“Guard your reputation,” Konduros told the graduates. “You can lose it the first week you practice law. Do not lie; do not even fudge the truth. Speak truth to power.”

Of the 146 students who graduated this spring, Charleston Law celebrated academic success of students for academic and service achievement including the Arthur Howe Trial Advocacy Award, the William Bennet Regan Award, and six graduates were inducted into the school’s Forensic Club.

Selection to the Forensic Club is based on three criteria: leadership, professionalism, and academic commitment. The Class of 2022 inductees are Dylan Bitar, Jessica Carroll, Erika Collins, Patricia Dimsdale, Jonathan Gamble, and Mary Catherine Rogers.

Johnathan Barajas (’22) was recognized with the William Bennet Regan Award. The honor is awarded to a law student who exemplifies commitment to public service and leadership. Barajas completed 384 pro bono hours.

The Arthur Howe Trial Advocacy Award is funded by the South Carolina Chapter of the American College of Trial Lawyers and is named in honor of one of the premier trial lawyers in South Carolina.  The award is presented annually to the graduating student who best exemplifies excellence in trial advocacy. This year’s recipient is Jake Nixon.

In addition, of the minimum 50 hours of pro bono service required for graduation, 34 Charleston School of Law students exceeded100 hours of public service. This requirement allows students to work with attorneys practicing in the public interest legal sector. Those students were honored for their commitment and service to the community.

“Graduates are entering the legal profession at a time when their skills and values are needed more than ever,” said Dean Cunningham. “At the heart of our mission as a Law School is the concept of pro bono populi – for the good of the people. Our tremendous faculty and staff have instilled this commitment to public service in students since our founding.”

Konduros reminded the Class of 2022: “This is not a job. They don’t call it practicing law for nothing. Most clients only have one case in their whole life. You will be their touchstone for what a lawyer is for the whole history of their family.

“John Wesley said, ‘Do all that you can, by any means that you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”

You can read more about the Class of 2022 in our online Commencement feature series, The Journey, where select Charleston School of Law graduates share their law school experiences. Visit charlestonlaw.edu/commencement.