Our Interview With Michael Rake, Partner and Owner at Horenstein Nicholson Blumenthal LPA

Michael is the Partner and Owner at Horenstein Nicholson Blumenthal LPA.

1. What motivated you to pursue a career in law?

My view is that lawyers are translators.  Lawyers know how to speak a specific language and to use that language to impact the world. If you are in the room where the decisions are being made and people’s lives are being affected, its important to be able to speak the language that is being used.  I wanted to be capable of that.  

2. A lot of students struggle with the law school personal statement. What did your brainstorming, writing, and editing process look like, and what do you think made yours stand out from the crowd?

I think its important to focus the personal statement to address what you personally will do with a law degree. There are a lot of students who are very vague when they discuss their ambitions, and that’s okay generally. But when it comes to the personal statement, I would encourage prospective students to articulate something tangible. Who will you be in 3 years?  What can we look forward to from you? 

3. What was the biggest challenge that caught you off guard when you sat down to write the LSAT?

It’s a test that is difficult to prepare for.  It requires thinking in the moment in a way that I wasn’t used to.  Most questions you wont immediately know the answer, you have to deliberate. That can be challenging.  

4. How much work experience did you gain before applying to law school? What opportunities did you pursue, and what helped you the most during the application process?

I worked as a server in a restaurant, as a landscaper at a park department, and at a video store (ask someone over 40 what that is).  All of these experiences were worthwhile in learning how to relate to people.  

5. Did you have any setbacks or rejections during the law school admissions process, and what did you learn from those experiences?

Yes, there was a school that I wanted to attend that I didn’t get into. It was frustrating but that was tempered by having other options. Apply to lots of schools!

6. If you received acceptance to multiple law schools, how did you decide between them?

There are always objective reasons related to proximity, expense, reputation, etc.  But I have made a lot of decisions, including that one, based on trusting my instincts.  That’s never a bad way to go.  

7. What led you to specialize in disability law? What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue your specialty? What activities/events/opportunities would you recommend for students wanting to pursue disability law?

I had a tremendous mentor who showed how rewarding and impactful the work was.  I never looked back. 

8. How do you think AI is affecting law school admissions?

Its difficult to know.  I believe AI is here to stay, so it’s a good idea to learn how to navigate it.  As it pertains to admissions, I’m hopeful that the individual student’s character remains paramount. 

9. What are some emerging fields of law that you would recommend potential students to start thinking about if they want to future-proof themselves in the industry?

Administrative law, VA disability, Immigration law, intellectual property and of course teaching 

10. What are the biggest sacrifices you’ve had to make to pursue a career in law?

When I was younger I would have said money. Now I would say time.  I think a (successful) career in law requires you to be serious and dedicated. There is no other way around it.

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