Clarkson McDow is a graduate of The Citadel and the University of South Carolina School of Law. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, including a tour in Vietnam. Clarkson practiced law in Rock Hill, South Carolina for 23 years with a concentration in commercial litigation and bankruptcy. In 1994 he was appointed by Attorney General Janet Reno as the United States Trustee for Region Four (South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia) and he served in that position for 19 years before retiring in 2013.

Since retiring Clarkson has become a Master Naturalist, and has taken a course in Ornithology. He enjoys travel with his wife, Mary Ann, and spending time with his three grandchildren. He also enjoys backpacking, kayaking, biking, and bird watching.