Know Your TJSL Student Leaders:
20 Questions
The Thomas Jefferson School of Law Student Bar Association (SBA) is a group of dedicated and enthusiastic leaders who are committed to improving the student life at our law school. Within the first few weeks of this year, the SBA leaders reorganized their structure, reworked their budget and scheduled priority timelines and task sheets. The leaders established an SBA scholarship fund for student organizations and launched an ABA-wide grade curve study to compare our school's academic policies to other law schools across the nation. Our SBA is currently in the process of drafting a student survey to receive input on student health insurance, North County transportation subsidization and other eminent student issues. The group is also responsible for planning a handful of TJSL's social events including the welcome back BBQ, the annual Halloween party and the annual Barrister's Ball. The SBA leaders strive to enhance the student life at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, and we would like to give the TJSL community an opportunity to get to know each of the SBA leaders on an individual basis in this new student feature column titled, "Know Your TJSL Student Leaders: 20 Questions." written by second-year law student Wendy Dimpfl, part-time assistant in the TJSL Communications Office.
Dave Melusky,
TJSL 3L & President of the Sport's Law Society
Matthew Olson -
Vice President of the Sport's Law Society and TJSL 2L Student
Josh Larson - SBA Vice President and TJSL 3L Student
Brian Ray - SBA President and TJSL 2L Student
Featured Leader: Dave Melusky
TJSL 3L & President of the Sport's Law Society
Background Information
Q: How old are you?
A: I'm 38 years old.
Q: What is your class level?
A: I am a 3rd year part-time evening student.
Q: When is your anticipated graduation date?
A: I plan to graduate in May of 2009.
Q: Where are you originally from?
A: Originally, I am from Bucks County, Pennsylvania - in the suburbs of Philadelphia.
Q: At what college or university did you complete your undergraduate education?
A: I completed my undergrad at the University of Maryland University College.
Q: In which San Diego community do you currently reside?
A: I currently live in Mira Mesa.
Life at TJSL
Q: What is your favorite class you have taken, thus far, at TJSL?
A: So far, my favorite class has been Trial Practice.
Q: Are you involved in any clubs or organizations?
A: Sports Law Society - I'm the President.
Q: What are the responsibilities of your leadership position?
A: As President of the Sports Law Society, I promote membership and activity, act as a liaison between SLS members and school administration, coordinate meetings, speakers, fundraisers and events and take care of anything else that comes up.
Q: What do you enjoy the most about holding your leadership position?
A: I enjoy building on what past SLS presidents have accomplished through all of their hard work. I've really enjoyed working with some great SLS officers and members.
As someone who works full-time with a family while attending law school, I didn't think I had enough time to get too involved in extracurricular activities, much less become an officer. I'm very happy that I made the decision to make time and become involved. It's allowed me to make some valuable contacts and meet some prominent people involved in sports.
I also really like promoting the school and getting TJSL's name out there. I feel I'm contributing to this great school's growth, and that's rewarding.
Q: What is your favorite thing about attending law school at Thomas Jefferson?
A: I like the small environment and the great people. I love the location as well. Sure beats going to law school in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania!
Life in General
Q: What made you decide you wanted to attend law school?
A: It was always my dream to become a lawyer. Now, I'm finally almost there!
Q: Is law school everything you thought it would be?
A: It's much more stressful than I imagined, but I've recently realized that dealing with the designed stress of law school is just good preparation for dealing with the issues we'll all face as attorneys.
Q: What are your future goals?
A: Someday I will be General Counsel for the Philadelphia Eagles. On the way I'd like to work somewhere in sports or become a trial attorney. However, my biggest goal is just to get old with my wife, having fun all the way, and raising some great kids
Q: What inspires you to want to become a lawyer?
A: I'd be lying if I said I wasn't doing it for the money, a cool car, and a great house for my family. However, I believe that lawyers hold the lives of people in their hands, and can literally change the world through their actions. I want to be a part of that and change at least one person's life for the better.
Q: If not an attorney, what would you be doing?
