Hubbard chosen to lead UofSC School of Law
Former American Bar Association president to begin Aug. 1
Posted on: June 26, 2020; Updated on: June 26, 2020
By Jeff Stensland, STENSLAN@mailbox.sc.edu
William Hubbard, a prominent South Carolina attorney and former president of the American Bar Association, has been named the new dean of the University of South Carolina’s School of Law, the state’s only public law school. He will officially begin his duties on Aug. 1.
Hubbard is an attorney and partner with the Columbia office of Nelson Mullins, the state’s largest firm, and an alumnus of UofSC. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the university in 1974, graduating magna cum laude, and juris doctorate from the School of Law in 1977. As a student, Hubbard was awarded the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, the university’s highest student honor.
Hubbard’s numerous professional affiliations include service as the president of the American Bar Association from 2014-2015, past president of both the American Bar Endowment and the American Bar Foundation, and current chair of the board of directors of The World Justice Project. A longtime supporter of the university, he has served as a member of its Board of Trustees since 1986 and as chair from 1996-2000. Hubbard received the Order of the Palmetto in 2002, the state’s highest civilian recognition awarded for service to the state of South Carolina.
“I am truly humbled to have the opportunity to work with the law school family, as well as our external stakeholders to bring additional support to the law school,” Hubbard said. “I am most excited to be able to work with our students to ensure they have the tools to continue to develop their advocacy skills, respect for the rule of law, and passion for justice. These students will be South Carolina’s leaders of tomorrow. I will do everything I can to help them reach their full potential as lawyers and citizens.”
Hubbard, who will step down as a university trustee, was chosen after an extensive national search and will succeed Dean Rob Wilcox, who is retiring after 34 years with UofSC as a professor and serving nine years as dean.
“William Hubbard is an extraordinary choice for dean of our School of Law. His experience is unique and profound, his vision and reach bold and dynamic, and his posture for success and significant achievement for our School inspiring.”
Provost Tayloe Harding
“Under the inspired leadership of Dean Rob Wilcox, the University of South Carolina School of Law is excelling in exciting ways,” Hubbard said. “The faculty is producing cutting edge scholarship and teaching at the highest level, the students are energetic and engaged, and the staff is deeply dedicated to the law school’s mission.”
The oldest and only public law school in the state, UofSC’s School of Law has a more than 150-year tradition of excellence. With a student enrollment of more than 600, its programs comprise a juris doctorate, 12 dual-degree programs and a Children’s Law Concentration. Students benefit from law school partnerships with the National Advocacy Center, the training ground for the U.S. Department of Justice; the Rule of Law Collaborative, a university-wide initiative promoting justice and human rights; the Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough Center on Professionalism, promoting ethics and professionalism in the legal profession; and the school’s Children's Law Center, ensuring the best outcomes for cases involving children through education and training.
The all-volunteer Pro Bono program — the oldest in the nation — celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The School of Law also is the only U.S. law school to offer its students a course taught at Gray’s Inn, one of London's four Inns of Court.
“William Hubbard is an extraordinary choice for dean of our School of Law,” said interim Provost Tayloe Harding. “His experience is unique and profound, his vision and reach bold and dynamic, and his posture for success and significant achievement for our School inspiring.”