Alexander Paper has built a career defined by curiosity, adaptability, and a deep commitment to understanding how law operates across industries. The Business Law Program recently spoke with alumnus Alexander Paper ‘23 about his professional path, his passion for contract work, and the ways his legal education continues to shape his career. His reflections offer a thoughtful look at how Maryland Carey Law graduates carve out meaningful careers across a wide range of industries.
Can you trace your path after graduating in 2023 to your current position at Havtech?
“After graduating from Maryland Carey Law, I stepped into a fast-paced tax law analyst role at Bloomberg Industry Group, where I focused on federal, state, and international tax law developments. I learned how to interpret complex statutes, case law, and regulations into actionable summaries and publications. I recently transitioned into a Contract Specialist role at Havtech in Columbia, Maryland, where I now work on a wide range of commercial contracts within the HVAC and construction industries. My work entails reviewing specific types of contracts for almost a dozen affiliate businesses operating within the Havtech ‘umbrella’, some of which include purchase orders, master subcontract agreements, preventative maintenance agreements, and even non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements, among many others.”
What sparked your interest in contracts?
“My interest in contracts began before law school. I was interested in the music industry and was studying to become an artist manager when I came across my first business law course. Upon learning the nuances and complexities of contracts from mitigating risks, to negotiating the best terms for your clients, I realized I had finally found my passion. In law school, I was drawn to the precision required in contract drafting and the ability to foresee risks, protect parties, and engineer outcomes based on client goals and circumstances. There’s something very satisfying about building a document that brings people together to accomplish something big (and doing it in a way that really satisfies your clients).”
How does tax law fit into your contract expertise?
“Most of the contracts I deal with at Havtech include provisions addressing the treatment and payment of taxes, including sales and use of taxes on equipment sold. I happened to learn a lot about sales and use of taxes at Bloomberg prior to beginning my role as a contract specialist, which clearly served me well in knowing how to deal with and respond to those types of provisions, the governing law, and jurisdictional treatment of the tax. Therefore, the analytical lens I developed while learning tax law in law school and at Bloomberg really allows me to spot issues in contracts that others might overlook.”
As a contract specialist, how much of your time is spent on a computer behind a desk versus meetings?
“As a contract specialist, I spend more time behind my desk reviewing and drafting contracts than meeting with other parties. However, what surprises me about this new role is just how collaborative it can be. I regularly interact with business unit leaders across all affiliate businesses to assess their contractual needs and goals; I regularly assist with negotiation preparation; and I often present my review and comments when preparing to respond to offers/counter offers. It truly is a role that blends creative thinking with analytical reasoning”
As technology advances and the use of AI grows in the legal field, could you share how you use AI in your work?
“During my time at Bloomberg, I took the initiative to enhance the prompting of large language models (LLMs) for our internal workflows. I built prompt templates for AI-generated summaries to improve internal accuracy and efficiency. I believe AI, when used responsibly, can greatly enhance the beginning stages of legal research and contract review by highlighting risks, key clauses/provisions, and even recommending edits based on evolving best practices. However, there is a fine line when it comes to reliance on AI. It is easy and tempting to want to take whatever information you are being given, but every lawyer and future lawyer implementing AI into their work should ALWAYS conduct their own independent research to confirm the accuracy of the information produced.”
Why did you choose Maryland Carey Law?
“I chose Maryland Carey Law for many reasons, and looking back, I couldn’t be happier with my decision. Not only am I a Maryland native and wanted to attend the best law school in Maryland, but I had also been interested in Maryland Carey Law’s strong reputation for business and tax law, its strong and reputable academia and clinical programs, its proximity to D.C., and its deeply supportive faculty. From day one, I felt I was surrounded by driven classmates and professors who genuinely cared about my growth as both a legal thinker and a future leader.”
How has graduating from Maryland Carey Law helped in your career? Or what do you feel were the most valuable aspects of your time at Maryland Carey Law?
“Maryland Carey Law taught me how to think in frameworks—to analyze complex situations through both a legal and a strategic lens. The courses in contract drafting, business planning, and corporate tax shaped the way I approach every contract I review. The supportive culture and opportunities for leadership allowed me to develop confidence, empathy, and resilience—qualities that now guide me in fast-paced professional settings.”
Any advice for current students?
“Don’t underestimate the importance of knowing (or finding out) what you are passionate about within the law. Figure out what courses you excel at and why. Say yes to opportunities that align with your passion. Enroll in courses that will help shape the lawyer you want to become. Find mentors who are experienced in the areas of law you wish to be experienced in."
"Once you know where you excel in the law and what you wish to pursue, let nothing stop you from becoming an expert in your field. Always strive to learn more. Lastly, don’t be afraid to reach out to lawyers and recruiters on LinkedIn! I landed this amazing opportunity with Havtech because I requested to connect with, and reached out to, a senior recruiter on LinkedIn, who later said that, had I not done that, I very likely would not have gotten the job due to the number of applicants they had to sift through during the application process. Your dream job really could be one LinkedIn message away from becoming your reality!”
Any other thoughts or things you’d like to cover?
“I am so proud and honored to be able to represent Maryland Carey Law, and I am hopeful that my story shows that there is no ‘one path’ to success. It’s about aligning your strengths with your values—and trusting the process.”
Thank you to Alexander Paper for sharing his thoughtful insights and the details of his interesting career path. His experiences reflect the strength of a Maryland Carey Law education and the many ways our graduates continue to make meaningful contributions in their fields.