The South Carolina Bar recognized graduates of its inaugural Leadership Academy at its House of Delegates meeting on Thursday, January 22, during the 2009 Bar Convention at the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort at Grande Dunes.

The highly selective program is designed to equip young lawyers with networking opportunities, professionalism training, community awareness and other skills necessary to give back to the profession and position themselves as leaders in the community.

The inaugural class of 13 participants met once a month for six months, with each month's program focusing on a different topic, including Lawyers and the Judiciary; Lawyers and the Legislature; Professionalism; Rainmaking; Pro Bono and Community Service; and Bar Service.

Through this program, young lawyers were given opportunities to connect with judges including Supreme Court Justices, legislators, and senior members of the legal profession, gaining insight into the political process, topics of professionalism, and opportunities for community leadership.

Seasoned South Carolina judges and attorneys educated the participants on topics including loyalty and commitment to clients; courtesy to opposing counsel; candor with the court; and a devotion to the public good. The importance of pro bono and community service was also emphasized.

Each participant was matched with a mentor in the same geographic region and legal career path. Participants were required to attend at least five of the six sessions and were required to have practiced law from three to seven years and taken some active role in YLD governance for consideration for the program.

The 2009 graduates are Martin S. Driggers Jr. of Sweeney, Wingate & Barrow in Hartsville; Tina N. Herbert of McAngus, Goudelock & Courie in Columbia; Jennifer A. Jeffrey of S.C. Legal Services in Greenville; Brian M. Knowles of Knowles Law Firm in Summerville; Shelby K. Leonardi of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough in Columbia; Lucy Grey McIver of Lee Erter Wilson James Holler & Smith in Sumter; Ashley A. McMahan of the S.C. Attorney General's Office in Columbia; James Padgett III of Bacot & Padgett in Greenwood; S. Venus Poe of Smith Poe, Attorneys and Counselors at Law, in Simpsonville; Tiffany Spann- Wilder of the Spann- Wilder Law Firm in N. Charleston; Fred W. Suggs III of Roe Cassidy Coates & Price in Greenville; Benjamin A. Traywick of Young Clement Rivers in Charleston; and Genevieve N. Waller of Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands in Columbia.

The South Carolina Bar, which has a membership of more than 13,000 lawyers, is dedicated to advancing justice, professionalism, and understanding of the law.