The University of South Carolina School of Law is celebrating its 150th year with several new initiatives, faculty appointments and a new home. The school is dedicated to providing students with a world-class education and opportunities to make a difference. Its new home includes state-of-the-art technology, grand architecture and brand-new classrooms.
New faculty include David A. Friedman, Associate Professor of Law; Julie Wolff, Chief Legal Officer for Sarcos Robotics; and Keith Cunningham-Parmeter, Professor of Law. Professors also bring experience from around the world to the university.
Two new visiting professors will be coming to the School of Law this semester. Stanton Anderson brings business, international and comparative law expertise, while Jaclyn Cherry will bring her expertise in criminal law to the school. These three will teach a class that supports local teachers and law students.
The Konduros Fisherman Fund has donated more than $1 million to the University of South Carolina School of Law. The donation will support the University’s academic excellence programs, research initiatives and help improve the lives of low-income residents.
In addition, a new program will be launched at the School of Law that will provide free tax assistance to low-income residents of the Midlands. As part of this effort, incoming law students will be paired with mentors from the community, including members of the Veterans Legal Clinic.
Students are gaining hands-on experience at a number of sites throughout the Midlands. They will be assisting attorneys and legal professionals with legal advice and research. This will give the incoming class an opportunity to interact with professionals who will provide them with the skills they need to succeed in their careers.
One of the most exciting initiatives to come out of the university is the Signature Strengths Initiative. Under this initiative, Willamette Law will focus on enhancing students’ strengths and providing them with resources to develop those strengths. This is a unique approach to legal education.
The College of Law also announced two student winners of the Bill and Ann Shepherd Legal Scholarship. Bailey Moody received a scholarship to attend South Carolina Law, and Alysja Carlisle established a scholarship to support future students. Both winners will be recognized at the school’s spring commencement ceremony in 2021.
Additionally, the Willamette Law Board of Trustees has promoted 10 professors to tenure. These include: Elizabeth Chambliss, who is the associate dean of diversity at the college; Robin Morris Collin, who will lead environmental justice efforts in communities disproportionately affected by pollution; Jessica Cavallero, who is working to improve the quality of life of minorities; and Osbelkis Perez, who was drawn to the Children’s Law program at USC Law.
Other notable faculty appointments include Symeon C. Symeonides, Dean Emeritus of the law school and a leading expert on comparative conflicts law. His research and writing has included seven books in the past seven years. He has also drafted legislation for three states and participated in the drafting of two international conventions.
Several alumni have made history. Chelsea Evans ’18 is one of the first ever to be awarded an honorary doctorate at South Carolina Law. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a career in immigration law.