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Welcome to ������Ƶ’s “Got a Minute?” series. These are fun, short-answer interviews with 20 rapid-fire questions. We’ll find students throughout William H. Gates Hall as they study, wait for class or hangout with their classmates.

This week’s “Got a Minute?” interview is with Sebastian Bock, 1L.

������Ƶ: Are you originally from Seattle, and if not, where?

Sebastian Bock (SB): I was born in South Africa, and then my family moved here when I was around four. We actually moved to McCall, Idaho, at first — that’s where I grew up — and then I went off to college in California.

������Ƶ: What's one interesting fact about where you're from?

SB: South Africa has about 11 official languages, and all sorts of different people from around the world. And then for Idaho — I think it gets a little bit of a bad rap these days — there's a strong sense of community that I haven't quite found anywhere else. It felt like everyone had your back and everybody knew everybody. That's what I like most about there.

������Ƶ: Where did you earn your undergraduate degree?

SB: I went to the University of California, Santa Cruz. They’re the banana slugs, and I have a banana slug tattoo. I really enjoyed it. It was a great place to be. A lot of people there, they're bummed they didn't get into Berkeley or Stanford, but I think everyone kind of came around to loving it. There are a few people in my 1L class that went to Santa Cruz as well.

������Ƶ: Did you take time off between undergrad and law school?

SB: Yeah, I took one gap year. I lived in Oakland, California, and worked at a humane society there.

������Ƶ: Without looking how many glass structures are in the courtyard?

SB: Three?

������Ƶ: Most people guess three, but it's actually four. What's one thing you're excited about for spring quarter?

SB: I was excited for the classes this quarter — constitutional and criminal law. But aside from those I’m also excited about the weather in Seattle during spring. I think it’s even prettier than Seattle during the summer.

������Ƶ: What's your favorite spot on UW campus, excluding William H. Gates Hall?

SB: I walk down to the IMA after class, and while I don't see a lot on that trek, I do pass through the Quad with the cherry blossoms. That's real pretty.

������Ƶ: What's the most interesting legal case you've come across so far in your studies?

SB: One that kind of sticks out is one we read for con law just the other week — Wickard v. Filburn. It had to do with a guy growing his own wheat during the Great Depression, more than he was allotted by the government. He was selling it off to make an extra buck because he had no money. And then the government said, “You can't do that. You got to pay taxes on it.” It made sense when the professor explained it at the same time, but he was in the Great Depression and just trying to make an extra dime.

������Ƶ: Which professor do you think could have a second career as a stand-up comedian?

SB: I want to say Scott Schumacher. I thought he was real fun and funny. I don't know how he’d do in stand-up, but I'd be there cheering him on.

������Ƶ: Which legal term would make the best name for a band?

SB: I’ll go with Actus Reus. That's the act part of committing a crime, versus the mental intent. If I got that wrong, I only just learned it.

������Ƶ: What's one thing that’s surprised you so far in law school?

SB: People weren't wrong — it definitely gets easier. I don't think the work gets easier, but I think you get better at doing the work and you find better ways to work. That's been a surprise.

������Ƶ: Did you do anything fun for spring break?

SB: I went down and visited my girlfriend in California. Then they all went on a family trip, so I just hung out and did everything that I can't do during the school week, like catch up on doctors’ appointments. And then my buddy came up from California. We hung out and I showed him around Seattle.

������Ƶ: If you could have any superpower related to law, what would it be?

SB: Making sure my eyes don’t get tired from looking at a screen all day would be a real leg up.

������Ƶ: What would you like to pursue after you receive your J.D.?

SB: I'm not super sure yet. My summer internship is going to be in consumer protection and antitrust, and I'm excited for that. I think there’s an upper division course, but outside of that, I feel like that's a practice of law that doesn't really get mentioned a lot or explored a lot.

������Ƶ: Which three historical or fictional lawyers would make up your legal dream team?

SB: I think Supreme Court Justice Blackmun — he seems like an interesting character — and Professor Eric Schnapper, and my girlfriend's uncle, Howard Goodman.

������Ƶ: If you weren’t pursuing a law degree, what would you be doing?

SB: I would probably be pursuing another graduate degree of some sort. I got my undergrad in history and poli sci, and there wasn't a whole lot to do with that. I used to want to teach, so probably a Ph.D. in history.

������Ƶ: What's your favorite memory so far from law school?

SB: I got my summer job around the same time that I got my fall quarter grades back, and I was pretty happy with the results of both — the grades, and getting a job so early. That was a nice memory.

������Ƶ: What advice would you give to your younger self before starting law school?

SB: I would say don't stress so much. When the upper classmen tell you that it gets easier — believe them.

������Ƶ: What are your plans for summer?

SB: I’ll be with the Vermont Attorney General's office working in consumer protection and antitrust. I’ve never been out that way before, but I'm pretty excited. I know it's a bit of a small office, but they do punch above their weight, from my understanding.

������Ƶ: Final question, what’s one interesting thing about you?

SB: I don't think a lot of people know that I’m from South Africa.

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