Why Matthew Chacey Chose Capital Law

3/10/2015  - Matthew Chacey, L’15, a 3L, received mentoring from one of Capital’s greatest assets, an alumna. Upon the advice of Maribeth Deavers Meluch, L’91, at Isaac Wiles, LLC, he considered Capital because it was a “great practice-ready institution.”

A graduate of Miami University of Ohio in Political Science, Matthew is from Mount Vernon, Ohio. When he came to visit Capital, he sat in on now Associate Dean Jim Beattie’s Constitutional Law II class. He remembered Dean Beattie “was passionate and engaged, and he got the students to be passionate and engaged. I didn’t see that anywhere else I visited. It was really exciting just to be around.” At Capital, you can “get in the sandbox, play, have fun and challenge the status quo.”

From the age of six, Matthew wanted to be a doctor. However, at age 16, he got his first B- in Chemistry and he knew his plans had to change. So he got a job working for Mary Jo Hawkins, the Knox County Clerk of Courts. Matthew was able to “watch what the court does” with Judge Otho Eyster in Knox County’s Common Pleas Court, and he “fell in love (with the law) during sophomore year in high school and never went back.”

Capital’s professors and alumni were not the only ones to influence Matthew’s choice for law school. During an undergraduate summer program, Matthew had the pleasure of meeting and arguing New Jersey v. T.L.O. with Associate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Aside from losing the argument with the Justice, Matthew remembered his advice, “Find a law school that challenges you, engages you, and pushes you to be the best that you can be.”

Choosing Capital turned out to be the right choice for Matthew. “I’ve found leadership development in the curriculum. Capital encourages student growth in a more holistic approach. I have learned to be a leader in my community and how to effect positive change in both my community and my future client’s lives.” Matthew continues to grow and develop his leadership skills as the President of the Corporate and Business Law Association and also sits on the Law School’s Admissions Committee.

Matthew plans to join a small firm in Westerville, OH, where he hopes to practice in Estate Planning and Administration and Business Law. His roots grow deep in that community as he serves on the Westerville Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Committee and the Westerville Symphony.

For additional "My Decision" articles, see Why I Chose Capital.