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Two young lawyers were recently recognized for their dedication and service to the professsion and the SC Bar Young Lawyers Division (YLD)
Paul “Mike” Burch assistant solicitor in Lancaster’s Sixth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, was named 2022 Young Lawyer of the Year. Leslie McItosh; partner at McIntosh Sherard, Sullivan & Brousseau in Anderson; received the Grady B. Anthony Public Service Award.
Burch is an assistant solicitor in Lancaster's Sixth Circuit Solicitor's Office, which is a small circuit, regarding the number of young lawyers. As part of his role as a YLD Circuit Representative, he plans various activities that keep young lawyers engaged in his circuit while promoting wellness and well-being among his co-workers and throughout his profession.
According to a longtime acquaintance, Chelsea R. Rikard, a business law firm litigator, Burch has become known for building a sense of community.
Burch decided to give more time and effort to bettering the Young Lawyer’s Division by being elected as the division’s Secretary-Treasurer.
“I am fortunate to serve with other impressive young attorneys who have helped make the South Carolina Young Lawyers Division (YLD) the organization what it is today. The reason I enjoy working with the YLD is it gives us an opportunity to network with fellow attorneys and judges and to give back to the community. One of my goals for the YLD is to expand our presence to more rural parts of South Carolina, who have not always had opportunities for involvement. I look forward to continuing to serve the YLD as Secretary/Treasurer for the 2022-2023 Bar year!”
It is the responsibility of the circuit representatives to plan events, community engagement opportunities, fundraise, and overall, be the connection between the statewide YLD and all the young lawyers of their circuit, Mike explains. This consists of planning bonding experiences, including happy hours, Christmas parties, hiking and kayaking trips, lunches with resident circuit and family court judges, and joint events with another district. He also has attended the Young Lawyer’s division leadership retreat, something he describes as a “great opportunity for fellowship and collaboration for circuit members.”
Burch is looking forward to getting started as the Secretary-Treasurer in the 2022-2023 Bar year.
“He has built a strong sense of community amongst lawyers in the 6th circuit and has devoted much of his time to providing opportunities for others to grow in their career and give back to their community,” says Jeanmarie Tankersley, president of the Young Lawyers Division.
McIntosh, who also serves as 10th circuit representative on the SC Bar House of Delegates, is this year’s recipient of the Grady B. Anthony Public Service Award, which is named in honor of a young lawyer who passed away this past year. The award honors a member of the Young Lawyers Division who gave time and energy to helping colleagues and others through the YLD public service initiatives. The award is given at the discretion of the YLD president each year, with the assistance of the executive committee.
“I am truly honored to receive an award named in honor of my friend and fellow colleague, Grady Anthony. Grady was devoted to public service and was always willing to lend a hand. He was an inspiration. To receive the inaugural award means so much. Give back. Be involved. Lend a hand. Be like Grady. If you get a chance to volunteer, do it. It will change your life.”
Tankersley praised McIntosh’s achievements, including but not limited to, serving as the 10th Circuit Representative, providing wellness activities and information to young lawyers, and spending years helping young women feel confident and included through the Cinderella project. She has shown immense support for other members of the YLD and has been known to be someone you can count on.
“She is a wonderful example of how we can all do better to serve those around us, despite the busyness of the practice of law." Tankersley added. "I am so grateful for her service.”
McIntosh’s involvement in her community and the Bar is impressive; she is the current President of the Rotary Club of Greater Anderson, chair of the Board of Directors for the Anderson Free Clinic, serves on the board of directors for Meals on Wheels-Anderson, president of the Anderson County Historical Society and a member of the American Bar Association and SC Women Lawyers' Association. She was recently elected to the Bar’s nominating committee and has served as a chair on the Convention Committee since 2021, a member of the Lawyers Fund for Client Protection Committee and serves on the Wellness and NextGen committee. She received the SCWLA 2020 Emerging Leader Award, the YLD President’s award in 2019, and was selected as 20 under 40 for Anderson County in 2016.