Class of 2011 graduates J. Thomas “Tom” and Rebecca F. Clarkson often fondly look back at their legal education and their most memorable law school experience: meeting each other.

On the first day of law school, Tom discovered that professors typically assign seats based on where students initially sit. With this in mind, Tom entered his civil procedure class, walked past many empty seats across the auditorium and sat next to Rebecca, who had arrived to the class early.

“I thought it was a very romantic gesture,” Tom said. “The way Rebecca tells it, of course, is ‘Who is this guy? Of all the seats, he’s sitting next to me? At least leave one open!’ But I guess all’s well that ends well, now three kids later.”

The Clarksons said they are really excited about the life they are building with their children, ages 8, 6 and 2. Having three kids to come home to provides a source of grounding and helps them keep a good perspective on things.

They also individually assist one another as they balance the dual demands of family and careers. When Tom had the opportunity to join the U.S. Department of Justice as a federal prosecutor, Rebecca sacrificed a job in Charlotte, North Carolina, to move to Savannah, Georgia, with him. And later, when Rebecca was able to transition to an in-house role, Tom agreed to move to Atlanta, further demonstrating their commitment to each other’s professional growth.

In addition to backing one another’s career goals, the couple’s legal education and careers allow them to understand and care for each other in a distinct way when challenges arise.

“I think it’s a good place where we understand enough of what each other is doing, but we’re not doing the same things,” Rebecca said. “We’re not under the exact same stress, but we understand enough to know when the other person needs help or needs a reminder of the bigger picture.”

Tom and Rebecca make efforts to support not only their family but also the School of Law. They recently established the Rebecca and J. Thomas Clarkson Family Endowment.

“We wanted to do something that would further help the law school be as prepared as they could to attract and retain the best talent possible,” Tom said. “I think the law school has done a phenomenal job of bringing alums back to invest, both financially as well as with their time, and to be able to play a small part in that is a pretty cool thing.”

The Clarkson Family Endowment will benefit the school’s clinical and experiential learning programs, especially the Appellate Litigation Clinic and the Business Law and Ethics Program, in addition to funding student scholarships and fellowships.

“The law school has been really significant to both of us and our success, and we really do believe it’s got great leadership and is accomplishing great things,” Rebecca said. “We wanted to be a part of continuing that legacy and helping the law school be the best it can be.”

Rebecca currently works as associate general counsel for Credigy, a specialty finance company, and Tom is a founding partner of the law firm Griffin Durham Tanner & Clarkson. They said their time in law school prepared them well for their positions.

The pair credits the School of Law’s emphasis on affordability for giving them the freedom to pursue opportunities that set them up for professional fulfillment.

“Being able to make more choices about what we wanted to do with our careers right out of law school because we weren’t just saddled with debt, I think it has impacted our whole lives and will continue to do so,” Rebecca said.

They believe that an affordable legal education will also benefit future legal leaders, as it allows students more freedom to pursue different opportunities without having to worry about financial strain. Tom encourages law students to take advantage of this flexibility whenever they can.

Rebecca said sharing her knowledge and experience with young professionals has been one of the most rewarding parts of her legal practice – teaching the attorneys, paralegals and legal assistants with whom she has worked. She has also enjoyed serving as a mentor through her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi.

Both Tom and Rebecca are optimistic about the future of Georgia and the legal profession.

“There’s a lot of opportunity – for the law school, for our family, for the state of Georgia as a whole – to chart a real positive future for the next generation,” Tom said. “I’m excited to play a part in that through setting up this fund with Rebecca for the law school and continuing to see the law school and the state emerge as one of the leading lights in the years to come.”

—Mason A. Brock