USC Law School anchors city’s legal corridor

Since opening earlier this year, the University of South Carolina’s new School of Law has become the anchor for a “law corridor of Columbia” running along Gervais Street, says dean Rob Wilcox. He told Capital Rotary members on a tour Nov. 29 (he’s at far right in photo) that the legal district also includes the S.C. Supreme Court, the State House and the National Advocacy Center, which trains attorneys from the U.S. Justice Department. The three-story, $80 million law school features 17 classrooms and two realistic courtrooms.

Wilcox said its design has a purpose and an impact that goes beyond mere aesthetics. “It’s designed to send a message to our students – it’s not just college anymore,” he explained. “It’s the beginning of your profession. Different things will be expected of students here. There are responsibilities that come with this.” USC’s School of Law is one of the nation’s oldest and the state’s only nonprofit law school. Its new home occupies nearly an entire city block at Bull and Gervais streets. Capital Rotary’s tour was part of the club’s Fifth Wednesday program featuring local field trips in place of a regular meeting.