SCSBA Council of School Attorneys

SCSBA Council of School Attorneys (COSA) is a professional organization of the association dedicated to the advancement of education in the state. COSA’s mission consists of the following:

To identify and discuss legal concerns for members to assist with the practice of education law.
To provide a forum for the dissemination and analysis of legal information.
To provide members the means to participate in the legislative discussions regarding education matters before the general assembly.
To present continuing legal education opportunities throughout the year.

Membership consists of attorneys in private practice who represent school districts and education entities such as the state board of education, attorneys within the state department of education, attorneys employed as in-house counsel for school districts, and SCSBA staff attorneys.

Join today!

It’s time to renew your membership in the South Carolina and National School Boards Association’s Council of School Attorneys. We are also accepting applications for new members. The calendar year for membership is July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. Dues for the year are $310 for attorneys in private practice and $240 for in-house school district counsel (school district employees) and counsel for other government entities.

Who can join

COSA membership is open to attorneys who are licensed to practice law and who represent a local school district. This national forum for school attorneys supports the exchange of information on the complex legal problems confronting local public schools. The Council strives to help attorneys representing public school clients by promoting preventive school law practice through timely information and practical assistance. COSA also encourages ongoing education of school attorneys by sponsoring accredited Continuing Legal Education programs. Visit the NSBA COSA home page and this website to receive up-to-date information.
Member benefits
Members will receive NSBA publications as well as the following SCSBA publications:
- E-focus (bi-weekly electronic newsletter)
- Daily e-clippings (including legislative updates during session)
- Legislative Update (published bi-weekly during the SC legislative session)
Legal alerts and information that are mailed out during the year.
How to join
Helpful links

2022 SPRING COSA DAY

The South Carolina Council of School Attorneys will gather Friday, May 20, 2022, at the SCSBA office for the 2022 Spring COSA Day. This is a half-day event.

Topics will include:

Attorney Ethics in School Law: Collaborative Issues in Representing School Districts
Presenters: Barbara Seymour, Esquire, Clawson and Staubes, LLC

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Awareness: Practical Information for Lawyer Well-Being
Presenter: David Collier, Esquire, South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services

Preparing the Case: SC Supreme Court Practice
Presenter: Carl Solomon, Esquire, The Solomon Law Group

May It Please the Court: Judicial Panel Best Practices
Panelists: Judge Milton Kimpson, Judge DeAndrea Benjamin, Judge Blake Hewitt, Judge J. Michelle Childs

Location: Training Center, SCSBA office, Columbia, SC
Date: Friday, May 20, 2022
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Attendees: Open to COSA members only
Purpose: A forum to exchange ideas and collaborate on relevant education issues.
CLE credit: Will be available.

Registration is now open. Click here to register.

Download the 2022 Spring COSA Day agenda here.