All South Carolina Bar members received an email invitation from our research partner Spring International (via Your Bar: Your Voice – SC Bar Member Survey <donotreply@ mysurveytree.com>) on May 3 to participate in our all-member survey. Please take time to access the online survey and answer the questions so we can better understand our membership and your experiences in the legal profession. 

Launching this comprehensive membership survey is a critical milestone in our Five-Year Strategic Diversity Plan. The SC Bar Board of Governors encourages all members to take the time to answer these questions so the Bar can gain further insight into you, your practice and how we can better serve all members. 

 
The survey will be available through May 24 and will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Feedback is confidential. 

Today, the South Carolina Bar Foundation (SCBF) is participating in #midlandsgives2021, an annual 18-hour online giving challenge that supports nonprofits in the region. The SCBF’s goal is to raise $7,500 this year. You have until 11:59 p.m. to become a philanthropist and donate $20 or more to help in their mission to promote justice for every South Carolinian. If you have not celebrated the SCBF's 50th anniversary yet, they encourage you to fulfill President Jennifer Blumenthal's $50 for 50 years and donate $50 today. If you do, please be sure to post on social media using #scbarfoundation, #MidlandsGives, or #SupportSupporters to help make them eligible for the South State Bank Hashtag Frenzy Prize, which will be randomly awarding a $500 prize to a post with those hashtags. See how good it feels to give today! 

Yesterday, the SC Bar kicked off its celebration of Well-Being Week in Law. This national observance, organized by the Institute for Well-Being in Law, shines a spotlight on the importance of physical, mental, social, emotional and mental well-being in the profession. Check out these resources to help you take action this week and beyond.

Watch out for our social media posts and takeovers where several Wellness Committee members will share their stories, tips and encourage action designed to improve lawyer well-being. Don’t forget the SC Bar has a variety of resources including access to up to five free counseling sessions a year for all members. Attorneys may call 1(855)-321-4384, 24 hours a day/seven days a week and get referred to a counselor in their area for help with any issue that diminishes their productivity and/or quality of life. Learn more here.  

The Dorothy Mobley Jones Endowed Law Scholarship has been established at the University of South Carolina School of Law. See this link to give to the scholarship honoring the late Judge Dottie Jones, who died in January. Judge Jones was an advocate for lawyers, and she gave back tirelessly to the profession and her community. You may also call 1-877-349-2106. 

Make-A-Wish South Carolina  and the  SC Bar Young Lawyers Division  are pleased to host a third annual golf tournament called “Birdies for Belief.” All profits will be donated to Make-A-Wish SC to help grant the wishes of children with critical illnesses. The event will be at 12:30 p.m. May 26 at Wild Dunes Resort on the Isle of Palms. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Learn more and sign up to play by emailing  Kimberly Snipes.   

The Young Lawyers Division and the SC Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, kicked off a book drive for children and families in need last month. Drop off your new or gently used books for elementary school aged children and their parents through May 17. Drop off in the lobby of the SC Bar Building at 950 Taylor St., Columbia. Email Kimberly Snipes with questions. 

The House of Delegates will meet virtually and with a limited agenda at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 6. President Roy Laney will convene the Assembly at 10:45 a.m. for the purpose of swearing in new Bar officers for 2021-2022. South Carolina Court of Appeals Judge Stephanie P. McDonald will administer the oath to incoming President Mary E. Sharp. House of Delegates members were directly emailed viewing and participation instructions. Bar members who would like to connect to the Assembly and view the installation of officers, please visit SCBTV online here on Thursday. 

The South Carolina Court of Appeals announced oral arguments are now available via live streaming. Access the Court of Appeals video portal and the dates of oral arguments here. 

Amendments to Rule 9, South Carolina Court Annexed Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Rules were effective April 29, 2021. As such, several circuit and family court forms require amendments, and several new forms are necessary to maintain statewide consistency, according to this April 29 order from SC Supreme Court Chief Justice Donald Beatty. Members of the ADR Commission provided input on the amended and newly created forms which are included on the order with explanation. The forms are available on the South Carolina Judicial Department website.