Andrew L. Abrams
Encyclopedia
Andrew "Andy" L. Abrams is a Professor of Law and Dean at the Charleston School of Law
in Charleston, South Carolina
. In addition to his position as the Dean of the Charleston School of Law
, he is also the Executive Director of the Charleston School of Law Foundation. He accepted the position as Dean of the Charleston School of Law after serving as Interim Dean during the 2008 Spring Semester.
Abrams came to the Charleston School of Law
as a seasoned school administrator. Prior to joining the faculty at the Charleston School of Law, he held various positions at the College of Charleston
, including Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning and Administration (2003–2005), Provost
and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs (2001–2003), Associate Provost
(1999–2000), Senior Vice President for Institutional Research and Planning (1992–2000), Chair of the Department of Accounting and Legal Studies and Acting Dean of Graduate Studies (1991–1992), and Executive Athletic Director
(1988–1992). In addition to his positions within the college's administration and his tenured position as a professor of legal studies, Abrams was also Director of the Governor's School of South Carolina
(1991–1999). Before joining academia, Abrams was a trial lawyer in his hometown, Greenville, South Carolina
.
Abrams graduated magna cum laude from Furman University
with a B.A.
in political science
. Later, he earned a J.D.
degree with honors from the University of South Carolina
. After a short time in private practice, he furthered his legal studies with an LL.M.
with a sports law
emphasis from the University of Virginia
. He has also received a certificate from the Institute of Educational Management at Harvard University
. As a legal scholar, his primary research focus is sports and education law.
Abrams is an avid baseball
fan. His "team" is the Brooklyn Dodgers, which he notes "hasn't lost a game since 1957." He also roots for the Boston Red Sox
.
Charleston School of Law
The Charleston School of Law is a for-profit private law school located in Charleston, South Carolina, established in 2003. The school was fully accredited by the American Bar Association in August 2011.-Inspiration and establishment:...
in Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
. In addition to his position as the Dean of the Charleston School of Law
Charleston School of Law
The Charleston School of Law is a for-profit private law school located in Charleston, South Carolina, established in 2003. The school was fully accredited by the American Bar Association in August 2011.-Inspiration and establishment:...
, he is also the Executive Director of the Charleston School of Law Foundation. He accepted the position as Dean of the Charleston School of Law after serving as Interim Dean during the 2008 Spring Semester.
Abrams came to the Charleston School of Law
Charleston School of Law
The Charleston School of Law is a for-profit private law school located in Charleston, South Carolina, established in 2003. The school was fully accredited by the American Bar Association in August 2011.-Inspiration and establishment:...
as a seasoned school administrator. Prior to joining the faculty at the Charleston School of Law, he held various positions at the College of Charleston
College of Charleston
The College of Charleston is a public, sea-grant and space-grant university located in historic downtown Charleston, South Carolina, United States...
, including Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning and Administration (2003–2005), Provost
Provost (education)
A provost is the senior academic administrator at many institutions of higher education in the United States, Canada and Australia, the equivalent of a pro-vice-chancellor at some institutions in the United Kingdom and Ireland....
and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs (2001–2003), Associate Provost
Provost (education)
A provost is the senior academic administrator at many institutions of higher education in the United States, Canada and Australia, the equivalent of a pro-vice-chancellor at some institutions in the United Kingdom and Ireland....
(1999–2000), Senior Vice President for Institutional Research and Planning (1992–2000), Chair of the Department of Accounting and Legal Studies and Acting Dean of Graduate Studies (1991–1992), and Executive Athletic Director
Athletic director
An athletic director is an administrator at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic programs...
(1988–1992). In addition to his positions within the college's administration and his tenured position as a professor of legal studies, Abrams was also Director of the Governor's School of South Carolina
Governor's School of South Carolina at the College of Charleston
The Governor’s School of South Carolina at the College of Charleston is a four week residential summer program designed for academically and intellectually gifted high school students...
(1991–1999). Before joining academia, Abrams was a trial lawyer in his hometown, Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
.
Abrams graduated magna cum laude from Furman University
Furman University
Furman University is a selective, private, coeducational, liberal arts college in Greenville, South Carolina, United States. Furman is one of the oldest, and more selective private institutions in South Carolina...
with a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
. Later, he earned a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
degree with honors from the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina School of Law
The University of South Carolina School of Law, also known as South Carolina Law or SC Law, is one of the professional schools of the University of South Carolina. South Carolina Law was founded in 1867 in Columbia, South Carolina and is the only public and non-profit law school in the state of...
. After a short time in private practice, he furthered his legal studies with an LL.M.
Master of Laws
The Master of Laws is an advanced academic degree, pursued by those holding a professional law degree, and is commonly abbreviated LL.M. from its Latin name, Legum Magister. The University of Oxford names its taught masters of laws B.C.L...
with a sports law
Sports law
Sports law is an umbrella term used to describe the legal issues at work in the world of both amateur and professional sports. Sports law overlaps substantially with labor law, contract law, competition or antitrust law, and tort law. Issues like defamation and privacy rights are also an integral...
emphasis from the University of Virginia
University of Virginia School of Law
The University of Virginia School of Law was founded in Charlottesville in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson as one of the original subjects taught at his "academical village," the University of Virginia. The law school maintains an enrollment of approximately 1,100 students in its initial degree program...
. He has also received a certificate from the Institute of Educational Management at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. As a legal scholar, his primary research focus is sports and education law.
Abrams is an avid baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
fan. His "team" is the Brooklyn Dodgers, which he notes "hasn't lost a game since 1957." He also roots for the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
.