Diversity Committee
The purpose of the Diversity Committee is to advocate for and support diversity in the legal community, facilitating opportunities for lawyers and students to strengthen the pipeline into the profession. The committee is dedicated to creating a more inclusive legal community grounded in respect and appreciation for individual differences. The committee endorses a broad definition of diversity and seeks to create a dialogue through programs and resources that enhance knowledge and encourage understanding of diversity. The committee also works with the Bar’s Diversity Committee to engage with a broader audience within the community.

Professional Development & Membership Events Committee
The Professional Development & Membership Events Committee is tasked with engaging young lawyers in the YLD. This committee coordinates member networking events, family friendly events, lunch and learns, and new admittee receptions. In addition to these events, the committee also coordinates events designed to provide opportunities for YLD members and law students to interact, introducing law students to the YLD and the SC Bar. The continuing goal of this committee is to partner with the Bar’s other committees and sections to promote member programming and provide unique membership resources.

Publications Committee
Members of the Publications Committee prepare and update YLD publications. The committee is responsible for the Division’s newsletter, the “South Carolina Young Lawyer”, which is distributed quarterly to all YLD members and published on the SC Bar’s website. It includes committee reports, Star of the Quarter Spotlights, member stories and articles on relevant topics, practice tips, and more valuable content. The “South Carolina Young Lawyer” has received national awards and recognition for the content provided to YLD members. The committee also creates and coordinates YLD social media content.

Special Projects Committee
The Special Projects Committee is a group dedicated to serving both the legal community and the broader public through a range of initiatives. Formerly the Backpack Drive and Annual Bar Convention committees, we have combined forces to maximize our impact and efficiency in supporting those in need and fostering professional growth and camaraderie among young lawyers.

In addition to Convention, the Special Events Committee is primed to respond to emergency opportunities and needs within both the legal community and the public sphere. We stand ready to tackle new initiatives, whether they arise from within our ranks or from external circumstances, using our collective experience and enthusiasm to make a meaningful difference.

By consolidating our efforts under the banner of the Special Events Committee, we aim to streamline operations, enhance collaboration, and amplify our impact in service to the Bar and the broader community. Join us as we embark on this exciting journey of service, professional growth, and civility. Together, we can achieve remarkable things.

Wellness Committee
The Wellness Committee provides programming for young lawyers that promotes mental, emotional, physical, and social well-being. The Wellness Committee strives to provide resources and tools to young lawyers that address work/life balance, stress management, mental health, alcohol and substance abuse, physical health and well-being, and other quality of life issues. The YLD’s Wellness Committee also collaborates with the Bar’s Wellness Committee to develop programs and events.

Cinderella Project & Prince Charming Project
Celebrating its 25th year, the Cinderella Project gives lawyers the opportunity to connect with students and introduce them to the legal field while helping them find their perfect prom attire. Students are invited to attend any boutique held in the spring to “shop” for a dress or suit and other items, at no cost. Members of this committee coordinate with local businesses, community organizations, legal organizations, and law firms, for collection of the dresses, suits, and other donations. They will also organize the boutiques and assist the students as they shop on the days of the boutiques.

Pro Bono
The Pro Bono Committee seeks to encourage and offer opportunities for young lawyers to provide pro bono legal services and outreach to South Carolinians. The committee collaborates with the South Carolina Bar Pro Bono Program, as well as the pro bono offices at the University of South Carolina School of Law and Charleston School of Law. The committee supports and promotes community outreach by facilitating and encouraging young lawyer participation in mentorship, volunteer, and sponsorship opportunities provided through partnerships with community organizations and programs, such as the federal drug court program (Bridge) and the Special Olympics of South Carolina, that serve a vast and varied range of South Carolinians.

Community Outreach
The Community Outreach Committee promotes outreach by facilitating and encouraging young lawyer participation in volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, partnerships with community organizations, programs, and more. This committee organizes YLD’s participation in Community Law Week during the first week of May, partners with organizations to educate South Carolina about the law, and raises awareness about adoption, foster care, food insecurity, and local organizations that provide pro bono legal services.

Student Outreach
The Student Outreach Committee is committed to educating students about both the law and the practice of law. We believe that by engaging with students at an early age, we can help build a pipeline of future attorneys who are passionate about upholding our legal system.  Moreover, we can introduce the profession to students and foster an inclusive environment for students to recognize their potential to become an attorney, while participating in events that provide an opportunity to cultivate knowledge and skills that will aid them in future legal practice. 

Voices Against Violence
The Voices Against Violence Committee educates young lawyers and the public about the challenges victims of violent crime face. This committee encourages advocacy for victims through pro bono services, CLE seminars, and providing hands-on support to programs that aid victims of violence.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
The purpose of this committee is to provide free tax preparation for South Carolina residents with annual total household income of $52,000 or less. Members of this committee receive training to prepare basic federal and state income tax returns in various communities throughout the state and assist the chair with recruiting other lawyer volunteers to participate in the tax preparation “Super Saturdays.” The training will be sponsored and conducted by the Columbia Cooperative Ministry, the United Way of Greenville County or the Charleston Trident Urban League, which operate VITA sites.