Judge Ernest J. Jarrett was born in Kingstree, South Carolina.  His parents are William “Billy” Jarrett and Mattie “Beezie” Jarrett.”  He is married to Josette Jarrett and they have three children, Kyle, Katie and Winston, and one granddaughter, Evie.

Judge Jarrett graduated from Williamsburg Academy in 1985.  He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Wofford College in 1989. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1992.

After graduating from law school, Judge Jarrett moved back to his hometown of Kingstree, South Carolina. He is the former managing partner of Jenkinson, Jarrett and Kellahan, P.A. He spent his 28 years practicing primarily family law.  He was selected by his peers as one of the Super Lawyers by Super Lawyer magazine in 2020.

Judge Jarrett has served on the Williamsburg County Bar Association, the Georgetown County Bar Association, the South Carolina Association for Justice, the Family Law Section Council of the South Carolina Bar, the Supreme Court Commission on Docketing – Family Court Committee, the South Carolina Bench-Bar Committee, and the South Carolina Bar Resolution of Fee Disputes Board.  In 2018 – 2019, Judge Jarrett was the Chairperson of the Family Law Section Council of the South Carolina Bar.

Judge Jarrett is actively involved in his community. He has been President of Kingstree Rotary, served on the Williamsburg County First Steps Board, and served on the Tri-County Regional Development Board.  He is an active member of Kingstree United Methodist Church.

Judge Ernest J. Jarrett was elected to fill the term of the Honorable Gordon B. Jenkinson who retired.