South Carolina

Amber Fulmer: Welcome y’all to the Direct Examination Podcast! I’m Amber Fulmer.

Joseph Bias: And I’m Joseph Bias! Thank you so much for joining us for our first official episode of 2021. Amber, how are you?

Amber Fulmer: I’m good! In between COVID tests, but doing well! (laughs)

Joseph Bias: Dane is away on assignment today doing lawyer work, but we have an incredible guest to kick off the new year.

Amber Fulmer: Our guest today was born and raised in Lancaster County and graduated from Furman University and the University of South Carolina School of Law. She has been practicing law since 1997 in the fields of bankruptcy, serious injury, and wrongful death at Norrell & Powers Norrell, LLC. She served in the South Carolina House of Representatives representing District 44 from 2012 to 2020 and was the Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 2018. Welcome, Mandy Powers Norrell!

Mandy Powers Norrell: Thank you, Amber and Joseph! It’s an honor to be here with you both.

Joseph Bias: Mandy, you chose a life of public service while running a busy law practice. What initially motivated you to run for elected office in Lancaster County?

Mandy Powers Norrell: In 2008, Mick Mulvaney was running unopposed for State Senate. I strongly believed that voters deserve a choice and that candidates shouldn’t have a coronation, so I ran against him. Even though he won the Senate seat, I carried Lancaster County and won several precincts people thought I couldn’t win. Four years later, when the House District 44 seat opened up, I ran and won, serving until 2020.

Amber Fulmer: How did you balance running a law practice over an hour away in Lancaster while serving three days a week in Columbia at the General Assembly?

Mandy Powers Norrell: It was tough. I drove back and forth every day—nearly three hours of commuting daily—so I could stay home with my family. My husband, who is also my law partner, covered for me extensively at the office. The hardest part was that constituents would call with what they claimed were constituent issues, but in reality, they were looking for free legal advice for personal court cases!

Amber Fulmer: You practice in bankruptcy, personal injury, and wrongful death. What makes bankruptcy law so rewarding for you?

Mandy Powers Norrell: Bankruptcy is one of the most fulfilling areas of law because I can give clients an immediate, definitive answer and relief. When clients first walk into my office facing overwhelming debt and creditor harassment, they look exhausted and worn down. Between the time we file their petition and their 341 meeting of creditors a month later, they look ten years younger. Removing that immense financial stress transforms their entire lives.

Joseph Bias: Switching to state politics, you’ve tweeted about South Carolina’s ongoing debate regarding a standardized state flag design. Why is that such a hot topic?

Mandy Powers Norrell: South Carolina is one of the only states without an officially standardized, legally defined flag design—it’s just conceptually a palmetto tree and crescent on a blue background. A few years ago, historians proposed an official design, but the palmetto tree they drew looked like a scrawny, frizzy, dried-out twig! The public and social media reaction was so hilariously brutal that lawmakers quickly backed away from adopting it.

Amber Fulmer: Looking back at your eight years in the House of Representatives, what is the legislative accomplishment you are most proud of?

Mandy Powers Norrell: Sponsoring and passing Erin’s Law during my first term. Erin’s Law requires age-appropriate child sexual abuse education in all public schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. School is often the only safe place for abused children, but historically kids didn’t realize they could confide in teachers or guidance counselors. Since Erin’s Law passed, hundreds of predators have been removed from children’s lives across South Carolina.

Joseph Bias: What are some of the critical gaps that still remain in South Carolina’s sexual assault laws?

Mandy Powers Norrell: South Carolina currently lacks a clear statutory definition of consent, leaving it open to subjective interpretation. We also need amnesty laws so college students who witness or experience an assault can report it without fearing university disciplinary action for minor infractions like underage drinking. Additionally, our marital rape statute still contains an outdated 30-day reporting limit and requires aggravating circumstances.

Joseph Bias: Mandy, we end every episode with a war story. What is your favorite story from your time in public office or practice?

Mandy Powers Norrell: During my freshman term in the House, we went on an overnight legislative retreat regarding a fishing bill. A senior male colleague got very intoxicated, made inappropriate advances, and told me he would leave his hotel room door open for me if I wanted to come by.

Instead of reporting him publicly, I used it to my advantage for the rest of my time in office. Whenever I was pushing environmental legislation or important bills that he might normally oppose, I knew he wouldn’t dare fight me or torpedo my work because he was terrified I might bring up that night! I scored a lot of legislative points for good causes using that leverage.

Joseph Bias: (laughs) That is a masterclass in strategic legislative maneuvering! Mandy, thank you so much for joining us, for your service to South Carolina, and for sharing your journey with us.

Mandy Powers Norrell: Thank you both so much! It was a pleasure to be here.

Amber Fulmer: You can follow Mandy Powers Norrell on Twitter @mpowersnorrell and visit mandynorrell.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook @SCLawPod, Dane @SCCrimLawyer, Amber @RedJudicata, and Joseph @JosephPBias. Leave us a five-star review, and we’ll see y’all next week!