USC Joseph F. Rice School of Law

From Judicial Scholar to judicial law clerk and mentor ⚖️

is proud to highlight inaugural Judicial Scholar Torrey Benjamin and current 2026 Judicial Scholar Arden Westphalen. Through the Judicial Scholars Program, both students have gained hands-on experience working alongside judges and clerks across South Carolina courts while building meaningful mentorship connections along the way.

“Participating in the Judicial Scholars program has allowed me to learn from and work alongside justices and judges, both on and off the bench, at the trial and appellate courts in South Carolina.” -Torrey Benjamin, ‘22

“I am very grateful for the experience I've had as a Judicial Scholar. It has provided me with the unique opportunity to learn from judges and clerks in different courts, work on interesting projects and expand my knowledge and skills.” -Arden Westphalen, ‘28

Read more here: https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/law/careers/students/judicial_scholars/index.php

Curious about environmental law or want to earn CLE credits?

Attend the June 12 Environmental Law Workshop, which will feature experts in environmental policy, laws and regulations.

The USC Joseph F. Rice School of Law Master of Studies in Law Online is partnering with NAEP South Carolina (NAEP-SC) and American Council of Engineering Companies of South Carolina (ACEC-SC) to offer a full day of speakers worth up to 5 hours of CLE credit.

When: Friday, June 12, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Where: USC Joseph F. Rice School of Law, 1525 Senate St.
Cost: NAEP-SC and ACEC-SC members: $15; non-members: $30; all students: free
Register now through Friday, June 5: https://www.naep-sc.org/event-6673946

Speakers include:
John P. Boyd - Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
John Frick - The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, Inc.
Conor Harrison - McCausland College of Arts and Sciences
Will Kinney - The Mullikin Law Firm
Matthew Klein - Joseph F. Rice School of Law
Lauren Megill Milton - South Carolina Environmental Law Project
Zoe Niesel - Joseph F. Rice School of Law
Myra Reece - South Carolina Department of Environmental Services
Mary Shahid - Maynard Nexsen
Susie Shannon - South Carolina Council on Competitiveness
Michael Traynham - Maynard Nexsen

The Criminal Practice Clinic gives students the opportunity to gain real courtroom experience while advocating for clients and serving the community.

“I was assigned a jury trial, a parole hearing and a case that turned into a plea on a DUI.” said Madison Hood ’26. Hood shared that she fostered trusting client relationships, counseled clients through hearings and helped negotiate positive outcomes while also litigating a jury trial.

The Criminal Practice Clinic allows third-year law students to represent indigent clients in South Carolina courts while developing practical litigation and advocacy skills.

May at 📸
From awards and alumni events to celebrating the Class of 2026 at commencement, here’s a look back at a busy and exciting month at Rice Law!
View the Flickr full galleries here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sclaw/albums

Through 's Palmetto Leader mobile law firm and Pro Bono Program, students, volunteer attorneys and staff are helping expand access to justice across South Carolina. Finding a lawyer can be especially difficult in South Carolina, as 18 of the state’s 46 counties have fewer than 10 private attorneys. ⚖️ 🚌

From assisting underserved communities with legal services to reinforcing the importance of pro bono work in the legal profession, these initiatives continue to make a meaningful impact — both inside and outside the classroom.

May 2026 graduate Morgan Mercer set her sights on USC Rice Law after seeing an article about the Palmetto Leader bus and the law school’s robust Pro Bono Program offerings. Learn more about her story and her intent to continue pro bono work: https://www.sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/law/about/news/2026/probono.php

Congratulations to the Children’s Law Center for being awarded a $587,398 grant from The Duke Endowment!

Dispersed over three years, the grant will fund the evaluation of the South Carolina direct representation pilot program for children in foster care. Serving children in Berkeley, Sumter and Clarendon counties, the program provides children and youth in foster care with their own attorney, giving them a direct voice in court and helping ensure their needs, safety and long-term well-being are fully represented in legal decisions.

The evaluation will measure the program’s impact on court timelines, how often children and youth move between homes, how long they spend in foster care, whether they return to family or are adopted, and overall cost savings.

Receiving the grant this month is especially impactful as May is . 📅

Congratulations to rising 3L Brooklyn Niravong on receiving the prestigious Janet D. Steiger Fellowship for Summer 2026. through the American Bar Association Antitrust Law Section!

Chosen from a competitive national pool, Brooklyn will work on high-profile consumer protection, privacy, technology, and antitrust matters this summer. We are proud to celebrate this incredible achievement!

Presenting the class of 2026 - the newest juris doctors! 🎓⚖️

Congratulations to the three Compleat Lawyer Bronze awardees Meggie Cruser, Morgan Mercer and Grace Smith Phillips! 🎉



Congrats also to namesake and alumnus Joseph F. Rice, ‘76, ‘79, who was awarded an honorary doctorate at today’s ceremony!

The end-of-year and graduation celebrations are in full swing!

This afternoon, we honored an amazing group of students during our Awards Ceremony.

This evening, we enjoyed spending time with our graduates, students and their family and friends, along with our faculty and staff.

Graduation is tomorrow! 🎓