Thank you for visiting the website of the South Carolina Women Lawyers Association, the state’s largest organization dedicated to enhancing the status, influence, and effectiveness of women lawyers in South Carolina

Countless women lawyers share a similar story. The one in which we have on our nicest suit, finest shoes, and shiny lawyer bag. Often with an undeniable lawyer file in hand. The one in which we fought past our imposter syndrome to gear up to put up our best lawyer fight, and… we are asked if we are the court reporter or the paralegal. Despite the unique brilliance women lawyers bring to the legal arena, women still make up only 38% of lawyers nationwide. That statistic drops to less than 18% if you are a woman of Color, and 5% if you are specifically a Black woman lawyer.

SCWLA’s “mantra” is “leave the ladder down.” It reminds us that when we are placed in a position of influence in which we can help someone else, rather than gatekeep, or stop others from rising with the notion that there can only be one at the top, we should leave the ladder down so that our sisters behind us can reach new heights too. I am eternally grateful for every woman that has ever left the ladder down for me, and am committed to doing the same.

SCWLA remains committed to serving our communities, mentoring the next generation of brilliant women lawyers, and maintaining legal excellence in all aspects of the legal field.

- Judge R. Allyce Bailey

---

About Judge Bailey

Judge R. Allyce Bailey was appointed as a Richland County Magistrate Judge in 2024.

Judge R. Allyce Bailey was raised in LaPlace, Louisiana. Judge Bailey Obtained her Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Political Science Cum Laude in only 3 years from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA. She obtained her Juris Doctor degree Cum Laude from Southern University Law Center, in Baton Rouge, LA, where she was Editor in Chief of the Journal of Race, Gender, & Poverty.

Judge Bailey served as the Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable DeAndrea Gist Benjamin, before a varied private practice involving both criminal defense, plaintiff civil litigation, and complex civil litigation trial practice at a large regional firm.

Judge Bailey entered public service in 2020 serving as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Columbia, before having the opportunity to serve as the Deputy County Attorney for Richland County.

Believing that “service to others is the rent we pay for living on earth,” Judge Bailey serves in a number of service roles including Circuit Representative and CLE/Membership Chairperson for the National Bar Association affiliate SC Black Lawyers Association, President of her children’s school’s Parent Teacher Organization, and as a Board Member of her Neighborhood Association.

Judge Bailey has also distinguished herself by publishing legal scholarship in the Journal of Race, Gender, & Poverty, NBA Magazine, Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law Law Journal for Social Justice, and other publications. Most recently, the SC Bar released a book entitled “How to Try A Simple Car Accident Case,” co-written by Judge Bailey.

Judge Bailey is the proud wife to her law school sweetheart, civil rights attorney and Columbia City Councilman At-Large Tyler D. Bailey, and mother to her two sweet baby boys.