By Madeline Chalkley
It was 1989. Ben Fiedler was 32 years old, fresh out of The South Texas College of Law and ready to dive into the work force with a law degree in hand. Little did Fiedler know, however, that after practicing law for approximately 13 years in Civil Litigation and teaching in Alvin ISD for another 13, he would be sitting at his desk at Richardson High School’s Law Magnet, guiding aspiring law students to their goals.
Senior Ian Miller, a law magnet student and captain of the mock trial team, said that the students are extremely happy with their new teacher.
“He’s over-qualified for his job as far as I can tell,” Miller said.”Out of high school, he was an army ranger, jumping out of airplanes in West Germany. Then he went to college and eventually got his law degree, after which, he practiced law for I think 13 years, and then became a teacher in Alvin ISD, taught there, and now he’s in Richardson.”
Fiedler explained that he encourages all students who have expressed an interest in government to think about taking up a career in law.
“It’s very rewarding personally, and it’s a good way to be of service to other people,” said Fiedler.
Fiedler’s journey to becoming a lawyer began shortly after receiving his undergraduate degree from Stephan F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas.
“I always had the idea that I would like to [become a lawyer],” Fiedler said. “My limitation was financial. Although I always had an interest in [law], I was out of college for a few years working before I realized that I would actually be able to carry through and go to law school.”
Fiedler explained that anyone who wants to be a lawyer should understand it is important to study hard, be persistent, and stay dedicated because Fiedler believes being a lawyer is a privilege.
“What I would relate to anyone considering going into law is that it really is a great chance to serve the community, and there’s so many ways for a person to work in the legal field,” Fiedler said. “I think one of the things it does that is most important is that it helps connect people with things that are important [to] them.”
After retiring from law, Fiedler began volunteer work and became more involved in teaching.
“[Both careers] are to fill a capacity or an opportunity for service, and I think that is what’s important – to know that one is making a contribution in a positive way to the community through providing a service, or in teaching, to have an opportunity to work with young people,” Fielder said.
Last year’s magnet director Alexis Stern left Richardson to obtain a masters in education from Harvard. Principal Charles Bruner said the school interviewed about twenty people before deciding on Mr. Fiedler.
“We had an outstanding law teacher and big shoes to fill,” Bruner said. “We were looking for a great government teacher, but we added experience in law as a possible criterion in hopes to continue to raise the bar at RHS. When we found both in a quality candidate that could also add a military perspective and had received “most influential teacher” on his previous campus four years running, we knew he was the guy. We are so lucky that relocation brought him to the Dallas area.”
Fielder said he is very happy to be a part of Richardson’s law program.
“It’s nice to work in a place where there’s tremendous support from the principals, the administration, the school district and everyone else on campus,” Fiedler said.”It is just a great place to work.”
Bruner believes Fiedler’s experience in military and law will also help the mock trial team maintain their success.
“[Fiedler] had the opportunity to meet with Ms. Stern prior to the start of school,” Bruner said. “He will add his own flair to the established curriculum and will additionally bring in some military and courtroom experiences to engage the class and mock trial team. With Mr. Fiedler’s experience and the experience of our Attorney Advisor, our mock trial team will have all the resources they need to continue their success.”