Charleston Law Becomes 501(c)(3)

Effective December 1, 2024, the Charleston School of Law has become a 501(c)(3).

“I was honored to become President of the Charleston School of Law in October 2015, and changing from for-profit to 501(c)(3) status has been my goal since the beginning,” said President Emeritus & Chairman of the Board of Trustees, J. Edward Bell III. “This change will allow us even greater opportunities to build on the successes we have achieved over the last nine years. We have grown our reputation nationally, and Charleston Law will continue to make tremendous progress to the betterment of our students and to our community.”

Charleston Law officially filed an application last October with the American Bar Association’s Council on Legal Education and Admission to the Bar seeking acquiescence in the conversion from for-profit. As the accreditor for the first degree in law, the ABA Council is required to “acquiesce” before an approved law school makes any “substantive change,” including a change of control or ownership.

In March 2024, the Law School filed an application for a new license with the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, the state licensing authority.

“It is an auspicious time in the life of the Law School,” said Interim Dean Jonathan A. Marcantel. “In addition to celebrating our twentieth year of operation, we are now also celebrating the long-awaited dream of converting to a 501(c)(3). The faculty, administration, students, and I could not be more excited for the future of Charleston Law.”

NEW BOARD ANNOUNCED

The conversion to 501(c)(3) status includes the addition of a newly elected Board of Trustees consisting of:

• J. Edward Bell, III, Esquire, President Emeritus & Chairman of the Board
• The Honorable George C. Kosko, United States Magistrate Judge (retired), Founder and former member of the Charleston School of Law
• Joseph C. Good, Jr., Esquire, General Counsel Medical University of SC (retired)
• The Honorable P. Michael Duffy, United States District Judge (retired)
• Jane H. Aiken, Dean and Professor of Wake Forest University School of Law (retired)
• Benton Burroughs, Jr., Esquire, Senior Partner Reed Smith, LLP Global Corporate Group
• The Honorable Ronnie A. Sabb, Esquire, Founder of the Sabb Law Group, LLC and SC Senator (Senate District 52)
• Dr. Kimberly A. Collins, MD
• Reverend Max A. Wilkins

INTERIM PRESIDENT NAMED

The Charleston School of Law is also pleased to announce that Hal Cobb (’12), founder and Senior Partner at Cobb Hammett Andrews LLC Law Firm in Mt. Pleasant, has been named Interim President. Cobb previously served as the Chairman of the Charleston School of Law Foundation.

“It is a tremendous honor to serve the Law School in this interim capacity,” said Cobb. “The incredible growth and success of our institution are thanks to the outstanding efforts of our dedicated staff and the guidance of Chairman Bell. As we enter this new chapter, we are committed to strengthening alumni engagement and expanding our fundraising efforts to support student success and facility enhancements. The Charleston School of Law has come a long way since my days as a student, and I am proud to be part of shaping its future and building on its legacy.”

“I am pleased to have Hal Cobb as Interim President,” said President Emeritus & Chairman of the Board of Trustees, J. Edward Bell III. “The Charleston School of Law School will begin a search for a full-time President. While our search will be open to all areas of the law, we welcome candidates who possess a shared vision while continuing to pursue academic excellence that has led us to this exciting chapter.”

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WHO WE ARE

The Charleston School of Law is an ABA-accredited law school nationally recognized for its student-centric culture. Our faculty and staff are committed to preparing students for success both in the classroom and in the legal profession. Charleston Law is one of only two law schools in South Carolina.

MISSION

• To teach students through a rigorous, skills-based study program;
• To teach the practice of law as a profession, having as its chief aim providing public service;
• To institute and coordinate legal outreach programs to the South Carolina and American Bars, local, state, and federal governments, as well as to the general population; and
• To provide an inclusive, diverse environment in which to encourage and foster collegial, collaborative, and professional relationships among students, faculty, staff, and the community.