South Carolina Commission of Indigent Defense

1. List all degrees you currently hold. When were they received and from what institution?

2. Year you were licensed to practice law in South Carolina.

3. Number of years of active legal practice in South Carolina.

4. How many years of legal practice experience do you have in the practice area of the contract(s) you have applied for?

5. Have you ever been licensed to practice law in another state?

Yes
No

If Yes, what state and what year did you receive that license?

6. Describe your background and experience as an attorney. Include information to demonstrate that you have the required legal knowledge, skills, and trial experience necessary for representation in the contract categories covered by this application.

8. Have you had any case-related experience(s) with mental health and substance abuse issues?

Yes
No

If Yes, describe those experience(s) and the steps you take to address those issues. Where mental health or substance abuse issues are present, I counsel clients regarding the available resources to assist them with those issues and advise them as to the potential impact such issues can have upon the legal matters they are facing. In the realm of criminal charges, depending on whether the circumstances suggest that it is appropriate, I often discuss the possibility of reference of the client's case to drug court where they may be able to be able to find additional help to put their life back on track. Regardless of whether mental health or substance abuse is at issue, I personally always find that it is best to be proactive with these issues in hopes to establish a client's willingness to take the steps necessary to address the issues that may have contributed to them finding themselves in need of legal assistance.

9. Have you had any experience(s) representing clients who do not speak English?

Yes
No

If Yes, describe those experience(s) and the steps you take to address that issue. When presented with clients that do not speak English, my firm has relationships with translation services that can assist with overcoming the obstacle that can be presented by non-English speaking clients.

10. Describe what you would need to do to be ready and able to begin accepting case assignments and providing services on the proposed contract effective date, including how you would handle any impact of a contract on other areas of your legal practice.

11. Describe how you will cover all court schedules associated with this application.

12. Describe your current case management system, the basic information that is recorded in that system, and how you will identify conflicts of interest as of the proposed contract effective date.

13. Has the Supreme Court, any State Bar, or Association judge ever found you in violation of a Rule of Professional Conduct and issued a public sanction?

Yes
No

If Yes, describe the violation and the fact-finder, and provide the date of the decision.

14. To your knowledge, is there currently any complaint against you pending with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel?

Yes
No

If Yes, describe the complaint and its status.

15. Has a judge ever found that you provided ineffective assistance of counsel in any case?

Yes
No

If Yes, describe that finding and provide the date of the decision.

16. Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense?

Yes
No

If Yes, please list the charges, indicate where you were convicted, the date and disposition status of the conviction(s).

17. Have you ever been arrested for a criminal offense?

Yes
No

If Yes, please list the charges.

Indigent Cases 608 Contract Program

3. Qualifications