If given the chance I think every practicing attorney should periodically attend a law school graduation to be reminded of the privileges and responsibilities of our profession.
It was my pleasure to attend the graduation of the first class of the Charleston School of Law on Saturday, May 19, 2007. It was this class of 186 students who wished to be lawyers so much that they took a chance on accreditation and a new law school . I found their enthusiasm and sense of excitement at receiving their degrees on Saturday inspiring. Also inspiring was their nearly 16,000 hours of public service while in law school. Among this first class were several students with ties to the practice in this court. Kevin Campbell's daughter, Suzanne, Bob Cooper's wife, Marie, and Jim Sarratt's daughter, Samatha, were among the proud graduates. Of course, Ralph and Elizabeth McCullough are among the founders and principals of the school. I was happy to join them in celebrating their wonderful accomplishment.
For me, it was a great reminder of the privilege we have as lawyers in helping others and the opportunity we have to mentor to the next generation of attorneys. I hope we can all approach our work this week with the same enthusiasm and sense of purpose as these young graduates.
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Chambers' Bulletins
05/2007
The CARE program presentation to over 400 students at Eau Claire High School on Monday was a great success. So far this year, in only a few presentations, the program has reached approximately 600 high school students, teachers, and parents. This year we gained a lot of experience that will allow us to stage a broader program for the future.
The Judges of the Court would like to thank all of you who have volunteered for these presentations. We look forward to developing teams that will cover requests statewide. As the school year is coming to an end, we expect that there will be a natural break in requests for CARE program presentations until school resumes in the fall. If you receive requests for similar presentations or would like to join the volunteer list, please contact Lisa Dunbar by e-mail at Lisa_Dunbar@scb.uscourts.gov.
The Judges would like to especially thank Pamela Simmons-Beasley, Daniel Stone and Carri Grube, an attorney with the SC Department of Consumer Affairs, who have joined Judge Waites in serving as the initial core group of presenters at several schools in order to establish a format and program that can be used in future presentations. These attorneys have devoted a substantial amount of their time to help the program become organized and effective. In addition, we would thank Lydia Eloff, Dottie Reed of SC Legal Services, and Donna DeMichael of the SC Department of Consumer Affairs for also serving as presenters. I think all have found their involvement very rewarding.
The Judges have approved changes to Local Rule 1019-1 and the form chapter 13 plan to provide an enhanced disbursement to a debtor’s attorney upon confirmation of a chapter 13 plan while providing for monthly payments in accordance with what the attorney would otherwise receive on his claim. Monthly disbursements will not be delayed or reduced because of the initial minimum disbursement. The changes to Local Rule 1019-1 also ensure that the attorney has the opportunity to receive compensation, up to the balance of his claim, upon the dismissal or conversion of a chapter 13 case prior to confirmation. The Court believes that these changes will encourage attorney representation. The Court has also made minor technical changes to the form plan and Exhibits B and C to Local Rule 3015-1 so that these forms are consistent with other local rules. These forms are now available for download on the Court’s website. Revised Local Rule 1019-1 is effective in all cases filed on or after May 5, 2007. Attorneys may use the revised forms for all cases filed on or after May 5, 2007 and these forms become mandatory for all cases filed on or after June 15, 2007.
On Monday, we have a CARE program presentation for 400-500 students at Eau Claire High School in Columbia. We will have 4 sessions for about 100+ students two running from 8:00-11;15, and two from 12:45-3:00. If anyone (particularly consumer debtors attorneys) is available to speak on your experience with debtor situations that lead to a bankruptcy, please advise me today at waites_chambers@scb.uscourts.gov
