3/27/2020

Christopher Rose

Christopher Rose
Christopher Rose

You did an epic hike of the Appalachian Trail. Give us the highlights.

Six months, 2156 miles, all uphill. My trail name was “Popsicle,” because I almost froze to death. The first of many times I almost died. Got lost in nighttime fog so thick I couldn’t see my feet; was followed by a bear in the Smokies (also at night); nearly lost an eye in the Hundred-Mile Wilderness; contracted Lyme disease. The biggest lesson I learned is that its hard to die, so take a few chances. Also, a person can live off Kraft Mac n’ Cheese indefinitely.

And you were a table games dealer here for some time before starting law school. What did you enjoy about that work?

I was a casino dealer for 15 years. I can start a conversation with anyone. The real skill is figuring out what people want to talk about. The job was 90 percent party, 10 percent existential reckoning. Taking money from people for a living can weigh heavy upon the soul. In the end, as much as I (mostly) enjoyed playing games and meeting new people, counting to 21 just doesn’t amount to much of a challenge after a little while.

Tell us your plans following graduation in May and the bar exam in July.

After graduation, I will likely take a weekend off (a near-foreign concept at the moment), then begin studying for the bar. Alas, my two strengths, height and charm, are not tested. After the bar I will continue to work as a lobbyist for Strategies 360. No six-minute increments for me. I like the multi-dimensional approach that is required to succeed as a lobbyist. Plus it plays to my strengths (see above).

Sweaters or hoodies?

From a utilitarian standpoint, hoodies. Aesthetically, sweaters.