Welcome to HH&K’s “Meet Your Lawyer: Summer Associate Edition” — a special blog series that offers a closer look at the people behind our 122-year-old firm. In this edition, we’re proud to introduce the newest members of our team as they begin their journey as summer associates, carrying forward Hinman, Howard & Kattell’s enduring motto: Peace of mind since 1901. Meet Matthew Calenzo!
Matt Calenzo is a Summer Associate of Hinman, Howard & Kattell. He attends St. John’s University School of Law and has been a great part of the team!
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Matt, Thank you for participating in this Meet the Lawyer – Summer Associate Edition. We first want to ask you, what excites you about your summer at HH&K?
One of things that excites me about being at HHK this summer is having exposure to a bunch of different practice areas and hopefully gaining insight on what I want to do someday.
What was your college mascot?
Raider
What book are you currently reading? Or podcast you are listening to?
Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky
What is your favorite musical group / singer?
Billy Joel
What is the best concert you have ever seen live?
Florida Georgia Line
If you could live somewhere for a year, where would you go and why?
Australia because I want to see the wildlife and try a vegemite sandwich
What teacher or coach made the biggest impact on you and why?
Probably my high school chemistry teacher, Mrs. Karl, because she helped me learn how to approach complex problems
If you could witness any event of the past, present or future, what would it be?
The Miracle on Ice
What is a new skill that you would like to learn or are currently trying to learn?
I want to learn to play the harmonica
What’s something you’ve done that took you completely out of your comfort zone? Do you regret it?
I’m better at writing than I am at math, but I wanted to learn about economics in college, so I took some challenging classes to make that happen. I don’t regret it, I’m glad I learned some new things
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Chicken Parm
What’s your go-to productivity tip — or guilty distraction?
I think pacing helps productivity more than people give it credit for
If you were not planning to be an attorney, what would your job be?
Hard to say. Maybe a farmer or a commercial fisherman
What is your dream car?
Cadillac Escalade
What is your favorite quote and why?
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” -Wayne Gretzky
Do you have any pets? What kind of review would your pet leave you if they were asked to rate you as a human?
No, but I plan on owning multiple dogs and maybe an alpaca someday
What made you decide you want to be an attorney?
I always knew I was interested in becoming an attorney, but I decided on becoming an attorney after I served on a jury during one of Judge Cawley’s trials
If you could write a law to make the world better, what would it be?
A law requiring law offices to install a soft serve ice cream machine in the break room
If you had to turn your career path into a board game, what’s one rule or challenge on it?
Challenge: Decide what type of law you want to practice (maybe) for the rest of your life right now. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200