News @ Georgia Law November 2013 Student Profile
Name: David Blanton Dove
Age: 26
Hometown: Athens, Ga.
Expected graduation year: 2014
Georgia Law extracurricular activities: Student Bar Association President, Moot Court, Mock Trial, Dean’s Ambassadors, Georgia Association of Law & Politics, Republication National Lawyers Association
Undergraduate degree / institution / year: A.B. in Political Science/ UGA /2009
1. What did you do before attending law school?
Prior to attending law school I worked briefly in government, first for Secretary of State Brian Kemp, then for Governor Deal as liaison to county and municipal governments.
2. Why did you choose to attend Georgia School Law?
I was fortunate enough to grow up in Athens and had always hoped to attend Georgia Law. I also attended Georgia for undergrad and knew there was nowhere else I wanted to be for law school other than in Athens. In addition, the faculty, staff and student body could not be more collegial or supportive of one another. Georgia Law is a great environment and a wonderful place to pursue a J.D.
3. Thus far, what is your most memorable experience from your time at Georgia Law?
The most memorable moment for me at Georgia Law was last spring at the Intrastate Moot Court Competition. The competition is sponsored by the Young Lawyers Division of the Georgia Bar and is between the five law schools in Georgia. Georgia Law has won 12 of the last 13 years. As a member of one of the two Georgia teams, I wanted to help carry on that tradition. Both Georgia teams ultimately made it to the final round, defeating all the other teams in the competition. We also brought home all three trophies awarded at the competition: Best Oralist, Best Brief and Best Team. It was a great day to be a Georgia Law Dawg.
4. What is your favorite activity/club/clinic that you are involved with at the law school?
My favorite activity is Moot Court.
5. What made you decide to join/enroll in that activity?
Before arriving at law school, I enjoyed public speaking; however, my 1L year, I thought I might only compete in Mock Trial. It was the encouragement from my friends Scott McAfee, John Eunice, Melissa Bailey and Michele Izquierdo as well as support from Advocacy Director Kellie Casey that encouraged me to pursue Moot Court.
6. What do you enjoy most about it?
For me, Moot is a lot like golf in that competitions are really challenges against myself. The challenge is whether I can make the most clear and concise argument, and whether I can master the law to present a great case to the court. That challenge drives me when I compete, and I really enjoy it.
7. What has been your most rewarding experience through your involvement?
The most reward from my involvement at Georgia Law is from serving as the Student Bar Association president. We have a great executive board that works very hard to improve our programing and positively impact the law school community. I have particularly enjoyed working with the new first-year class. Helping them navigate all the unknowns that come with being a 1L and then seeing them excel in the campus community is very encouraging for the future of Georgia Law.
8. What are your hobbies?
Even though law school prevents me from doing it consistently, I love to cook. I also enjoy running and training for races. It is a great stress reliever.
9. Where is your favorite place to study? Why?
Unlike a lot of law students, I enjoy studying at home. My wife and I are fortunate enough to have a spare bedroom that serves as my home office. There, I can relax a lot more than when I am on campus. Being in a more comfortable environment also provides me better focus for whatever I am working on.
10. What are two things you always have to have with you when you study?
Two things I always have with me while studying are a pack of gum and a backup pack of gum. 1L year I read that chewing gum helps stimulate the same part of the brain as caffeine. Therefore, one can limit coffee and energy drink consumption merely by supporting Wrigley’s. Personally I prefer Double Mint and Bubblicious grape.
11. What is your favorite place on campus?
Sanford Stadium in the fall when the Dawgs are playing at home.