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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.

This week, we’re featuring Samuel Hagshenas, a third-year J.D. student.

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

Samuel Hagshenas (SH): No, I'm originally from San Diego, California. I came out to Washington for undergrad.

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

SH: San Diego County is the most biodiverse county in the entire country, and that's not including all the animals in the San Diego Zoo.

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

SH: I earned my undergrad at Western Washington University up in Bellingham. I wanted a different experience and then fell in love with the climate of Washington up here.

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

SH: I did. I took three years. I did a one-year master's program at King's College in London, which was a wonderful experience, but was a very theoretical degree, mostly in economic theories, which doesn't always lead to a job. So, I fell into a job at a law firm, and that's what led me to pursue a legal education.

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

SH: It's funny, I told someone I was doing this interview, and they said make sure to know how many glass structures there are in the courtyard. So, I believe there are four.

�鶹���� Law: Correct! What has surprised you the most about law school?

SH: I think in many ways, law school is similar to a lot of the stereotypes, but you're able to grow so much through it. I was the first person cold called on my first day of civ pro, and I truly thought it would be over for me going forward, but the next cold call felt much more natural, and it's not even something that stresses me out anymore. So, you really grow and learn throughout the experience.

�鶹���� Law: What's one interesting thing you covered in your classes this quarter?

SH: I've been taking labor law with Professor Casillas, which is super interesting. It goes into the history behind the labor movement, and how we got to these labor laws, which honestly came about in quite a violent fashion. So, it's easy to take for granted a lot of the rights we have now.

�鶹���� Law: What's one tip you would give aspiring law students about the admissions process?

SH: Stay off Reddit. The most neurotic people on Earth exist on the law school Reddit, and they're only going to stress you out.

�鶹���� Law: Including amendments and signatures, how many total words are in the U.S. Constitution?

SH: I want to say, like, 6,000.

�鶹���� Law: You're the closest so far — 7,591. What's one thing that every visitor to Seattle should go see or do?

SH: I think the Ballard Locks at the end of summer is the best place in Seattle, and the best time to be there. I could sit out there and just watch it all day.

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

SH: 1789.

�鶹���� Law: Correct! What are you most excited about for winter break?

SH: I'm taking a trip to London. So, I’m excited to explore and go back to that city. During Christmastime they decorate the whole city, so it's really a pleasure to be there.

�鶹���� Law: Do you have any secret talents?

SH: I can name every country on Earth from memory. I believe there are roughly 197, although there's some dispute if some countries are recognized or not.

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

SH: I'm really passionate about labor and employment law, so really hoping to do union-side labor law or plaintiff-side employment law.

�鶹���� Law: What’s the address of William H. Gates Hall?

SH: Something, something, something, Seattle, Washington, 98105?

�鶹���� Law: Close. 4293 Memorial Way NE, Seattle, WA 98195. What's one myth about law school that you've found to be untrue?

SH: I thought cold calls would be in every class and all encompassing. They really, kind of, fall off after the first year or at least become much less severe — although it does depend on who your teacher is. I know some professors avoid them, while others are pretty strict about doing them.

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

SH: I'd definitely be teaching. In fact, I still intend to teach once I'm done being a lawyer. I just wanted to get some good anecdotes for my students.

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

SH: Peak law school, to me, is when you have a group project and you're all in a study room and everyone's just trying to figure it out and writing stuff on the board and brainstorming stuff. To me, that's peak law school. That's the most fun.

�鶹���� Law: Name one lawyer who inspires you and why.

SH: In a world where prominent lawyers have been so profoundly disappointing of late, Sonia Sotomayor is a breath of fresh air. Every opinion of hers I read is really lovely. Another would be Lina Khan, the former chair of the FTC under Biden.

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

SH: I'm really into classical literature. Since I've started law school, I’ve finished almost every Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, which I wouldn't recommend because existential dread is not an excellent pairing for the law student lifestyle. I think Crime and Punishment is a really good book for any aspiring law student. There's a conversation between the main character and a prosecutor that is really riveting. I mean, you just can't take your eyes off the pages.