A: I have no idea, because being a lawyer is all I've ever dreamed of doing. I might be a pilot though. Before coming to law school I almost had my private pilot's license but put it on hold for awhile.
Q: What are your hobbies and interests? In other words, what do you do when you're not studying?
A: I love spending time with my wife and kids - I have two daughters, Emily (4) and Juliana (2) who are my whole life. When I get some time to myself, I like to plant myself on the couch in front of the television or get some exercise. After law school, I'd love to take some cooking classes, get my pilot's license, or take up some other hobby.
Q: What is something fascinating your peers would want to know about you?
A: I never give up on anything and I truly believe that I can do absolutely anything.
Q: Do you have a favorite motto that you try and live by?
A: Anything is possible, but you have to believe and you have to fight. - Lance Armstrong
Featured Leader: Matthew Olson,
TJSL 2L & Vice-President of the Sport's Law Society
Background Information
Q: How old are you?
A: I am 32 years old.
Q: What is your class level?
A: I am a 2L at TJSL.
Q: When is your anticipated graduation date?
A: I expect to graduate in the Fall of 2008.
Q: Where are you originally from?
A: Originally, I am from Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Q: At what college or university did you complete your undergraduate education?
A: I attended Gustavus Adolphus College.
Q: In which San Diego community do you currently reside?
A: Currently, I live in Ocean Beach.
Life at TJSL
Q: What is your favorite class you have taken, thus far, at TJSL?
A: Copyright
Q: Are you involved in any clubs or organizations?
A: Sports Law, Entertainment Law
Q: What are the responsibilities of your leadership position?
A: Coordinating with the president and communicating with members to accomplish common goals. Basically doing anything the president does not have time for or chooses to delegate.
Q: What do you enjoy the most about holding your leadership position?
A: Working with the other members and coming up with ways to best take our organization in the direction we feel it needs to go.
Q: What is your favorite thing about attending law school at Thomas Jefferson?
A: The location
Life in General
Q: What made you decide you wanted to attend law school?
A: The band I worked for signed a terrible record deal. After the record company went bankrupt they were tied up in litigation for over a year. It ruined their career. I wished I could have helped them.
Q: Is law school everything you thought it would be?
A: I actually thought it would be tougher.
Q: What are your future goals?
A: I hope to catch on with a major studio or entertainment firm, work really hard and grind for a few years and then move into something more mellow. With an end goal of eventually producing motion pictures.
Q: What inspires you to want to become a lawyer?
A: The level of knowledge attained makes a lawyer so valuable in every facet of life.
Q: If not an attorney, what would you be doing?
A: Professional hockey player, if I was little bit taller.
Q: What are your hobbies and interests? In other words, what do you do when you're not studying?
A: Play Hockey, Snowboard, Play Mandolin, Bluegrass music, Improv Comedy
Q: What is something fascinating your peers would want to know about you?
A: I have an identical twin and part of my ear is attached to one of his.
Q: Do you have a favorite motto that you try and live by?
A: Say what you mean, and mean what you say.
Featured Leader: Josh Larson
SBA Vice President and TJSL 3L Student
Background Information
Q: How old are you?
A: 27 years old.
Q: What is your class level?
A: I am currently a third-year-student.
Q: When is your anticipated graduation date?
A: I plan on graduating in December 2008.
Q: Where are you originally from?
A: I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, but I moved to San Diego in 1990.
Q: At what college or university did you complete your undergraduate education?
A: I graduated from the University of California, Riverside, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
Q: In which San Diego community do you currently reside?
A: I live in the Paradise Hills community.
Life at TJSL
Q: What is your favorite class you have taken, thus far, at TJSL?
A: My favorite class was definitely Copyright Law with Professor Cromer. I enjoyed this course, in particular, because it was very visual. It wasn't the typical class where the professor just lectures - it was refreshing because you actually "saw" the subject matter. Taking copyright law jump-started my interest in intellectual property law. I also liked that Professor Cromer encouraged students participate in class by assigning panels and requiring a presentation on the week's topic - this made learning more interesting, requiring me to become involved and engaged in the class. I recommend all to take this course.
