Event Information

April Sampson graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 1995 and from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1998. She became a member of the South Carolina Bar in November of 1998. Mrs. Sampson began her legal career with Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities where she handled legal matters for those with physical and mental disabilities.

Mr. Goldberg is the Deputy Solicitor and Violent Crimes Team Leader for the Fifth Judicial Circuit, which covers Richland and Kershaw Counties. He is a graduate of the University of Florida, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2000. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School Of Law in 2004. Since joining the Fifth Circuit in 2003, he has served as a Law Clerk, Assistant Solicitor and Team Leader tasked with prosecuting a variety of Violent Crimes to include Murder, Armed Robbery, Sexual Assault, and Burglary.

Mr. Goldberg has previously lectured at various law enforcement, educational and community outreach programs, as well as participated in numerous Bar activities.

Mr. Goldberg’s honors include Ernest F. Hollings Award for Excellence in State Prosecution for General Sessions Court (2021); Leadership Academy, Class IV, South Carolina Bar (2012 – 2013); Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award, University of South Carolina School of Law (April 2004).

Mr. Goldberg is a Member, Committee on Character and Fitness, South Carolina Supreme Court; Council Member, Criminal Law Section Council, South Carolina Bar; Member, John Belton O’Neall Inn of Court; Chairman, Board of Directors, Domestic Abuse Center; Member, Resolution of Fee Disputes Board, South Carolina Bar.

John Rhodes Bailey

Rhodes Bailey began his career at the Richland County Public Defender’s Office in 2007, where he tried dozens of cases to a jury verdict and rose to the position of Chief Litigator. He practiced at the civil defense firm of Grier, Cox and Cranshaw, LLC, and later joined McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates, P.A., where  he helped people injured by the negligence or wrongdoing of others. In 2024, Rhodes founded Rhodes Bailey Law, LLC, where his practice focuses on personal injury and criminal defense. Rhodes has served on the S.C. Bar Judicial Qualifications Committee and the S.C. Bar House of Delegates.

He is a frequent lecturer at S.C. Bar conferences and Continuing Legal Education programs on the topics of trial practice, evidence, and courtroom strategy. He is a graduate of the College of Charleston (2003) and the University of South Carolina School of Law (2007), where he received the Trial Clinic’s Professionalism Award. He served on the faculty of Keystone College, where he taught criminal justice, constitutional rights, and the history of policing practices.

Rhodes is a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Gills Creek Watershed Association, Historic Columbia, and the Columbia League of Women Voters. He is married to Erin and has two children. In his spare time, Rhodes plays guitar and pedal steel with multiple musical acts, including Whiskey Tango Revue, based in Columbia.

Rhonda graduated from SC State University with a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and received my Juris Doctorate from NC Central School of Law. She has been employed with Eleventh Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office since 2005. She has handled Domestic Violence cases for almost three years before being assigned to child abuse cases. She is now responsible for a violent crimes docket including criminal sexual conduct, robbery and homicide cases. Rhonda was the 2016 recipient of the John R. Justice Community Leadership Award and a 2015 Community Partner Award nominee from Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands.  

Roger M. Young, Sr. the son of the late Rev. James W. Young and Joyce L. Young. He grew up in North Charleston, and in 1980 graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the Baptist College at Charleston, which is now known as Charleston Southern University. He graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1983 with the degree of Juris Doctor, and with the degree of Master of Judicial Studies from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2000.

While in private practice, Judge Young also served as a Municipal Judge for the City of North Charleston from 1988-90. He was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1990 and served two terms. He was Master-in-Equity for Charleston County from 1996 until July 1, 2003, when he became a Circuit Court Judge for the 9^th Judicial Circuit of South Carolina. He has also served concurrently as a Business Court Judge for SC since it was created in 2007 and is Chief Administrative Judge of the South Carolina Business Court.

He was President of the South Carolina Circuit Court Judges Association from 2012-14.

Shaun Kent has been practicing law in the State of South Carolina for the preceding 20 years. From simple Assault and Battery to Murder, Shaun has defended and tried almost every type of case imaginable.​

A scholarship soccer player, Shaun graduated from the University of South Carolina Aiken in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a dual major in Political Science and Speech Communication. Thereafter, he attended the Thomas M. Cooley School of Law in Lansing, Michigan where he graduated Cum Laude and received his Juris Doctorate in 2000. While in law school, Shaun was editor of the Law Review and participated in and won numerous national Moot Court competitions.