ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

JOŚE BLAZQUEZ

Undergraduate students in Texas seeking a prelaw education are offered solid advice from the texasbar.com website. “Consider courses that develop organized thinking . . . and the ability to work well with others. Do not choose the least demanding courses for a high grade point average at the expense of achieving valuable learning skills.” For attorney at law, José Blazquez (‘99), his years at #UTSAMUSIC as a music marketing major and active student musician were in line with that advice. Music and law are comparable pursuits; both demand clarity in thought and discipline in action. Good musicians maneuver between ensemble and solo situations as a matter of course. We asked Blazquez, who in 2017 established the Blazquez Law Office in Houston, to travel back to his pre-law days when he was a student musician at UTSA to share his memories with us.

What was your motivation for becoming a lawyer and what role did being a music marketing major play?

The Music Marketing degree was broad enough that it exposed me to areas that I had not considered previously. I had to take a Business Law class. During that class, I discovered I had a real interest in reading legal texts and cases. I found it fascinating that the material concerned real people with actual and tangible problems and situations. When I decided to go to law school, I imagined myself as a music lawyer. Once I got to law school, however, I discovered that I preferred trial and appellate advocacy more so than what I imagined to be the music lawyer’s life of sitting in front of a computer all day dealing with paperwork. I was drawn to the excitement of the trial setting, examination of witnesses and investigation. Looking back, I think it may have been the musician in me looking for a stage.

After you graduated from UTSA where did you attend law school?

I graduated from Texas Tech School of Law in December of 2001, after one year at St. Thomas School of Law in Miami, Florida. I passed the February 2002 bar and was licensed in May of 2002. I began my career in San Antonio and moved to Houston in 2013. In 2017, I opened my own law office and that is currently where I work. My law practice is primarily focused on civil litigation, although I handle other civil matters as well as contracts, real estate, etc. Most of my work is representing large companies when they are sued for accidents, contracts, etc.

Absolutely. After my first year of law school I realized that litigation was going to be my path in the law, primarily because being in court is in many ways similar to performing in front of an audience. Court appearances elicit many of the same feelings of anticipation and nervousness as performing on stage. Similar to music, there is also a lot of preparation that goes into a court appearance. In many ways, effective advocacy for a client in court is also an artistic endeavor. I have unfortunately seen many court performances where the performer (i.e. the lawyer) is disconnected from the audience (i.e. the judge or jury). I feel my music and performance background at UTSA helps me in such situations and provides me with a perspective that other attorneys just do not have.

Do you still play the violin? Are you involved in any music-related activities?

I do occasionally play my violin, but have not played in any ensembles for some time. Between my law practice and 3 children (2 boys ages 17 and 9 and a 12 year old girl), time is at a premium at this stage in my life. I do look forward to being able to again play with an ensemble in the future.

What do you remember about being part of the UTSA Department of Music?

I have many fond memories of my time in the UTSA Music Department. Probably the most memorable are the performances. The feelings of anticipation and nervousness being backstage and stepping in front of the audience were something I loved, and are now definitely my fondest memories of being a music major. I also fondly recall the close knit community of the Music Department and the great, positive environment that existed for personal development and growth. As a Music Marketing major, I also had the opportunity to intern with the San Antonio Symphony, which was a great experience.

Did you have a role model/mentor or positive influence on you during your years of education?

Absolutely, Dr. Eugene Dowdy. I really looked up to Dr. Dowdy and have tremendous respect for him. I know he had a similar effect on hundreds, if not thousands, of other students who came through the Music Department. I also received some private instruction from Dr. Dowdy before he moved into administration. While in law school, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to be a law clerk for a local district judge named Frank Montalvo.

If you could describe your experience as a UTSA music major what 3 words would come into your mind and why?

Grow yourself here. My time at UTSA was transformative for my life. I had already spent several years in college before coming to the Music Department and up to that point, had a very difficult time finding my path and myself. After transferring, I was surrounded by many very intelligent and positive people, both in the student body and the faculty. That environment along with music and the discipline required to practice and prepare helped me grow myself personally and develop key skills to succeed in life and my law career.

Why did you choose to attend UTSA and would you recommend it to others?

I chose UTSA due to the proximity to my family; however, I would recommend UTSA to anyone far and wide because of the quality of education I received (academic and personal) and the extraordinary faculty and student body.