Q: Are you involved in any clubs or organizations?
A: Yes, I am the current vice president of the Thomas Jefferson School of Law Student Bar Association (SBA). I am also president of the Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA).
Q: As SBA Vice President, what are the responsibilities of your position?
A: My main responsibility as SBA Vice President is to assist where ever I can. However, my central focus this year is to increase the alumni interaction with students in order to enhance student-alumni networking.
Q: What do you enjoy the most about being the SBA Vice President?
A: I consider the SBA the voice of the students. This year, with new leaders and officers, TJSL's SBA is growing to be the ideal force where the students will be represented when issues arise between the faculty and the administration. I essentially joined because I wanted to be a part of the leadership process and make sure the student's voices are heard.
Q: What is your favorite thing about attending law school at Thomas Jefferson?
A: I enjoy many things about Thomas Jefferson - from the faculty to the students to the administration. I like the fact that our school makes it very easy to communicate and get in touch with people. Also, I like that our school is very in-tune with preparing the students for the bar exam with the Summit and Bar Secrets programs.
Life in General
Q: What made you decide you wanted to attend law school?
A: I was intrigued by the prestige of attending law school and I've always had the mindset that I wanted to change the world. In college, I studied political science and was interested in philosophy and, as a result, I was prompted to want to make change happen. I am a minority in many senses of the word - I am bi-racial and gay. Essentially, I chose to attend law school because I wanted to use my law degree to help alter the way people think of people who are different - people who are not the majority. I basically saw the law as a hand in the evolution of the way people think and I wanted to empower myself so that I could help out others, in turn.
Q: Is law school everything you thought it would be?
A: Law school is, without a doubt, more than I expected. Before I started law school, I worked in two law firms where I constantly heard everyone say "be afraid and turn back now - it's a lot of work." I feared that law school would be tough but looking back, there was nothing I could have done to truly prepare myself for it. Ultimately, I believe you have to experience law school yourself in order to know what everyone is talking about. In the end, it makes you a stronger person who can overcome other obstacles in life.
Q: What are your future goals?
A: Career-wise, I am interested in working in the Intellectual Property industry. Ideally, I would like to work as in-house counsel for Marvel Entertainment comics. I also want to travel the world and make it a goal to go somewhere new each year. Another goal I've always had - to learn how to play the guitar. But no matter what I do or where I end up, I want to make sure my friends and family are always there with me.
Q: What inspires you to want to become a lawyer?
A: I want to be a part of the process of change and the evolution of our future. I want to become an attorney to help ensure that all voices are heard and that every person is equally represented.
Q: If not an attorney, what would you be doing?
A: I would probably be working in the field of graphic design, either with photography or print design or as an artist, because I'm a very visual and creative person. I still may go into that field someday - you never know!
Q: What are your hobbies and interests? In other words, what do you do when you're not studying?
A: I absolutely love to dance - it's my passion. I used to be a member of a hip-hop team at UC, Riverside and now from time to time I go to Culture Shock Dance Studio to take a hip-hop class. In consequence, a beat runs through my head more often than the law does. I also love the beach and video games. And, of course I look forward to any free time spent with friends.
Q: What is something fascinating your peers would want to know about you?
A: Maybe that I tend to get bit by poisonous creatures. In the past, I've been bit by a black widow and I've been stung by bees. I had horrible reactions to both and I was actually hospitalized after being bit by the black widow...the pain was unbearable. Now, I guess you can sort of say I'm not exactly fond of insects.
Q: Do you have a favorite motto that you try and live by?
A: "I'll die for you but I won't live for you." I read it in a book and for me, it basically means that each individual has to live life for him or herself. Do the things you want to do because you want to do them. A lot of people sacrifice their own lives to help others and in the meantime, they forget about themselves. However, on the flip side, we should also sacrifice for each other. Not necessarily ending our life and doing all the work for others, but provide a helping hand to assist others so that they may achieve their goals as well. I definitely think if you balance the commitment you invest in yourself and others it would enhance living life.
