TO HONOR ROBERT M. WILCOX, DEAN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF LAW, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS DEAN, TO EXTEND DEEP APPRECIATION FOR HIS NINE YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN THAT OFFICE, AND TO OFFER BEST WISHES FOR MANY SATISFYING AND REWARDING YEARS AHEAD.
Whereas, since July 1, 2011, the State of South Carolina has enjoyed the benefit of the dedication, experience, and leadership of Robert M. Wilcox, who on May 31, 2020, will retire as dean after nine years of outstanding service in that office at the University of South Carolina School of Law; and
Whereas, this Charleston native and legal-ethics scholar graduated cum laude from Duke University with a bachelor's degree in economics and history, followed by graduation magna cum laude from the University of South Carolina School of Law. He joined the university's law faculty in 1986 after practicing with Dow, Lohnes & Albertson in Washington, D.C., and Atlanta. From 2006 to 2011, he served as associate dean for academic affairs, becoming dean of the university's law school in 2011; and
Whereas, among his primary teaching and research interests are professional responsibility, real property, and trusts and estates. He has written and spoken extensively on professional ethics and served from 2003 to 2008 as director of the Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough Center on Professionalism, a University of South Carolina School of Law-based clearinghouse of information and research pertaining to improvement of the character, competence, and conduct of legal professionals. He is the author (with Nathan M. Crystal) of Annotated South Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct and has written a number of articles pertaining to legal ethics and professional responsibility; and
Whereas, Rob Wilcox serves on the chief justice's Commission on the Profession and formerly served on the South Carolina Commission on Judicial Conduct and the South Carolina Judicial Merit Selection Commission. A former chair of the University of South Carolina Faculty Senate, he is also a frequent presenter at continuing legal education seminars around the State of South Carolina and a member of the Order of the Coif; and
Whereas, highly respected in his profession, he was honored with the 2005 Compleat Lawyer Gold Medal, awarded by the University of South Carolina School of Law Alumni Association in recognition of significant contributions to the profession and high standards of professional competence, ethics, and integrity. In addition, he was presented with the 2018 Rhodes McDonald Award, given by the John Belton O'Neall Inn of Court, and he is a four-time recipient of the University of South Carolina School of Law Outstanding Faculty Award; and
Whereas, grateful for the legacy of consistent commitment and leadership Rob Wilcox has bestowed on the people of the Palmetto State, the House of Representatives takes great pleasure in wishing him all the best as he retires from the post of dean at the University of South Carolina School of Law. In addition, the House is delighted to learn that Dean Wilcox will return to full-time teaching at the law school after a sabbatical leave. His colleagues and students look forward to that reunion and, in the meantime, wish him a productive, yet restful, sabbatical. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor Robert M. Wilcox, dean of the University of South Carolina School of Law, on the occasion of his retirement as dean, extend deep appreciation for his nine years of distinguished service in that office, and offer best wishes for many satisfying and rewarding years ahead.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Robert M. Wilcox.