ABOUT THE AWARD

In November 2013, the Supreme Court of South Carolina’s Chief Justice’s Commission on the Profession established the G. Dewey Oxner Jr. Mentor of the Year Award. This award is presented annually to an individual who has performed exemplary service and demonstrated professional excellence as a mentor to a new lawyer participating in the Supreme Court’s Lawyer Mentoring Program.

This award honors the legacy of one of the giants in the legal profession, G. Dewey Oxner Jr., and his steadfast commitment and leadership in ensuring that the practice of law remains a high calling. During his tenure as president of the South Carolina Bar, Mr. Oxner proposed to the Supreme Court that it form the Chief Justice’s Commission on the Profession with its primary charge being to promote and enhance professionalism among South Carolina’s lawyers. The Commission was formed in 2000, and Mr. Oxner served as an inaugural member and co-chair from its inception until his death in 2013.

Among the many fronts on which the Commission promotes professionalism, none was more significant to Mr. Oxner than establishing a mentoring program for new lawyers to ease their entry into the practice of law. He championed this endeavor with unparalleled enthusiasm and worked tirelessly to make South Carolina’s program a highly successful model that other states now emulate. With the establishment of the Lawyer Mentoring Program, Mr. Oxner has left our profession with a living legacy, and this award is a fitting recognition of his enormous contributions to this important effort.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

With the exception of members of the Chief Justice’s Commission on the Profession, any member in good standing with the South Carolina Bar who has served as a mentor in the Lawyer Mentoring Program during the current year is eligible to receive the award.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The Lawyer Mentoring Program was designed to provide newly admitted lawyers with access to guidance regarding a variety of subjects. The award spotlights a mentor who not only went the extra mile and provided outstanding support, advice or assistance to the new lawyer, but who also exemplified the highest standards of integrity, civility and professionalism.

Criteria to consider when nominating a mentor may include, but is not limited to, the goals contained in the Uniform Mentoring Plan. Because each mentoring experience is unique, you may consider additional ways in which the mentor provided outstanding assistance.