2024 News

November 2024: Faculty Scholarship & Impact

Faculty scholarship, news and impact published in November 2024.

National experts converge for law school's inaugural Estate Planning Conference

"All-stars" in the estate planning and tax fields came to Columbia, including alumnus and U.S. Tax Court Judge Adam B. Landy.

Professor Joseph Seiner appointed to U.S. Foreign Service Grievance Board

Seiner selected for distinguished board by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken.

October 2024: Faculty Scholarship & Impact

Faculty scholarship, news and impact published in October 2024.

Taylor House unveiling

More than 100 years later, the meticulously restored historic home now houses the law school's admissions office alongside the master of studies in law and certificate programs.

Federal district court judge holds hearing at the law school

The Honorable Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. '75 held a civil court hearing on election law for students to observe in the historic Karen J. Williams Courtroom.

September 2024: Faculty Scholarship & Impact

Faculty scholarship, news and impact published in September 2024.

New hires in the USC Joseph F. Rice School of Law community

JD and Master of Legal Studies programs welcome new faculty.

Up for debate

USC Rice School of Law students establish the founding chapter of the Lincoln-Douglas Society, a neutral platform for civil discourse on the country's most controversial topics.

USC Rice School of Law welcomes the Class of 2027

The new 1Ls are part of the largest applicant pool and most selective admissions cycle in the law school's history.

August 2024: Faculty Scholarship & Impact

Faculty scholarship, news and impact published in August 2024.

New South Carolina Supreme Court chief justice sworn in

After more than 30 years serving the South Carolina judiciary, alumnus The Honorable John W. Kittredge ascended to the most senior office of the state's highest court.

July 2024: Faculty Scholarship & Impact

Faculty scholarship, news and impact published in July 2024.

The best offense is a good defense

The inaugural Richard Scott Joye Trial College gave SC criminal defense attorneys a unique opportunity to earn continuing legal education credits through hands-on training without leaving the state.

Transformative mentoring

Alumnus Joe Rice builds strong legal team by nurturing and empowering attorneys.

June 2024: Faculty Scholarship & Impact

Faculty scholarship, news, and impact published in June 2024.

Judge Letitia Verdin '97 elected to the Supreme Court of South Carolina

After her investiture, Verdin will be the only woman serving on the state Supreme Court, and just the third woman to take the bench in the Court's history.

Observe, learn, collaborate

Externships offer law students real life experience with practicing judges and attorneys.

Committed to Health Care

Professor Jacqueline Fox is researching and comparing national health care expenditures in the English, Australian, U.S. through her ground-breaking Fulbright Global Scholar project.

Equal Access to Education

Claire Raj works on Department of Education project to protect rights of students with disabilities.

Passionate Advocates

Talent, chemistry and preparation form the foundation that makes Mock Trial program one of the country's best.

May 2024: Faculty Scholarship & Impact

Faculty scholarship, news, and impact published in May 2024.

Palmetto LEADER volunteers use their legal skills for community service

Students worked alongside attorneys in Hartsville, SC earlier this month developing their legal skills while providing wills, durable healthcare powers of attorney, and expungements to those who qualify for assistance.

Michelle Pappas Named Class of 2024 Children's Law Concentration Distinguished Student

Pappas graduates with a Master of Social Work from USC and her juris doctorate with a Children's Law Concentration from the Joseph F. Rice School of Law.

Class of 2024 celebrates commencement

Commencement exercises were held May 3 in the Horseshoe for the School's Class of 2024.

Middle School Pipeline program engages young learners with the value of law

The USC Joseph F. Rice School of Law hosted students from Hopkins Middle School for a series of programs on legal storytelling and the chance to be part of a courtroom in action.

Celebrating 2024 Award Winners

The Law School recognizes students, faculty and staff who have made outstanding achievements in the 2023-2024 academic year

April 2024: Faculty Scholarship & Impact

Faculty scholarship, news, and impact published in April 2024.

New grant-funded Tax Clinic at USC Rice School of Law accepting clients

The law school's low-income Tax Clinic provides free legal assistance to qualifying taxpayers in disputes against the IRS.

USC Rice School of Law announces 2024 Compleat Lawyer Award Recipients

The highest honor given by the law school, these awards recognize alumni nominated by their peers for their professionalism, competency, and integrity.

USC report on protective orders highlights ways to address domestic violence

The multi-disciplinary collaboration provides the first glimpse of data on Orders of Protection at the state and local level throughout South Carolina.

US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit holds hearing at USC Joseph F. Rice School of Law

Students observed oral arguments for three cases heard by Chief Judge Albert Diaz, Judge A. Marvin Quattlebaum, Jr. '89, and Judge William B. Traxler, Jr '73.

March 2024: Faculty Scholarship & Impact

Faculty scholarship, news, and impact published in March 2024.

Why are Americans fighting over no-fault divorce? Maybe they can’t agree what marriage is for

Professor Marcia Zug shares her thoughts as well as a brief history of divorce, marriage, and the "marital bargain."

From Court to Court

2L Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk balances basketball and law school.

Whose Beach is it Anyway?

Law professor Josh Eagle works to expand public beach access.

February 2024: Faculty Scholarship & Impact

Faculty scholarship, news, and impact published in February 2024.

Inaugural TechInLaw symposium invites attendees to consider the interplay of technology and law

Creighton Waters '96 delivered keynote on technology used in 2023 Alex Murdaugh trial.

President Biden nominates alumnus for judgeship on US Tax Court

Three-time USC graduate Adam B. Landy '09 is one of three nominees for the US Tax Court.

In Memoriam: Henry L. Brown '51

Law school honors the passing of a distinguished alumnus and WWII veteran.

Free tax assistance for qualifying South Carolinians

Law students volunteer to help community members prepare tax documents and enhance their legal skills with guidance from professor Clint Wallace.

January 2024: Faculty Scholarship & Impact

Faculty scholarship, news, and impact published in January 2024.

I. S. Leevy Johnson '68 delivers keynote steeped in history at MLK awards ceremony

The second annual Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reinforced the importance of collectively fighting injustice and honored legal organizations committed to public service.

Jacquelyn D. Austin '96 confirmed to US District Court for the District of South Carolina

Judge Austin will fill the vacancy left by Judge J. Michelle Childs '91 who is a now member of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Former SC Gov. Beasley to join faculty of USC Joseph F. Rice School of Law

Former South Carolina Gov. David Beasley will join the faculty of the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law on March 1.

Law professor selected to help lead federal advisory committee on transforming transportation

Bryant Walker Smith appointed vice chair of a new US Department of Transportation committee helping to shape AI policies.

CHAMPS awarded second million-dollar Duke Endowment grant

Research will emphasize the importance of medical-legal partnerships in addressing social determinants of health.

In Memoriam: Richard Earl Day

Remembering former dean of the USC Rice School of Law.

Law school hosts federal civil court hearing courtesy of Federal District Court Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. '75

Students observed attorneys arguing the constitutionality of the SC Democratic Party's refusal to include a potential candidate on their primary ballot.

Joseph F. Rice School of Law