Somewhere between studying, attending classes and networking with employers, second-year law student Jack Anderson makes time to pursue another passion: baseball. As a six-year member of the Case Western Reserve University baseball team, Anderson has mastered the art of time management, carefully constructing his daily calendar to effectively schedule practice, workouts, classes and studying.
“The key has been treating both commitments with equal importance,” he says. “When I’m at baseball, I’m fully present. When I’m studying, I’m fully focused.”
Anderson, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 2023 while simultaneously playing on the Spartans baseball team, has stepped up into a natural leadership role within the team, mentoring younger players and helping the team navigate challenges. Being a member of diverse teams with various personalities and play styles has given Anderson a new appreciation of the game and the ability to understand team dynamics beyond his individual performance, which earned him the honor of being the first two-time All-American in CWRU baseball history.
“It’s an honor to be recognized at that level, especially within a program that has meant so much to me. It’s a reflection of the hard work I’ve put in, but also of the incredible support from my coaches, teammates and family. Beyond the personal recognition, I hope it serves as motivation for younger players coming into the program—that they can achieve great things with the right mindset and work ethic.”
As he completed his undergraduate education and enrolled at the law school, Anderson leaned on his baseball experience to help guide his law studies.
“Baseball has taught me discipline, resilience and how to stay composed under pressure—all of which are essential skills in law. The ability to make quick strategic decisions on the field translates directly to legal problem-solving.”
While he plans to focus on intellectual property and corporate law, learning more about the legal field has opened his eyes to the flexibility that different practice areas provide. His passion for sports has sparked a strong interest in athlete representation, especially in navigating the new collegiate NIL (name, image and likeness) landscape.
Throughout his time as a student athlete, Anderson has learned to embrace the challenge, something he says other aspiring student athletes should keep in mind when considering a law school education.
“If you’ve been successful in balancing academics and athletics at the undergraduate level, you already have the time management skills to make it work in law school. It’s definitely doable, and the lessons you learn from athletics will make you a better law student and future lawyer.”
He also recommends a strong support system and pursuing hobbies and passions outside of academics, which for him has made the experience “much more fulfilling.” As Anderson nears the end of his athletics eligibility, he looks back at his favorite experiences with fondness.
“One that stands out is winning the conference championship with my teammates in 2023,” he says. “The energy and sense of accomplishment after all the hard work we put in was unforgettable. From a law school perspective, I’ve really enjoyed diving into intellectual property law and connecting with professors who share my interests. The combination of both experiences—excelling on the field and in the classroom—has made my time at CWRU incredibly rewarding.”