Sam Finkel

Motivation for Law School 

My journey into law school has been nothing short of unorthodox. If you told me 3 years ago that I would be a law school graduate, I wouldn’t have believed you. Prior to law school, I was a student at Penn State University and an Assistant Quarterback Coach with the Football Program. I graduated in May 2020 and accepted a job as a division II running back coach. However, this was during the start of the pandemic, and I was warned that I would likely be furloughed due to the cancellation of the football season. So, I took a shot in the dark; I applied to law school and took the LSAT all within a month. I was fortunate enough to be awarded a full scholarship at Temple Law and I haven’t looked back since.  

Denzel Washington once gave a commencement speech about “falling forward” – a concept of failing at something but using that failure to springboard onto your next opportunity. I do consider my coaching career a failure because I never had a chance to explore that opportunity. However, instead of falling backward and fretting about this missed opportunity, I fell forward and received one of the greatest opportunities of my life – an education at Temple Law. That pivot was one of the most difficult decisions of my life, but also equally one of the most rewarding.  

I know that failure is inevitable in life, but every time I fall, I will make sure I fall forward. 

Experiential Learning 

One of my most meaningful experiences at Temple Law was the ability to conduct my own research via guided research assignments. In particular, I developed two different algorithms projecting NFL player salaries: Wide Receivers for 2022 and Quarterbacks for 2023. These algorithms were developed by data collection, converting salaries to z-scores, building the linear regression model in R, applying confidence intervals, and converting the output z-scores into a salary range in dollars. These experiences taught me how to apply statistics, how to code, and the intricacies of the NFL salary process.  

I was also fortunate enough to have a practicum with Temple Law’s own Josh Weinfeld at Buzz Sports. Through Buzz Sports, I was able to learn about the sports agency business. Through this practicum, I was also introduced to Geoff Mosher, who gave me an opportunity to write articles for Inside the Birds, where I published several articles related to the Philadelphia Eagles offseason decisions. 

Finally, I had a practicum with a personal injury firm, Kamensky, Cohen, and Riechelson, under another Temple alumni, Kevin Riechelson. This opportunity provided experience working for a law firm and complemented my studies in the integrated trial advocacy program (ITAP). 

Participation and Leadership 

I have had some incredible opportunities at Temple. I was able to organize and coach two inter-law school athletic competitions against Philly schools: the Dean’s Cup Basketball Tournament (for the first time in almost ten years) and a Flag Football Tournament (first ever). These events provided some camaraderie, fun, and helped develop strong relationships with the local law schools and their students. 

In addition, I was a co-founder of the Temple Law Sports Negotiation Team, competing in one competition at Villanova, two at Tulane, and coaching another at Villanova. Through these competitions, I was able to simulate sports contract negotiations, representing the club and the players. These events allowed me to develop my negotiation skills in a practical context. It also taught me the innerworkings of sports contract structuring and an introduction to cap space management. Also, as a coach, it helped me enrich my understanding by explaining the concepts I had learned to the future members of this organization. 

Faculty Mentor 

Professor Ken Jacobsen has had the greatest influence on me of any educator in my academic career. I have had the privilege to be instructed by Professor Jacobsen in two guided research assignments, two practicums, and three classes. He also supported and advised us in the creation of the Temple Law Sports Negotiation Team. Professor Jacobsen shaped my experience at Temple by helping me explore my passion for sports in the legal context. I am also extremely grateful for the hours he spent providing me academic, networking/job, and general life advice. Professor Jacobsen is the sports law program at Temple and, like me, the school is fortunate to have him. 

Advice From a New Law Graduate 

• Law school can feel a lot like high school: you have lockers, the classes can be pretty small, and the teachers call on you.  

• Prioritize fun and your hobbies too. Law school is a lot of work, and it might take a while to figure out how to manage your time, but it is important to step away and do what makes you happy! 
• Law school is a great place filled with people of similar interests but different backgrounds – make sure you get to know as many of your classmates as you can. 
• Conversely, make sure your support system is not just law students. It’s great to spend time with people outside of law school as well. 
• Take advantage of summer opportunities – I was able to work for two different Judges at the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas my 1L summer and was part of the Summer Associate Program at Fox Rothschild my 2L summer.  
• Most people don’t know what they are doing or what they are talking about, especially in the beginning. Imposter syndrome is real, but you are meant to be here – you got this!