Summer 2006 Newsletter

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Fellow Members of the Charleston County Bar:

It is, without question, my pleasure to address the Bar in this Newsletter, which delivers to all members their copy of “Crossing the Charleston Bar”.  This production, which started as the brainchild of my esteemed predecessor, Frank McCann, is undeniably a labor of pride.  It was made possible through the heroic efforts of Frank, Marvin Infinger and Henry Grimball.  And, you will know immediately that Randall Stoney kindly agreed to narrate.

I, along with the Executive Committee, had the honor of previewing this production in the presence of its honorees and their families and friends.  I have not had a more meaningful professional experience.  These men, along with Ruth Cupp (what a pioneer), were so kind to take the time from their still busy schedules to share parts of their lives with us.  They speak of serving their country.  They speak of overcoming burdens of prejudice and bias in order to accomplish their goal of becoming a member of this profession.  They tell us of struggling in their early years, of supporting one another and receiving the wise counsel of other, more senior attorneys as they grew into seasoned practitioners themselves.  They tell us their war stories, each being in some way a victory, both professional and personal. And, significantly, they tell us of the collegiality of the profession. 

Perhaps most importantly, these icons speak of one another and our profession with an abiding respect.  They have, to a person, achieved incredible success, but that was not their only goal. They each sought to execute our profession in the most honorable fashion and they have gracefully accomplished that as well.   In reaching their goals they have enhanced our profession by placing their pursuit of service well before financial gain. . 

I hope that you will take the time to watch this production the minute you receive it.  Then, I hope you will watch it once again, so that the emotion and pride of each lawyer on it can be absorbed.      I left the preview of this DVD convinced that I need to strive to be a better person, to be a better lawyer – like those you will see and hear, as a tribute to them and to our profession.  I hope that each of us will continue to strive to reach the goals of these professionals.  Please say thanks to Frank, Marvin, Henry and Randall for preserving this slice of our history.  And, say thank you to these honorable individuals who shaped it. 

Sincerely,

Cheryl D. Shoun

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Bland Richter, LLP and Ronald L. Richter, Jr. are pleased to announce the relocation of their Charleston offices to The Peoples Building, 18 Broad Street, mezzanine level.  The firm also has offices in Columbia at 1500 Calhoun Street.

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Amanda L. Newell is pleased to announce the opening of The Law Office of Amanda L. Newell, located at 192 East Bay Street, Suite 202, Charleston, SC 29401. Ms. Newell practices family-based and employment-based immigration law. Tel. 722-1976. 

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Geoffrey H. Waggoner announces the relocation of his office to Mount Pleasant.  While a new office facility is being designed and constructed, and during his temporary occupancy of Suite 108, 900 Johnnie Dodds Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, his mailing address will be Post Office Box 865, Mount Pleasant, SC 29465. Tel. 572-5000.

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 Dean Richard Gershon announces that J. Kirkland Grant has joined the faculty of the Charleston School of Law as Distinguished Visiting Professor of Law.  Professor Grant will teach in the contract, corporate and business areas.

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The Center for Heirs Property Preservation, a nonprofit organization located in North Charleston, is seeking a full-time attorney to begin work August 2006.  Starting salary is $40,000-$45,000, with benefits.  Applicant must be a member of the South Carolina Bar and have completed the Rule 403 requirements. Please contact the Center for more information: 745-7036.

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 For Rent: Executive-suite style office located at 171 Church Street, Suite 160, Franke Building. Within walking distance to court.  All amenities included:  receptionist, parking garage, kitchen, copier/fax access and conference rooms, etc.  Contact Nicholas Clekis at 720-3737 or clekislaw@clekis.com

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CHRISTIAN LEGAL SOCIETY

The local Christian Legal Society meets once a month for breakfast.  We generally have an informal Bible study or speakers.  Details as follows:

When: Fourth Tuesday of each month
Where : Beaners, 1150 Queensborough Blvd, Suite C, Mount Pleasant, SC (near the Publix Shopping Center)
Call 216-7668 for directions if you are not sure where it is located.
For additional information, you may contact any of the following:
Sam Clawson at sclawson@clawsonandstaubes.com
Reese Joye at reesejoye@aol.com
Thad Vincent at tvincent@thevincentlawfirm.com
Rhonda R. Jennings at rhonda@rhondajennings.com
Elizabeth Atkins at ematkins2000@yahoo.com
 

Attorneys, Charles Town to Charleston 

Attorneys, Charles Town to Charleston, written by Ruth W. Cupp, is the history of the local legal profession from 1663 to the 21st century.

