Pi Kappa Alpha - University of Texas

www.texaspikes.com The Beta Mu Review 2 "FRIENDSHIPS FORMED AT PIKE REMAIN AN IMPORTANT INFLUENCE IN MY LIFE AND CAREER" Alumni Spotlight on Houston Attorney Scot Clinton '96 S cot Clinton '96 was born and raised in Austin, knowing he always wanted to be a Longhorn. Fortunately he became a Pike and was a key part of a stellar pledge class of men pledging in 1995 and initiated in 1996, a group of close brothers who remain in contact today. Scot relates, "We were indeed a close group and today still have an annual pledge class reunion. Many of us were from Houston or have ended up in Houston, and that makes it easy to keep the brotherhood together." Scot's Houston gang includes Jeremy Garner '94, Kevin Swantkowski '94, Jeff Seely '94, John Franklin '94, Blair Woodward '94, Jon Strieby '96, Bryant Fitts '96 and Lee Zieben '96, and elsewhere in Texas are Michael Mayrath '96, Matt Shrum '96 and Gianni LaBarba '96. Scot grew up in Austin in the shadows of the Capitol and with a politically active attorney father. Scot graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1994, completed a B.A., in History, in 1999 from U.T. and earned a J.D. from U.T.'s School of Law in 2004. Scot is the founder of the Clinton Law Firm in Houston. His practice focuses on commercial and business litigation, including breach of contract and torts involving deceptive trade practices, fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. The firm also handles issues relating to consumer fraud, employment and real property, including lien, contract and warranty issues. In 2012, Scot began his own firm after serving in the Texas attorney general's office as an assistant attorney general. Scot says these years in public service were formative. "While at the AG's office I successfully resolved a wide variety of cases, and was recognized in Texas Lawyer/ Verdict Search's Top Texas Verdicts of 2011 for obtaining the #1 jury verdict in the category of consumer protection (#15 overall in the state of Texas)." Scot's legal prowess has led to his selection for inclusion in the 2015 Texas Rising Stars list, published by Super Lawyers. He was previously selected to the 2014 Texas Rising Stars list. Scot was influenced to pursue a career in the law by his late father, Judge Sam Houston Clinton, who after a distinguished law career was elected to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in 1978. Scot's dad served three consecutive six-year terms on the state's highest criminal court. His 1,094 opinions are the second-most ever written by a judge on the court. Bryant Fitts '96 is a pledge brother and fellow lawyer, sharing office space with Scot in Houston today. "It's such a pleasure to have Scot right down the hall from me. He has a sharp legal mind and a great sense of humor. It's always refreshing to trade an old college war story, but more often than not we are bouncing legal strategies around together." Scot was introduced to Pike while going through rush as a sophomore with his roommate and best friend from high school who knew some Pikes. "I knew pretty quickly that this was a great bunch of guys and that I wanted to be a Pike. I liked the fact that there was a diverse group from all backgrounds, yet everyone got along and had a great time," says Scot. His Pike memories include Swamp, Texas- OU weekend and football weekends, spring break trips, ski trips and duck hunting near Austin on cold, early mornings. "Pike and U.T. were great training grounds for post-college life. I learned that it's important to work hard at school and in a career, but it's also important to spend time with friends and have fun." Fellow Houstonian Lee Zieben '96 (a member of the Beta Mu Alumni Advisory Board) remains very close to Scot today, telling The Beta Mu Review, "My fondest memory of Scot is traveling in Spain together and watching him drive a moped off a pier into the ocean while in Mallorca. A more important and special recollection is serving as groomsmen in each other's weddings, standing together at the altar with our wives-to-be." Scot was a very active leader in Beta Mu, serving as internal vice president, chairman of Honors Council, state rush chairman, social chairman and Interfraternity Council representative. He counsels today's Pike members to have fun but "to attend class, get good grades, find mentors, work or intern in a few different businesses and environments so you can get a good idea of the options available to you. Never be afraid to ask questions about things you don't know anything about." Scot is married to Ashley Campbell, a Zeta Tau Alpha alumna who graduated from U.T. in 1999. The couple met at a Pike-Zeta mixer but lost touch and years later reconnected in Houston, marrying in 2010. They have two sons, Sam (3) and Campbell (3 months). He is active in the Houston community, serving as a member of various Houston Bar Association committees and sections, is former co-chair of Houston Young Lawyers Disaster Relief Committee, and former co-chair of Houston Young Lawyers Teen Civil Leadership Academy Committee. Scot is member of the World Affairs Council of Houston and volunteers at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Scot says with little ones and a busy law practice, he has limited time for hobbies but when he can break away fishing tops his list of favorite pursuits. Scot is pleased to see the chapter performing so well today, with solid membership numbers and broad reach across campus. "I'm very grateful for friendships formed at Pike, which remain an important influence in my life and career today. I know that today's Beta Mu actives will take Pike values and learnings to prosper in their lives and careers ahead." Scot can be reached at scot@theclintonlawfirm.com.

• Cover