Joe Konigsberg is a third year law student at Western New England University School of Law and anticipates a May 2014 graduation. Although he has several areas of interest, he plans on practicing entertainment and transactional law in California.
Joe was born and raised in Baltimore, MD. He grew up with his mother, father, and sister. In 2010, Joe earned his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Maryland, a public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, MD. He served as a teaching assistant and research assistant in social psychology in 2009. Joe spent that summer working at Baltimore's MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital. He shadowed the head physician of the psychiatric division and nurse who dealt with the patients.
At Western New England University School of Law, Joe served as the Treasurer for the Jewish Student Lawyers Association (2011 to 2014). From 2012 to 2014, he served as the President of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society. In 2013, Joe participated in the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Competition. His squad was the first team in school history to attend this competition in Vienna, Austria. Joe is the former President and currently serves as Vice President of the Intellectual Property Law Association. He is the recipient of a merit scholarship.
During the summer of 2012, Joe interned/clerked for an intellectual property litigation attorney. During his spring break in 2013, he spent a week in New Orleans working with the Pro Bono Project. He helped with the clerical work and was able to make independent determinations as to if clients had a right to recovery and to what extent.
During the fall of 2013, Joe acted as an attorney for a job placement agency, hair salon, and a graphic design agency. In order to serve these businesses, he obtained a 3:03 Certification, which is a judicially authorized certification that permits law students, under the supervision of attorneys, to offer necessary legal services to indigent persons. Law students receive practical insight into the practice of law while serving as unpaid assistants to local or state government offices or with the Committee for Public Counsel Services.
Joe is currently a member of the American Bar Association (ABA), the Entertainment Law Division of the ABA, and the Intellectual Property Division of the ABA.
When the University of Maryland alumnus isn't studying, he enjoys music, guitar, and other musical instruments. Joe's favorite authors are Neil Gaiman and Chuck Palahniuk. He is currently reading George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones.
Joe's Academic Law Career and Future Aspirations
Why did Joe go into the law? "I wanted to help artists. I had heard too many stories about musicians signing with a label, only to be dropped later and be left essentially penniless. This was so morally wrong to me that I felt compelled to take steps to try and prevent something of the sort from ever happening again."
He shared his aims and aspirations. "My dream is to be an attorney/manager for a small record label. I would very much enjoy working with artists who are really into their art, and would be able to advise and help them reach their dreams and goals."
When asked about his key accomplishments, Joe candidly replied, "Getting through law school."
He discussed his key strengths and skills that he would like to use to advance his career goals. "I learn quickly and can adapt to nearly any environment."
As for his weakness, Joe noted, "I sometimes take things a little too quickly. I have been learning to slow down and take my time with projects I work on."
Since law school can be hectic at times, Joe pointed out how he relieves stress. "I step away from what is stressing me out and take some time to relax. I come back to the stressful assignment and take it one step at a time. I figure out each step I would need to take and organize each step to the fullest extent possible. The end goal is to have every step fully figured out before I approach."
Many readers are probably wondering how he handles new assignments. The third year law student shared his process: "I make a mental outline of the steps I need to take or the information I need and go from there. Once I have an idea of the direction I want to take, I create my argument and find support."
Where does Joe derive his confidence? "From my actions and sense of humor."
Three Wishes to Live By, Top Priority, Coping with Fear, Facing Obstacles and Volunteer Experience
If Joe had three wishes, what would he wish for? "I would wish for fair treatment for all people, affordable education and medicine for all, and a 1958 Gibson Les Paul."
What is his top priority outside of work? "To make a positive difference in the entertainment industry for the artists."
How does Joe deal with fear? "I take it head on and I rationalize the situation until I can figure out a way to take care of the problem."
Has he faced any obstacles in his life? "I have had a few detrimental physical injuries which have seriously inhibited my life. I have also always gotten in my own way. My habit growing up was to always put myself last and I made things unnecessarily difficult for myself. To get past it, I started working on myself and things that made me happy."
Does Joe have any volunteer experience? "Throughout high school and college, I would periodically do volunteer work. Some of these times, I would participate with meals on wheels and delivered food to people on Christmas. In law school, I spent a week with the Pro Bono Project New Orleans in 2013 to help people and businesses who were affected by the BP Oil Spill recover their losses."
Legal Role Models, Personal Philosophy, People You Want to Surround Yourself With, Most Influential Traveling Experience, Favorite Quote and Final Thoughts
Does Joe have any legal role models? "Many of my professors are my legal role models. Talking to them, they were in the same boat I am while they were in law school, and they have managed to be very successful and even among the top of their field."
What is his personal philosophy? "Treat others the way you would want them to treat you."
The future attorney talked about what he believes holds more truth in light of his personal philosophy. Was it fate or choice? "Choice. I think we are in control of our destiny. We make our own choices."
What kind of situations and people is Joe attracted to? What kind of situations and people does the law student avoid? "I am attracted to relaxed small groups of like-minded people." As for situations and people to avoid, he stated, "I avoid large packed crowds."
Does Joe have a most influential traveling experience? "I have travelled to many places in Europe. The most influential travelling experience was when I went to Israel. Seeing all the culture and places of significance was humbling."
His favorite quote is "Don't take life too seriously, you'll never get out alive." Joe said the quote resonates with him because people who get bogged down in details won't enjoy life. He added, "Step back and enjoy life. It will improve your life significantly."
Is there anything else you care to share professionally or personally? "I was involved with a group as an undergraduate to address underfunded programs and areas in the school. I gave a speech to a crowd of a couple hundred people and the group was successful in getting the funding it needed." As a member of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society, Joe expected to raise money for concerts that would benefit musicians. Although he didn't have the time or resources to develop his charity at the time, he plans on establishing an annual organization dedicated to this while practicing law.
If you're trying to find a law student summer job, please click here.
