Annual Convocation officially marks the beginning of new year

The Charleston School of Law hosted its annual Back to School Convocation ceremony on Wednesday.

Charleston Law Student Bar President Sarah Cooper welcomed the new fall class (246 new 1Ls) and returning students. The new Fall 2024 class is highly credentialed and diverse in and of itself including 74% arriving from out of the state of South Carolina and 69% of new students are women.

Charleston Law Dean, Provost, and Professor of Law Larry Cunningham announced the creation of a new center at the law school: the Center for Diversity in the Legal Profession. Cunningham said the goal will be to recruit, retain, and support students from all backgrounds who have overcome obstacles, including those caused by discrimination.

“The purpose of our DEI work is clear,” said Dean Cunningham “It means eliminating barriers to ensure the legal profession is truly open to everyone and supporting all students while they are in law school. Paraphrasing higher education scholar Vincent Tinto, ‘access without support is not opportunity.'”

The Center will be led by three co-directors: LaRhonda Grant (Admission), Assistant Dean Ralph Prioleau (‘17) (Academic Affairs), and Professor Melanie Regis. “There is a right way to do diversity that complies with the Supreme Court and is equitable,” said Cunningham. “Our work is on building a pipeline for the future legal profession.”

Olivia Jones, Executive Director of the SC Bar Foundation, spoke to the incoming class about the importance of serving the greater good through pro bono opportunities. She also discussed the important work of her organization in supporting nonprofits that help to close the access-to-justice gap. Charleston Law is celebrating its 20^th Anniversary and was one of the early adopters of a pro bono requirement for students. The program has provided students opportunities to student to serve, get hands-on experience and network with legal professionals for two decades.

Charleston Law Professor Constance Anastopoulo addressed the students by encouraging them to network, both in and out of the classroom. She told students networking is an important skill in becoming a successful attorney in the future. Assistant Dean Jessica Moeller encouraged students to remember how they got here, emphasizing the strength, determination, and resolve they have to be accepted into law school.

The Law School also welcomed new members to the team including two new faculty members, Jennifer Lanz and Angela Valliaro. Lanz joins Charleston Law to teach Business Organization and Mediation Advocacy, while Vallario, a visiting professor from the University of Baltimore, will teach Contracts and Wills, Trusts & Estates.

In addition, Charleston Law welcomed its new leaders to the administration and staff including:

• LaRhonda Grant (’19) in the Office of Admission
• Megan White (‘14) in the Office of Career Services as the Director of Judicial Clerkships
• Leona King joins the Registrar’s Office
• Lauren Olan is the newest member of the Academic Success department
• Michelle Layman has been named Chief Financial Officer and Director of Compliance
• Jim Mullin takes over as the Director of Public Safety
• Jessica Moeller has been named the first ever Assistant Dean for Experiential Learning