S.C. Bar Young Lawyers receive four ABA Awards of Achievement

August 14, 2013

COLUMBIA, SC – August 14, 2013  – The S.C. Bar Young Lawyers Division (YLD) won four prestigious Awards of Achievement at the American Bar Association Annual Meeting on Aug. 10 in San Francisco, Calif. The awards included first place for Newsletters (S.C. Young Lawyer), second place for Service to the Public (iCivics), second place for Service to the Bar (Courthouse Keys) and special recognition for Minority Projects (BLSA Symposium and Career Fair).

S.C. Young Lawyer, co-chaired by Marshall Coleman Newton and Rebecca Roser, both of Robinson, McFadden & Moore, PC, placed first in the Newsletters category. S.C. Young Lawyer is a quarterly publication that includes substantive articles and information on the S.C. Bar YLD’s ongoing events.

Chaired by Allison P. Sullivan of Bluestein Nichols Thompson and Delgado, LLC, iCivics was awarded second place for Service to the Public. iCivics is a national, web-based education project designed to teach students about civics and inspire them to be active participants and leaders in our democracy. Members of the S.C. Bar YLD assist with implementing this program throughout South Carolina by planning and sponsoring conferences to teach educators how to use iCivics in their classrooms.

Courthouse Keys took home second place for Service to the Bar. Under the leadership of Chad N. Johnson of Willoughby and Hoefer, PA, this program coordinates breakfasts, lunches and other networking events to provide small groups of young lawyers the opportunity to meet and interact with members of the judiciary. During each event, participating judges provide insight on their paths to the bench and advice for young lawyers.

The BLSA Career Fair and Symposium was awarded special recognition in the Minority Project category. Chaired by Nichole Davis of Rinehart Law Firm and Tigerron “Tiger” A. Wells of Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, PA, the 2013 inaugural career fair and symposium provided S.C. law students with resources, support, guidance and practical expectations associated with the practice of law. The event included panel discussions on diversity issues in the legal field and ways in which diversity can be increased, and a career fair during which law firms and other potential employers were invited to hire summer law clerks.

These awards recognize the great work of S.C. young lawyers under the leadership of [YLD immediate past president] Trey Mills,” said Will Johnson, 2013-14 YLD president. “Our YLD members spent countless hours working on projects that facilitate professional development opportunities for S.C. Bar members, offer pro bono legal services to South Carolinians in need, and provide public service opportunities that make a real impact in communities statewide. Thanks to the hard work of so many of our members, YLD has earned a strong reputation at the national level as a leader in the American Bar Association.

For more information about YLD programs, visit www.scbar.org/yld.

The S.C. Bar YLD includes all members of the S.C. Bar under the age of 36 and those with less than five years of membership.

The South Carolina Bar, which has a membership of more than 14,500 lawyers, is dedicated to advancing justice, professionalism and understanding of the law.