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April 2009

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Law school's Bockman receives Order of Palmetto Award

State Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal awards
the Order of the Palmetto to Law Professor Robert Bockman.
Media Credit: Alan Tauber/Photo Editor, The Daily Gamecock

Liz Segrist, News Editor, The Daily Gamecock

Law School Adjunct Professor Robert Bockman received the prestigious Order of the Palmetto Award Thursday afternoon at the Law School Auditorium.

S.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Hoefer Toal presented the award to a very surprised Bockman, third-year law student Mac McQuillin said, as a packed room looked on.

"I was absolutely surprised," Bockman said. "I had no idea that the event would be so large or that I'd be receiving such a huge honor. For me, it was just a pure honor to receive this award."

"The Order of the Palmetto is the state's highest civilian honor awarded for extraordinary lifetime achievement and service to the state and nation. It is an once-in-a-lifetime award," according to an e-mail sent to law students prior to the event.

Bockman thought he was only speaking on "The Spirit of the Law School - For Three Years or for Life?," a lecture hosted by the USC Moot Court Bar and the South Carolina Law Review. Bockman, who has been an USC professor since 1993, is also a practicing administrative litigation and appellate advocacy lawyer in South Carolina. USC law students nominated Bockman for the award, which was then approved by Gov. Sanford.

"During my tenure at the law school, I have had the opportunity to observe a man who embodies the ideals of achievement and service in the state and throughout the country in all aspects of his life," McQuillin wrote in his nomination letter for Bockman to Gov. Sanford. "Whether it was in front of the Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court or with students in his Appellate Advocacy class, Mr. Bockman instills a sense of pride in our State and its legal profession. Mr. Bockman's sense of professionalism and civility has affected students, lawyers and judges throughout the state and the country."

Law students Jason Luther and Will Dillard also wrote letters of nomination for Bockman.

Bockman said despite hard economic times, he still advises future and current law students to "come with an open mind, a spirit of acceptance and a willingness to meet a challenging academic curriculum."

"At a prestigious law school such as ours, learning is a cooperative and supportive process," Bockman said. "Each student should know that they are learning a profession that can be a great service to both our state and our society. It's important to look toward the future and the part you could play in it."

Bockman said he has known Toal for nearly 34 years.

"I'd known her and argued for many cases in front of her," Bockman said. "She's someone who I have respected and admired for many years, as well as one of my friends. My daughter was a law clerk for her as well before she died in an automobile accident."

Bockman lost his daughter Kate due to a car accident six months ago today, McQuillin said.

"This is a good picture of someone who had a hard time, but was still able to maintain a positive influence on the people around him," McQuillin said. "Even a month after his daughter died, he was still able to excite us about law school and keep us upbeat."

Bockman received his law degree at the University of Georgia in 1975. He then practiced law in Raleigh until 1981, at which time he came back to S.C. and has been practicing law here ever since. In 2008, he was awarded the "Best Attorneys in America 2008" award.

Bockman also serves full time as the USC Moot Court faculty advisor, the USC Mock Trial team faculty advisor, and the USC Advocacy Program faculty advisor, as well as a part-time professor with an additional honors course he teaches in the fall.