MaKade Claypool was born and raised in Spokane, Washington. He attended Brigham Young University and graduated with degrees in political science and international business (Russian emphasis). While at BYU he worked as an administrator/head research analyst for the 2016 KBYU-Utah Colleges Exit Poll and researched the effects of democratizing revolutions on the rule of law. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in eastern Ukraine from 2012-2014, returning home shortly after the Ukraine Crisis began. His desire to serve in the law is attributed in large part to his experience in Ukraine. He enjoys spending time with his family and travel. As a first-year law student, he is excited to work this summer with the Center in Moscow.