South Carolina Bar

Our next Board of Governors introduction spotlights Young Lawyers Division representative La'Jessica Stringfellow. A Chester native, La'Jessica earned her bachelor’s degree from Virginia State University and her juris doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law. She began her legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable John C. Few and later became an assistant solicitor at the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor's Office. She is currently an associate at Robinson Gray, where she practices administrative and regulatory law, business litigation, election law and general litigation. La'Jessica has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout her career, including her recent designation as a South Carolina "Super Lawyer" Rising Star. She is a member of the South Carolina Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission, the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association and the American Bar Association’s Litigation Section. Before being elected to the Board of Governors, La'Jessica served as secretary-treasurer of the SC Bar Young Lawyers Division. She is also actively involved in her local community and has previously served as a Chester Middle School Mock Trial coach. Thank you, La'Jessica, for your commitment to the Bar!

Last Thursday we partnered with the South Carolina Bar Foundation for a joint CLE and reception with the York County Bar in Rock Hill. SC Bar Executive Director Emma Dean and SC Bar Foundation Executive Director Olivia Jones shared a presentation about the responsibilities and goals of the organizations, and local bar members had a chance to network with their colleagues. We're already looking forward to our next visit! #RaisingtheBar

The SC Bar's CLE Division recently held a Civil Court Mediator Training Program, led by Tiffany Provence. Tiffany is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience as a South Carolina Probate Judge, practicing attorney and mediator. This 40-hour program was designed to equip participants with all the essential skills and knowledge needed for mediation practice. Tiffany, along with a group of distinguished mediators and teachers, provided attendees with hands-on training and invaluable insights. This course is more than just a lecture—it's an immersive experience that consistently receives top reviews. Participants earned 40 hours of CLE credit, including 4 hours of ethics, while learning proven mediation principles and techniques. For more information on future mediation training, please visit https://loom.ly/B_F-zLU

🚨New Book Release🚨 Evidence Guidebook: A Quick Reference for the Courtroom Judge Barbara "Bobbie" Wofford-Kanwat authored a comprehensive guidebook on South Carolina evidence law, offering valuable insights for legal professionals. The resource is organized into nine chapters, covering topics such as pretrial negotiations, courtroom practice, relevancy evaluation, hearsay, and witnesses. Additionally, the book features quick-reference charts for efficient review of key information. Purchase your copy here> https://lnkd.in/eJZmCVFr

The SC Bar Young Lawyers Division recently won five awards from the ABA Young Lawyers Division at the awards ceremony in Chicago! Among the notable awards were Service to the Public for the Palmetto LEADER event held in May, and Service to the Bar for the Legal Aid University CLE held last fall. Congratulations to all SC Bar YLD members on your well-deserved recognition! #RaisingtheBar ⚖️

Exciting news! The SC Bar is hiring a part time Claims Investigator to work with the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection. If you have a strong interest in the ethics of the legal field, this short-term project may be a fit for you! Apply today and help ensure the protection of clients across the state. Click here to apply! https://loom.ly/vgqU0e0

As we continue our introductions, today's spotlight shines on David D. Cantrell Jr., Senior Lawyers Division Representative. David received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Wofford College and received his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law. David has been practicing law since 1977, where he worked at the Solicitor's Office, the City of Easley as City Judge and the Public Defender's Office. He is currently a solo practitioner and focuses on consumer bankruptcy, family law and preparation of wills, deeds and related documents. He is also a part-time Public Defendant and a 608 Attorney for Indigent Defense. David is an involved member of the SC Bar, as he has been a member of Conventions Committees and regularly participates in CLE programs. In his free time, David enjoys attending church, participating in local civic activity and spending time with his family. Thank you, David, for all of your hard work!

Our next Board of Governors introduction highlights At-Large Member Nina Cano Richards. Nina received her undergraduate degree from Winthrop University and her Juris Doctor from Florida Costal School of Law. Nina is the owner of Cano Law Office where she practices immigration and naturalization law. The firm, serving clients from all over the world, consists of a team fluent in seven different languages including English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Mixteco, Arabic and Quechua. Nina is involved in several nonprofit organizations including the founding of Charleston VOTA, as a board member of the ACLU-SC and is an advisor with the City of Charleston's Mayor's Latinx Advisory Council. Nina served as an adjunct professor at the College of Charleston where she taught Immigration Law and continues to mentor aspiring law students wishing to practice immigration law. Most recently, Nina cofounded Spanglish Consulting, a firm that supports clients at the center of Language Access, Community Engagement and Marketing Communications. Thank you for your service to the Bar, Nina!

📚 As the school year begins, the SC Bar encourages parents, teachers and administrators to stay informed about state education laws. Key points to remember: - Attendance: SC children aged five to 17 must attend school. Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring no more than three consecutive or five total unlawful absences. - Special Education: Students with disabilities are entitled to a free, appropriate public education tailored to their needs. - Bullying: School districts must have anti-bullying policies. If you suspect bullying, contact the school's assistant principal or principal for a full investigation. Protect your child’s rights and ensure they receive the education they deserve. Click here for more information: https://loom.ly/9FWgSCk ⚖️ #RaisingtheBar

Next up in our introductions is Taylor Gilliam, Young Lawyers Division Representative. Taylor graduated from The Citadel in 2011 and then received his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2014. He currently works for the school as the Pro Bono Director. He is the Immediate Past President of the SC Bar Young Lawyers Division and received the Young Lawyer of the Year award in 2020. Taylor has served as President of the Lexington Citadel Club and Chair of the Richland County Bar’s Public Service Committee. Currently, he serves on the Board of Directors for Time Served, a Greenville nonprofit which helps people break free from the cycle of mass incarceration. Taylor also serves on the Board of the Brookland-Cayce High School Education Foundation, where he oversees student scholarships and teacher grants. Prior to joining the law school, Taylor was an Appellate Defender at the South Carolina Commission on Indigent Defense, where he handled over 300 appeals and engaged in over 20 oral arguments between the South Carolina Supreme Court and the South Carolina Court of Appeals. He is a 2019 graduate of the South Carolina Bar Leadership Academy and has helped plan sessions for recent classes across the state. Taylor resides in Lexington County with his wife Caitlin and their three young children. Thank you for all of your hard work, Taylor!