Chief Justice Jean H. Toal, Justice John H. Waller Jr. and Justice E.C. Burnett III joined other leading federal and state judges in welcoming the first class of the Charleston School of Law. Chief Justice Toal was among those who spoke at the opening ceremony. Other speakers included U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit Chief Judge William W. Wilkins, U.S. Chief District Judge Joseph Anderson, former S.C. Court of Appeals Chief Judge Alex Sanders, one of the school's founders who chairs the School's advisory committee and Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr.

The welcome was followed by a ribbon-cutting and reception at the school's building at 81 Mary Street in downtown Charleston.