John Joseph Bowers

Former kicker tackles eight years—and two-degrees—at Carolina

• Hometown: Summerville, S.C.
• High School: Summerville High School
• Major: Public relations ('05); law ('08)

As a kicker for the Gamecock football team, Joey Bowers was a specialist.

But the Summerville native who has just finished law school is not quite ready to be cornered into a legal specialty. So, for now, he'll be clerking for the Hon. Patrick Michael Duffy, federal district judge in Charleston.

It is an opportunity for Bowers, who handled all kickoffs and some punts during his senior season of 2004, to sample a wide range of legal opportunities before having to narrow his focus.

“Part of clerking is it exposes you to all kinds of law, civil and criminal,“ he said. “I think it will be a benefit being able to work with all these areas, as opposed to working with a firm.“

The luxury of options, of being at the center of a diversity of opportunities and experiences, is what made Bowers' eight university years - five undergraduate plus three at the law school -- so rewarding and so fruitful, he said.

“The best thing about it is it is a well-rounded university,“ said Bowers, a public relations major as an undergraduate. “I never felt I didn't have the academic opportunities I wanted to pursue. I never felt I didn't have the social or weekend activities I wanted to pursue. I really, really enjoyed the diversity of the campus. If you want to do something, there's no excuse for not doing it.“

Bowers gives across-the-board praise to the School of Law's faculty, including its adjunct professors, for preparing him for a legal career.

“One that comes to mind is Bob Bockman,“ he said. “He is an attorney at the McNair Law Firm, and he also teaches appellate advocacy and is in charge of the moot court. He was a tremendous influence on my legal studies and really exemplifies what professionalism is all about.“

Alan Medlin, a full-time professor, also drew praise from Bowers for the mentoring Medlin offered in helping him publish an article on trusts and estates.

“He was my go-to to make sure I didn't sound like an idiot,“ Bowers said. “He is very down to earth, very smart, and a very effective teacher because he relates his lessons to the real world. He is very practical and has a great sense of humor.“

For a prospective lawyer, Columbia is an ideal setting, Bowers said.

“It's in the center of the state, and there is so much going on,“ he said. “I can appreciate that more now than I did when I was applying to schools.“

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