"Got a Minute?" with Carl Pratt, 3L

Welcome to the second season of UW Law’s “Got a Minute?” series. Like last year, we’ll find students throughout William H. Gates Hall and ask them 20 questions about their law school experience, a bit about themselves and occasionally drop in a pop quiz or two.

This week, we’re featuring Carl Pratt, a third-year J.D. student.

UW Law: Are you originally from Seattle, and if not, where?

Carl Pratt (CP): I am originally from Rutland, Vermont. And after Vermont, I moved to Alabama for undergrad, and then right after Alabama, I moved here.

UW Law: What's one interesting thing about where you're from?

CP: We're the second biggest city in Vermont with like 17,000 people. The last night I was there over break, my hair froze. I went outside after showering, and it turned into a helmet because it was like negative six out. So that was fun.

UW Law: Where did you earn your undergraduate degree?

CP: I went to Troy University in Troy, Alabama, and I was a history major.

UW Law: Did you take time off between undergrad and law school?

CP: I did not — straight KJD. I've always known that I wanted to go to law school. I decided when I was in middle school that this was what I was going to do. And so, everything in undergrad was geared for the UW.

UW Law: Without looking, how many glass structures are in the courtyard?

CP: Four?

UW Law: Correct. What has surprised you the most about law school?

CP: I'm not used to being around people that are equally, or more, motivated than me, and who have incredible experiences that are so different than mine. It's been really cool, and it's been really different.

UW Law: What are you looking forward to in winter quarter?

CP: I'm looking forward to the sun setting past 5 p.m. I think it’s happening this week or next week – it's before the end of January. Also, I turn 25 in February, so I'm excited for that too. I'm renting a car, and I'm either going to go to Idaho or to Rainier.

UW Law: What's one thing that every visitor to Seattle should go see or do?

CP: Go to Discovery Park. It's a bit out of the way, but it’s where I would be with a book and an iced coffee if I didn't have class today. It has incredible views and incredible cliffs. And you get a beach, you get a field and you get hiking. It's awesome.

UW Law: If you could come up with any new class at UW Law, what would it be?

CP: I'd want to learn about the regulation of our food and agriculture industry. How is our milk being processed? How is our meat being processed? I would want to zoom in on what the FDA is saying and what our regulations are. Why are they that way? And how do we make them better?

UW Law: How many justices made up the first Supreme Court?

CP: Was it seven?

UW Law: Close — six. What was something fun you did over winter break?

CP: I crocheted my younger sister a blanket. I probably spent two weeks from wake up to bedtime crocheting. It was this giant 12-pointed star out of thick, fuzzy yarn. It was really fun. I sat by the fireplace and listened to some good music and drank a hot beverage and watched the snowfall with my Christmas tree. It was just so relaxing.

UW Law: Do you have any secret talents?

CP: I’m surprisingly good at origami. That was something I got really into in third or fourth grade. I'm a little rusty, but I could fold a sticky note into a Pegasus or a unicorn or a shark. It's fun, especially when you're bored in class and you have a sticky note or something.

UW Law: What did Elle Woods score on the LSAT in the movie “Legally Blonde”?

CP: She scored a 179. And Alex Okun, I'm calling you out for this question because Alex has not watched “Legally Blonde” and refuses to watch it because I'm refusing to watch “Star Wars”, but I feel like one movie versus an entire series are different levels of commitment.

UW Law: What's the address of William H. Gates Hall?

CP: I have no idea.

UW Law: 4293 Memorial Way NE, Seattle, WA 98195. What's one myth about law school that you've discovered to be untrue while being a law student?

CP: People who are already established in the legal field really want to help me, which is not what I was expecting. Many of the people I've worked for are reaching out to me after I've left their office to see how I'm doing and to offer support. And I've been really impressed with how many of my professors want to do more to see me succeed.

UW Law: What’s the biggest difference between summer employment and law school?

CP: At 5:01 p.m. you're done. It's over. You don't need to read. You don't need to prep for the next day.

UW Law: If you weren’t pursuing a law degree, what would you be doing instead?

CP: If money didn't matter, I would own and operate a coffee shop. I worked at McDonald's for nine years, and my favorite position was making drinks and not having customers. All I would do was make the lattes and macchiatos, and it was so much fun.

UW Law: Name one lawyer who inspires you, and why.

CP: I'm going to go with the most recent addition to SCOTUS — Justice Jackson. Especially after watching how horribly she was treated in Senate hearings, I think she showed such strength and resilience in the face of hate, and I think I need to draw from that strength and resilience in the face of hatred. So, I'm inspired by her.

UW Law: Is there anyone you would like to give a shoutout to?

CP: I'll give shoutouts to Ali Chen, Kelly Gates, Kendra Granberry, David Nguyen and Ian Calvert.

UW Law: What's one interesting thing about you that people may not know?

CP: I am a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians of North Dakota. My mother was a member of that reservation, and I meet the blood quantum, so I am registered.