politics. I wanted to combine those passions.”

After graduation, Moon got a job covering the crime beat for Yonhap News Agency in Seoul.

She then made the jump to business reporting for Reuters — first in South Korea and later New York where she penned one of the biggest stories of her career. Her exclusive about insider trading went viral and triggered a federal investigation of several hedge funds.

Published in Korea in 2011, Moon's memoir Minutes from Wall Street recounts her time as a young reporter living in New York covering the 2008 financial crisis. Moon also addressed the challenges of thriving in an industry that wasn’t known for diversity.

“I was the first Korean to ever work at Reuters headquarters in New York, and at the time, one of the very few female reporters in the field. So, people didn’t always return my calls, but persistence paid off. Eventually I developed close relationships and sources that helped me excel.

“But there was another problem: I never had a mentor with a similar life experience, so I try to do a lot of volunteering and mentorship for female journalists who are just getting their start.”

Moon bolstered her credentials in 2014 with a mid-career stop at Columbia University to earn a master’s degree in business and digital journalism, as a recipient of the prestigious Knight-Bagehot Fellowship.

She returned to Reuters to lead the social media reporting team before being recruited a few years later by Bloomberg to oversee breaking news coverage of the Americas. She planned editorial strategy for elections, wars and meme culture’s bizarre influence on the stock market.

I was the first Korean to ever work at Reuters headquarters in New York, and at the time, one of the very few female reporters in the field. So, people didn’t always return my calls, but persistence paid off. Eventually I developed close relationships and sources that helped me excel.

Today, Moon is loving her new role as legal editor for Bloomberg, and she offers a few predictions for her first year on the job.

"This is the year that Russian billionaires will strike back on sanctions,” says Moon. “I think we’ll also start to see fallout from the crypto crash that will influence everyone. People say it’s not as bad as the previous housing crisis, but when you look at how many retail investors were involved in crypto — it’s scary but this is just the beginning.”

Moon sees more news scoops on the horizon. She will keep powerful people in check using consistent coverage and investigative pursuits. But she also cherishes the lighter moments, including a sit-down interview with investing legend Warren Buffett.

“This was my first big exclusive,” says Moon, who recalls Buffett’s penchant for Cherry Coke and sacred daily routines. “He’s one of the humblest people I’ve met; it was like talking to a next-door neighbour.”

Moon reflects fondly on her U of T days — even those gruelling study sessions in Robarts Library and hailing down the food cart for her favourite combo.

On the St. George Campus, she forged valuable connections, learned how to study hard and laid a foundation to pursue her dream job.

“Make friends and get to know people. Don’t just stay within your major,” says Moon.

“It’s when you try to do something that is honest and out of your ordinary that you will unlock your true potential.”