A. Student Affairs

1. The Law School Student Affairs office is located in Suite 129 of the Student Services Suite on the first floor of the School of Law.  
   
   Student Affairs happily serves as your resource for a multitude of services, however, our most “frequent flyers” are:   
   • Emergency Student Loans
   • Housing
   • Lockers and Mailboxes
   • Mental Health and Wellness Resources
   • External Scholarship and Writing Competitions
   • Student Organizations and Programming
   • Financial Literacy Program
2. Emergency Loan Program

The School of Law has an emergency student loan program available to all currently enrolled full-time law students, in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.000. The loans are limited to $500.00.  They must be repaid within 90 days of receiving the loan.  A student may only have one emergency loan outstanding at a time.

Students requesting an emergency loan must complete an application form, available online on the Student Affairs webpage or  here: . Completed applications will be reviewed by the Office of Student Affairs and approved by the Vice Dean for Student and Alumni Engagement and Strategic Initiatives. For the purposes of qualifying for an emergency student loan an "emergency" shall be defined as "a sudden state of financial need relating to or impacting on the education of a law student."

Loan requests are granted only for educational-related expenses. After the application has been approved, necessary forms are prepared, and the student may take them to the Bursar’s Office. The Bursar’s Office will submit a request to the Controller’s Office to cut the check. The Bursar’s Office will contact the student when the check is ready for pickup which is normally within 3 business days

Should a student have an outstanding emergency loan balance when a federal student loan is received, the Bursar’s Office will request authorization to deduct the outstanding balance from the federal loan monies. It is the responsibility of the student to make sure that the loan is paid off no later than the date due.

Emergency loans are available during the fall and spring semesters and during summer school if the student is enrolled. However, no emergency loans will be made during the period between semesters.

B. Career & Professional Development

 

The Office of Career & Professional Development (C&PD) is committed to supporting you as you chart a path toward a fulfilling and meaningful legal career. To ensure a successful partnership, we encourage you to remain actively engaged with our office throughout your journey. 

Our Commitment to You 

We pledge to provide the following support and resources: 

• Personalized Guidance: One-on-one advising on career development and job search strategies tailored to your goals. 

• Career Education: Information on job search tools, legal career paths, and the key competencies needed for success in the legal profession. 

• Opportunity Sharing: Regular communication about job openings, educational programs, professional development events, and networking opportunities. 

• Responsive Support: Timely responses to your inquiries and requests for guidance. 

• Recruitment Programs: Coordination of on- and off-campus interview programs and job postings. 

• Employer Engagement: Ongoing collaboration with legal employers and industry leaders to stay informed about the job market and expand opportunities for South Carolina Law students and graduates. 

Your Commitment to Us 

To make the most of our partnership, we ask that you: 

• Stay Connected: Read and respond to our communications in a timely manner. 

• Keep Us Informed: Share updates about your summer and post-graduate employment. 

• Honor Your Commitments:  

• • Attend events and programs for which you register. 

• • Participate in scheduled interviews, provided you remain available for employment. 

• • By bidding for an in-person on-campus interview, you confirm your availability to attend in person on the scheduled date. 

• • By bidding for a virtual on-campus interview, you confirm your availability to attend virtually on the scheduled date. 

• • Once you accept a summer or post-graduate position, promptly withdraw any outstanding applications and cancel interviews for positions you are no longer available to pursue. 

• Maintain Integrity: Accurately represent your credentials and experiences in all application materials and during interviews. 

 

C. Registrar and Academic Services

 

Information and advisement on the following matters are available through the Registrar/Academic Services Office, Room 128.

• • • CALI Award Management
    • Course Requirements
    • Degree Requirements
    • Combination Degree Programs
    • Enrollment Verifications
    • Exam Administration
    • Grades
    • Graduation
    • Joint Journal Writing Competition
    • Registration
    • Self Service Carolina
    • State Bar Certifications
    • Student Records*
    • Study Abroad/Visiting other Law Schools
    • Transfer Students
    • Transient Students
    • Tuition and Fee Payment
    • Withdrawals/Leave of Absence/Readmission

*Note: official transcripts are only available through the University Registrar’s Office at 1244 Blossom Street or online on Self Service Carolina.

