
Joseph F. Rice School of LawAt a Glance
The University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law prepares lawyer-leaders who serve the public with knowledge, professionalism and civility.
The Joseph F. Rice School of Law is one of the nation’s oldest and the state’s only nonprofit law school. Centrally located in the capital city, student learning opportunities abound at the State House, and South Carolina Supreme Court in addition to a wide variety of courts, from state to federal, criminal and civil, and even courts of special jurisdiction. Plus, students have access to the nation’s leading legal minds from the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Advocacy Center training facility, just steps away on the USC campus.
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Law alumnus leads SC Bar Foundation to make more of an impact for South Carolinians
Tom Gressette, '97 law, led an effort as president of the South Carolina Bar Foundation to increase the impact of grants given to legal resource organizations. Finding ways to help people was a lesson he learned growing up that was reinforced by his law school education.
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2025 hurricane faculty experts list
The Atlantic hurricane season officially began June 1. Researchers at the University of South Carolina are available to discuss multiple aspects of the 2025 hurricane season, including preparation and communication, environmental impact and historical perspectives.
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Love and Marriage?
Professor Marcia Zug explores the history of marriage as a legal institution.
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Religious charter schools threaten to shift more money away from traditional public schools
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on April 30, 2025, in what could be the most consequential case for public education since the court started requiring schools to desegregate in the years following Brown v. Board of Education.

Life-Changing Work
The school’s all-volunteer Pro Bono Program is the nation's first and oldest. Through a number of law-related opportunities, students can apply their education and skills, further explore their career path and deepen their commitment to serving the public. Among our partner organizations are the S.C. Appleseed Legal Justice Center, Lexington County Juvenile Arbitration Program, Lawyers4Vets Legal Clinic, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, the Richland County Bar Association’s HELP Homeless Clinic and more. And with the new Palmetto Leader mobile clinic, students and faculty travel the state to provide legal services to underserved communities.
PRO BONO PROGRAM