Featured Leader: Brian Ray
SBA President and TJSL 2L Student
Background Information
Q: How old are you?
A: 25 years old.
Q: What is your class level?
A: I am currently beginning my second year of law school.
Q: When is your anticipated graduation date?
A: I plan on graduating in the fall of 2008.
Q: Where are you originally from?
A: My hometown is Calabasas, California.
Q: At what college or university did you complete your undergraduate education?
A: I graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2006 with a B.A. in political science and a minor in international security.
Q: In which San Diego community do you currently reside?
A: I have recently moved to Downtown San Diego.
Life at TJSL
Q: What is your favorite class you have taken, thus far, at TJSL?
A: I studied abroad in Hangzhou, China this past summer where I studied World Trade Organization (WTO) Law and China. I would have to say that has been the most fascinating course I have taken so far, along with National Security Law.
Q: Are you involved in any clubs or organizations?
A: Yes, I am the current president of the Thomas Jefferson School of Law Student Bar Association (SBA). I am also a member of the TJSL Moot Court team, a representative of the International Law Society (ILS) and I participate in the TJSL Intramural Football and softball leagues.
Q: As SBA President, what are the responsibilities of your position?
A: It is my responsibility to make sure "the trains run on time" by directing the life of the student body into the appropriate forums. I ran for this job to wipe away the traditional impression of the SBA President as only a "party planner."
Q: What do you enjoy the most about being the SBA President?
The rapid transformation and improvement in our Student Bar Association is what I love best about being president. There is an overwhelming amount of energy and ability in our student body waiting to be tapped into. Channeling into that energy and seeing the results is a strikingly rewarding privilege I won't take for granted.
Q: Did you receive any awards or honors during your first year?
A: [modestly said] I made the Distinguished Honor Roll and the National Dean's List.
Q: What is your favorite thing about attending law school at Thomas Jefferson?
A: Hands down - my people! I love the people - everyone from my peers to the faculty to the staff. There's no pretentiousness here - everyone is easy-going.
Life in General
Q: What made you decide you wanted to attend law school?
A: An employee of the human resources department at my dad's company told me I needed a law background in order to enter into the profession I would like to pursue.
Q: Is law school everything you thought it would be?
A: It's definitely different than I expected. It's different from what I expected in a social sense, the construction of classes, the atmosphere of our school and the workload I receive from courses - it varies with each class.
Q: What are your future goals?
A: I have many future goals I would like to achieve. In general, I plan on pursuing a master's degree and an MBA in international trade following law school. The area I am specifically interested in is the political economy and international security in East Asian trade. Career-wise, I would like to work for the Public Policy Institute for International Trade and Security.
Q: What inspires you to want to pursue your future career?
A: I think international security is applicable to everything a person does and how the world works. I am inspired by Hobbes philosophy that fear of violent death is what unites mankind. Essentially, I think trade and security is vital to ensuring this and being able to have a safe and sound peace of mind.
Q: If not working in the field of international security or the political economy, what would you want to be doing?
A: It's a tie. I would want to be a musician and own a recording studio. My mom is an Indian musician and I used to tour with her. If not a musician, I would like to be a part-owner of the Mets baseball team because, in my opinion, they are the greatest team in the world!
Q: What are your hobbies and interests? In other words, what do you do when you're not studying?
A: I love music and going to shows. Some of my favorite bands are Thrice, Ryan Adams and Hot Hot Heat. I also enjoy fantasy sports.
Q: What is something fascinating your peers would want to know about you?
A: Probably that I went through India on tour with my mom, as I mentioned before. Or, maybe that I was a member of the Advance team's communications staff for Governor Schwarzenegger's most recent election campaign.
Q: Do you have a favorite motto that you try and live by?
A: I follow the saying "suck it up and stop complaining!" I try to just get everything done and not complain too much.
Not a bad philosophy for a student to have in law school!