SC Law Review elects first ever African-American editor-in-chief

The University of South Carolina School of Law’s publication has for the first time elected an African-American to serve as its editor-in chief.

Chelsea Evans of North Myrtle Beach will lead the 69-year-old South Carolina Law Review.

Evans is a second-year law student.

“I’m incredibly humbled to be elected editor-in-chief, and I hope that my election encourages more women and people of color to pursue law degrees, journal membership and the position of editor in chief,” Evans said.

Evans, who was elected Feb. 13 by the quarterly journal’s 59 student editors, will lead it for a one-year term.

She graduated magna cum laude from USC in 2014 with a degree in public health. Evans became interested in studying law when she was a Mayor’s Fellow in Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin’s office and when she did economic development work for EngenuitySC.

USC School of Law Dean Rob Wilcox said he is confident Evans’ past work will help her lead the publication.

“I have no doubt that Chelsea will experience many important achievements like this one in her career,” Wilcox said. “Her confidence, her talent, and her leadership give her the ability to make everyone she works with better. As a result, there is no limit on what she can achieve.”

Evans is considering a career in corporate law. She also is interested in continuing to do service work.

“I entered law school with a public health background and a love for service, but I have become even more empathetic. Law school has taught me to view the world differently and to analyze situations from different perspectives,” Evans said.

This story was originally published March 2, 2017 at 11:46 AM with the headline "SC Law Review elects first ever African-American editor-in-chief."