Born in Harlem, Georgia, Randolph “Randy” Frails (J.D.’97) has practiced law in the Augusta area for nearly 30 years. As founding partner of the law firm Frails & Wilson, he has supported his community both through work and involvement.

“I think the key to success for my law firm has been a willingness to invest in people and reinvest in the community,” Frails said. “You have to be an active member of the community. You also have to be willing to invest in the people you hire to achieve stability and growth.”

Although Frails is proud of his firm’s accomplishments, he finds the most meaningful aspect of his work is the impact it has on both clients and colleagues.

“I certainly like to win when I go to court, but the most important thing is ensuring that our clients are satisfied that you put forth maximum effort to achieve their objectives,” Frails said. “I also get just as much satisfaction when I see an employee – whether it’s a paralegal, another attorney or an administrative employee – who is able to take care of their family because of the efforts of our law firm.”

Frails said his path to a legal career was not typical. The fifth-born of eight children, he was the first in his family to attend college – something his father, who had a third-grade education, and his mother, who had an eighth-grade education, strongly encouraged.

“They always encouraged us to get an education, because they did not have the opportunity to go to school,” Frails said. “They were my greatest influence.”

After graduating from high school in 1974, Frails joined the U.S. Navy. While on active duty, he enrolled in college courses as often as he could and subsequently graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in aviation management.

He spent 20 years on active duty in the military, ultimately becoming a senior chief aviation electronics technician. While the military motivated him and gave him structure and discipline, he began to feel constrained by his role and decided to pursue law school.

“Even though I enjoyed the Navy, I felt a little held back while I was there,” Frails said. “I thought my growth was not what it should have been. It was one of those things where I thought, ‘Okay, this is good, but I think there’s something better,’ and UGA offered it to me.”

He picked UGA both for its location in Georgia and for its affordability. Frails said he received a scholarship that enabled him to focus on law school without worrying about debt.

Frails began his first year of law school at 37 years old. Starting at an older age, he faced the challenge of balancing academics with the responsibilities of taking care of his family.

“I was at least 10 years older than most of the people who I was in law school with, and the fact that I attended college in a nontraditional fashion – the rigors of getting through all the courses and writing – it took a toll, but I was determined.”

UGA had both a professional and personal impact on Frails. The school connected him with a lifelong network that has supported him to this day.

“It really has been a part of my life since I graduated law school. I never thought that being associated with UGA would have such a great impact on me throughout my life and throughout the practice of law,” he said.

Frails has remained closely connected to the School of Law throughout his career as a member of the Law School Alumni Council. He sees his involvement as a way to honor the support he received from the school.

“I felt a profound duty after I graduated from law school to give back because of what they had done for me,” Frails said.

Through the LSAC, Frails participates in discussions regarding the law school with both other council members and law school alumni.

“I really think that it allows me to make a difference,” Frails said. “I think the law school takes the input of the alumni council seriously. I think we serve an important function in how the law school operates and how it moves forward. It is an important role that we serve, and I am honored to have participated for all these years.”

Frails also reflected on the growth both he and his community have experienced over time. That is part of what motivates him to be involved and help others.

“I grew up in Columbia County when it was mostly rural and not as economically advanced as it is today. We, as a family, did not have indoor plumbing until 1970 when I was age 14. We got our drinking water from a well with a pulley,” Frails said. “When I look at my life’s accomplishments because of the UGA School of Law, I just feel the need to give back as best as I can.”

His commitment to service continues to guide his decisions both as a lawyer and as a member of the Augusta community. He hopes other alumni also find fulfillment in supporting their own communities.

“Give back to UGA, give back to your community, because people need help through life to travel that road you’ve already traveled,” Frails said. “If you are blessed to be able to graduate from law school, land a good job or find your passion, helping someone else along the way can give you great satisfaction.”

—Mason A. Brock