 

 D. Pro Bono Program

             

Established in 1989, the University of South Carolina School of Law Pro Bono Program is the first voluntary pro bono program at a U.S. law school.  Open to all USC law students, the program offers opportunities to volunteer in the community, develop essential legal skills, and build a foundation for a career rooted in public service. By participating, students gain practical experience while contributing to the public good.

Program Goals

The Pro Bono Program is designed to:

• Enhance skills and support  career development through hands-on opportunities.
• Provide practical experiences to deepen understanding of legal practice.
• Engage law students in community volunteer programs.
• Foster a  professional ethic of commitment to serving unrepresented individuals.

Volunteer Opportunities

Each Volunteer Opportunity listed on the Pro Bono Program web site includes a detailed  job description outlining responsibilities, benefits, and core competencies and skills gained through participation. These opportunities align with the Skills Inventory and Core Competencies integral to your legal education, ensuring you build the foundation for a successful legal career. Additionally, each opportunity specifies any training required to prepare you for the role.

The American Bar Association encourages attorneys provide 50 hours of pro bono services annually to unrepresented individuals, and the South Carolina Supreme Court recognizes attorneys achieving this through its annual Pro Bono Honor Roll.  While not mandatory for students, aiming for 50 hours of pro bono work each year is highly recommended to kickstart your professional journey with a commitment to service. Students who set and meet this goal often report significant personal and professional fulfillment.

Managing Your Pro Bono

To help you track your progress, the Pro Bono Program offers a web-based system for logging hours and reflecting on your experiences. At USC Law, pro bono engagement is personal. Our goal is for you to have a meaningful experience, acquire useful skills, explore career paths, and embrace service as a core part of your professional identity. We tailor opportunities to your motivations and provide ongoing support to keep you engaged.

Leadership and Governance

In addition to the Director, Jefferson Coulter, the Pro Bono program is led by a student-led Pro Bono Board composed of 2L and 3L students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the Pro Bono Program and volunteerism.  The Board serves as program ambassadors, recruiting new volunteers and supporting operations. Each fall, the Board holds elections for first-year students, prioritizing those who share the program’s commitment to service. Students interested in joining the Board can contact any member of the Board for nomination details or visit the program office in Room 129.

Recognition

Each year, the Pro Bono Program Board honors outstanding volunteers through the Hugh Willcox Volunteer of the Year and the Outstanding Pro Bono Service Awards, celebrating students who exemplify dedications to pro bono work. Criteria and nominations details are available on the program’s homepage.

Palmetto LEADER

The Pro Bono Program manages the Palmetto LEADER, a pioneering initiative to deliver legal services and educational outreach to underserved, primarily rural areas of South Carolina. Operating from a fully equipped 43-foot mobile law office, the program engages students and volunteer attorneys to provide direct services and collaborates with clinical faculty for rural outreach. Unique in its scope, the Palmetto LEADER is unmatched by any other law school’s mobile legal service in the state.

Get Involved

The Pro Bono Program bridges classroom learning with real-world impact. Start your journey by visiting Room 129, browsing the program’s website, or connecting with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Explore volunteer opportunities, learn about the Palmetto LEADER, or connect with the Pro Bono Board to discover how you can make a difference.

For additional resources, visit the USC School of Law Pro Bono Program webpage or explore related programs like Carolina Clerks and Loan Forgiveness.

 

 

E. Accommodations & Disability Services

 

The School of Law’s Academic Administration Office works directly with the University of South Carolina’s Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) to provide services and accommodations to meet the varying needs of law students with disabilities. The SDRC facilitates academic accommodations for students with documented physical, medical, sensory, and psychiatric disabilities. The SDRC also facilitates academic accommodations for students with documented learning disabilities. These services and accommodations are in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Section 504 states, in part, that “no otherwise qualified handicapped individual. . . shall, solely by reason of his/her handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. . .”

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states, in part, that “an individual with a disability” is a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a “major life activity”, has a record of such an impairment or is regarded as having such an impairment. The ADA requires that public entities “must ensure that individuals with disabilities are not excluded from services, programs, and activities because buildings are inaccessible”.

