Andrews receives Richland Bar Civic Star Award

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COLUMBIA, SC – Stuart Andrews, an attorney at Burnette Shutt & McDaniel, has received the Civic Star Award from the Richland County Bar Association. The annual honor recognizes exceptional and meritorious community service.

Andrews has served the community through his 45-year legal career. His first job after law school was with Palmetto Legal Services, which eventually became South Carolina Legal Services. In that position, he fought for reforms that protected renters and domestic-violence victims.

After entering private practice, he remained committed to helping those who can’t afford attorneys. He created the first structured pro bono program at a former law firm, an effort that led to National Pro Bono Firm of the Year honors from the American Bar Association.

Andrews’ work in that pro bono program was the genesis of reform efforts he continues to fight for to this day. A settlement of a class-action lawsuit led to the state of South Carolina dedicating millions of dollars to provide adequate services to incarcerated people suffering from serious mental illnesses.

Since joining Burnette Shutt & McDaniel, Andrews and a team of attorneys have sued Richland County over inhumane and unconstitutional conditions at its overcrowded and understaffed Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

Andrews also has been a leader in other groups fighting for systemic reform, including the ACLU of South Carolina, South Carolina Legal Services, the South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center, and the South Carolina Access to Justice Task Force.

About Burnette Shutt & McDaniel, PA

Located in Columbia’s historic business district, Burnette Shutt & McDaniel, PA’s attorneys are licensed to practice in all South Carolina courts and at all levels of federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. The firm represents clients in a range of areas, including employment, environmental, education, family, and criminal law. They also handle employee benefits and ERISA matters, civil rights cases, privacy and data protection issues and government matters such as eminent domain, land use and zoning. Learn more at burnetteshutt.law.