Oregon Law alumni have been key to opening doors for Joe Matteo, a first-generation 2L student.
In January 2021 through the Center for Career Planning and Professional Development, Matteo connected with Ali David Seals, JD ’09. Seals is the Senior Counsel and Legal Team Director for Weyerhaeuser. Oregon Law’s Career Center helps students plan for success by building connections with alumni and community leaders. Seals provided insight and resources to Matteo through the process of applying for an internship with Northwest Resource Law. Ali Seals manages a broad range of transactional matters including large industrial and other commercial real estate transactions, as well as large scale timber transactions. Seals places a high priority on giving back to the law school community that helped him get to where he is now, such as providing insight and sharing experiences with newcomers like Matteo.
“In my 1L spring semester," Matteo said, "I had the opportunity to participate in a mock interview program. My mock interviewer was Ali Seals who provided me feedback on my interviewing skills. After the mock interview, he offered to stay on the Zoom call to discuss my plans for the summer and long-term career aspirations. When I mentioned I was searching for a 1L summer job, he brought up Northwest Resource Law.”
During Matteo’s time at Northwest Resource Law PLLC in summer 2021, he developed professional connections with a variety of people who practice or are involved in his area of interest. One thing he took away from his summer at Northwest Resource Law, was that no matter how “similar” clients are, they are all different.
Matteo’s long-term goal is to pursue a career in the practice of natural resource law in the Pacific Northwest. He looks forward to representing the northwest’s timber, agribusiness, and natural resource industries and the people and communities that work in these critical industries.
Matteo is actively involved in the law school community. He is a staff editor on the Oregon Law Review and an ambassador for Oregon Law Admissions. Matteo was also a recipient of the 1L Business Law Fellowship.
Aside from being a law student, Matteo enjoys being in the outdoors and fly fishing. Matteo has been a involved in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and serves as the Oregon FFA Foundation Board’s Nominating Committee Chair. He credits the Ford Family Foundation Scholarship as a strong contribution of his pursuit of a JD.
Matteo received his bachelor's degree in Natural Resources Policy and Management from Oregon State University in 2020. Oregon Law has been more than just an educational experience for Matteo, but one that has emphasized community, a strong network of alumni, and a collegial spirit.