Students seeking an accommodation need to register with the Student Disability Resource Center before an accommodation will be given at the law school.  You can contact them via their website: 

Services and accommodations provided by the SDRC may include, but are not limited to: https://www.sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/student_disability_resource_center/index.php

• • Assessment of needs for law school  (textbooks, electronic sources, ability to wear hats/glasses, etc.)
  • Assistance with examinations (space, time, and technology)
  • Facilities accommodations assistance (seating, technology, etc.)
  • Liaison service with numerous organizations offering services for disabled persons
  • Pre-admission counseling

The Student Disability Resource Center notifies the Academic Administration office regarding a student’s approved accommodations.  Once notified of the approval, the Academic Administration office will meet with the student to explain to them how their approved accommodations will be fulfilled within the School of Law’s program and abilities.  It is our mission to provide these accommodations and services to assist students in successfully completing the program. Students are informed that while reasonable accommodations are available for disabilities, they are held to the same academic performance standards as any other student.

At the law school, the names of the students with accommodations are not disclosed to faculty members.  

It is the policy of the Law School and the University of South Carolina to provide students a prompt and suitable method for resolving complaints alleging any action prohibited by the U.S. Department of Education regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 794) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

            Procedures:

1. Student complaints of discrimination based on a disability must be forwarded in writing to the Director, 1523 Greene Street, LeConte Room 112A, Columbia, SC 29208.
   
   
2. A complaint must be filed in writing within 15 working days after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation. If a complainant needs assistance composing the complaint, appropriate assistance may be arranged through the Office of Educational Support Services.
   
   
3. An appropriate investigation shall follow the filing of the complaint. The investigation shall be conducted by the Director of Judicial Affairs, and may be informal but thorough, affording all interested persons and their representatives, if any, an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the complaint.
   
   
4. A written determination as to the validity of the complaint and a description of the resolution, if any, shall be issued by the Director of Judicial Affairs and forwarded to the complainant as soon as the investigation is concluded, normally no later than 30 working days after the filing of the complaint.
   
   
5. The Section 504 and ADA coordinator for students on the Columbia campus shall maintain the files and records of Section 504 and ADA complaints filed by students at U.S.C. Columbia. In addition, such files and records as are necessary for system-wide Section 504 monitoring and reporting purposes shall be maintained by the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs.
   
   
6. The complainant may request a reconsideration of the case if dissatisfied with the resolution. The request for reconsideration must be made in writing to the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, 1600 Hampton Street, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208 within 10 working days after the complainant’s receipt of notification of the resolution.
   
   
7. The right to a prompt and equitable resolution of a complaint filed hereunder shall not be impaired by the person’s pursuit of other remedies such as the filing of a Section 504 and ADA complaint with the appropriate federal department or agency.
   
   

F. Academic Success

The Office of Academic Success and Bar Preparation provides students with advice and support for success in law school and on the bar exam. Our programs include individual tutoring for law school and the bar exam, tutoring skills workshops tied to the first-year curriculum, first-year practice exam workshops, and bar preparation classes and workshops. Please contact Directors Alex Ruskell and Brett Stevens for additional information.

 

G. Academic Administration

The Law School Office of Academic Administration is located in Suite 127 of the Student Services Suite on the first floor of the School of Law. Our office is happy to provide information and answer any questions you may have related to:

• • Accommodations and Disability Services
  • Bar Study Loans
  • Competition Teams, including Moot Court and Mock Trial
  • Orientation
  • Peer Mentor Program
  • UK Maymester
  • 1L Advising Group Program

H. Inclusive Excellence

 

The strength of South Carolina Law comes from the diversity of our community. We know that we are at our best when we foster and maintain an equitable and inclusive environment where everyone enjoys a sense of belonging. We not only strive to support the unique needs of every member of our community, but also to celebrate their unique strengths, viewpoints, identities, and lived experiences.

Our law school is home to many student affinity groups, and our Student Community and Engagement Task Force and our Faculty & Staff Inclusive Excellence Committee work to ensure our learning community is a welcoming place for everyone who works or studies here.

Learn more about inclusive excellence at South Carolina Law here.