Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice for the opportunity to speak to this group today. Good afternoon, and congratulations.
Before I go any further, I’d like us to give a special thanks to your family and friends who have supported you along the journey and have brought you to this special moment. You are here today not only because of your hard work, but also because of dedication, encouragement, and even sacrifice of those here with you today. Please give them a round of applause.
Today is a significant milestone in your life. You’re no longer just students of the law—you’re stepping into a long, proud tradition of advocates and defenders, charged with upholding justice and the rule of law. It’s a tremendous responsibility, one that will challenge you in ways you can’t even imagine yet. But it’s also a path filled with great reward, if you approach it with the right mindset.
I know that for some of you today marks a second or subsequent bar admission. However, I want to talk to you today about the mindset with which you practice law. You are, as of this moment, the stewards of justice. But let me ask you this: what kind of steward do you want to be? What kind of lawyer do you want to become? It’s easy to get lost in the technical side of law—mastering the rules, winning the arguments—but your role isn’t just to know the law; it’s to serve the people who depend on it. And that’s where kindness comes in.
As you take on this role, I want to challenge you to think of your work not only as a pursuit of knowledge, but as a practice deeply rooted in kindness. I use the word “kindness” intentionally. I’m not referring to kindness in its casual sense—politeness, smiles, or pleasantries – although that is important and goes a long way in this profession and in life as well. But I’m speaking of a kind of empathy that underpins your interactions with clients, colleagues, and even opposing counsel.
Kindness isn’t weakness, though. It takes strength to be kind when the law is harsh, when the stakes are high, and when you’re facing opposing counsel determined to win as much as you are. But as you’ll learn, you can be a fierce advocate without sacrificing your humanity.
I also want to talk about your role in upholding the reputation of this profession. Too often, lawyers are seen through a cynical lens. We’ve all heard the jokes. But the truth is, you have the power to change that. The way you conduct yourself—whether in the courtroom, in negotiations, or even in your everyday interactions—can help reshape how the world views lawyers. You can prove that this profession stands for the most noble of things: justice, fairness, and integrity.
Defending your profession doesn’t just mean representing your clients well. It means standing up for the system itself. There will be times when the law is tested, when corners are cut, or when you’re asked to look the other way. In those moments, your ethics will be your guide. Remember why you chose this path—to serve justice, not just to win cases. The right thing to do is often the hardest thing to do, but it is always worth it.
And as you move through your career, remember this: none of us made it here alone. Look for mentors, seek guidance from those who came before you. And when the time comes, be that mentor to someone else. Our profession relies on the passing down of wisdom, of experience, of support. One day, a young lawyer will look to you for help. What you teach them, how you lead them, will shape the future of this profession.
So, as you take on the challenges ahead, do so with integrity, with empathy, and with kindness. This profession, and this world, needs lawyers who are willing to stand up for what’s right, not just for what’s easy. It needs lawyers who understand that the law is about people, and people deserve to be treated with respect, no matter the situation.
You are the future of this profession. I ask you to defend it. Honor it. And practice with the kindness and dignity it demands.
Congratulations again, and welcome to the South Carolina Bar.
