Georgetown defense lawyer takes helm of statewide legal association
November 2, 2026
Attorney Erin Bailey, founder of Erin Bailey Law, was installed Friday as president of the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (SCACDL).
Bailey will lead the statewide organization of more than 600 private defense lawyers and public defenders for a one-year term.
“This is an organization of people who do hard work that is not always popular, and who do it because somebody has to stand between the government and the accused,” Bailey said. “I’ve spent three years learning how it runs from the inside. Now I get a year to help it run better”.
Bailey’s path to the presidency included serving on the SCACDL Board of Directors representing the 15th Judicial Circuit covering Georgetown and Horry counties starting in 2023, followed by roles as vice president in 2025 and president-elect in 2026.
Her key priorities for the term include strengthening internal committee work, expanding involvement for non-board members, and enhancing communication with members statewide. She also highlighted a continued commitment to mentorship, particularly for women entering the criminal defense field.
“I had people who showed me how to do this job well and reminded me why it matters,” Bailey said. “Making sure the next lawyer has that, especially the next woman, is part of the assignment”.
A former Georgetown prosecutor for seven years, Bailey launched her firm ten years ago in Georgetown. A trial attorney with more than 30 cases tried to verdict, she holds Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent rating and has been recognized by Super Lawyers and The National Trial Lawyers.
Founded in 1992, SCACDL provides continuing legal education, advocates at the Statehouse on constitutional rights issues, and supports criminal defense attorneys across South Carolina.
