The new Bar year officially kicks off July 1, and there's still time to sign up for a committee.The Next Gen Committee asked committee chairs throughout the Bar to share a few words via video about their respective groups and why members should get involved. Check out the above video featuring Judge John Rucker from the Law Related Education Committee.
All members are invited to volunteer their expertise, time and talents to benefit the SC Bar, the legal profession and the communities we serve. Learn more and sign up to serve in 2021-22 by visiting www.scbar.org/getinvolved.
Applications for judicial offices
The Judicial Merit Selection Commission is accepting applications for these judicial offices. In order to receive application materials, a prospective candidate must notify the Commission in writing of his or her intent to apply. The Commission will not accept applications after noon on Wednesday, July 21, 2021. See the full screening schedule here.
Court news: Retiring Clerk honored; successor appointed + more
Supreme Court of South Carolina Clerk of Court Daniel E. Shearouse was recognized by his state and profession with the highest possible honors for his years of dedicated service to the Court. In a ceremony held June 16 in the courtroom of the Supreme Court, Mr. Shearouse received both the Order of the Palmetto and the National Conference of Appellate Court Clerks’ J.O. Sentell Award. The Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian honor awarded to citizens of South Carolina for extraordinary lifetime service and achievements of national or statewide significance, was presented by Governor Henry D. McMaster.
During the ceremony, Chief Justice Donald W. Beatty reflected on Mr. Shearouse’s service and impact on the Judicial Branch.
“Dan, over the years, your role as Clerk of Court has required you to be many things to us,” said Chief Justice Beatty. “A leader, teacher, mentor, planner, advisor, and much more – and you have fulfilled these duties with dedication, integrity, and when needed, a healthy dose of humor. Today we recognize you, and it’s well deserved.”
In 1983, Shearouse began his career with the Supreme Court of South Carolina as a staff attorney, was appointed as the chief staff attorney in 1986, and was ultimately appointed as the Clerk of Court in October 1998. During his almost 23 years of service as the Clerk of Court, he has served under four chief justices. Learn more about Shearouse’s career and honors in thisnews release.
Howard named Clerk of Court
The Supreme Court of South Carolina has selected Patricia A. “Tricia” Howard to serve as Clerk of Court. Howard will officially assume the role of Clerk of Court on July 17, replacing outgoing Clerk Daniel E. Shearouse upon his retirement.
Prior to her recent appointment by the Justices of the Supreme Court, Howard served as chief staff attorney for the South Carolina Court of Appeals.
“Tricia is a lawyer and a leader of the highest caliber, and we are delighted to welcome her to the Supreme Court of South Carolina,” said Chief Justice Beatty. “We look forward to the influence that her legal acumen and management expertise will have on the Supreme Court in the years to come.”
Learn more about Howard and her new role in thisnews release.
Summary Courts chief judges for administrative purposes
The South Carolina Supreme Court on June 29 issuedthis orderdesignating chief judges and associate chief judges for administrative purposes of Summary Courts in the counties in which the judges hold office.
Need a weekend read?
July’s SC Lawyer now available
July’s edition of SC Lawyer magazine is on its way to your mailboxes but might be delayed due to the holiday weekend. In the meantime, you can read the outstanding articles and columns in theonline editionnow. Check out Spartanburg attorney Ra’na Heidari’s timely cover storyI Got Hit With Ransomeware. Now What?.
Please note, the SC Bar offices will be closed for the Fourth of July holiday on July 5.
Sign up soon
Sign up now for an exciting day-long program that will delve into the history and impact of the 19th Amendment. The South Carolina Bar, American Bar Association Judicial Division, and University of South Carolina School of Law will present "The Complex and Courageous Campaign for Women's Suffrage and Parity in Our Democracy: Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment," from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, July 16.
The event will be held at the Karen Williams Courtroom at the University of South Carolina School of Law with 6.33 MCLE credit hours available. This program will be available in-person and via live webcast. Register for the in-person eventhere, and the webcast versionhere. If you plan to attend in-person at the UofSC School of Law, seating is limited so register soon.
Order the 2021-2022 Desk Book
The printed version of the 2021-2022 South Carolina Bar Lawyers Desk Book will be published in late summer. If you did not already order your copy when you paid your 2021 license fees, you still may order one by downloading, filling out and sendingthis formalong with a check to Membership Services, Attention Juliana Sobey, P.O. Box 608, Columbia, SC 29202. You also may pay via credit card by phone. Contact Juliana at (803) 576-3806 orjsobey@scbar.org. Cost is $35 per book.
A night at the ball with Town Theatre
Join the SC Bar Young Lawyers Division and Town Theatre as they raise support for The Cinderella Project. All Bar members are invited to attend the dress rehearsal for Town Theatre’s production of Cinderella at 7 p.m. on July 15 in Columbia. The show features a flying fairy godmother!
