The University of South Carolina School of Law recently announced its newest faculty members for the 2022-23 academic year. A total of ten professors will be promoted to tenure. Additionally, two business scholars earned promotions in March. Willamette Law is also pleased to announce the appointment of Stephanie Davidson as director of its law library.
During the week of July 2, the Veterans Legal Clinic will open at the University of South Carolina School of Law. This clinic will provide free legal services to veterans and their families. It will feature a top-notch training space and will be led by clinical instructor Clyde “Bennett” Gore Jr. As part of the clinic, students will assist veterans with legal issues.
Professors will also host a series of thought-provoking programs on topics that include gender non-conforming people, environmental justice and post-conflict countries. Professors will work to improve the outcomes for victims of domestic violence. In addition, the Children’s Law Center will receive a first-class teaching space to help expand its efforts to protect children in the state.
Professors will also lead a new Cybersecurity Legal Task Force at the University of South Carolina School of Law. Karen Painter Randall, a 1984 graduate, will be the chief attorney for this effort. She has been nationally recognized for her expertise in cybersecurity. Her appointment follows a recent gift from Marty Wolf ’57, LLB’60.
Professors will also be working to increase access to quality legal education for low-income and underserved populations. The Law School is committed to supporting local teachers through its Adopt a Teacher program. Additionally, the School of Law has a long history of supporting children and teens by sponsoring programs such as its Lawyers & Leadership seminar, which prepares graduates for leadership roles.
A new research initiative at the University of South Carolina School of Law will focus on protecting and enhancing the lives of post-conflict countries. Faculty will be participating in a Rule of Law Collaborative to assist developing and post-conflict nations. There will also be a focus on protecting and improving the lives of juveniles who face potential incarceration.
In conjunction with its commitment to supporting the rule of law, the Law School has established the Signature Strengths Initiative, an ongoing program that recognizes and fosters the strengths and interests of its faculty. These initiatives are an integral part of the School’s historically progressive approach to legal education.
Other important developments at the School of Law in the past year include the addition of the School’s first-ever director of law library, Stephanie Davidson. Dustin Buehler is also joining the faculty. Previously, he worked as a staff attorney at the South Carolina Department of Social Services. He will teach Civil Procedure in the fall. Also, the school recently welcomed Jordyn Wickstrom, a member of the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, as an assistant professor of law.
In addition, the School of Law has recently hosted a first-of-its-kind Cybersecurity Legal Institute. Professors will be participating in a series of thought-provoking programs on various topics that will help to shape legal education and legal practice in the future.