Mission
The purpose of this Section shall be to promote the goals and objectives of the South Carolina Bar in the fields of law controlling or affecting the military community. Objectives include improving liaison between and professional education of the military and civilian communities, stimulating research and development, seeking uniformity in legislation and administration, and improving the application of justice in these fields of law.
SECTION BYLAWS
2025-26 SECTION COUNCIL
LTC C. BENNETT GORE, JR.
CHAIR/CONVENTION COORDINATOR
COL CHRIS E. BARTON
CHAIR ELECT
LTC TIMOTHY W. MURPHY
SECRETARY
LTC IAN T. DUGGAN
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR/SECTION DELEGATE
JOHN G. TAMASITIS
COUNCIL MEMBER
COL GERALD E. "SCOOTER" HARMON, JR.
COUNCIL MEMBER
LTC JERROD B. FUSSNECKER
VA EMPLOYMENT CO- CHAIR
COL WILLIAM A. HUDSON, JR.
COUNCIL MEMBER
MAJ JAMES J. KRAUER
COUNCIL MEMBER
COL Wm. D. "DEEBO" KELLY, III
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR
COL EDYE U. MORAN (RET)
EX OFFICIO REPRESENTATIVE - RESERVE FORCES
MAJ KELVIN D.A. WRIGHT
EX OFFICIO REPRESENTATIVE - NATIONAL GUARD
MAJ CHRISTIAN STEGMAIER
EX OFFICIO REPRESENTATIVE - STATE GUARD
DAN ASPER
USC RICE SOL REPRESENTATIVE
JASMINE PATTSCHULL
USC RICE SOL REPRESENTATIVE
KENNY H. DOJAQUEZ
CLE COMMITTEE LIAISON
DOROTHY H. EDGERTON
FORT JACKSON JAG OFFICE LIAISON
MEGHAN E. BROOKS
USC RICE SOL
JOHN J. "JAY" JOHNSON
VA EMPLOYMENT CO- CHAIR & VA TREATMENT COURT CO-CHAIR
COLLEEN T.Q. CLARK
VA TREATMENT COURT CO-CHAIR
Goals
1. Institute membership and participation initiatives, including:
- Offering one free year of membership to all new Section members.
- Promoting participation within the Section at Essentials Series Course and various other outlets by providing informational materials on the benefits of becoming a member of the Section.
- Coordinating networking events with the USC Rice School of Law and the Charleston School of Law.
- Recognizing new Section members with a customized military unit coin.
- Utilizing the Section community platform to notify Section members of significant developments in military & veterans’ law, legislative updates, and member highlights and to allow Section members to exchange information and ideas related to military & veterans’ law.
2. Support continuing education and professional development initiatives on initiatives relevant to military and veterans’ law by:
- Conducting a seminar on military and veterans’ law issues at the Bar Convention.
- Hosting a Fall Conference in alternate years on VA Claims and Military Matters
- Providing financial support to JAG onsite conferences held in South Carolina.
- Increasing awareness of the Bar’s Legal Assistance for Military Personnel “LAMP” program as well as the South Carolina Attorney General’s VALOR program.
- Coordinating with other state Bar associations (i.e., State Bar of Georgia annual symposium) on how to strengthen bar programs serving members of the military, veterans, and their families.
- Producing online CLEs and distance learning programs.
3. Promote delivery of legal services in military and veterans’ law, including:
- Encouraging and coordinating member participation in pro bono programs such as the S.C. Veterans Court, Veterans’ Stand Down for the Homeless program, and similar projects.
- Coordinating efforts with the USC Rice School of Law through its Veterans Law Clinic by offering services to any indigent veteran facing legal issues such as credit and related financial matters, housing issues, government benefits, and family law issues.
- Supporting the SC Department of Veteran Affairs, the SC Department of Employment & Workforce, and various other organizations, with their efforts to assist veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses locate employment. Information about upcoming hiring events and initiatives will be provided to the Section and military and veteran communities.
Resources
Clinic at USC Rice School of Law
The Veterans Legal Clinic is dedicated to lifting barriers to benefits access for former servicemembers and their families across South Carolina.
SC-VALOR Program
This program is a collaboration between the Attorney General’s Office, the South Carolina Bar, and the SC Military Department.
VA Stand Down for the Homeless
Stand Downs are typically one- to three-day events during which VA staff and volunteers provide food, clothing and health screenings to homeless and at-risk Veterans. In addition, Veterans also receive referrals for health care, housing solutions, employment, substance use treatment, mental health counseling and other essential services.
Upcoming Meetings
There are no upcoming public events at this time.