The cost of admission is a donation to the Cinderella Project, which theater goers should bring with them to the event. Monetary donations, gift cards and costume jewelry are preferred due to storage constraints. Space is limited, so be sure to RSVP here no later than Monday, July 12. Town Theatre'smission is to provide quality, live, family-oriented community theatre to the Midlands and beyond as well as to offer the foundation for those who wish to participate on stage or backstage. Cinderella runs July 16-August 1.
Saturday Shoutouts
The SC Bar Communications team wants to hear about your accomplishments in the community! Have you received an award or honorary degree? Are you in a new leadership position or making a difference in the community? Send us your achievements to be featured in our new "Saturday Shoutouts" on social media. Send your achievement and photos or brag on your friends and colleagues by sending a message to Jamie Metz.
July CLE opportunities
Jazz up your July with these seminar programs offered by the SC Bar CLE Division.
Mark your calendar for theCivil Court Mediation WorkshopAugust 26-30 at the SC Bar Conference Center. Whether you're seeking to be certified as a mediator or sharpen your negotiation skills as an advocate, Harry Goodheart and the Honorable Tiffany Provence will share proven mediation principles, tasks, and techniques during this highly acclaimed mediation course. Register here. Cost: $1350 / Credits: 40 MCLE, 4.0 LEPR
Hot off the press
The SC Bar CLE Publications Division recently released two new publications by John S. Nichols. Shop for these new titles and more through theCLE Book Store.
Service of Process in South Carolina, Fifth Edition is an attempt to compile Rules, statutes, and pertinent case law into one source to serve as a quick reference to answer most of the questions regarding proper service of process.
New on-demand programs
On-demand courses are a convenient option for SC Bar members to fully meet their 2021-2022 MCLE requirements. Explore these new programs below:
ADVANCE SHEET UPDATES June 30, 2021 Supreme Court Opinions
The Court accepted this petition in its original jurisdiction to determine whether Act 174 of 2020 violates the constitutional requirement that "Every Act . . . shall relate to but one subject . . . ." S.C. Const. art. III, § 17. The Court found Act 174 relates to two subjects: (1) automobile insurance and (2) the redemption period to follow a tax sale of real property. Therefore, Act 174 is unconstitutional.
Mercury Funding, LLC v. Chesney, Op. No. 28040 (S.C. Sup. Ct. filed June 30, 2021) (Shearouse Adv. Sh. No. 22 at 8) is available online.
Greenville County Council implemented what it called a "road maintenance fee" to raise funds for road maintenance and a "telecommunications fee" to upgrade public safety telecommunication services. The plaintiffs claim the two charges are taxes and, therefore, violate section 6-1-310 of the South Carolina Code (2004). The Court agreed and declared the road maintenance and telecommunications taxes are invalid under South Carolina law.
Burns v. Greenville County Council, Op. No. 28041 (S.C. Sup. Ct. filed June 30, 2021) (Shearouse Adv. Sh. No. 22 at 11) is available online.
Justice Kittredge concurred in a separate opinion in which Chief Justice Beatty joined.
Court of Appeals Opinions
In this appeal arising from two orders of the administrative law court (ALC), which reversed the Department’s final decision in the matter of inmate Thomas Torrence’s grievance and remanded the case back to the Department to calculate and pay wages to Torrence in accordance with the Prevailing Wage Statute, the court affirmed the decision of the ALC. Because Torrence's claims involve continuous conditions potentially affecting numerous inmates, the court found Torrence's grievance involves Department policies and procedures, rather than an isolated incident. Therefore, the court found Torrence's grievance falls within the exception enumerated in Paragraph 13.9 of the Department's Policy GA-01.12, and thus, Paragraph 13.1's fifteen-day filing rule does not apply. In addition, the court affirmed the ALC's construction of section 24-3-40 and found the Department erred by refusing Torrence the option of designating persons or entities for immediate distribution of his escrowed wages.
Torrence v. SCDC, Op. No. 5829 (S.C. Ct. App. Filed June 30, 2021) (Shearouse Adv. Sh. No. 22 at 18) is available online.
Announcements
Firm & hiring announcements
The Carolina Law Group, LLC announces that W. Hugh McAngus, Jr. has joined the Columbia office located at 824 Meeting St., West Columbia, 29169.
Gallivan, White & Boyd P.A. announces that Kendall P. Crawford has joined the Columbia office located at 1201 Main St., Suite 1200, Columbia, 29201.
Lauren Sturdivant announces the opening of her firm Rising Tide Law, LLC located in Mount Pleasant. (843) 310-2145.
Stephen A. Spitz and Irish “Ryan” Neville announce that their firm Spitz & Neville located at 151 Meeting Street, Suite 350 Charleston, 29401 has joined Saxton & Stump, a full-service law firm based in Pennsylvania.
Williams Mullen announces that Richard H. “Dick” Willis has joined the firm as a partner, and Derek D. Tarver has joined the firm as an associate in the Columbia office located at 1230 Main St., Suite 330, Columbia, 29201.
Upcoming Events
July 14
Intellectual Property and Innovation Committee July 15
Board of Governors July 22
Technology Committee *All meetings are virtual. unless noted otherwise
Got an Announcement? Email Jamie Metz at jamie.metz@scbar.org
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