The University of South Carolina School of Law is proud to announce its new faculty for the 2022-23 academic year. The newest members of the law school’s teaching and research community include the following.
Among them is Professor Elizabeth Chambliss, the most recent addition to the American Law Institute (ALI). In addition, the US Supreme Court will be the keynote speaker at the Spring 2021 commencement. Among the incoming students are a record number of accomplished, academically gifted students. As a result, the school continues to move up in US News and World Report rankings.
Former federal judge Abby DeBorde is the first full-time licensed professional counselor staff member at the University of South Carolina School of Law. She is also the director of the school’s Pro Bono Program. A former member of the US House of Representatives, she has worked with numerous local and national groups to improve legal services for domestic violence victims.
Another new addition to the university’s faculty is Associate Professor David Friedman. He will join the ISG Legal department and support a new law review, the Standard. While he is not currently a lawyer, he has a deep passion for helping people. His areas of focus include intellectual property and privacy law.
Willamette Law has a long history of progressive, student-centered education. One such initiative is the Signature Strengths Initiative, which focuses on the strengths of incoming students and helps them develop the skills they need to succeed as lawyers and leaders. It is an important part of the school’s renowned approach to legal education.
Several members of the faculty are active in the Adopt-a-Teacher program, which supports teachers in the local community. Last month, the law school hosted an event to celebrate the opening of its new home. In addition, the school will recognize the 10 professors who will be promoted to tenure.
A new course called Lawyers & Leadership will prepare students to become lawyers and leaders. Students will be paired with mentors and peer instructors. This course will offer a unique, individualized approach to legal education.
The Children’s Law Center will soon have a state-of-the-art teaching and training space. Students will learn through immersive learning simulations. Eventually, the center will be able to provide a first-class training space for attorneys, paralegals, and law students.
A new mobile law office, Palmetto LEADER, will soon be traveling the state to provide legal assistance to those in need. Students will be matched with local attorneys through the law school’s pro bono website. Currently, the law school has partnered with several departments within the College of Law to form a “family” of attorneys.
The School of Law has an outstanding academic faculty, which has produced a strong Class of 2018. The class is one of the most academically accomplished in the school’s history. It is also a top-performing group, ranking third in the country in recent metrics.
The School of Law’s library will be closed for a short time for the moving process. However, it is expected that the library will reopen on May 30.