The South Carolina Bar serves its members through collaboration, the sharing of information, and by providing quality education to improve South Carolina’s legal profession and the administration of justice.
Serving our members so they can serve their clients and communities
The South Carolina Bar was established by the Supreme Court of South Carolina (SC Appellate Court Rule 410). Its mission is to uphold the integrity and honor of the legal profession, advance the science of jurisprudence, promote high quality legal education and services to the public and continually improve the administration of justice throughout the Palmetto State.
The SC Bar serves both its more than 17,000 members and the public.
All lawyers who practice in South Carolina are members of the SC Bar and may engage with the organization in a variety of ways. They may serve in leadership roles as members of the Board of Governors, the House of Delegates, or in the Senior Lawyers Division or Young Lawyers Division; participate in one of 18 practice area sections or serve on one of more than 30 committees; volunteer for pro bono activities and other service projects; attend any of the hundreds of Continuing Legal Education programs offered by the SC Bar each year; attend the annual Convention; or write articles or books for publication.
About our members
We have more than 17,000 members who practice in South Carolina, across the country and world. More than 13,000 are active members. See this breakdown of active members by age, gender and race/ethnicity.
Resources for lawyers
The Bar offers a variety of resources for lawyers including a vast selection of CLE courses, publications, access to free research tools, practice management assistance, free mental health counseling services, an ethics hotline and more.
Help for the public
South Carolinians can find an attorney online via the SC Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service or attend a free legal clinic in their local community. We also offer training, workshops and materials for teachers and school resource officers in addition to coordinating mock trial programs across the state.
Our main office and conference center are located in downtown Columbia.
Our leadership
The House of Delegates, made of representatives from each judicial circuit, establishes policy for the Bar. It meets at least twice a year, and between House meetings, the 19-member Board of Governors may act on matters not inconsistent with House policy. The executive director is responsible to the Board for the Bar's day-to-day operations and oversees the staff.
Our strategic plan
The SC Bar Board of Governors adopted a three-year strategic plan that will guide services and programs through 2025. See the complete plan, which includes core values, mission and goals.
Background and history
The South Carolina Bar began in 1884 as the South Carolina Bar Association, a voluntary organization of approximately 200 lawyers. The South Carolina State Bar was created in 1968. The two organizations were merged in 1975.
Contact us
Call (803) 799-6653.