South Carolina Bar Associations

The South Carolina Bar began in 1884 as the South Carolina Bar Association, a voluntary organization of approximately 200 lawyers. The South Carolina State Bar was created in 1968. The two organizations were merged in 1975. Currently the Bar has a membership of more than 11,500.

The Charleston County Bar Association is a resource for area attorneys, as well as community members who are in search of a lawyer.

The Greenville County Bar Association has a rich history. In the 1960’s, attorneys met at roster meetings and enjoyed a very cordial working relationship. In the 1970’s, the Bar had grown in size and organized into an Executive Committee to promote the practice of law in Greenville County. In the 1980’s, Connie Regan was hired as the first executive secretary. Connie served for 11 years. In the early 1990’s, the Bar Association organized as a 501c3 corporation and hired its second executive secretary, Nancy Griffeth to handle the day-to-day functions of the association. In 2005, the bar hired its current Executive Secretary, Melinda Davidson. The Bar elects officers each year: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. These attorneys and the committee chairs volunteer their time to this organization.

The Richland County Bar is the largest voluntary Bar in South Carolina and was established to promote the common business and professional interests of lawyers practicing and/or residing in Richland County, South Carolina. Membership has grown to over 1,600 attorneys.