Hi, Azam. Thank you very much for being here and agreeing to be “Hot Benched.” So, for the readers of the Law Weekly, will you please state your name, hometown, and class year?
I’m Azam Janmohamed, I’m a 2L, and my hometown, I guess I would say, is Houston, but I was born in Toronto, and then lived in Houston for a few years, and then lived in Karachi for a few years, and then went to high school in New Jersey. But right now it certainly feels like Houston.
That’s a really cool list of places. So, what’s the best part about Houston?
The food. It has to be the food. But I think overall it’s the food, my family, and it is an underrated art city. We have some of the best museums, and one of the best museum districts in the country. So I think Houston is generally slept on for its arts, culture, and food.
So you didn’t happen to mention anyone that will be in Houston . . . is there a mentor of yours that you are happy will also be in Houston?
Well, I did say my family, but I feel like you are talking about someone else . . .
[awkward laughter as the Law Weekly head intern was desperately trying to get some special recognition that never materialized]
ANYWAYS, so have you ever read the Law Weekly before?
I have. I have. One of my close friends that I worked with before law school was “Hot Benched” recently, so I got to read his amazing article. And one of the people in my section, Andrew Moore, I know, writes on the Law Weekly, and I always find time to read his stuff.
I love Mr. A. Moore. So, what was your immediate reaction when I asked to “Hot Bench” you?
I didn’t know that you wrote for the Law Weekly. That was my immediate reaction.
Are you surprised to learn that my articles are the most widely read of any of the Law Weekly’s articles?
That doesn’t surprise me at all. I think, just like your capacity at writing incredibly detailed memos, your Law Weekly scholarship is surely top tier.
Well, I appreciate that. So what did you do before law school?
I worked at a law firm in Washington, DC, for two years, and then at the same law firm in San Francisco for a year.
That’s excellent. Do you have advice for law students during their summer internships?
I would say my advice for anyone in the summers during law school is to try and make the most of whatever you may be doing for that summer. I think being in law school is a very privileged type of experience, and before you’re there and after you’re there, life is very different, so try to enjoy every moment of it that you can.
And you meet some really great people in summer programs, don’t you think?
You do meet people that revel in stealing gummy bears from your desk, that’s for sure.
Good times. And lastly, a very relevant question: what is your opinion on small liberal arts colleges in Maine?
Well, my sister did attend one, so very positive. I also know of some of my good friends that also went to them and somehow find a way to sneak them into every conversation we have.
So, do you have a favorite small liberal arts college in Maine?
Bowdoin, for sure.
That was the wrong answer.
Is there a right answer?
Bates College.
I’m happy to hear that you are continuing your propaganda.
Always. So in closing, what is your favorite part about law school?
It’s a very special place. I think that, for me, it’s particularly special because I get to be here, first and foremost, with my awesome wife, but then with my great friends as well, and I try to enjoy every moment of it.
That’s great. Well, thank you very much for joining me.
Thank you, sir.
Author: Adam Slocum ’27, wnq3me@virginia.edu