The South Carolina Bar is the mandatory professional membership organization for all active lawyers licensed to practice in the state of South Carolina, playing a central role in regulating the legal profession, providing continuing legal education, and advocating for the administration of justice. It originated in 1884 as the voluntary South Carolina Bar Association, which started with approximately 200 members and focused on professional development without any requirement for joining to practice law. In 1968, the South Carolina Supreme Court created the integrated South Carolina State Bar, making membership compulsory for attorneys. The two organizations merged in 1975, forming the modern South Carolina Bar, which now boasts over 12,500 members and offers services such as ethics guidance, legislative lobbying, pro bono coordination, and support for legal aid initiatives. Headquartered in Columbia, the state capital, the South Carolina Bar operates under the oversight of the South Carolina Supreme Court and is dedicated to upholding high standards of legal practice, fostering collegiality among attorneys, and addressing issues affecting the justice system. Notable members include U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, who was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1981. The organization also engages in public outreach, diversity efforts within the legal field, and responses to evolving challenges like technology in law and access to justice, ensuring it remains a vital institution in the state's legal landscape.