For most students, the first week of their 1L year in law school is all about getting settled, meeting classmates and lots of reading. But for Alex Wicks 鈥�25, it was all of that and more. That same week, he and his wife Lizzy brought home their son Riley for the first time from the hospital.
Riley was born nearly a month early with an extremely rare heart condition, one that would require him to undergo several open-heart surgeries.
Each year of Wicks鈥� law school career, Riley would undergo another surgery, totaling four in his three years as a law student. While it was an incredible challenge for Wicks to face during law school, he says that Riley鈥檚 journey gave him a new perspective that he may not have had otherwise.
鈥淎ny time I was faced with a challenge, a hard assignment, a hard case, I just thought about my wife and son, the challenges they had to overcome,鈥� Wicks said. 鈥淎nd if they could do it, I could do it too. That also helped me when the highs got really high, I was able to keep it grounded with them in perspective, and when things got low, they never got too low.鈥�
Despite everything going on outside of school, Wicks served as executive editor of the inaugural Law Review and gained valuable experience at Gunster, Wicker Smith and as a judicial intern. His unique path through law school inspired his classmates to select him as the College of Law鈥檚 first-ever class speaker at the inaugural commencement ceremony in May.
鈥淚 was really honored that my friends and classmates wanted me to speak,鈥� Wicks said.
In addition to his classmates rallying around him, Wicks said he felt the faculty and staff at the College of Law supported him through the doctor鈥檚 appointments, surgeries and everything else that came along with his role as a father. Associate Professor of Law Matt Reiber was especially attentive, Wicks said, often checking in on him, sharing a meal together or giving him advice on how to balance schoolwork with his family life.
"I saw Alex navigate life issues that no one should have to confront and that would test the most steeled individual. Alex was put through the wringer the past three years, but he always handled himself with incredible grace and poise."
Riley鈥檚 condition also had an unexpected effect on Wicks鈥� law school career 鈥� it helped him decide what type of law he鈥檇 practice. With Riley鈥檚 condition, Wicks became no stranger to doctors and hospitals in law school. His second-year internship at Wicker Smith exposed him to the field of medical malpractice defense, which was particularly meaningful to him, given the incredible team of doctors who have treated his son.
Following the bar exam, Wicks will work full time at the firm in the medical malpractice group.
鈥淚 have a soft spot and affinity for doctors and my son, Riley, is the biggest reason why, especially working with so many doctors,鈥� Wicks said. 鈥淚 would encourage more people to go into medicine and become doctors and knowing I could help them against claims or any harm that may come their way is something I really like and enjoy doing.鈥�
