Charleston Law welcomes new faculty
Charleston School of Law is nationally recognized for its student-centric culture. Our diverse, inclusive “open door” culture has created a unique learning environment where students are encouraged to collaborate and begin practicing the law.
This Fall, the law school welcomed three new faculty members for the 2023-24 academic year: Guang Ming Whitley, Julie Jones, and Jessica Moeller.
“We are thrilled to welcome our newest faculty to Charleston School of Law,” said Dean and Provost Larry Cunningham. “They bring outstanding credentials, practice experience, and a commitment to student success.”
In addition, five new faculty members joined the law school in the Spring 2023 (Melanie Regis, Frank Ulmer, Erica McElreath, Suzanne Chapman, and Melissa Simondi).
“Expanding our full-time law faculty with eight new, exceedingly qualified professors over the past two years shows such a strong commitment the Charleston School of Law has to serving its students so our students can serve their communities,” said Dylan Malagrinò, Associate Dean for Faculty Research & Development and Professor of Law.
Guang Ming Whitley has been promoted from adjunct professor to an Assistant Professor of Law at Charleston School of Law. Professor Whitley earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Southern California (’01) and a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School (’04), where she was a member of Law Review and a recipient of the Thomas R. Mulroy prize for appellate advocacy. Whitley taught at the University of Chicago in the Law, Letters & Society department and practiced in the Intellectual Property and Technology practice at O’Melveny & Myers in Los Angeles.
“Charleston School of Law offers an incredibly supportive environment to foster student growth and I am delighted to be a part of it,” said Whitley. “It is wonderful to engage with students who are so bright, determined, and eager to learn.”
Jessica M. Moeller joined the faculty this fall, with a focus on practical legal skills in client counseling, interviewing, and negotiation, as well as teaching Business Organizations. Prior to moving to Charleston, she served as the Director of the Criminal Justice Department at Wisconsin Lutheran College, where she taught a variety of classes for students entering the field of criminal justice as lawyers, officers, and forensic scientists. She earned her B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Music and Theology from Wisconsin Lutheran College and her J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School.
“I love teaching,” said Professor Moeller. “At Charleston School of Law I enjoy having the opportunity to engage with students in small class settings and the hands on, experiential learning approach that our faculty take with students. Our ‘open door’ policy provides students with an opportunity to meet and build relationships with faculty.”
Julie D. Jones returned to the Charleston School of Law this fall as a visiting assistant professor of law. She earned her undergraduate degree in French Language and Literature from the College of Charleston and her J.D. from the Charleston Law (’16).
Professor Jones went on to obtain her LL.M. in Taxation, along with a Certificate in International Tax from Georgetown University Law Center. She is a member of the South Carolina Bar, the Connecticut Bar, the Law-Related Education and Wellness Committees of the South Carolina Bar, and American Mensa.
“I am very curious by nature,” said Professor Jones. “I love knowledge and learning, and the ‘open door’ policy between faculty and students was something I enjoyed as both a student and now as a member of the faculty. I appreciate the Charleston School of Law’s community of learners. Every student knows something I don’t know, and I enjoy learning things from them as much as I enjoy teaching.”
Charleston Law is rated Top 10 in the nation by The Princeton Review for “student accessibility” and for “quality of teaching” (2023). According to the publication, Charleston School of Law received a rating of 97 for both “accessibility” and “teaching” by its law students. The publication reports that ratings are “based on how law students rate accessibility (and teaching) of law faculty members at their school.”