The Supreme Court of South Carolina will convene at Clemson University Sept. 15-16, 2026, bringing the state’s highest court to campus for two days of oral arguments. The public event is designed to increase understanding of the judicial system and make the Court’s work more accessible to South Carolinians.
The Court will hear four cases during two daily sessions at the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts. All proceedings are free and open to the public with pre-registration.
The off-site session is part of the Supreme Court’s ongoing outreach initiative to engage communities across South Carolina by giving residents, students and educators the opportunity to observe the judicial process firsthand. While the Court typically hears oral arguments in Columbia, its visits to communities around the state provide a rare opportunity for the public to experience appellate proceedings without traveling to the state capital.
“Clemson University is honored to welcome the Supreme Court of South Carolina to campus,” said Gary Clary, retired Circuit Court Judge, former state legislator, former Director and Chief Judge of Clemson University Municipal Court, and longtime Clemson leader and alumnus. Clary helped secure the off-site session at Clemson and was recently named the University’s first Jurist in Residence. The Jurist in Residence program connects students and faculty with experienced legal practitioners who can share expertise on the law, the legal system, the U.S. Constitution and the foundations of government.
“Hosting the state’s highest court reflects Clemson’s commitment to civic engagement alongside experiential learning,” Clary said. “This provides students and the public with an extraordinary opportunity to witness the judicial process in action.”
During the two-day session, the Court will hear oral arguments in civil and criminal appeals before deliberating and issuing written opinions at a later date. Supreme Court decisions are not announced immediately following oral arguments.
The Supreme Court of South Carolina is the state’s highest appellate court and sits atop South Carolina’s unified judicial system. Its primary responsibility is reviewing questions of law arising from lower courts and other tribunals. Oral arguments allow attorneys for each side to present their legal positions and answer questions from the justices before the Court reaches its decision.
Chief Justice John W. Kittredge and Associate Justices George C. James Jr., D. Garrison “Gary” Hill and Letitia Hamilton Verdin are expected to participate in the September session.
Visitors may attend any or all sessions with pre-registration. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Designated parking areas for visitors will be marked across campus.
In addition to hearing arguments, the visit provides an educational opportunity for Clemson students and members of the public to learn how appellate courts operate, the role of oral arguments in the judicial process and how Supreme Court decisions affect the interpretation of South Carolina law.
Additional information about the Court’s visit, including case summaries, frequently asked questions, terms to know and visitor information as well as pre-registration, can be found at clemson.edu/campus-life/municipal-court/sc-supreme-court-session.
Public schedule
Tuesday, September 15
10 a.m. — South Carolina Public Interest Foundation and James Weninger, Plaintiffs, v. Henry McMaster, in his official capacity as Governor of the State of South Carolina and Major General Robin B. Stilwell, in his official capacity as Adjutant General of the South Carolina National Guard, Defendants
11:30 a.m. — Thomas Ravenel, Appellant, v. Kathryn Dennis, Respondent
Wednesday, September 16
10 a.m. — Marcus Wright, Petitioner, v. State of South Carolina, Respondent
11:30 a.m. — Reid Fleming, Petitioner, v. The Planet Vape, LLC; SCECIGARETTE, LLC; LG Chem, Ltd.; John Doe Distributor #1; John Doe Distributor #2; and John Doe Distributor #3; Defendants, of which LG Chem, Ltd. is the Respondent.
