As Charleston School of Law continues its 20th Anniversary, we pause to look back on the 2024-25 academic year and celebrate the Top 12 stories of the year.
Charleston Law began the academic year with the leadership patiently anticipating the announcement of the most pivotal news of the year – and the future – of the school. Finally, on December 1, Christmas arrived early when Charleston School of Law announced that it had become a 501(c)3.
President Emeritus & Chairman of the Board of Trustees, J. Edward Bell III said, “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. 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.”
The new year also celebrated the appointment of Professor of Law Jonathan A. Marcantel as Interim Dean. Marcantel joined Charleston Law in 2011. Prior to joining the faculty, Marcantel served as the Associate Dean of Assessment at the Lincoln Memorial University-Duncan School of Law. “This is an exciting time in the history of the Charleston School of Law,” he said. “I am honored for the opportunity to lead the Law School through this next chapter.”
Before the calendar flipped from 2024 to 2025, Charleston Law was named “Best in Business” by Charleston Business Magazine. In March, Southern Living Magazine recognized Charleston, South Carolina as America’s No. 1 City – again. The editors wrote: “Once again, the Holy City has captured our readers’ hearts and the top spot on this list. Its harbor, historic homes, and churches are beautiful to behold, but it’s more than just a scenic escape. Charleston’s blend of old and new means that there’s something for everyone here: architecture, restaurants galore, African American history, art galleries, shopping, and more.”
The Law School also received high marks from the Princeton Review. The annual rankings recognized Charleston Law second in the country for Faculty Accessibility and ninth in the country for Quality of Teaching. The publication reports that ratings are “based on how law students rate accessibility (and teaching) of law faculty members at their school.”
“Every school that made our Best Law Schools for 2024 lists offers outstanding academics,” said Rob Franek, The Princeton Review’s Editor-in Chief. “Our rankings help applicants choose the law school best for them. Our 14 categories identify law schools we have found to be exceptional for factors that go beyond academics—from career services and placement records to aspects of their campus culture and faculty representation—all which law school applicants have told us matter in their consideration of schools.”
There is no question Charleston Law students are shining in the classroom and the community through internships, externships, clinics, and pro bono service. The track record of success continued in 2024-25 when Charleston Law announced its newest students (Sarah Cooper, Breanna Moore, and Simisola Ojo) were to be commissioned as Lieutenants in the United States Coast Guard JAG program. Charleston Law students have been named primary selectees and Tiffany Maggiore was selected as an alternate.
“The U.S. Coast Guard recruits and retains motivated future lawyers who want to serve our Nation in uniform as judge advocates, who are interested in litigation and being in the courtroom, and who can make an immediate impact to support our wonderful Service,” said Rear Admiral Bill Dwyer, the Coast Guard’s Chief Prosecutor. “The growing and strengthening partnership we now have with the Charleston School of Law is allowing us to do just that. In the past year, my Office, along with the Coast Guard’s Maritime Law Enforcement Academy located here in Charleston, proudly contributed to the selection of a third of the 2025 class of future Coast Guard judge advocates. Our externship program, along with our efforts to support the Law School’s mock court-martial competition, is allowing us to give back to the Low Country while at the same time bringing onboard the next generation of the Service’s future leaders. I couldn’t be more excited about the future while working closely Dean Marcantel and his team for many, many years to come.”
“We are so proud of these four students for their tremendous accomplishment,” said Nick Sanders, Associate Dean of Students and Career Services at Charleston Law. “These students have been excellent leaders and steadfast in their service while on campus and we are thrilled to follow their achievements in service of the Coast Guard JAG program.”
On the heels of the 20th Anniversary, another historic event was recorded at Charleston School of Law in March when the first-ever Charleston Court-Martial Challenge was held on campus. The trial competition, hosted by the Charleston Law Trial Advocacy program and the U.S. Coast Guard, attracted eight law schools from seven states (South Carolina, Alabama, Nevada, Florida, New York, Texas, North Carolina) and Washington, D.C. Over the course of three days, 32 student-advocates argued 19 trials before more than 30 J.A.G. Officers from four military branches (U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Army). With the support and coordination efforts of the U.S. Coast Guard, the J.A.G. Officers travelled from across the nation to serve as presiding and scoring judges.
Charleston Law also hosted its signature Law & Society Symposium during the Spring 2025 semester. The 17th annual half-day event hosted by Charleston Law in partnership with The Riley Institute at Furman University was titled Digital Delay: How to Address the Law’s Lag Behind Social Media’s Rapid Revolution. The conference explored regulatory frameworks that govern social media, potentially harmful flaws in social media algorithms, and the broader effects of social media use. The Law & Society Symposium aims to facilitate a comprehensive dialog among legal scholars, policy makers, industry professionals, mental health experts who share a common goal of deepening our understanding of the opportunities and challenges.
In March, Charleston School of Law Board of Trustees has named Constance A. Anastopoulo Interim President. Board of Trustees Chairman and President Emeritus Edward J. Bell III said, “Professor Anastopoulo has served our school for many years and in many capacities … Professor Anastopoulo exemplifies our commitment to excellent teaching and our faculty’s devotion to students and I am happy that she will help lead us into our next chapter.”
Just 72 hours later Anastopoulo was selected as a member of South Carolina Lawyers Weekly’s Influential Women Class of 2025. The award honors outstanding women lawyers and judges who are making a difference in the profession and their communities.
In 1992, a dozen years prior to the first class at Charleston School of Law, only seven of the 192 accredited law schools nationwide required students to participate in pro bono work, according to the American Bar Association (ABA). By 2000, that number doubled (16). In 2005, the new Law approved a policy that required students to complete 30 hours of pro bono work to graduate, making the school just one of 14 law schools nationwide that required students to complete volunteer legal service as a means for students to complete their Juris Doctor degree. In 2019, Charleston Law increased its pro bono requirement to 50 hours for students.
Charleston School of Law was not only an early adopter of pro bono, but it was also an opportunity for students to serve, get hands-on experience and network with legal professionals. Students quickly gravitated toward the community service:
“I really love helping people,” said Cade Gossette (’24). “As a law student I was able to blend my skills with my passion. I am working at Ashcraft & Gerel in Charleston, and we are handling the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit. I’ve learned so much from the attorneys that I’m working with.”
“My favorite part about Charleston School of Law is all the opportunities given through our school to give students the best possible experience,” said Victoria Tappan (’24). “Charleston Law has created that environment where we all celebrate each other’s wins as if it is our own.”
“I love the community and the people,” said Aspasia Padgiotis (’24). “I have never met such a concentrated group of people ready and currently working to make change both at the law school and out in the community. The motto instills in all of us that working for people is what we need to be committed to and focused on. I love the passion, sense of urgency, and intention that everyone at the school has and am proud to be able to contribute to it.”
Charleston School of Law will recognize the faculty and students in the weeks ahead when the school hosts its annual Awards Day (April 22). The special 20th Anniversary Awards Day ceremony provides the Law School with the opportunity to pause and celebrate those who have gone above and beyond to serve those in need.
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 you for success both in the classroom and in the legal profession.
Charleston School of Law Maymester 2025 classes will begin on Monday, May 12 and will run through Wednesday, May 21. Maymester Final Exams will be held on Friday, May 23.
Charleston School of Law invites you to attend our next Open House on Saturday, May 17 from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. It's a perfect opportunity to explore our academic programs, meet our faculty and students, and see Charleston.
