A Message from the President

• Citation: Vol. 36-6
• Year: 2025

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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

No. Vol. 36 Issue 6 Pg. 6

South Carolina Lawyer

May, 2025

"Together We Can, Together We Will"

BYSHAHEENA "SHY" BENNETT

As I reflect on my year as President of the South Carolina Bar, I am struck by the profound challenges and opportunities that have defined this year. Serving in a leadership role during this time has been no small task. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the South Carolina Bar's unification, I am reminded that our strength lies in our ability to come together - even when the path is difficult. The SC Bar staff engaged in team building exercises recently and adopted the motto, "together we can, together we will." A perfect title for my final column.

Over the last year, I have witnessed remarkable unity and commitment to the profession throughout our Bar. This unity, this togetherness is a key source of our strength. This year, I saw 1,373 attendees flood the Columbia Convention Center for an extraordinary Bar Convention, led under Leslie McIntosh's volunteer leadership and Delilah Roseborough's staff leadership. I hope to see everyone in Savannah, GA for our 2026 Convention, giving our Lowcountry lawyers an opportunity to showcase their region.

Our statewide Road Show has allowed me to travel from my solo firm in Moncks Corner to engage with members in Greenville, Hilton Head, Florence, and Spartanburg. Together with Executive Director Emma Dean, the SC Bar Foundation, Lawyers Helping Lawyers and Access to Justice, we've conquered Rock Hill, Lexington, Conway, Greenville, Florence, Aiken, Anderson, Bluffton, Dorchester and Orangeburg.

Having Lawyers Helping Lawyers join us to spread their support in every corner of the state has been an important part of this work, and I'd like to thank Beth and Frances for their commitment to our members. Let me take this opportunity to remind you that you have five free, confidential counseling sessions each year - just call 855-3214384 to speak to someone. In 2024, 183 people reached out to Lawyers Helping Lawyers to access these counseling sessions, and we want this number to continue to grow.

We've traveled with the Supreme Court as they held oral arguments in different parts of the state. In Charleston and Hartsville we worked with local bars and the Court to connect attorneys and future attorneys with viewing the oral arguments. Do you see the recurring theme here? With lots of miles on cars, we are working together to get the message out about all the good services available to the attorneys we serve.

Along with the theme of coming together, collaboration has also been a great source of strength. The reinvigorated SC Bar Pro Bono Program launched new opportunities to serve our communities through collaborations with Access to Justice, the SC Bar Foundation, SC Legal Services, local bars and nonprofits throughout the state.

The Young Lawyers Division, the American Bar Association and FEMA teamed up to provide 104 people with disaster legal assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Our Children's Law Committee and other volunteers answered just under 300 questions during a February SC Free Legal Answers Blitz. Wills clinics have occurred in Columbia, Georgetown and Pamplico, partnering with Habitat for Humanity, SC Legal Services, SC Center for Heirs Property Preservation, Nelson Mullins, USC Joseph Rice School of Law and the John Belton O'Neall Inn of Court. Would you like a wills clinic in your town? Contact the SC Bar! We partnered with Time Served, SC Legal Services and the City of Clemson for an expungement clinic that helped 28 people remove barriers to employment and housing. So from Clemson to Pamplico, you have strengthened our legal system with your pro bono service.

In our travels, I've touted the great work of the Bar's Law Related Education programs.

In February, there were mock trial competitions in 5 regions of the state, comprised of 83 volunteer attorneys, 49 attorney coaches,75 teachers, and 725 students; these regionals led to the 2025 High School Mock Trial Championship in Columbia in March, with 37 volunteer attorneys, 18 attorney coaches, 25 teachers, and 208 students. Mock trial plays a significant role in expanding the pipeline to law school, especially in terms of fostering skills, confidence, and connections that are critical for students interested in pursuing legal careers. We will soon be traveling to high schools to participate in the SC Bar's LawBound program, where juniors and seniors will hear firsthand what it's like to be a lawyer. I want to personally thank all of you who support this great work. Your dedication and commitment to the future of our profession is extraordinary.

It has been my distinct privilege and pleasure to serve as your South Carolina Bar president this year. I am grateful to have met so many wonderful folks around this state, to hear from you, to work with you, and to come together. I thank the local bar associations that have embraced the opportunity to grow stronger together. What a way to celebrate 50 years!