STUDENT PROFILE
www.lawcrossing.com
1. 800.973.1177
Fred Clements: Executive Editor of the Law Review at Faulkner University’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, Montgomery, AL [By Heather Jung] When Fred Clements began his law school career three years ago, he left behind a career in information technology, an industry he had worked in for 10 years. According to Clements, his work focused primarily on “database applications for business systems and data warehousing.” Despite the fact that he was working with the newest technology and in a global market, he left the industry because he no longer felt challenged by his job, which made working tedious. He said that he enjoys studying law because it is rarely boring.
“I started law school for a number of reasons,
that, he is unsure of what field he wants to
really complicated set of rules. I also really
ranging from having a general interest in the law
pursue after graduation.
enjoy the practical skills classes such as appellate and trial advocacy. I’ve found the
to being bored with my career,” Clements said. “Realistically, what you end up doing is likely
advocacy classes have improved my writing
During his time in law school, Clements
defined by who hires you,” Clements said. “I
skills, public speaking skills, and self-
has participated on the moot court and trial
have a niche with my information technology
confidence.”
teams. He feels that his experiences in
background…so if I find something related to
student organizations have helped to enhance
that, great!”
In his spare time, Clements plays the mandolin in his bluegrass band, the Coosa
his law school career. After three years of studying law, Clements
River Broadcasters. The other band members
“You have the opportunity to develop skills,
says that some of his favorite courses
are all practicing attorneys; they play the
especially in the organizations I am involved in,”
and professors have been the ones who
banjo, upright bass, and guitar.
Clements said. “Additionally, I’ve become very
challenged him. Clements has been married for a little more
good friends with the people I’ve worked with.” “I particularly like the ‘rule’-based courses,”
than three years and says that he is fortunate
Clements has also worked on the school’s
Clements said. “In an odd way, they seem
to have a wife who has supported him in his
law review and is currently serving as
kind of like big board games played with a
decision to change careers and who was willing to make a move from Chicago to Montgomery.
its executive editor. He said that, in his experience, the job is a lot of work and quoted a professor, Donald Garner, who said, “[E]mployers don’t look for students who were in law review because they have any special skills; employers seek them because being on law review demonstrates you are willing to do a ridiculous amount of work.” Last summer, Clements interned in the legal department of Raycom Media, a broadcasting company based in Montgomery. His work consisted primarily of contract work, and he enjoyed the fact that attorneys there dealt with a wide variety of legal jobs rather than specializing in just one. Due to graduate this year, Clements said he would not mind receiving a call from Raycom but is looking into clerkships for the time being. Beyond
PAGE
Q: What do you do for fun? A: I play in a bluegrass band, and I’m into vintage Vespas.
On the Net
Q: What CD is in your CD player right now? A: Anodyne by Uncle Tupelo.
www.faulkner.edu/admissions/jonesLaw.asp
Q: What is the last magazine you read? A: Cover to cover? No clue. I did look at the “Dos and Don’ts” section of my wife’s Self magazine the other day; does that count? Q: What is your favorite TV show? A: Of all time…Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Currently, who has time? Q: Who is your role model? A: It sounds cheesy but my father. He works very hard and is always kind.
Thomas Goode Jones School of Law
Raycom Media www.raycommedia.com Student Organizations at Faulkner University www.faulkner.edu/jsl/students/studentorgs.asp