In conjunction with the South Carolina Bar and the South Carolina Bar Foundation, the USC Joseph F. Rice School of Law hosted the annual “Memory Hold the Door” ceremony, honoring contributions from some of South Carolina’s greatest legal minds who recently passed away.

Established in 1958 by the South Carolina Bar, and the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law, “Memory Hold the Door” recognizes and remembers distinguished legal leaders who exhibited high ethical and professional standards during their lifetime.

Those in attendance to recognize these individuals included numerous judges, attorneys, and South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster.

Memorial sketches are recorded in the “Memory Hold the Door” books, which are housed in the Rice School of Law Library. One book is always on display in the Reading Room, and a page is turned each day, giving each honoree an opportunity to be remembered.

In addition to their legal accomplishments, recipients are noteworthy for their generosity in supporting legal education and opportunities for future generations. Consider becoming a volunteer or making a gift in honor of their legacy.

Henry M. Anderson, Jr.

Anderson practiced law in Florence for about 30 years, was licensed to practice in the United States Federal Court, and the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. He was a member of the SC Bar, DUI Defense Lawyers Association, and the State and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Anderson was posthumously awarded the Ralph King Anderson, Jr. Service Award, presented by the Florence County Bar, of which he was also a member.  

James D. Bailey (‘74)

Bailey served in the U.S. Army as a Rotary Wing Aircraft Apprentice, Aerial Photographer and Door Gunner while deployed in Bien Hoa, Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1970, at which point he decided to attend the USC Rice School of Law.  

He practiced general law and criminal defense work until retiring in 2012 and is most notably remembered for pioneering legislative reform for fair compensation to attorneys appointed by the State to represent indigent defendants charged with murder.

Prof. Robert L. Felix

Felix, the James P. Mozingo III Professor Emeritus of Legal Research and distinguished professor emeritus of law, served as a faculty member for more than 50 years. Even after retirement, he continued teaching at the law school and Gray’s Inn of Court in London, England. He specialized in torts, products liability, conflicts of law, and law & literature. Felix twice served as president of the Southeastern Association of Law Schools.  

Hon. William L. Howard, Sr. (‘73)

After graduating from law school, Howard accepted a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve and entered private practice, at Belk, Howard, Cobb, and Chandler where he eventually became a partner. In 1988, he was elected as a judge for the 9th Judicial Circuit of SC, until being elected to the SC Court of Appeals in 2004. He then returned to private practice until his retirement in 2018.  

Howard served on numerous teams and committees to uphold the highest professional standards for ethics and education, and was a member of the SC Bar, Trial Lawyers Association, Association of Trial Lawyers of American, and the American Society of Law and Medicine.

Hon. Dorothy Mobley Jones (‘78) 

After graduating, Jones entered a yearlong clerkship with 2nd Judicial Circuit Court Judge Rodney A. Peeples (‘64) before going into private practice. In 2005, she was elected by the SC Legislature as a 5th Judicial Circuit Family Court Judge until retiring in 2018.  In addition to serving on the SC Bar Joint Commission on ADR/Family Court, Jones was a member of the SC Bar, Richland County Bar Association, Horry County Bar Association, the SC Trial Lawyers’ Association, and the SC Women Lawyers Association. 

She was admitted to practice in South Carolina and the U.S. District Court, sitting with the S.C. Court of Appeals and state Supreme Court numerous times to deliberate cases. 

Kermit S. King (‘58) 

King served for two years in the U.S. Army before going to college and, just two years later, was admitted to the Joseph F. Rice School of Law. Upon graduating, he entered private practice until his retirement. King was licensed to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the 4th and 5th Circuit Courts of Appeals, the U.S. District Court, and all courts in South Carolina. 

He was a member of the SC Bar, served as president of the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association (1972), and was a three-time Special Circuit Judge. King received the Platinum Compleat Lawyer Award from the Joseph F. Rice School of Law (2012) and was named one of the “Best Lawyers in America.”

James S. Konduros (‘54)

Konduros’ legal and public service career spanned more than 50 years. He was later awarded an honorary doctorate from USC alongside U.S. Rep. John Lewis, for his work during a time of great historic progress. 

Konduros was a prodigious philanthropist. Among numerous efforts, Konduros founded the Konduros Fisherman’s Fund, which provided funding to education initiatives, including a 2014 gift of $2.15m to the law school to support scholarships, military veterans, and the Konduros Leadership Development Program. He also helped establish the Palmetto Leader, a mobile legal office managed by the law school’s pro bono program. 

In 2019, the law school dedicated the James S. Konduros Courtyard to honor his legacy.

Dudley Saleeby, Jr.

Saleeby was elected Solicitor of the 12th Judicial Circuit of South Carolina where he served Florence and Marion Counties for twenty years. He was licensed to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, and was a member of the SC Bar, NC Bar, National District Attorneys Association and the SC Solicitors Association.  

In 1995 he received the Daniel R. McCleod Award, presented by the SC Department of Revenue, for prosecuting white collar crime. In 2007, he was named Distinguished Life Member by The Citadel Alumni Association (CAA), their highest honor, recognizing alumni excellence and meaningful contributions to The Citadel, CAA and the community. 

Hon. Paul E. Short, Jr. (‘71) 

After graduating from law school, Short served in active duty in the U.S. Army in 1971. He was honorably discharged as First Lieutenant from the U.S. Army Reserve in 1974.

Short worked in private practice from 1972 until 1991, when he was elected to serve on the SC Circuit Court as an at-large judge. In 1999, he was elected Resident Judge of the 6th Judicial Circuit, and president of the SC Circuit Court Judges Association.  

In 2019, Short received the Order of the Palmetto – the state’s highest honor for a civilian – an honorary doctorate from The Citadel, and his portrait was hung in the Chester County Courthouse.