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		Who: Claire Zovko 3L From: Federal Way, Washington What: Seattle Supersonics Where: Federal Way, Washington

1. Where did you grown up?
      Federal Way, Washington

 

2. What undergrad did you attend?
      Pacific Lutheran University

 

3. What was your major?
      Business Administration.

 

4. What attracted you to the University of Miami School of Law?
      The programs that were offered, the location, my campus visit, and a sibling that lives in Miami.

 

5. Where did you work over the summer?
      I worked as a legal/basketball operations intern to the Assistant General Manager of the Seattle Supersonics in Seattle, WA.

 

6. How did UM Law prepare you for “the Seattle Supersonics”?
      UM law taught me how hard one must work to produce your best product. And if you aren’t interested in working hard, someone else is and they could take your spot. When I got to my summer internship, long hours never bothered me. I wanted to stay at work until the project was completed and I produced my highest quality product.

 

7. Describe what you did at “the Seattle Supersonics.”
      I drafted and reviewed player, coach, and scout contracts. I performed extensive spreadsheet analysis to prepare for the NBA draft and the NBA free agency period. I researched and corresponded with outside counsel on any pending litigation against the team. I also assisted with setting up our business plan after we acquired the NBA D-league franchise, Tulsa 66ers.

 

8. What was the most challenging part of working at “the Seattle Supersonics”?
      It was a challenging time in general because the Seattle Supersonics was in litigation against the City of Seattle over the Key Arena lease. Halfway through the summer, there was a press conference announcing that the two parties settled and the Sonics would become the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was an emotional time for many employees.

 

9. What surprised you the most about your co-workers?
      I was in a business office with all the other groups and they were always really curious about what I was involved in. They would try to get some inside scoop out of me. When the NBA Draft was live on the TVs at work, everyone kept asking me who our first pick was going to be.

 

10. What is the biggest difference between practicing law and studying law?
       When you are practicing law, you pick up how things really work and you must pick things up a lot quicker. In class, you have all semester to learn a concept. In practice, you often have to learn a new concept daily.

 

11. How did your summer position change you as a lawyer? As a person?
       As a lawyer, from working with our outside counsel I was able to strengthen my research and writing skills. As a person, I learned how to be disciplined to have a routine so that I could get my work done but still enjoy other things like working out and spending time with friends and family.

 

12. Did you travel at all this summer?
       Only to Spokane, WA for Hoopfest, the largest 3 on 3 tournament in the world.

 

13. If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you be?
       A professional basketball player just like Sue Bird.

 

14. What’s the best/worst piece of advice you received before going to law school?
       The best advice I got prior to law school was enjoy the time off before law school starts and have a fun summer. The worst advice I got was to read a lot of books about law school the summer before school to prepare.

 

15. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
       Living in Seattle, working for our future NBA franchise.

 

16. If you worked prior to coming to law school, what did you do?
       I took two years off before coming to law school. During that time, I tutored high school kids for their SAT/ACT’s and coached high school basketball.

 

17. If you were to choose one interesting bit of information about yourself that most people wouldn’t know, what would that be?
       That I am the youngest of seven kids.

 

18. What has been your favorite law class and why?
       Sports law with Professor Dee because he is a great professor. I love the material, and I am learning a lot about how the law affects sport in many different contexts. Professor Paul Dee loves what he teaches, sports law, and it comes across when he talks in class. He is a well of knowledge and has the greatest war stories from all of his experience at the University of Miami as general counsel and athletic director.

 

19. What do you do in your spare time to have fun?
       Play basketball, tennis, go running, Bikram yoga, cards/games, rollerblading, reading, snowboarding, anything active with friends, or having quiet time on my deck overlooking Miami.

 

20. What is the most recent movie you’ve seen and would recommend?
       He’s Not That Into You and yes I would recommend it to all.

 

21. What sports teams do you watch?
       Seattle Seahawks, University of Washington Huskies, Miami Heat, and Miami Hurricanes.

 

22. What are your plans after law school?
       Take the Florida Bar and go where the best opportunity is to continue working in sports.

 

23. Any advice to prospective students interested in coming to UM law?
       Come visit the campus if you can. You will know from a visit if this is the right place for you. And, enjoy your last summer before law school!
    
    Posted: 04/03/2009