For Ryan Clarkson, Michigan State University holds a special place in his heart. It’s where he earned his J.D. in 2005 and developed the intellectual foundation—and the confidence—to succeed in the legal profession.
“Over the course of my career, I’ve learned that some of the most important opportunities aren’t obvious at the beginning,” said Clarkson, who is founder and managing partner at Clarkson Law Firm, P.C.
“You have to be willing to take risks, challenge conventional wisdom, build something that doesn’t yet exist and occasionally pursue cases or ideas that other people think are too difficult. MSU helped give me the foundation to do that.”
Through his law firm, Clarkson recently made a $200,000 gift to his alma mater in support of the College of Law’s new Leaders in Law series. He was inspired to give back because of Dean Michael Sant-Ambrogio’s commitment to preparing students beyond simply practicing law—and to become leaders through law.
“[Dean Sant’Ambrogio] understands that a great law school should connect rigorous legal education with the people, ideas and experiences shaping our profession, our institutions and our democracy. That vision resonated deeply with me and with what we are building at Clarkson. Our firm’s mission is: Represent More. To us, that means more than representing more clients or taking on more cases. It means using the law to represent people that otherwise might not have a voice, challenging power to account and recognizing the awesome responsibility that comes with having a law degree.
“The Leaders in Law series,” he continued, “is an opportunity to expose students to people who have embraced that responsibility in very different ways. Supporting that effort felt like a natural extension of both my relationship with MSU and our firm’s mission.”
What it means to be a ‘leader in law’
Launching during America’s 250th anniversary, the Leaders in Law series will bring four prominent legal thinkers to MSU’s campus in 2026–27 to explore constitutional democracy, civil rights, election law, international law and the rule of law. While our nation’s anniversary invites reflection on its founding, it also encourages consideration of the Constitution as a living framework that has evolved through interpretation, legislation and civic engagement over two and a half centuries.
For Clarkson, his hope is that Spartans will see how leadership in law can be defined in many ways.
“A leader can be an advocate defending people’s fundamental constitutional rights, a trial lawyer standing up for thousands of consumers, a public servant developing policy or a judge strengthening the rule of law,” he explained. “The common denominator isn’t a particular title or career path. It’s a willingness to use your abilities and influence in service of something larger.
“At Clarkson,” he continued, “we encourage our lawyers to think beyond the four corners of a case. We want them to ask: Who are we representing, why does this matter and what can we change? The Leaders in Law series brings that same mindset into MSU’s law school. It gives students access to people who can expand their sense of what is possible with a law degree.”
Dean Michael Sant’Ambrogio said Clarkson’s generosity will give students meaningful opportunities to learn from and engage directly with leading scholars and members of the legal profession.
“Ryan Clarkson’s gift will bring some of the most influential voices in law to MSU and create conversations that extend well beyond the classroom,” Sant’Ambrogio said. “By hearing how accomplished lawyers and scholars have navigated questions of leadership, responsibility, and service, our students will gain a deeper understanding of the many ways they can use their legal education to make a difference.”
Developing the next generation of lawyers
The series, which kicks off on Sept. 1, is open to campus community, alumni and the public and is expected to draw participants from across disciplines. Clarkson plans to attend the events, engage with speakers, spend time with students and faculty and ultimately help the series evolve.
His hope is for the Leaders in Law series to become “a signature MSU Law program: a place where students can hear candidly from extraordinary people about leadership, failure, risk, responsibility and the many different ways lawyers can make an impact.”
“I hope a student walks into one of these events thinking about law school primarily as a path to a job,” he said, “and walks out thinking about the kind of lawyer and leader they want to become.”
Clarkson also sees the series influencing the legal community at large, with MSU helping to develop the next generation of lawyers who possess a broader sense of responsibility.
“As our country marks its 250th year, let’s remember that the continued strength of our democracy has never been automatic,” he said. “Each generation inherits institutions that it has a responsibility to preserve, improve and sometimes challenge. Lawyers have a unique role in that process—an obligation to lead.
“I hope this series contributes to a culture within the legal profession where success is measured by the injustices we correct and whether we left the world better than we found it… That is how our profession can ensure America thrives during the next 250 years.”
Learn more about the Leaders in Law series and register to attend upcoming events .
Donors seeking information on how to make a gift to the College of Law can email alumni@law.msu.edu