Richard Riley, David Wilkins honored with S.C. Supreme Court Lifetime Achievement Award
January 30, 2025
Richard Riley and David Wilkins
Two South Carolina statesmen and members of the legal profession—Richard Riley and David Wilkins—were recently honored with the Chief Justice’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Legal Profession, known as the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Riley, who served as U.S. secretary of education in the Clinton Administration and as two-term governor of South Carolina, and Wilkins, who served as U.S. ambassador to Canada under the Bush Administration and as the speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives—were recognized by Chief Justice John Kittredge and Justice Gary Hill in a surprise ceremony at the Riley-Wilkins OneSouthCarolina Awards Dinner held in Columbia on January 14, 2025.
In his remarks, Hill reflected on Riley’s unwavering character throughout his time in public office. “In both of these offices at the pinnacle of government power, Dick Riley was a transformative figure. Although the force of his leadership was such that he fundamentally changed both those offices, he himself never changed. When he left the governor’s mansion and when he left Washington, his sterling reputation and uncompromising integrity were untarnished.”
Remarking on Wilkins’ career, Kittredge focused on the stateman’s devotion to serving his community. “In his service to the state and nation, David has demonstrated a tenacious, can-do attitude. Yes, he wants to win, and is driven by results, but the key point is that the goal, the victory, is not himself. With David Wilkins, the goal has always been about serving his clients, his constituents, his state, and nation.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award reflects superior legal competence and excellence; an unwavering commitment to professionalism, honor and civility; and exceptional service to not only the legal profession, but the broader community as well. Kittredge remarked of Riley and Wilkins that “they rate highly on all fronts, yet their state and national service has been exceptional and sets them apart.”