Your favorite bookstore can get you a copy of this book and the Bar’s Executive Committee has them for sale.  Contact Julie Kemp at 724-6669.

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CALA Paralegal of the Year

Charleston Association of Legal Assistants (CALA) has launched a new program to recognize outstanding paralegals in Charleston and surrounding areas.  Do you know a CALA member who always goes the extra mile, is an outstanding paralegal, and is making a difference and advancing the profession in a positive manner? Then please, tell us about that person!

Nominations for the 2006 CALA Paralegal of the Year Award will be accepted until the end of November, and the winner will be announced and presented with an award at the CALA annual meeting in December.  To make a nomination, just send a letter describing the nominee and why you feel they should be the CALA Paralegal of the Year to:

CALA Paralegal of the Year
P.O. Box 1250
Charleston, SC  29402

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Pro Bono Moments

This past Quarter has indeed been momentous.

The staff of Pro Bono Legal Services, Inc. (PBLS) has grown to three full time employees as Pro Bono Coordinator Virginia Z. Howell and Pro Bono Paralegal Kimberly McGill have joined Pro Bono Director/Legal Counsel Marvin H. Feingold in the Church Street office.

Our volunteer lawyer list has grown to 70 and we have referred out 40 cases since opening for intake in March 2006.

Effective, July 1, 2006, PBLS will expand its jurisdiction to cover Berkeley and Dorchester counties and maintain a satellite office at Trident United Way in Summerville. This expansion has been accomplished with the support of the Berkeley County and Dorchester County bar associations and the South Carolina Bar Foundation through an IOLTA grant.

In a partnership with The Charleston School of Law (CSL) and Interfaith Crisis Ministries (ICM), Brett Barker, Pro Bono Fellow and a third year law student, has been administering the Homeless Clinic begun by the Nelson Mullins law firm in 2005. This project will continue in the fall with the help of law student volunteers and externs.  Students receive course credit.  In this project, cases are taken in, researched, investigated and otherwise prepared for volunteer attorneys who periodically meet at ICM’s homeless shelter on Meeting Street in Charleston to interview applicants for pro bono service.

 In partnership with CSL and the Charleston County Bar Association, two free CLE’s are planned: Basic Social Security Practice, September 11, 2006 at CSL (8:30 AM -1:00 PM); and Post Disaster Legal Issues*, October 6, 2006 at CSL (8:30 AM - 1:00 PM). Seating is limited. Please pre-register by e-mail to probonols@bellsouth.net.

* The Post Disaster Legal Issues CLE is free to attorneys signing up for the LEADR TEAM (Lawyers Emergency and Disaster Response Team), a PBLS initiative which seeks to garner volunteer attorneys and develop communications networks in preparation for assisting victims of a disaster with the special legal problems which may be expected to present themselves.

CIRCUIT COURT SCHEDULE - NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

(Court schedules are changing constantly; please verify current information through S.C. Court Administration or by checking the South Carolina Judicial Department website at http://www.judicial.state.sc.us/calendar/index.cfm)

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CIRCUIT COURT SCHEDULE - FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT 

FAMILY COURT SCHEDULE - NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

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FAMILY COURT SCHEDULE - FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

CHARLESTON COUNTY COMMON PLEAS JURY VERDICTS
(Information supplied by Clerk of Court’s Office)

FEDERAL COURT JURY VERDICTS
(there were no federal court jury verdicts for this quarter)