What drew you to the law?
Prior to law school, I spent seven years with a variety of companies, from start-ups to Fortune 500 corporations. During this time, I dealt with many attorneys with a variety of skill sets and experiences. Over time, I was drawn both to the intellectual challenges of the law and the opportunity.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
I love the classroom experience. It should be a dynamic learning environment that pushes your intellectual abilities and challenges your preconceptions. My favorite part of the process is when we push past the black-letter law to apply what we’ve learned to real-world scenarios — the kind of situations that our clients face every day. When students are able to see their expertise put into action, that is when it gets really good.
What do you hope students gain from your courses?
I will admit that the phrase “thinking like a lawyer” is overused, but I think it still has meaning. For me, it is about putting your client at the center of your thinking. If I can help get students there, then I’ve done my job.
What did you do prior to entering academia?
After graduating from law school, I spent two years as a judicial clerk at the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York. I then joined the Washington, D.C., office of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue, working primarily on appellate cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and federal courts of appeals, as well as international arbitration before the World Bank.
What are you passionate about outside the law?
My family and I spend a great deal of time outdoors and play a lot of sports. We are also diehard Patriots, Red Sox and Celtics fans. My kids are also really into technology (it runs in the family), so we enjoy making original movies and gaming.
What are your research interests?
My scholarship focuses on technology, constitutional theory (especially privacy and the First Amendment) and intellectual property. Issues of national security are also prominent.