During her high school years, Judge McClendon continued to demonstrate leadership abilities and academic excellence. She attended McGavock High School, where she was elected president of her junior class and her senior class, as well as vice-president of the student council her junior year and president the following year. She was chosen to attend Girls State in 1974, where she was elected to serve in the Senate. She also was elected a Senior Superlative, and she chaired numerous school events and charitable fundraisers. All of these activities and responsibilities were carried on while maintaining excellent grades - she received awards in both history and journalism.

Judge McClendon began her college education at Middle Tennessee State University, where she spent 2½ and served as chair of her honors class. She was very involved in student government, serving as chair of student services. She was chosen Outstanding ROTC Student in both her first and second years. She was a member of the varsity rifle team, played and coached intramural sports, served as a Resident Assistant in her dormitory, and paid for her education by working as a waitress, all the while maintaining a grade point average of 3.95. She also tutored foreign students and students in inner-city primary grades. In 1978, Amanda transferred to Vanderbilt University, where she was head resident in charge of several dormitories, she was on the varsity soccer team, and she was a Blue Angel Little sister in the NROTC.

Judge McClendon graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1980 with a double major in economics and history. She was then accepted to the University of Tennessee College of Law, where she received her law degree in 1984. While in law school, she received the American Jurisprudence Award for academic excellence, and she was a member of the Student Bar Association and Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity.

Judge McClendon became licensed to practice law in Tennessee in 1984 and practiced law in Tennessee until elected to the bench.

In 1999 Judge McClendon was elected to serve as the Metropolitan-Nashville Council Representative for the 16th District. She served as Vice-Chair of Codes, Fair and Farmers' Market Committee (2000), and Vice Chair of the Parks, Library, Recreation and Auditorium; Chair of Public Works (2001-2003), Chair of Rules and Confirmation (2003-2004). During her tenure as Chair of Public Works, the use of the Thermal plant was discontinued and recycling begun, the Master Plan for Sidewalks was implemented and a comprehensive approach to Storm Water Management was begun. From 1999 until 2001 she was one of the Council's Representatives to the Greenways Commission. She also served as Chair of the Federal Grants Committee (2000-2001) and as Vice Chair Codes Fair Farmers Market (1999-2000). She was also a member of the Charter Revision Committee. During her second term of office she served as Vice Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, then as its Chair.