During the last week of August, the University of South Carolina School of Law welcomed 217 new first-year students. This year’s class is the most academically accomplished in the school’s history. In addition to being the most talented group of students in school history, this incoming class also met or exceeded every one of the school’s most recent metrics.
The class of 2021 will be entering the legal profession with the highest percentage of passing rates in school history. In October, the law students won the King of the Hill Mock Trial Competition. This is the third consecutive year that the Class of 2021 has won this competition. They also overcame a number of obstacles to pass the bar exam.
The University of South Carolina School of Law will open a Veterans Legal Clinic on July 2. The Center will also be the site of a new Children’s Law Training Center, which will provide immersive learning simulations for children. These two centers will help improve efforts to protect children in South Carolina and throughout the nation. The Center will also feature a first-class teaching space.
The College of Law will announce the newest faculty members for the 2022-23 academic year. This includes a Roderick and Carol Wendt Chair in Business Law, an Associate Dean for Equity, an Interim Vice Provost for Interdisciplinary Studies, a Bellow Scholar, and a Director of Pro Bono Program. All of these faculty members bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the College of Law.
Professor Julie Parrish and Professor Joseph Grundfest authored an article in The Conversation discussing the current status of domestic violence laws in South Carolina. Associate Professor Shelley Welton has published five articles in the top 15 law reviews in the past five years. The law school also announced a partnership with the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. It will expand the curriculum to include more experiential learning.
Willamette Law is known for its historically progressive approach to legal education. The College of Law is preparing its future attorneys for a changing world. The college has announced its Signature Strengths Initiative, which will allow students to learn from the experience and expertise of faculty. The program will provide students access to top career opportunities. In addition, the college is launching a LexScholars Post-Baccalaureate program to help students transition from undergraduate study to law school.
The College of Law is celebrating seven distinguished faculty members during Opening Convocation. The College of Law is home to three acclaimed speakers who will share their personal stories at the celebration. The event will also honor Phylis Myles, who will receive the Award of Merit. Other lauded faculty include Professor Bruce Spaulding, Professor Warren Binford, and Professor Robin Morris Collin.
The College of Law has received a generous donation from the estate of Marty Wolf, which will provide the school with additional curricular modernization. This gift will also support the creation of a Cybersecurity Legal Task Force at the law school. These three initiatives are part of the law school’s ongoing effort to prepare its students for a changing world.