GRATITUDE MARKS


DEANDREA BENJAMIN’S ASCENT IN JUDICIARY


As DeAndrea Gist Benjamin ’94 continues to take on greater judicial roles, she is quick to thank those who have helped her on her journey to become a U.S. Court of Appeals Judge for the Fourth Circuit.


Almost 20 years ago, Benjamin served as a judge for Columbia’s Municipal Court. From there she was elected by the S.C. General Assembly to be- come a S.C. Circuit Court judge for the Fifth Ju- dicial Circuit in 2011, where she oversaw civil and criminal trials in Richland and Kershaw counties.


She recognizes that she has been blessed to have outstanding opportunities. “I think it’s im- portant to not shy away from opportunities when they are presented to you but to use them as building blocks,” said the Columbia native.


Nominated by President Joe Biden in January to a seat vacated by Judge Henry Floyd, she was confirmed by the U.S. Senate a month later and received her commission on Feb. 21. She received support from key members of South Carolina’s delegation, U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-SC and U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott, R-SC.


Clyburn, who has known Benjamin her whole life, called her an experienced jurist who had the wealth of knowledge and varied life experi-


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ence necessary for the job. In addition to being a judge, Benjamin worked for the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, was an assistant state attorney general under former Attorney General Charlie Condon and served on the South Carolina Board of Juvenile Parole.


Looking Ahead and Back In her new role, Benjamin will be based in Co- lumbia. She said she will spend less time in the courtroom and more time reading court docu- ments and writing, as she and her fellow judges have the chance to shape law across the Fourth Circuit, which covers South Carolina, North Caro- lina, Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland.


Her mentors include her father, with whom she practiced law from 2001-11. “The advice that I value the most from him is really the same advice that he taught me as a child: ‘Treat everyone as you would like to be treated—with compassion, dignity and respect.’”


Another mentor was the late Bessie Moody-Law- rence, who was a Winthrop education profes- sor, S.C. legislator and fellow member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Benjamin recalled that Moody-Lawrence was a trailblazer in the field of education and a wonderful example for Afri- can-American female students at Winthrop.


My time at Winthrop helped me grow and develop a sense of community and my role in the community. - DeAndrea Benjamin


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“While in law school, I was fortunate to work as her legislative aide in the South Carolina General Assembly, which included the unique opportuni- ty to observe the election of judges,” Benjamin said about her time at the University of South Carolina School of Law.


As the second African-American female judge to serve on the Fourth Circuit, Benjamin embraces the idea that diversity of all types, whether it is race, religion, sexual orientation, edu- cational or geographical backgrounds, is invaluable to any organization. As her appointment signals progress for the next generation, the judge under- stands that she is a model not only for her two daughters, but for other young ladies in the state.


Committing to Serve Her husband also has dedicated his life to public service and accepted a high-profile job this spring. A former mayor of Columbia, Steve Benja- min was recently appointed as President Biden’s senior advisor and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.


“Being able to continue our service to the people of South Carolina and the United States is a great honor,” Benjamin said. “I think as citizens of this great country that it is our responsibility to make our communities a better place for all.”


Judge J. Michelle Childs, United States Circuit Judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, swore in Benjamin, who was joined by her husband, The Honorable Stephen K. Benjamin, senior advisor to the President and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, and their daughters.


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With that mission in mind, Benjamin said she tries to administer justice fairly and impartially.


These are lessons she learned not only from her family and mentors but also during her time in college.


“My time at Winthrop helped me grow and de- velop a sense of community and my role in the community,” Benjamin said. “While I was enrolled at Winthrop, we were required to do community service and attend cultural events. I learned to respect students’ different backgrounds, views, and beliefs.”


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