Stephen Soko, Summer Clerk
June 25, 2020
Meet Stephen Soko, Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, P.L.C.’s newest summer clerk. A student at University of Iowa College of Law, Stephen has previously interned in-house at ACT, Inc. and at the USAO for the Southern District of Iowa. His undergraduate education was at Iowa State University, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa in Economics. While in undergrad, he interned at the Office of the Attorney General in Iowa and the Story County Attorney’s Office. Stephen has also spent time abroad in Nicaragua and the United Arab Emirates.
Recently, we ask Stephen to indulge us by answering some fun questions. We really enjoyed getting to learn more about him and are excited to welcome him as part of our team this summer!
Name: Stephen SokoBirthdate: June 5 Hometown: Bettendorf, IAUniversity: J.D. at University of Iowa College of Law; Economics, B.S., at Iowa State University Area of law most interested in: Mergers & Acquisitions; Start-Ups; Debt and Equity Finance; Corporate Governance. Now for some fun questions!Who is your favorite superhero and why?This is easy. Batman. Specifically, the Dark Knight trilogy with Christian Bale. Those movies hold-up and always make for a great rainy-weekend binge. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?To prioritize self-care. It’s easy to put sleep, nutrition, and exercise on the back-burner when you’re working really hard. But I’ve found that I’m a much more effective law student and law clerk when I’m taking care of myself. I’m also much happier and more fun to be around (or so I’m told). What inspired you to study law?I wanted a career that I would do sophisticated and meaningful work. I enjoy using my analytical side and want to solve problems in my community. Studying law gave me a good opportunity to do that. What is your favorite book/author?I’m a sucker for Calvin and Hobbes comic books by Bill Watterson. I grew up reading them and hung on to my copies when I left home. There are some nuggets of wisdom and humor that I missed as a kid that I can now fully appreciate. If they made a movie about your life, which celebrity would be cast to play you?I wish I could say Dwayne the Rock Johnson, but it’s probably a less funny Adam Sandler. I don’t take myself too seriously. What is your go-to karaoke song?As a proud Cyclone, Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond is my go-to (for non-Cyclones, it’s played in Jack Trice stadium after a Cyclone W!). What causes are you most passionate about and why?I volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters and think it’s a great organization. I’m grateful that I grew up with a lot of great role models around me who helped shape me into who I am today. I want to do whatever I can to continue that cycle with kids today. If you could time travel, what year and where would you go?Honestly, any other year than 2020 would be great. This has been one for the ages. What is the longest you have gone without sleep and why?I was a big-fan of pulling all-nighters in college for finals. As I’ve gotten older, my body has rejected this. Now, I’m a proud member of the 8-hour-a-night club. If you could only pick one to have for the rest of your life, which would it be: chocolate or cheese?I don’t think I could go through life without ice-cream so it has to be chocolate. Have you picked up any new hobbies or habits during your stay-at-home? Or how have you spent your time?I have two rescue dogs that are absolutely spoiled rotten. You’ll find us most nights on a long-walk, at the pond, or at the dog park. If you were a kitchen appliance or utensil, what would you be and why?I’ve gotten really into making my own green-smoothies at home to sneak in some vegetables throughout the day. So I’m going to say a blender.