Joey Mack, 2L

I am originally from Duluth, Georgia (Northeast Atlanta suburbs). I first went to college in Utah before transferring to the University of Memphis to play football. At the University of Memphis I majored in marketing and communications. Before my senior year at Memphis I married my lovely wife, Whitney. After we both graduated from the University of Memphis we moved to Kalispell, Montana for a year while we worked and saved up money for me to attend law school. I am a big sports fan but a huge soccer fan and I passionately follow the Sounders, Fulham, and Werder Bremen. When I am not studying, reading, or playing soccer I am playing with my German-shepherd mix, Stella. My wife and I absolutely love Seattle and one of our favorite things to do is try out different restaurants around the school.

March 2012

It's starting to get nice in Seattle and graduation is right around the corner. I am a little paranoid for some reason though that they're not going to read my name. It has been a little confusing navigating and coordinating my graduation as a joint degree student. Thankfully I know some really helpful people that have made it less stressful. I am definitely ready to be done though. 

The Sounders lost on a terrible PK call over the weekend. Unfortunately I missed this game because I was completing some readings and homework. Life of a law student right? It was the first MLS game I have missed this season, and their first MLS loss....I've been able to make it to the other games this season thanks to my current internship. The past few weeks I've had complimentary tickets courtesy of ROOT SPORTS, in the ROOT SPORTS suite no less. THANKS DENISE!

Also, I discovered a new favorite sandwich place, Tats Deli. The Tats-trami is awesome. It's my second favorite to Paseos, but it's way closer to campus. Probably not the healthiest choice ever, but it's hard to eat healthy in law school. Almost done though!

February 2012

So my caution to anyone coming to Seattle University School of Law. Just because it's a 2 credit class and a seminar does not mean it's less work. I had hoped it would be, but its not. It's actually like being in Legal Writing again. It's more work than my 3 credit classes. Remember that.

Moving right along - the MLS season starts this week and the Sounders play Wednesday in the Champions League quarter-finals. I feel as nervous for the game Wednesday night as I did for my appellate argument 2L year.

The semester is moving right along as well. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel but don't necessarily feel any different. I will feel good when I have that job though. I'm working hard at the internship right now, putting in the hours, and doing as much as I can to connect with people at places I want to work. I have 4 informational lunch interviews this week with people that work where I want to work. Hopefully they go well - I would love to have a real full-time job before I graduate. I would also love to buy some Sounders season tickets soon. C'mon no whammies!

January 2012

Holy snow! So it snowed in Seattle last week, which doesn't happen all that often. We got about 3-4 inches on campus, followed by an ice storm. Classes were cancelled Tuesday night all the way through Friday last week. Seattle is so hilly the city shuts down when there is snow. It was kind of cool to see people snowboading and skiing down some of the busiest streets of the city. 

Unfortunately because I live next to campus, and just a few blocks from downtown, although my work was closed for the most part I still made it in. What was cool though, when walking home from work I was the star (or victim) of a flash mob commercial that was being filmed downtown. It definitely caught me off guard and I know I looked like an idiot, but it was funny to watch afterwards and I got paid. Awesome.

It was a nice break from school, but now classes are behind schedule a bit and I'm sure there is going to be a lot of work and reading this week, on top of the new internship. Should be an interesting Spring semester.

November 2011

Down to the final stretch of the semester. Just a few more classes and finals are around the corner. I'm very confident about all of my classes except one this year. I know some long days in the library await me, but I'm too excited about Thanksgiving to care. I did also get a nice mid-semester break last month so this semester hasn't seemed as bad. My sister was coming back from an 18 month mission the same weekend my brother was preparing to leave for a 2 year mission. I flew back to Georgia for the festivities and it was nice to be home. Especially eating Chick-fil-a three (3) times in one weekend. Had to get my fix.
 
Sounders expansion draft is coming up, I'll be watching that nervously as I outline immigration law. Not sure I'll be able to watch the MLS Cup this year unfortunately. This year it falls on my wife's birthday, so yeah.
 
I have some job prospects coming up. I was able to get internal referrals at two organizations that I would very much like to work for. Still waiting to hear back, but hopefully something. The sooner I can get a job, the sooner I get season tickets. It will also be a little weight off the shoulders to be employed before I graduate as well. We'll see how it goes. 

October 2011

Well the Sounders got knocked out of the MLS Cup playoffs but at least school is going well. I must say that Business Dispute Resolution Simulation is the best class I have taken since being in graduate school and would recommend it to anyone coming to SeattleU. My other classes are interesting, but its refreshing to be in a class where you are doing something tangible every week (IMHO).
 
