Students Fall 2009

Mitch Huzar, '10

Mitch was born and raised just outside of Detroit, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University, where he received a B.A. in International Relations. After spending his first year of law school in Vermont, Mitch transferred to the University of Oregon to pursue an education in business law and to enjoy the company of family located in Oregon. Currently, he serves as a member of the law school's Career Services Advisory Board and is the Operations Editor of the Oregon Law Review.

Mitch brings a strong work ethic and a positive, professional attitude to the Small Business Clinic. Prior to joining the Clinic, Mitch spent several years working for the Michigan Attorney General's Office as a clerk in its Child and Family Services Bureau and Environment Natural Resources and Agriculture Division. During his law school career Mitch has also externed for the Honorable Karsten H. Rasmussen in the Lane County Circuit Court and clerked for the Oregon Department of Justice's Trial Division, with a focus on commercial and construction litigation.

Having spent much of his time in the sphere of litigation, Mitch understands the costs and burdens that litigation can place on a business. He hopes to use his legal education and professional experience to assist business owners in assessing their needs and meeting their goals in a practical and effective manner, with an eye towards preventing litigation wherever possible. Mitch is eager to begin working with the Small Business Clinic and looks forward to putting his unique perspective into service for local business owners.

Rachel Kim, '10

Rachael was born and raised in Kirkland, WA, a small suburban city outside of Seattle. She graduated from Seattle University with a B.A. in Business Administration focusing on business management and international business.

Following graduation, Rachael worked for a few years in the international trade and transportation industry where she assisted small and mid-size businesses with exports, imports, and domestic transportation. She decided to pursue a law degree to broaden her knowledge and understanding of how the law limits and protects businesses.Rachael is currently serving as a co-director of the Law and Entrepreneurship Student Assocation. She also externed for the Honorable Rives Kistler of the Oregon Supreme Court last year and clerked this past summer at the Oregon Department of Justice in the labor and employment general counsel section.

Rachael is excited to begin working with the Small Business Clinic and is looking forward to assisting and working with various clients.

Jen Maks, '10

Jen Maks was born and raised in Beaverton, Oregon and is the daughter of a small business owner. She received her B.S. in Finance from Oregon State University. After finishing her undergraduate degree, she worked in Operations Finance for Intel Corporation.

While in law school, Jen has focused on business law. Jen is an editor on the Journal of Environmental Law and Litigation. She is also a member of both the Moot Court Board and the Law and Entrepreneurship Student Association. Jen spent the summer after her first year of summer as an intern for Obsidian Finance Group, and her second summer as an intern with KPMG’s international and state tax practices. Jen is eager to work with small businesses through the Small Business Clinic, helping with their success and allowing her to gain more practical experience.

Kathryn Peters, '10

Kathryn (Cassie) grew up in Wisconsin and moved to Eugene in 1991 to attend the University of Oregon. While pursuing her degree in Accounting, Cassie started a small clothing business, selling her goods at the Eugene Saturday Market. Following graduation, Cassie continued to grow her business eventually selling her natural fiber clothing line to stores around the United States as well as in Japan.

In addition to her clothing business, Cassie spent seven years as a licensed tax preparer specializing in sole proprietorships. Her belief in the power and importance of small business to local communities brought her to law school in the Fall of 2007. Business, tax and sustainability have been the focus of Cassie’s studies and she has also devoted herself to working with clients at Lane County Legal Aid and Advocacy Center.

Cassie is the mother of a fifteen year son and enjoys gardening, food preservation, cooking, and the outdoors. She is passionate about building local community and creating a more sustainable society for the betterment of our lives today and for future generations.

Jason Poss, '10

Jason Poss is an Iowa native who graduated from the University of Iowa with honors with a B.B.A. in Management and Organizations and a minor in Sociology. An outdoor enthusiast, he decided to head west for law school, and although he remains a loyal Hawkeye fan, he made sure to choose a school with an equally exciting football program.

While in law school, Jason has developed an eye for detail, which is certain to help him in his work with small business owners. After completing his first year of law school, Jason worked as a research assistant for the law school’s Legal Research and Writing Department, where he also assisted in the publication of three legal research books. He presently serves as an Executive Editor of the Oregon Review of International Law, and was recently awarded the journal’s top award for editorial excellence.

Jason is also currently clerking with the law firm of Hutchinson, Cox, Coons, DuPriest, Orr & Sherlock, P.C. in Eugene, and he especially enjoys assisting the firm’s attorneys in providing legal services for large and small business owners. He is looking forward to the opportunity to put his skills to use for the benefit of local small business owners and entrepreneurs, and he hopes that his work with the Small Business Clinic is the beginning of a long and fulfilling career in business law.

Matt Schroettnig, '10

Matthew Schroettnig grew up Warwick, NY, a small suburb of New York City. He received a degree in Philosophy from the University of New Hampshire with an emphasis in pre-law studies. Before attending law school, Matthew spent several years in the finance industry with Sun Life Financial, near Boston, MA.

Matthew firmly believes that energy independence will come from new business ventures and entrepreneurialism, and seeks to position himself as a leader in the business and energy fields in the Pacific Northwest.

During law school, Matthew was chosen as a fellow for the University of Oregon Technology Entrepreneurship Program, worked as a law clerk for the Oregon Department of Justice, and spent a summer in the Office of General Counsel for the Bonneville Power Administration. Matthew is eager to utilize his personal and professional experiences to help Oregon’s entrepreneurs overcome the many daily challenges they face and to help their small businesses grow.

Steve Thompson, '10

Steve Thompson grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Oklahoma. Upon graduation he moved to Eugene to earn his JD at the University of Oregon.

Steve is a member of the Oregon Law Review and is the co-chair of the Law and Entrepreneurship Student Association. He has externed for the Honorable Debra Vogt at the Lane County Circuit Court, and has recently clerked for a business law firm in Tulsa. The summer clerkship allowed him to work directly with many corporate clients that varied from large banks to small oil & gas companies.

Steve is very passionate about business and is looking forward to helping the small businesses of the community grow and prosper.