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Charleston School of Law Dean Richard Gershon delivers remarks
at the ribbon-cutting ceremony that opened the school in
August 2004
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Profile
of Dean Richard Gershon
Excerpted
from The (Charleston) Post and Courier
NOTE:
The following is an excerpt from a long profile of Charleston
School of Law Dean Richard Gershon published the weekend following
the opening of the school. For the full story, click the link
below.)
AUG. 21, 2004 - - "If we had drawn him up, he couldn't have
been more perfect," said U.S. Magistrate Robert Carr, one
of the law school's founders. "I've said that with his relationship
to (legendary University of South Carolina Law School professor
Coleman Karesh, Gershon's first cousin once removed), with his
personal connections to Charleston, with his professional experience,
if we were too stupid to hire him, we shouldn't be undertaking
this enterprise."
But Gershon had two offers: one from Charleston, the other from
a law school in California. On the pro side, Charleston offered
family and community. On the con side, "There actually is
a law school in California," Levine reminded him.
In the end, her question framed his decision. "If you don't
go to Charleston and it's a huge success in five years, how will
you feel?" she asked. "Absolutely miserable," he
replied. That settled it.
Just 13 months later, the 47-year-old Gershon is two days away
from presiding over the Charleston School of Law's first day of
classes. To hear him talk about it, you'd think the guy had won
the lottery.
