It’s that time of year again to sign up for a committee with the South Carolina Bar.
Serving on a committee introduces you to new colleagues and helps you grow in the legal profession. SC Bar committees—which are composed of Bar members from throughout the state—develop, implement and oversee many goals and programs for our organization.
All members are invited to volunteer their expertise, time and talents to benefit the SC Bar, the legal profession and the communities we serve. One of the best ways to enhance your professional growth and keep your practice on the cutting edge is by participating in committee activities. Time commitments vary with each activity or committee depending upon its function and meeting schedule. Meetings typically are held both in-person and via virtual platforms or conference calls.
Unlock the next step in your career and sign up to serve in 2021-22 by visitingwww.scbar.org/getinvolved.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May isAsian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The SC Bar Diversity Committee encourages you to learn more and celebrate the observance via a variety of webinars and resources available throughout the month presented by the American Bar Association Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice and the ABA Coalition on Racial and Ethnic Justice. An engaging series of webinarsexplores the experiences of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities along with the social, political and economic issues they have experienced and continue to face.
Law student awarded scholarship
University of South Carolina School of Law student Diana M. August has been named the 2021 Employment and Labor Law Section Memorial Scholarship recipient. This scholarship is given to a rising third-year law student from the University of South Carolina School of Law or the Charleston School of Law interested in the practice of employment and labor law who demonstrates leadership and academic potential. Diana was recognized this month in Columbia and was presented the award by SC Bar President Elect and Employment & Labor Law Section member Hagood Tighe.
Your Bar: Your Voice Survey reminder
Thank you to all members who have completed the Your Bar: Your Voice survey. Those who have not completed the survey received a reminder with an individual invitation and link from our research partner Spring International (via Your Bar: Your Voice – SC Bar Member Survey <donotreply@ mysurveytree.com) this afternoon.
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. If you did not receive the personalized email and link, email surveyassist@springitl.com.
The survey also is available at https://mysurveytree.com/SCBar. Note if you access the survey from this link, you will have to enter your Bar number without leading zeros. The survey will be open through May 24 and will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Feedback is confidential.
There's still time to donate books
The Young Lawyers Division and the SC Chapter ofThe 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 Snipeswith questions.
Honoring Judge Jones
The Dorothy Mobley Jones Endowed Law Scholarship has been established at the University of South Carolina School of Law. See this linkto 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.
Got data protection? Need tech tips?
Two upcoming live webcasts address the technology information and tips you need to know to protect yourself and thrive.
Ransomware: Prevent, Detect, Respond and Recover How do law firms get ransomware? How can they defend against it? If stricken, how should they handle the attack? Should you pay the ransomware? Discover answers to these questions and more in the May 18 live webcast programLaw Firms Face the Scourge of Ransomware: How to Prevent, Respond, Recover.Our experts will offer chilling stories of law firms crippled by ransomware along with tips for defending against and responding to ransomware. Register hereby 5 p.m. May 17. Cost: $70 / Credit: 1.0 MCLE
Technology Tips, Tricks and Trends Dave Stasaitis of Stasmayer Inc is back for the 2021 live webcast30 Tech Tips in 30 Minuteson May 26. Designed for the busy lawyer, this fast-paced practical half-hour program provides advice on some of the latest and greatest technology gadgets and insights that can make your life and practice more efficient, productive and profitable.Register hereby 5 p.m. May 25. Cost: $40 / Credit: 0.50 MCLE
Summer CLEs to schedule
Summer is just over a month away, and the SC Bar CLE Division is hard at work planning the calendar of learning opportunities. Upcoming programs include:
The Court answered a certified question from the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina asking whether an insurer may depreciate the cost of embedded labor in determining the actual cash value of damaged property. The Court answered the certified question “yes.”
Butler v. The Travelers Home, Op. No. 28026 (S.C. Sup. Ct. filed May 12, 2021) (Shearouse Adv. Sh. No. 16 at 8) is available online.
Chief Justice Beatty concurred in result only. The Court issued a writ of certiorari to review the court of appeals' decision in Lemon v. Mt. Pleasant Waterworks, 429 S.C. 59, 837 S.E.2d 738 (Ct. App. 2019). The Court dismissed the writ of certiorari as improvidently granted.
Lemon v. Mt. Pleasant Waterworks, Op. No. 28027 (S.C. Sup. Ct. filed May 12, 2021) (Shearouse Adv. Sh. No. 16 at 17) is available online. Kristina Knight agreed to an endorsement to her Nationwide automobile insurance policy providing the coverage in the policy would not apply to her husband. She now claims the endorsement excluding coverage for her husband violates public policy and Nationwide cannot enforce it. The Court found the exclusion is clear and unambiguous and is not in violation of any statute. Therefore, the exclusion is enforceable and Knight cannot recover UIM coverage for her husband’s accident under her insurance policy with Nationwide.
Nationwide v. Knight, Op. No. 28028 (S.C. Sup. Ct. filed May 12, 2021) (Shearouse Adv. Sh. No. 16 at 19) is available online.
Justice Kittredge concurred in a separate opinion in which Justice James concurred.
Announcements
Firm & hiring announcements
The McKay Firm, P.A. announces that it has relocated to 3700 Forest Drive, Suite 404, Columbia, SC 29204.
Mike Kelly Law Group announces that Joseph Scibelli has joined the firm’s Myrtle Beach office, located at 816 Broadway Street, Myrtle Beach, 29577;
and Konstantine (“Dean”) Diamaduros has joined the firm’s Columbia office, located at 1523 Huger Street, Suite A, Columbia, 29201.
Upcoming Events
May 14
Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee May 20
Tax Law Section Council May 21
Ethics Advisory Committee Meeting
Got an Announcement? Email Jamie Metz at jamie.metz@scbar.org
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