I am still not able to play soccer or anything else like I did before my injury. I missed sign-ups for intramural soccer and football again this year. But I have started to take up this jogging thing. Last week I did almost 25 miles, its pretty nice, except when it starts raining hard, which is usually doesn't do here. 3L year is a lot different than the first two, I'm not sure when I would have found the time to do all this running.
 
Tried Genki, the "newer-ish" sushi place just a couple blocks from school, the other day. It was awesome, pretty cheap and the food comes around on this little conveyor belt, it was fun. It's not the pub but it'll do.
 
Finals are around the corner, that's always a bummer. I only have two written ones this semester so that's awesome. But I will also be working on my colloquium paper for the Masters degree. It's a blast...I also just registered for classes. I could graduate in either Spring or Summer, I'm still trying to figure out which would be best. Whichever puts me in the best position to be employed before I graduate. Leaning towards Summer but I am still talking with people. We'll see...

September 2011

It seems the semester just started but I guess we are half way through? I have a big presentation tonight, but after that I have the US Open Cup Final to look forward to. I got ahead on all my homework and reading so I could enjoy the game. Can't wait to see Super Fred bag another brace for the Sounders.
 
I am still looking for a job, but I am getting really close. I've been a finalist for a handful of jobs only to lose out to an internal candidate each time. I am very glad I decided to move to the part-time program and do this now, as opposed to doing it when I graduate. It will be hugely beneficial if I can land something now and gain some experience while I finish school. Still looking for something in Human Resources, but I've broadened my scope from wanting to work in HR for a sports organization to really anything that can get me experience right now. 

The knee is still getting better. There is an local Ethiopian adult club that scrimmages by my apartment once a week. They let me get into their game and I was able to keep pace. I think most of the guys are over 40 years old, so I'm not ready to play for the Sounders, but I'm slowly getting better.  It definitely makes law school better when you have something to do to completely take your mind off the work.

August 2011

Back in the grind of law school. Except without legal writing and constitutional law life just seems so much easier. I'm really excited about this semester, not only am I taking classes I am interested in but also classes that are really practical that I know I will use in my career. The knee is getting better, I will still need another surgery to clean it out, but I played some keepie uppie for the first time in 10 months last week. 

 A new Irish pub, The Chieftain, just opened directly across the street from the law school. I've been there three times since it opened, great place to watch games, and they have pretty good wings. Might go there tonight after I finish with class and catch the end of the Memphis football game, but we'll see. 

The Sounders made it to the US Open Cup final, third straight year in a row. The Cup Final will be played in
Seattle, and I would love to go watch the match, but I have class that night. Missed the game last year for the same reason. Sad day in mudville, maybe class will get cancelled????

July 2011

There are many things I love about Seattle and Seattle University. This week however was something to remember. How many law schools, or schools, whatever. How many schools can say Manchester United came to their school to use the practice fields? Can't be a lot. Manchester United came to our school this week to use our fields while on their USA tour. I got to watch practice, get pictures with the players, autographs, it was absolutely awesome. It definitely makes up for the weather being pretty terrible so far this summer.
 
Still focusing on getting a full-time job. I'm actually pretty close at a couple of places and just waiting to hear back. I decided not to take Evidence this summer and just focus on getting work experience and using that to get a full-time job. I'm hoping I can find a full-time position that I can work during the day while I finish the last few classes I have at night. I'm hoping to tailor my remaining schedule to help my career and current job, then hopefully move up within the place soon as I graduate. We'll see how that goes, but I think it's a pretty good plan. 

Other than working, looking for a full-time job, and watching soccer this summer I've been trying out a lot of food places. The ol' anniversary is next month as well and we're spending a weekend in Leavenworth. Very excited to do some tubing and then eat some Schweinshax-n at King Ludwigs!

April 2011 

Everyone was pulling for Butler.... : (  

My Appellate Brief is due Monday. I have spent way too much time on it, and I am ready to be done with it. Just in time though, as it is starting to warm up in Seattle. Slowly but surely.

I've got some big decisions to make in the next week or so about summer. I had planned on doing my internship at UW and also take Evidence. I'm thinking about dropping Evidence, and doing two internships. Whatever it takes to get a job right? I'm thinking I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket, and want more opportunities for when I graduate....maybe I also need a break from school .

The wife got some sweet deal on Groupon(?) or whatever it's called today. Round trip tickets on the Victoria Clipper for fairly cheap. We were already planning on going to Vancouver this summer, so looks like I'll be traveling regardless of whether I'm taking Evidence or doing two internships. I also wouldn't mind going to Leavenworth this summer.

Moving along - huge announcement recently... (The) Manchester United will be coming to Seattle to play the Sounders. Amazing. I have not found a ticket yet, I have two months, but I will do everything I can to get to that game. I just hope they bring Giggs!

