Trial lawyers celebrate independent judiciary
By Warner M. Montgomery
Warner@TheColumbiaStar.com
 | | ABOTA officers pictured above are (seated, l- r) Lewis Cromer, national secretary; Laniel Chapman, national board member; Lewis R. Sifford, national president; (standing) Barron Grier, chapter past president; Michael Kelly, chapter president- elect; Ted Speth, chapter president; Joel Collins, national foundation secretary, and Ron Stanley. |
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The South Carolina chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) held their annual dinner November 15, 2007, at the Summit Club in Columbia. The Honorable Costa M. Pleicones of the S.C. Supreme Court was the featured speaker.
Judge Pleicones recognized Federal Court Judge Matthew Perry, who was in the audience with his wife, as the "greatest living South Carolinian." In reference to the recent issue over Bar exams, Pleicones said, "The negative reaction is understandable, but we appreciate the support we have received from the legal community."
Pleicones compared the method of legislative election of judges in SC with other states. "Our system is the best of the worst. It brings out tawdry campaigning and can sometimes get nasty and racist."
 | | The Honorable Costa Pleicones, speaker for the evening, and Jerry Richardson,Master In Trial faculty member |
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Acknowledging his Greek and Southern heritage, Pleicones, a 1961 graduate of Columbia High School, said his mother always told him, "Remember son, in Greek, Costa means Bubba." On a more serious note, he said it is the job of judges to protect minority rights from majority oppression. He urged the young lawyers to enter public service, "Run for the Legislature!"
President Charles T. (Ted) Speth II introduced local and national officers:
Chapter Past President Barron Grier III of Columbia
Chapter President- Elect D. Michael Kelly of Columbia
Chapter Secretary/Treasurer Sam Mabry of Columbia
National President Lewis R. Sifford of Dallas, Texas National President- Elect William C. Callaham of Sacramento, California
National Vice President John L. Hol comb of Tampa, Florida
National Treasurer Michael P. McGuire of Costa Mesa, California  | | New members of the S.C. Chapter of ABOTA are (seated, l- r) Herb Louthian, Wade Bradley, (standing) Perry Boulier, Mark Chappell, and Creighton Coleman. |
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National Secretary J. Lewis Cromer of Columbia.
National Board members from the S.C. chapter are Luther J. Battiste, Mark W. Buyck Jr., V. Laniel Chapman, and J. Lewis Cromer. Joel W. Collins is secretary of the ABOTA National Foundation.
New members of the S.C. chapter are
Creighton Coleman of Winnsboro Ward Bradley of Columbia Perry Boulier of Spartanburg Herb Louthian of Columbia Mark Chappell of Columbia. Awards were given to
R. Davis Howser, Jeter Rhodes S.C. Lawyer of the Year
Stanley Myers, Young Lawyer of the Year
Barbara Scott, Clerk of Court of the Year.
Susan P. McWilliams recognized the faculty of the Masters In Trial that is always a part of the annual event. It was held at the USC School of Law November 17. Faculty members were James M. Hartman, Bruce Alverson, Dick O'Keefe, Jerry E. Richardson, and Costa Pleicones.
 | | Members of the Masters In Trial faculty are (l- r) Bruce Alverson, James M. Hartman, and Dick O'Keefe. |
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I consider trial by jury as the only anchor yet devised by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution. - Thomas Jefferson
The power of the Executive to cast a man into prison without formulating any charge known to the law, and particularly to deny him the judgment of his peers, is in the highest degree odious and is the foundation of all totalitarian government whether Nazi or Communist. - Sir Winston Churchill
 | | Ward Bradley presents the Young Lawyer of the Year Award to Tashia Myers for her husband, Stanley Myers, who is serving in the military in Afghanistan. |
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 | | Myers:Stanley Myers received the Young Lawyer of the Year award in absentia.He is currently serving with the S.C. National Guard in Afghanistan. Pictured above are (seated, l- r) Hattie L. Carter, Stanley's mother- in- law;Mrs. and Mr.David Myers Jr, Stanley's parents; Tashia C.Myers, Stanley's wife; (standing) J. Lewis Cromer, Ron Stanley, and Lewis R. Sifford, national president of ABOTA. |
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 | | Susan P.McWilliams recognizes the Masters In Trial faculty. |
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 | | R. Davis Howser receives the Jeter Rhodes S.C. Lawyer of the Year Award. |
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 | | Joel W. Collins is secretary of the ABOTA National Foundation. |
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