South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026
Bill 515
Indicates Matter StrickenIndicates New Matter
(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)
A senate RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE HONORABLE ALEX KINLAW JR., A FORMER JUDGE FOR THE 13TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE BENCH AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS. Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate have learned that the Honorable Alex Kinlaw Jr., a former judge for the 13th Judicial Circuit, entered a well-deserved retirement on December 31, 2024, after decades of faithful and outstanding service to the citizens of the Palmetto State, most particularly those of Pickens and Greenville counties; and Whereas, prior to his 2018 election as a judge to the 13th Judicial Circuit, he presided as a resident judge for the 13th Judicial Circuit's Family Court, beginning in 2009. During that time, he served as the judge for the Juvenile Drug Court (2011-2018); and Whereas, in preparation for his career, this native of Georgetown received a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina in 1975 and completed his J.D. at the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1978. While a law student, the young Alex Kinlaw was vice president of the Black American Law Students Association and interned in the Post-Conviction Relief Division of the South Carolina Attorney General's Office and the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. He also attended the School of Criminal Defense Attorneys in Houston, Texas; and Whereas, before joining the bench, Judge Kinlaw was in private practice in Greenville and Greenwood counties. Having become certified to handle death-penalty cases, he served as lead counsel for four such cases and also had a brief stint as a part-time prosecutor in the 8th Circuit. His areas of practice include criminal, civil, domestic relations, and bankruptcy; and Whereas, in addition, Judge Kinlaw worked as an assistant public defender with the Greenville County public defender and served as a staff attorney with the Legal Services Agency of Western Carolina; and Whereas, his memberships include the Resolution of Fee Disputes Board, Commission on Legal Education and Specialization, South Carolina Black Lawyers Association, Donald J. Sampson Bar Association, and National Bar Association. Further, he was a member of the National Conference of Family Court Judges and National Conference of Drug Court Professionals and also has been involved with the Legal Services Board of Western Carolina (chairman), Urban League of the Upstate Board (chairman), State Legal Services Agency Board of Directors, Greenville Mental Health Board, and Greenville Cultural Exchange Board; and Whereas, Alex Kinlaw finds strength for his labors in his family: his wife, Yvette, and their two sons. The family attends Reedy River Missionary Baptist Church, where Judge Kinlaw serves as vice chairman of the Deacon Ministry; and Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is grateful for the legacy of leadership and jurisprudence Judge Kinlaw has bestowed on this great State and appreciates his long and enduring service to the citizens of South Carolina. Taking great pleasure in wishing him well in retirement, the members trust he will find much enjoyment in the more leisurely pace of the days ahead. Now, therefore, Be it resolved by the Senate: That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and commend the Honorable Alex Kinlaw Jr., a former judge for the 13th Judicial Circuit, upon the occasion of his retirement from the bench and wish him continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors. Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Honorable Alex Kinlaw Jr. ----XX----
A senate RESOLUTION
TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE HONORABLE ALEX KINLAW JR., A FORMER JUDGE FOR THE 13TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE BENCH AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate have learned that the Honorable Alex Kinlaw Jr., a former judge for the 13th Judicial Circuit, entered a well-deserved retirement on December 31, 2024, after decades of faithful and outstanding service to the citizens of the Palmetto State, most particularly those of Pickens and Greenville counties; and
Whereas, prior to his 2018 election as a judge to the 13th Judicial Circuit, he presided as a resident judge for the 13th Judicial Circuit's Family Court, beginning in 2009. During that time, he served as the judge for the Juvenile Drug Court (2011-2018); and
Whereas, in preparation for his career, this native of Georgetown received a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina in 1975 and completed his J.D. at the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1978. While a law student, the young Alex Kinlaw was vice president of the Black American Law Students Association and interned in the Post-Conviction Relief Division of the South Carolina Attorney General's Office and the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. He also attended the School of Criminal Defense Attorneys in Houston, Texas; and
Whereas, before joining the bench, Judge Kinlaw was in private practice in Greenville and Greenwood counties. Having become certified to handle death-penalty cases, he served as lead counsel for four such cases and also had a brief stint as a part-time prosecutor in the 8th Circuit. His areas of practice include criminal, civil, domestic relations, and bankruptcy; and
Whereas, in addition, Judge Kinlaw worked as an assistant public defender with the Greenville County public defender and served as a staff attorney with the Legal Services Agency of Western Carolina; and
Whereas, his memberships include the Resolution of Fee Disputes Board, Commission on Legal Education and Specialization, South Carolina Black Lawyers Association, Donald J. Sampson Bar Association, and National Bar Association. Further, he was a member of the National Conference of Family Court Judges and National Conference of Drug Court Professionals and also has been involved with the Legal Services Board of Western Carolina (chairman), Urban League of the Upstate Board (chairman), State Legal Services Agency Board of Directors, Greenville Mental Health Board, and Greenville Cultural Exchange Board; and
Whereas, Alex Kinlaw finds strength for his labors in his family: his wife, Yvette, and their two sons. The family attends Reedy River Missionary Baptist Church, where Judge Kinlaw serves as vice chairman of the Deacon Ministry; and
Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is grateful for the legacy of leadership and jurisprudence Judge Kinlaw has bestowed on this great State and appreciates his long and enduring service to the citizens of South Carolina. Taking great pleasure in wishing him well in retirement, the members trust he will find much enjoyment in the more leisurely pace of the days ahead. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and commend the Honorable Alex Kinlaw Jr., a former judge for the 13th Judicial Circuit, upon the occasion of his retirement from the bench and wish him continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Honorable Alex Kinlaw Jr.
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