July 2009

Name: Preston J. Clark, JD ‘08
Firm: University of Miami
Title:  Assistant General Counsel
Location: Coral Gables, FL

What city and state did you grow up in?

Seattle, Washington

Where did you go to undergrad?

I started at Seattle University and then transferred to Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in Los Angeles, California.

What did you major in/ how did you come about choosing your major?

I transferred to LMU with the intention of studying film. Ever since I was a little kid I had wanted to make movies. I realized at Loyola that there was a big difference between studying film and actually having a career in film. Ultimately I decided I wanted to spend my undergrad years studying things that intellectually interested me (if not professionally). I read a lot of philosophy in high school (pragmatism, existentialism) and that seemed to be a natural direction for me to focus.

If you didn’t enter law school directly after undergraduate school, what did you do prior to law school?

Prior to law school I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Central America and a law clerk for an IP firm in Los Angeles. I also drove a bakery truck in Seattle.

During the Peace Corps I lived and worked in a rural mountain community in El Salvador. My focus was in agricultural development. I got to wake up everyday and figure out new ways to make the community of El Farito run a little better.  It was the best job!

What factors led to you to take time off before law school?

I wouldn’t say I took “time off” before law school because that implies that I had a plan after undergrad that included law school.  Law school wasn’t on my radar until I had spent a couple of years in the Peace Corps. When I graduated from undergrad all I wanted to do was live and work abroad. I felt like after 20 years of being in school it was probably time to do something off the grid.

When did you realize you wanted to become an attorney?

I think I made the decision about two years into my time as a volunteer. I had all of this energy to effectuate change but none of the tools.

Describe your practice group?

I work with a dynamic group of attorneys at the General Counsel’s office at the University of Miami. I handle issues ranging in scope from employment law to NCAA. A great bulk of my work is dealing with contracts and affiliation agreements. I also draft and edit University policy which I enjoy tremendously.  

Looking back at your time at UM Law what are some of your most memorable moments?

My time at UM Law was defined by my activities with the Student Bar Association. I was heavily involved in student government all 3 years of law school.  In retrospect I probably missed out on a lot of other activities like Moot Court and Law Review that I know were defining experiences for many of my classmates. Nevertheless, SBA was the right focus for me. Intramural sports and Dean’s Cup were pretty memorable as well. I rarely miss an opportunity to play organized basketball.   
         
Who were your favorite professors at UM Law and why?
My favorite professors were Levi and Rosenn. They worked me the hardest. Rosenn walks into the classroom and begins lecturing before he reaches the podium. He’s not there to hear himself speak or to wax poetic. He’s there to teach the subject as effectively as possible and to test on the material as it was presented. Levi was the same way— only she has a tremendous sense of humor to go along with it. It was great learning from them.  

What is the most challenging part of your job?  The most rewarding?

I love my job. The varying legal matters that cross my desk on a daily basis keep the job both challenging and rewarding.

How do you juggle family, work, sanity?

I am not sure that I do. I like to work hard at everything. I think there will be a time in my life where family/sanity will be higher priorities for me. I still play a lot of basketball and run most days of the week. Finding time to exercise is always a high priority for me.

How did the city of Miami play into your decision to attend UM Law?

The city of Miami had a significant impact on my decision to attend UM Law. My experience living and working in Latin America prior to law school made the move to Miami very logical. I wanted my legal and professional life to grow within an internationally diverse environment.

What advice do you have for people who are not sure about going to law school?

Law school is a big decision for anyone. It is a big investment of both time and money. Some people have always wanted to become a lawyer. Others of us had to wrestle with the decision. All I can say for sure is that in three years you will acquire a skill set that will serve you in every facet of your life. A legal education is empowering beyond description.

What was the last movie you saw?  What was the last book you read?

Last Movie: Volver – I’m a big Almodóvar fan.
Last Book: The Wretched of the Earth

What do you think the best thing about living in South Florida was/is?

The weather.

If you were not a lawyer what would you be?

Film producer.

Where do you want to be in 10 years?

I would like to have a big family, a great job and an indoor basketball court.