YLD Service to the Public

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Backpack Drive Committee

The purpose of this committee is to collect new backpacks and school supplies for donation to students, schools and charitable organizations in need throughout the state. Beginning in late July through mid-August, committee members coordinate donation drop-off locations at volunteering law firms and agencies, pick up and organize the donated supplies, and then distribute them to the recipients in need prior to the start of the school year.
See how to donate to the current supply drive

David Nasrollahi
(843) 329-9500
David.Nasrollahi@WallTempleton.com

TJ Twehues
(864) 271-5364
ttwehues@gwblawfirm.com

William H. Yarborough, Jr.
(803) 888-2212
will@ctlawsc.com

Cinderella Project

The Cinderella Project, which will be in its 17th year during 2017-2018, involves gathering donations of gently-worn formal gowns, shoes and accessories to benefit high school students across South Carolina. Students from area high schools are invited to attend a boutique held in the spring to “shop” for a dress and other accessories at no cost. Members of this committee coordinate with local boutiques, community organizations, other legal associations and law firms for collection of the dresses and solicitation of donations. Members will also organize the boutiques and assist the belles of the ball as they shop on the day of the boutique.

Visit the Cinderella Project Website

Renee Ballew, Statewide Chair
(843) 706-3978
rballew@bellcarrington.com

Mary Catherine Harbin, Anderson Coordinator
(864) 622-7822
marychatherine.harbin@poulinwilley.com

Phylicia Coleman, Columbia Coordinator
(803) 972-0864
phyliciayvette@gmail.com

Shelby C. Herbkersman, Greenville Coordinator
(864) 546-4394
shelby@cslaw.com

Taylor Owens, Orangeburg Coordinator
(803) 533-6252
towens@scsolicitor1.org

Kendall Miller, Charleston Co-Coordinator
(843) 849-8744
kendall@ramsdalelaw.com

Savannah Hurteau, Charleston Co-Coordinator
(843) 790-9009
savannah@laurentaylorlaw.com

Ryan Pasquini, Greenville Prince Charming Coordinator
(864) 298-0084
rpasquini@bannisterwyatt.com

Legal Feeding Frenzy

The Legal Feeding Frenzy committee is dedicated to fighting food insecurity in South Carolina. We partner with local food banks to organize food drives and competitions that encourage legal professionals and to compete against each other to raise donations for those in need. Our mission is to use the legal community’s collective resources to make a significant impact on the issue of hunger in our state. The annual competition coincides with North Carolina’s Feeding Frenzy, and we are working to grow the YLD’s participation in South Carolina! We also partner with the state’s law schools in order to get students involved.

H. Lucius Laffitte, III
(843) 414-8106
llaffitte@gwblawfirm.com

Jordyn N. D’Andrea
(843) 720-4623
Jordyn.dandrea@wbd-us.com

Megan Feltham
(843) 576-2926
Megan.feltham@mgclaw.com

Families Forever

This committee focuses on educating the public and raising awareness about adoption and foster care in South Carolina and was recently recognized as an Angel in AdoptionTM by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) in Washington, D.C. Members of this committee participate in adoption awareness and education projects by coordinating and hosting Families Forever Fairs throughout the state, in partnership with adoption agencies, attorneys and other professionals.

Make-A-Wish Committee

This committee will support the Make a Wish Foundation of South Carolina by providing sponsorships and volunteers to serve the needs of South Carolinians with battling various illnesses. Members of this committee will be responsible for recruiting and coordinating volunteers and encouraging participation at Make a Wish events throughout the state. In addition to an annual gala, these events vary from “wish” to “wish” and provide opportunities for young lawyers to serve a worthy organization while interacting with one another.

Lisa Bisso
(843) 577-1212
lisa.bisso@hoodlaw.com

Henry D. McMaster, Jr.
(803) 256-2660
hmcmaster@collinsandlacy.com

Andrea L. McDonald
(843) 720-4677
Andi.mcdonald@wbd-us.com

Pro Bono & Community Outreach

The Pro Bono & Outreach Committee seeks to encourage and offer opportunities for young lawyers to provide pro bono legal services and outreach to the South Carolina community. The Committee collaborates with the South Carolina Bar Pro Bono Board/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.

Assatta Williams
(803) 753-3271
ahwilliams@burr.com

Dalton Barfield
(864) 331-8940
dbarfield@cslaw.com

Elizabeth Crane
(803) 777-2767
eccrane@sc.edu

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.

Samantha Albrecht
(803) 904-7933
salbrecht@burnetteshutt.law

Rachel Lee
(803) 254-5445
Rachel.lee@smithrobinsonlaw.com

Nicole Given
(803) 737-0794
ngiven@ors.sc.gov

Voices Against Violence

Voices Against Violence (VAV) has the goals of educating young lawyers and the public about the epidemic of domestic violence and encouraging advocacy for domestic violence victims through legislative initiative, pro bono service and providing hands-on support to shelters and other programs aiding victims of domestic violence. VAV participates in shelter refurbishment projects, which include repainting, rebuilding, landscaping, and other needs. Each fall, VAV runs a necessities and toiletries drive, collecting donations to deliver to shelters throughout the state. The program has expanded to further its reach and impart support in areas that may have less local funding. VAV organizes and hosts a free or reduced-cost CLE program on domestic violence and, through this CLE, works to educate young lawyers to represent victims of domestic violence on a number of issues. Finally, VAV is expanding into new areas with plans to design, print and distribute informational materials and support a statewide initiative to bring dating and domestic violence education and prevention programs into high schools. VAV is always looking for new ideas and seeking new committee members to help further the goals of the program in combating domestic violence.

Katherine Orville
(843) 266-1628
Katherine.Orville@usdoj.gov

Caitlin Lee
(803) 734-4146
Caitlin.Lee@childadvocate.sc.gov

Anthony McCollum
(864) 467-8641
amccollum@greenvillecounty.org

Rebekah Hiatt
(803) 542-1312
rebekah@scvan.org

Osbelkis Perez
(803) 576-1845
Perez.osbelkis@richlandcountysc.gov

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 chairs 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.

Adair Patterson
(803) 540-7854
apatterson@hsblawfirm.com

Jeffrey K. Gurney
(864) 373-2257
jeff.gurney@nelsonmullins.com

Mya Green
(843) 727-2681
sgreen@bakerdonelson.com

Wellness Committee

The Wellness Committee provides programming for young lawyers that promote 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 plans to collaborate with the Bar’s Wellness Committee to develop programs and events for the Living Above the Bar initiative.

Mya Green
(843) 727-2681
sgreen@bakerdonelson.com

Caroline Buchanan
(803) 734-1316
cbuchanan@sccourts.org

Destini Pratt
(864) 271-5436
dpratt@gwblawfirm.com

Wills Clinics

The purpose of this committee is to provide free wills and estate planning documents for first response personnel and Habitat for Humanity homeowners. During the clinics, young lawyers will conduct an interview and consultation and draft wills and advance directives. First responders and homeowners will leave with fully-executed documents. Members of this committee will plan clinics throughout the state and recruit attorney volunteers. Young lawyer volunteers need no prior estate planning experience to take part. Guidelines, forms and training sessions are provided prior to clinics.

Gregory Parker
(803) 768-4800
greg@parkerlawsc.com

Jessica Ferguson
(864) 552-4626
JFerguson@turnerpadget.com