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Welcome to the second season of �鶹���� Law’s “Got a Minute?” series. Like last year, we’ll find students throughout William H. Gates Hall and ask them 20 questions about their law school experience, a bit about themselves and occasionally drop in a pop quiz or two.

We’re pleased to begin this season’s series with an interview featuring Patrick Halm, a second-year J.D. student.

�鶹���� Law: Are you originally from Seattle, and if not, where?

Patrick Halm (PH): No, I'm originally from Great Falls, Virginia.

�鶹���� Law: What's one interesting fact about where you're from?

PH: There’s a very small national park there— Great Falls National Park. It's about 30 minutes outside of D.C. and has a big waterfall on the Potomac.

�鶹���� Law: Where did you earn your undergraduate degree?

PH: Boston College.

�鶹���� Law: Did you take time off between undergrad and law school?

PH: I did, yeah. I spent a year in Portland doing an AmeriCorps program there, working in a nonprofit serving youth experiencing homeless in the downtown Portland area. And then I spent two years here in Seattle working at a nonprofit mentoring high school students in South Seattle.

�鶹���� Law: Without looking, how many glass structures are in the courtyard?

PH: Three.

�鶹���� Law: There are four. If you could give one superlative to any professor, who would it be and what would it be?

PH: I would say Most Friendly Dad Energy, and it would go to Professor Ziff.

�鶹���� Law: What year was the Supreme Court established?

PH: 1783?

�鶹���� Law: Close — 1789. Which Professor do you think could have a second career as a stand-up comedian?

PH: Professor Calandrillo. He's got some charisma, and he's definitely a performer up there in class.

�鶹���� Law: If Harry the Husky were a lawyer, what type of law would he practice?

PH: I think he'd be a public defender. He'd get out there on behalf of the people in the courtroom.

�鶹���� Law: If you were arguing in front of a jury made up of historical figures, who would be the toughest juror to convince?

PH: Richard Nixon. I think he'd be tough on crime.

�鶹���� Law: If you could come up with any new class at �鶹���� Law, what would it be?

PH: Writing and reviewing contracts.

�鶹���� Law: What's more peculiar, the fact that “Law” starts with an “L” and the building is shaped like an “L” or that our dean has the word “Law” in her last name?

PH: Definitely the dean having “Law” in her last name. I assume that was a big reason why she got the job.

�鶹���� Law: When did William H. Gates Sr., the namesake of �鶹���� Law’s home, graduate from �鶹���� Law?

PH: 1953?

�鶹���� Law: Close again — 1950. What would your opening statement be in favor of, or against, the “five-second rule,” which states that eating food dropped on the floor is safe within five seconds of it being dropped?

PH: To munch or not to munch? This is the question.

�鶹���� Law: What area of law would you like to pursue after you receive your J.D.?

PH: Criminal defense work.

�鶹���� Law: What was the most fun thing you did this past summer?

PH: I went to visit the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, which is, like, basically Canada. I visited with my boyfriend to see his parents, who live up there. Lake Superior is on one side and Lake Michigan is on the other side. There are quiet, little towns and big forests.

�鶹���� Law: If you weren't pursuing a law degree, what would you be doing instead?

PH: I would either want to work as a social worker or as a teacher. Those are the two other career paths I was thinking of. I used to work part-time as a writing tutor with kids between first and sixth grade, mainly helping them with reading skills.

�鶹���� Law: What's your favorite memory from law school so far?

PH: I loved doing the in-house mock trial competition last fall. That was a blast. It was only a month into school, and I feel like I made some great friends through that. And it was fun to focus all my energy on one thing that wasn't school.

�鶹���� Law: Who is one lawyer that inspires you, and why?

PH: My dad. He’s a very humble person, so he never really hyped up the job, but I always knew he was really passionate about it. He went to work every day enjoying what he does, even if it was long hours or frustrating at times or difficult.

�鶹���� Law: What's one interesting thing about you that people may not know?

PH: I didn’t speak until I was four-years old. My parents had to take me to a speech therapist to get me to start talking. And they joke now that they wish they could take me back and reverse it because once I started talking, I didn’t stop.