Adam Poe is a third-year student at Stetson University College of Law an institution with the unique distinction of being Florida’s first law school. Poe has spent the last several weeks participating in RumbergerKirk Summer Associate Program. Between sessions, Poe sat down with Attorney at Law Magazine to talk about his life as a student and aspirations for the future.
AALM: What first drew you to law?
AP: I have always enjoyed history and politics, which are two subjects that probably most greatly intertwine with law
AALM: Ideally, where do you see yourself in five years? Ten?
AP: It’s a little scary to say that while entering my third year of law school I do not have a vision of where I will be in five or ten years. I still feel like there are so many opportunities available that I am unaware of. I fear that choosing a path now will narrow my vision to pursuing that. I want to make sure I make an informed decision about the future of my career.
AALM: How important is pro bono work? Why?
AP: Pro bono work is extremely important because we live in a society grounded on a complex system of laws and regulations. Lawyers have played a major role in developing our society’s laws, which are almost impossible to navigate without the help of an attorney. I think everyone, at least once in their life, needs the services of lawyers. Sometimes people need a lawyer at no fault of their own. Many times people need lawyers to complete essential tasks that are riddled with complex legal requirements. I do not think people should be turned down just because they can’t afford a lawyer. Lawyers helped create the law and it is our duty to make sure people are well represented when navigating these waters—even if they cannot afford it.
AALM: Please tell us a little about your experience while interning at the RumbergerKirk.
AP: The experience so far has been great. Aside from the work, RumbergerKirk puts on an awesome program that helps us gain practical skills and also connect with attorneys from across all offices. What impresses me about RumbergerKirk is that it is a large firm, but everyone knows everyone from across all offices. That makes me believe RumbergerKirk values their people.
AALM: How (if at all) has the pandemic/quarantine impacted your law school studies?
AP: Adapting to classes during quarantine was difficult at first, but now I really enjoy the flexibility that comes with remote learning. My first semester of law school was the only normal one I had before the pandemic. During that semester I utilized the library a lot and studied in a group very often. When school went virtual and the libraries closed, I had to learn how to study in a more distracting spot (like my living room) and how to work on my own without a group. It did not take time to adapt to this new way of life and now I love the freedom that comes with remote school. I do not have to wake up early and commute anywhere for class. Instead, I can just wake up, open my laptop, and be wherever I need to be. I can attend class from any location with Wi-Fi. This has given me the opportunity to travel around and be where I want to be without having to worry about missing class.
AALM: What has been the greatest challenge thus far in your pursuit of a law career?
AP: Everyone knows law school is hard work. To succeed, sacrifices must sometimes be made. For me this has meant staying in on a Friday night or skipping a golf round on Saturday. It is hard staying focused and driven with so many distractions around me, especially while living in a city as dynamic as St. Petersburg. Work-life balancing is not always easy. But I know the sacrifices will be worth it in the long run which keeps me going.
AALM: What do you do to relax? Do you have any special interests or hobbies?
AP: Golf is my go-to relaxer and favorite hobby. However, golf is a patient, time-consuming sport. While it might be my first choice, it is not always practical. I love to read (mostly memoirs or history), exercise, and listen to music.
