The South Carolina Bar, Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services, and Charleston School of Law will host Legal Aid University, a free, one-day training event for young lawyers and law students focused on equipping you with practical skills you can use in pro bono practice.
The event will be held in conjunction with Pro Bono Week on Friday, October 24, at Charleston School of Law and will cover topics including navigating ethics and artificial intelligence (AI), housing court, expungements, wills & advance directives, estate planning, name changes, and more.
Charleston Law Associate Dean for Information Resources Katie Brown will examine the ethical responsibilities of attorneys in legal aid while exploring how artificial intelligence is shaping practice, client service, and professional standards.
Participants can expect to network with and gather resources on local pro bono opportunities. Participants will qualify for continuing legal education (CLE) credits.
8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Registration & Continental Breakfast
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Navigating Ethics and Artificial Intelligence
Examine the ethical responsibilities of attorneys in legal aid while exploring how artificial intelligence is shaping practice, client service, and professional standards.
Presenter: Katie Brown, Associate Dean for Information Resources, Charleston School of Law
10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Estate Planning and Name Changes
Learn effective approaches to estate planning for low-income clients and navigating the legal process for name changes.
Presenter: Audrey Brown, Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services
11:30 – 12:30 p.m. Expungements & Pardons
Learn the step-by-step process for securing expungements and pardons.
Presenters: Amber Simmons, 9th Circuit Solicitor’s Office
Benjamin Dennis, 9th Circuit Solicitor’s Office
12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Lunch & Poverty Simulation
Participate in an interactive poverty simulation to better understand the daily challenges faced by low-income communities.
Presenters: Trident United Way
2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Landlord Tenant Law & Housing Court
Learn how to effectively advocate in landlord–tenant disputes and navigate housing court procedures to protect client rights.
Presenters: Cody Tettemer, Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services
Mary Templeton, Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Trauma Informed Lawyering
Discover strategies for practicing law through a trauma-informed lens to better serve clients impacted by trauma.
Presenter: Sarah Ford, South Carolina Victim Assistance Network
Final Exams for the Fall 2025 semester at Charleston School of Law will be Tuesday, December 2 – Saturday, December 6; and December 8 – Thursday, December 11.
Winter Commencement will be Saturday, December 13, at 5:00 p.m. This event will be held in the Charleston Museum Auditorium.
