SC Bar News

Thu Mar 23, 2023

Susan Barber Hackett is an Appellate Defender with the Office of Appellate Defense, representing individuals in their appeals following criminal convictions and in post-conviction relief matters. She won the President’s Award from the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in 2022. In 2020, she won the Gold Compleat Award from the University of South Carolina School of Law and in 2018, won the Martha Browning Dicus Award from the Public Defender Association for demonstrating remarkable competence, zeal, and adherence to the ideals of the legal profession.  

Thu Mar 16, 2023

Before her retirement in 2018, Lee Coggiola was Disciplinary Counsel for the South Carolina Supreme Court, and prior to that Chief Staff Attorney for the South Carolina Court of Appeals. Before coming to the Court of Appeals she served as the Chief Public Defender of Richland County. Her Bar memberships include the South Carolina Supreme Court; United States District Court, District of South Carolina; Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. She is a 1967 graduate of the University of Miami and received her JD from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1988.

Thu Mar 9, 2023

Debra J. Gammons is a professor at the Charleston School of Law and an attorney.  She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the College of Charleston.  She received her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law.  Gammons was President of Student Government and President of the Peer Mentor Association at the College of Charleston.  Upon graduation, Professor Gammons won the highest award given by The College (Bishop Robert Smith Award), the Lucille S. Whipper Award, and several additional awards.  She was President of the Student Bar in Law School and won awards there.  In Law School, she also served as Associate Justice of the Moot Court Bar and President of the Public Interest Law Society; along with her membership in other organizations.

Wed Jan 18, 2023

As a young attorney, Charles Norris of Whelan Mellen & Norris, LLC in Charleston, knew he wanted to advance his understanding of civil law.  A graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law, Norris was inspired during his clerkship with Judge George Coleman when he noticed a notebook with summarized cases Judge Coleman would take to court with him.  In the early years of his career, Norris became increasingly frustrated arguing against more experienced lawyers.

Wed Jan 18, 2023

As a young attorney, Charles Norris of Whelan Mellen & Norris, LLC in Charleston, knew he wanted to advance his understanding of civil law. A graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law, Norris was inspired during his clerkship with Judge George Coleman when he noticed a notebook with summarized cases Judge Coleman would take to court with him. 

Mon Dec 19, 2022

River Bluff High School of Lexington and Palmetto Academy of Learning and Success of Myrtle Beach won the South Carolina Bar’s We the People competition held Dec. 8 at River Bluff High School in Lexington.

Wed Dec 14, 2022

For a consecutive third year, Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton (JET) Middle School of Johnston in Edgefield County was named the winner of the South Carolina Bar’s State Middle School Mock Trial competition. This event was held in person for the first time in two years.

Wed Dec 14, 2022

Charleston Law School student, Addison Osborne’s inspiration to write Jurassic Law: South Carolina's Paleontology and Its Connection With the Legal Field came from his childhood passion for prehistoric life. Even though he is studying the law, his love for paleontology has stayed with him throughout the years.