Laney sworn in as South Carolina Bar President

Columbia attorney Roy F. Laney took office as president of the South Carolina Bar on May 14. 

A founding member of Riley, Pope & Laney, LLC, in Columbia, Laney has more than two decades of experience in information technology, utility fuel and transportation transaction work and commercial litigation. South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Donald Beatty swore Laney in during a virtual annual meeting of Bar members. 

“Serving my community and giving back to the profession have always been important throughout my career as an attorney, and I am honored to lead this outstanding organization,” Laney said. “In these times of uncertainty and economic hardship, the South Carolina Bar will continue to meet the challenge of helping the legal profession, our communities and state successfully navigate work and life. As lawyers, we have been specially trained to help others in need and will rely on the foundation of our oath—fairness, integrity, civility and assisting the defenseless—to support our communities and promote access to justice for all South Carolinians.” 

Traditionally, past Bar presidents line up after the swearing in to pass the gavel down the line to the new president. This year, the gavel was passed virtually. Please watch this video that was shared during the Assembly so you can experience the virtual gavel passing to President Laney. 

Chief Justice Beatty issued the oath of office to President Roy Laney and shared a short speech with the Assembly. He highlighted the importance of collaboration between the Bar and the court, which ultimately translates to success for the overall legal profession.

"The reason for our good relationship is the caliber of the leadership that the Bar has enjoyed over the years, most recently Dawes Cooke and Bev Carroll," Beatty said. "I submit to you today that the same caliber of leadership will be exhibited during the tenure of Roy Laney." 

Laney has served as chairman of the SC Bar Lawyers Helping Lawyers Commission, treasurer and secretary of the Bar, a member of the Diversity Task Force, and two terms as chairman of the Professional Responsibility Committee. He is a past president of the Richland County Bar Association and was a Riley Institute Diversity Fellow. 

In the Midlands community, Laney served as district chairman of the Boy Scouts of America, an assistant scout master and a youth baseball and lacrosse coach. He earned a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Washington and Lee University. Laney and his wife Caroline have three children.  

Additional officers inducted for 2020-2021 are Mary E. Sharp of Beaufort, president elect; Hagood Tighe of Columbia, treasurer; Rusty Infinger of Greenville, secretary; Christopher Koon of Columbia, chair of the House of Delegates and Beverly Carroll of Rock Hill, immediate past president. Read Carroll’s farewell message. 

Other members who were sworn in for the 2020-21 year include: Cherie T. Barton of Rock Hill, Ricci Land Welch of Manning, Maryann E. Blake of Walterboro, Clifford L. Bourke of Columbia, board members; Sheila M. Willis of Columbia and Jeanmarie Tankersley of Greenville, Young Lawyers Division representatives; and John O. McDougall of Columbia, Senior Lawyers Division representative. John D. Elliott of Columbia and John H. Muench of Florence were installed as ABA State Bar delegates. Hon. Carolyn C. Matthews of Columbia was sworn in as Senior Lawyers Division president and Perry MacLennan of Charleston was sworn in as Young Lawyers Division president.