Bar News

• Citation: Vol. 36-6
• Year: 2025

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BAR NEWS

Vol. 36 Issue 6 Pg. 8

South Carolina Lawyer

May, 2025

Charleston School of Law names Anastopoulo Interim President

YLD Connects with Students at Harborview Elementary in Charleston

Congratulations to Constance A. Anastopoulo on being named Interim President of the Charleston School of Law on March 14. A "Professor of the Year" honoree, Anastopoulo joined Charleston Law in 2007 after serving as senior litigator in the civil litigation division of Poulin, Willey, Anastopoulo, LLC, where she managed the firm's appellate practice.

Lucius Laffitte and Paige Ornduff of Gallivan White Boyd recently spoke with two groups of fourth-grade gifted students at Harborview Elementary in Charleston. Gifted &Talented Program teacher Staci Reed invited Laffitte and Ornduff to discuss the importance of law and the role of lawyers as part of a unit on law. "Speaking with these students was a perfect reminder of how important (and rewarding) it is to get out in the community and share how great the legal profession can be," Ornduff said. The students enjoyed hearing from Laffitte and Ornduff and learning more about the legal profession.

In Memoriam

J. Roger Poole, 72, of Spartanburg passed away on January 29, 2025

Thomas M. Neal III, 65, of Columbia passed away on January 28, 2025

Brian A. Coverdale, 46, of Charleston passed away on November 10, 2024

Thomas B. Bryant III, 87, of Orangeburg passed away on February 4, 2025

Thomas S. Tisdale, Jr., 85, of Charleston passed away on January 28, 2025

Anderson M. Horne, 51, of Salida, CO passed away on August 25, 2024

Brendan Patrick Manning, 47, of Charlotte, NC passed away on October 6, 2024

John Wescoat Sandlin, 74, of Summerville passed away on September 8, 2024

Michael O'Donnell Edens, 86, of Chapin passed away on January 19, 2025.

Marion W. Beacham, Jr., 79, of Greenville passed away on April 1, 2024.

M. William Youngblood, 79, of Mount Pleasant passed away on December 24, 2024

Robert Evan Palmer, Jr., 86, of Anderson passed away on December 22, 2024

John May Tatum III, 70, of Beaufort passed away on February 5, 2025.

LaRone Kashod Washington, 39, of Columbia passed away on October 22, 2024

William Paul Walker, Jr., 77, of Lexington passed away on February 15, 2025

David Benjamin Graves, 49, of Spartanburg passed away on February 20, 2024

Thomas Berry Squires, 60, of Summerville passed away on November 16, 2024

Robert Bruce Marshall, Jr., 78, of Beaufort passed away on February 28, 2025

Russell D. Ghent, 73, of Spartanburg passed away on March 4, 2025

Kenneth H. "Ken" Lester, Sr., 83, of Columbia passed away on March 10, 2025

Clyde C. Dean, Jr., 77, of Chapin passed away on March 12, 2025

Llewellyn Hiott Hames, 88, of Chapin passed away on January 24, 2025

Alexander Nicholas Apostolou, 58, of Charleston passed away on February 17, 2025

The Honorable Robert R. Mallard, Sr., 92, of Charleston passed away on February 19, 2025

Gedney M. Howe III, 77, of Charleston passed away on March 21, 2025

Mary Elizabeth Mullikin, 38, of Camden passed away on March 30, 2025

O. Fayrell Furr, Jr., 82, of Conway passed away on April 3, 2025

State Champions Recognized at the State House

The 2024-25 Mock Trial state champions — Forest Creek Middle School and Strom Thurmond High School — and the We The People state champions — Palmetto Academy for Learning and Success and River Bluff High School — were recently recognized by the South Carolina Senate for their outstanding achievements.

In addition, River Bluff High School received a separate recognition from the South Carolina House of Representatives for its success in the We The People competition.

Mock Trial attorney coaches for Strom Thurmond include Blair Massey and Sen. Shane Massey. Team attorney for Forest Creek Middle School is Gary Lemel.

Congratulations to these dedicated and hard-working students from across South Carolina.

Board of Governors Retreat Recap

The SC Bar Board of Governors convened in Greenville in April for their annual planning retreat, developing a new two-year strategic plan and discussing the many issues facing the profession and the Bar. The Bar is grateful for the support of the Supreme Court Justices who attended; the hospitality of the Greenville Bar Association; and to Chris Newbold from ALPS Insurance for facilitating our strategic planning conversation.

2025-26 Committee Sign Ups Are Open!

Serving on a SC Bar committee introduces you to new colleagues and helps your professional growth. Committees are composed of Bar members throughout the state working together to 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 Bar, the profession and the communities we serve. Time commitments vary with each activity or committee depending upon its function and meeting schedule. Meetings are held both in-person and via virtual platforms or conference calls. Scan the QR code to sign up today!

New Officers Swearing-In Ceremony, May 15 in Columbia

As a new Bar year approaches, we will hold our annual swearing-in ceremony for new officers in conjunction with the Board of Governors and House of Delegates meetings on Thursday, May 15. Congratulations to the following members who will take their oath of office for the 2025-26 Bar year: Christopher R. Koon, President; Nekki Shutt, President-elect; Lindsay A. Joyner, Treasurer; Bradley K. Richardson, Secretary; R. Scott Dover, 1st Judicial Region; Lyndey Bryant, 2nd Judicial Region; Kimberly Barr, 3rd Judicial Region; Candace Shiver, At-Large; Michael Paul Burch, Jr.,

YLD Representative; Mary Catherine Harbin, YLD Representative; Barbara Ohanesian, SLD President/SLD Representative; Catherine H. Kennedy, SLD Representative; Roy F. Laney, ABA State Bar Delegate; Phylicia Coleman, ABA State Bar Delegate; La'Jes-sica Stringfellow, YLD President

USC Joseph F. Rice School of Law 2025 Compleat Lawyer Winners Announced

The University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law proudly recognizes our 2025 Compleat Lawyer winners:

Platinum Recipients

• Gedney Howe, III, Class of 1971, Gedney M. Howe III, PA

• William Jenkinson, III, Class of 1971, Jenkinson, Kellahan, Thompson & Reynolds, PA

• Costa Pleicones, Class of 1968, Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, PA

Gold Recipients

• Bradley Richardson, Class of 2000, Bradley K. Richardson, P.C.

• Jonathan Robinson, Class of 2000, Smith Robinson Holler DuBose Morgan, LLC

• David Yarborough, Class of 1998, Yarborough Applegate, LLC

Silver Recipients

• Taylor Gilliam, Class of 2014, Federal Public Defender's Office

• Cameo Joseph-McCollum, Class of 2016, Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, PA

• La'Jessica Stringfellow, Class of 2015, Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC

South Carolina Business Law Handbook: A Practical Guide for Business Owners, Entrepreneurs and Their Counsel

Principal Authors: Brian M. Collie, Esq., James T.H. Buxton, Esq., Nathan D. Johnson, Esq.

Release: February 2025

Cost: $85 Download Only; $135 Book and Download

Treatise on the Law of Easements in South Carolina, Second Edition

Richard M. Unger, Esq., R. Brooks Wright, Esq., Stuart M. Lee, Esq.

Release: March 2025

Cost: $75 Download Only; $95

Chief Justice (Ret.) Donald Beatty was honored with a portrait unveiling and the Order of the Palmetto at a reception on April 22. Capping off a long, distinguished career, Beatty served as Chief Justice of the SC Supreme Court from 2017 until his retirement in 2024.