Why Mac Malone Chose Capital

2/8/2021 - Mac Malone, L’22, always knew he wanted to attend law school—and so did everyone else, apparently. In fact, while in college, he ran into his fifth-grade teacher who asked him if he still wanted to be a lawyer.

Mac attended the University of Northern Colorado in his hometown of Greeley. He began pursuing a degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. After taking his first Criminal Justice class, he was hooked. Before the spring semester began, he switched his major. “I was introduced to all of the intricacies of the justice system,” he says, “and more importantly, to the flaws that so desperately need reform.” 

After graduating from UNC in 2018 and spending a year working in Phoenix, Arizona, Mac decided to attend Capital University Law School. Having family in Ohio, Mac knew that it would be a good move for him. 

His initial interest in CULS stemmed from having multiple family members who attended Capital University for their undergraduate degree and had a great experience.

Mac says that the law school’s location in downtown Columbus played an enormous role in his decision to attend Capital, with the school located just blocks from the Supreme Court of Ohio, the Ohio Statehouse, the Attorney General’s Office, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. “I knew that I would be afforded opportunities at Capital that I would be missing out on if I attended law school elsewhere,” he says.

As a first-generation law student, Mac appreciates the support that he receives from faculty and staff.  “They recognize that this is a new and challenging experience for many people,” he says, “and they genuinely care about their students.” Thus far, Mac’s favorite class is Torts, with the always entertaining Professor Gilles. 

Currently, Mac Is a law clerk at the Franklin County Public Defender’s office. In the spring of 2021, he will serve as an extern for Maureen O’Connor, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio.

While he is still interested in criminal law, Mac says that he looks forward to learning about as many other practice areas as possible before graduating.

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