NCJW supports DeAndrea Benjamin. Here’s why:
Judge DeAndrea Benjamin has a range of experience in the public and private sectors spanning a 25 year career that would serve her well on the Fourth Circuit. From the Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, to the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, to private practice, to her current position as a South Carolina Circuit Court judge, Judge Benjamin is well versed in both civil and criminal matters. She is a lifelong resident of Columbia, South Carolina, and is involved in helping to improve her community — the same community she would serve if confirmed to the Fourth Circuit — through volunteering, leadership, and service. In a circuit with 79% white judges representing a region that has 35% people of color, Judge Benjamin would only be the second woman of color on this bench.
Judge DeAndrea Benjamin’s stance on important issues:
Domestic Violence
During her time in the Attorney General’s Office, Judge Benjamin handled cases involving sexual assault and violence against women and children. She also wrote an article about the psychology of victims of domestic violence. Judge Benjamin’s record is consistent in bringing justice to those guilty of domestic abuse.
Racism and Discrimination
As a practitioner, Judge Benjamin handled cases related to racial discrimination in employment. She represented Ada Irene Dawson in a case against the FBI for racial discrimination, retaliation, and a hostile work environment, as well as Beverly Mahomes against the US Postal Service for racial discrimination in termination.
Immigration
While on the state’s Fifth Circuit, Judge Benjamin relieved the sentence of an undocumented woman accused of drug trafficking after she was sentenced to removal in immigration court due to poor advice from counsel.
Judicial Temperament:
Following President Biden’s announcement of the nomination of Judge Benjamin, Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC) said, “Judge Benjamin will bring her own unique life and legal experiences to the federal bench, and she is well qualified to fill this vacancy. … I believe Judge Benjamin is an outstanding jurist who will be a tremendous addition to the Fourth Circuit bench.”
Experience:
After her graduation from the University of South Carolina School of Law and her admittance to the South Carolina Bar in 1997, Judge Benjamin spent a year as a clerk for the Honorable L. Casey Manning, a circuit court judge for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. She then became an Assistant Solicitor in the Juvenile and Family Court Division of the Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and spent two years as an Assistant Attorney General in the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. She served as a partner at Gist law firm until 2011, and was also concurrently a municipal court judge from 2004-2011. In 2011, she was elected to serve as a judge on the state’s Fifth Judicial Circuit.
Education and Awards:
After graduating from Columbia High School in 1990, Judge Benjamin graduated from Winthrop University with a BA in 1994, where she was inducted into the Political Science Hall of Fame and received the Order of the Omega. She went on to receive her JD from University of South Carolina School of Law in 1997. While in law school, she was selected as a Kellogg Child Welfare Fellow and served on the student government council.
Professional Affiliations:
Judge Benjamin has been affiliated with the South Carolina Bar Board of Governors, the South Carolina Bar Young Lawyers Division — of which she was the chair between 2006 and 2007 — and The Children’s Law Committee, where she also served as the chair from 2010-11. She was also active in the South Carolina Bar House of Delegates, the Richland County Bar Association, the South Carolina Black Lawyers Association, and the South Carolina Women Lawyers Association.
Volunteer experience:
Judge Benjamin has committed herself to serving her community in many different capacities. Throughout her career, she has served in a volunteer capacity on the Sexual Trauma Services Board, the Edventure Children’s Museum Board, the St. John Baptist Church Preschool Foundation Board, the Congaree Girl Scouts Board, the Arts Council, the University of South Carolina Community Advisory Board, and the North Main Street Redevelopment Advisory Committee. While in college, she joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, inc. and is now a member of the Columbia Alumnae chapter. Judge Benjamin also is a member of Jack and Jill of America.