Sarah Loftis ’23 and Grant LeFever ’13

When a current Presbyterian College student wants to explore a particular career path, who can they turn to?

A former Presbyterian College student.

Sarah Loftis, a senior political science major from Lyman, just completed an internship with Burnette Shutt and McDaniel in Columbia under the guidance of PC alumna and associate Grant LeFever ‘13.

As the firm’s first undergraduate intern, Loftis said Burnette Shutt and McDaniel’s reputation for challenging the legal status quo was a major plus.

“The attorneys at this firm have been trailblazers in South Carolina and have achieved notable victories throughout their careers,” she said. “They have been involved in several landmark cases, including those related to same-sex marriage, female participation in contact sports, women attending state-funded colleges of their choice, preventing government agencies from terminating individuals based on their sexual orientation, and safeguarding businesses and licensees in the state.”

LeFever, in particular, was part of the legal team that won its case before the S.C. Supreme Court, striking down the state’s ban on abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.

Loftis attended several cases heard in the Richland County Courthouse in Columbia related to the gender-affirming name and gender marker changes requiring court orders.

“The most memorable aspect of this experience was spending time with the clients while waiting for our cases to be called,” she said. “Additionally, I had the privilege of sitting in on hearings with Grant, where I observed her approach to a case and how she takes notes during client interactions. Grant was thorough in explaining all aspects of the procedures so that I could learn from her processes. This was a remarkable experience that I will always cherish.”

Loftis said she cherishes the relationship she built with her mentor the most.

“Seeing a PC graduate who was once in my current position is very motivating,” she said. “Grant fully lives out the PC motto, ‘While We Live, We Serve,’ within her career and it has been very gratifying to work alongside her. I am very thankful for her mentorship and guidance throughout this semester.”

In addition to shadowing LeFever, Loftis took on a particular project creating a dataset for the firm to assess future litigation – compiling data from settlements and judgments under the state’s insurance reserve fund.

After she graduates this May, Loftis said she plans to take a year off to study for the Law School Admissions Test and then begin applying to law schools.

“Before this internship, I was considering going into corporate law, but this internship has opened my eyes to other types of practices that I am interested in,” Loftis said. “These include employment law, civil rights, education law, and gender-affirming name and gender marker changes. Specifically, I like the work that Grant does to better the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals within our state and beyond.”

Loftis said the internship gave her more than insight into her future. It prepared her for the future.

“This internship has provided me with practical experience in the legal field, allowing me to develop valuable skills and knowledge that can be applied in my future academic and professional pursuits, including communication and client interaction,” she said. “Being able to interact with various pioneer attorneys and staff members has also been valuable as I build my professional network. This experience has also given me a sense of accomplishment and confidence in my abilities, which is useful as I move forward and face new challenges in my life after PC.”