One of the great privileges of being a lawyer is the profound ability lawyers have to be leaders in our communities, our state and nation, and indeed the world.  Lawyers are uniquely positioned to shape the future and create communities of equity and opportunity.  It is a big responsibility, and one that we must embrace.

The legal education you receive at the University of South Carolina School of Law will prepare you to do just that—to improve the lives of others, to work towards ensuring that justice is served, and to uphold and defend the founding principles of our country.  It will provide you the opportunities for a rewarding and satisfying career that makes a difference.

We are glad that you are here to explore all that we have to offer, and I am confident that you will discover the many advantages that come with a South Carolina Law degree.

There is no doubt that the way law is taught and practiced is rapidly changing. Our building, which opened in 2017, was designed to adapt to these changes--to new technology and new ways of teaching--for years to come. The school’s design maximizes interaction among students and faculty, and its location puts you at the heart of South Carolina’s legal community--just two blocks from the State House, the Supreme Court of South Carolina, the Court of Appeals, and the National Advocacy Center, the training ground for the United States Department of Justice.

When you step inside our doors, we believe you will feel the importance of the work that is performed here.  That includes close interaction with our nationally recognized faculty, whose scholarly interests address some of our most pressing issues such as access to justice, education reform, healthcare, energy and the environment, policing, children’s issues, and technology.  Our professors are frequently published in top law journals and sought-after by national media for their expertise.  But they are also dedicated to their students and are available to help you in any way they can.

We are also fortunate to have active state and federal judges teach a number of upper level courses and serve as guest speakers. In fact, there are few graduates of this school who haven’t had multiple opportunities to interact one-on-one with judges. This kind of access provides you with real insight into the workings of the justice system and facilitates networking opportunities.

In your classes, you will not only build a solid foundation of legal theory, but you will also be able to put that theory into practice on behalf of real clients, working with practicing attorneys in our experiential learning courses, such as clinics and externships, as well as our Pro Bono Program.

Throughout your time here, you will feel the support of our faculty and staff, the Academic Success program, and even mentors, all of whom are dedicated to helping you succeed.  During your first year, you will be paired with an attorney mentor, one of many experienced lawyers who volunteer each year to help students make the transition to law school.

When you graduate, you will join a proud alumni base of more than 11,000 strong who can be found practicing in 49 states and all over the world, from New York to London to Bangkok and Hong Kong; leaders who served in U.S. Congress and as governors, who have been elected president of national legal organizations, and justices on the Supreme Court of South Carolina; alumni who share their successes and show their support for your legal education through generous scholarships and through their time.

In short, the journey that begins within these walls leads to a world of opportunities and equips you with the skills and confidence to know that your South Carolina Law degree has prepared you well for success and can take you anywhere you want to go.

We hope you will start your legal career at the University of South Carolina School of Law. You will make friends for life and be prepared to take on the great challenges of the day.

- Dean William C. Hubbard, Class of 1977