Evidence or two internships?

March 2011

Sounders lost their first home game to the LA Galaxy, man that was a bummer, but a nice break from homework and classes. Its Spring Break this week, only it isn't...My rough draft of my appellate brief for Legal Writing II is due right after the break. I also have 2 finals this week as part of the masters program. What can you do though right?           

I cannot believe how much I enjoy my business entities class. I have never looked forward to any class in law school, only to graduating. This class though is extremely interesting, and finally being a business major in undergrad is paying off. After taking this class I will try and take more classes that focus on corporations and business law.

It's also finally starting to warm up in Seattle and the days are getting longer. I am very excited for this summer, it seems like it has been an especially long winter. I wouldn't mind studying abroad again this summer, but I have that awesome NCAA compliance internship at UW, and its time to start buckling down and looking for a job. It's weird to think that a year from right now, I will be actively looking for a job, it kind of freaks me out.

Well that's all, I've got the March Madness and its time to watch a game/ try and do some homework.

February 2011

Well this next week is not going to be the best, but that's law school. I have my graded oral argument and then my motion brief is due. I also really have to start working on some papers for my masters classes. After this semester is over, I feel like I will be done with law school. That sounds weird considering I have another year, but I will have Legal Writing completely out of the way. And most of the required classes done as well. I'm starting to see the light at the end of that tunnel.
 
Also, in keeping with my tradition of talking about the Sounders in every entry, I was able to get tickets to the Cascadia Summit. I will go watch the Sounders beat Portland and Vancouver in one weekend, should be fun.
 
The internship at UW is going really well. I really feel like I'm starting to learn a lot. Everyone is constantly asking me why I want to do compliance, implying that it sucks, but I'm really enjoying it. I find myself more and more pulling for UW in different sports, I can't wait to see how the new soccer coach, Jamie Clark, does next season.
 
18 credits. That's all I will need after this semester to be able to graduate. 18. Awesome.

January 2011

So I survived, probably not what Les Stroud had in mind, but I bet even he'd be proud (obscure reference maybe, but one of my favorite shows, Google him). Last semester I was taking a massive amount of credits, 22. I would definitely not recommend it. I took so much because I am a joint degree student and an awesome internship opportunity came up, and I had to take it. That alone made it a very busy, very crazy semester. Then throw in the Entertainment and Sports Law Association 3v3 soccer tournament, which was a blast until I tore a couple of major ligaments in my knee... needless to say finishing last semester feels like a major life accomplishment.
 
This semester I'm taking legal writing 2, business entities, and administrative law here at the law school. I'm also taking sport consumer behavior and developing leadership in sport in the masters program. I'm also interning part time at the University of Washington Athletic department, so far I love it and its good experience. Only one week into this semester and I'm feeling optimistic.
 
It was super sweet this week when school was delayed because of snow, one of my classes was cancelled. It gave me that much extra time this week, hopefully we get some more snow this semester! I love it because Seattle shuts down when it snows here, its way fun. Last time, my wife and I let our dog run around downtown off the leash, it was a great time.  So if we can just get some more snow, and I can make it to a few Sounders games this semester it should be a pretty good start to the year, and as long as we beat the Timbers. 

September 2010

Well it's raining outside and I think summer has come to an end here in Seattle. The semester is in full swing now and I have finally gotten into a routine and settled in. I am taking both law classes and masters classes this semester, but it's not all that bad because I am starting to see the end of that tunnel. It was definitely nice being able to pick my own classes this year, I was able to get everything that I wanted, but it will be a tough semester. So far I have not been able to see as many Sounders games as last year, which has been a huge bummer, but I am going to the US Open Cup Championship and hopefully any home games in the playoffs (if they make it).

I have all new teachers this year, so far so good. I came into Con Law thinking I was going to hate it but at the moment it is one of my favorite classes so far this year. The reading assignments are intense but class has been really interesting. I do have to miss class this week for Con Law though because...I am taking the drivers license test. Yeah that's right, the driver test. My wallet was stolen out of my car last semester, and I had an out of state license. In order to get a Washington license now, since I did not have one before and have nothing to show them now, I have to re-take the knowledge and driving tests. It kind of feels like high school all over again but what can you do.

Anyways, other than a busy week, and a driver test to look forward too, this weekend is the law school kickball tournament. I am looking for a better result than last year, as I was part of the 1L team that was destroyed by the 2Ls. I am going to get (hopefully) all of my weekend work done on Friday which means staying up late and having a great time outlining for Con Law so I don't have anything else to worry about on Saturday.

Well that's all for now, wish me luck on the driver test.