In the Courtroom or on the Lacrosse Field, Dan Shaivitz is a Competitor

Spring has sprung, courts are easing pandemic restrictions, and many of my cases that were on pause during the pandemic are going to trial.  For many of my clients, that means their day in court and justice is around the corner.  I too am excited, but not just for my clients.   I enjoy the thrill of the courtroom and competition.  And spring always reminds me of lacrosse season and my time as a Division 1 lacrosse player.

I grew up in Baltimore County in a family of lacrosse players; my father, my uncle, and two first cousins all played lacrosse at a high level.  Two others in the family played at Johns Hopkins University, one of whom arguably was among the best college defensemen ever.

I followed in my father’s footsteps to Rutgers University in New Jersey where I got to wear the scarlet and black, had immense fun, and even managed to sometimes go to class.

In my four years at Rutgers, I worked my way into the starting goaltender position by my senior year in the spring of 2001.  I played under a legendary coach, Tom Hayes, and then up-and-coming coach Bill Dirrigl, my senior year.

I still find time when I am not in court to indulge my love of lacrosse.  I coach my sons’ teams—my younger son, like his grandfather and his dad, is training to be a goalie.  Less frequently, I will put on pads and lace up the cleats to relive my glory days.

For those unfamiliar with lacrosse, the spring season begins in the doldrums of winter with snowy and bitterly cold games in early February.  Then, after the grind of March, conference schedules bloom into an all-out April battle.  The NCAA tournament begins in mid-May and concludes with championship weekend held annually over Memorial Day weekend each year.  As a child, I attended the Final Four with my lacrosse-loving family and dreamed of reaching that field someday.  Unfortunately, at Rutgers, we never reached that peak!

But I am proud of how far the Rutgers program has come over the years.  I remain friendly with many coaches at Rutgers.  While this year Maryland is the outright favorite to hoist the trophy, Rutgers may well make its way to a first-ever Final Four.  I hope the Scarlet Knights can find that small spark, and a little luck, to give them the edge on the field.  Go RU!