University of Pittsburgh School of Law 2L James Capone (JD '24) was anticipating a career in mechanical engineering — having earned a degree and started a job — when he was unexpectedly let go by the company where he was working due to cutbacks during the COVID pandemic.
“After that happened, I worked at my sister’s law firm as a paralegal while I tried to reassess my plan,” said Capone, 26. “That’s when my sister suggested I pursue a career in law, and I ran with it.”
In fact, Capone ran all the way to the Cardozo BMI Entertainment and Media Law Moot Court Competition, held in late March in New York City. Capone was part of a team from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where he is in his second year. The Franklin Regional graduate also revived the school’s Intellectual Property Law Association, where he serves as president, and will be working as a summer associate this year with Downtown law firm K&L Gates.
Pitt’s team wasn’t able to advance into the later rounds of the moot court competition, but Capone spoke with the Tribune-Review about preparing for the competition and his plans for a future in the legal world.
Patrick Varine, Pittsburgh Tribune Review