B. Hicks Harwell, Jr. 1933 - 2012

The Finklea Law Firm mourns the passing of B. Hicks Harwell, Jr., who died September 9, 2012.

Areas of Practice and Educational Accomplishments.

Areas of Practice: Criminal Litigation and Personal Injury
Educational Accomplishments: Bachelor of Arts, University of South Carolina - 1958, L.L.B. Degree, Cumberland University - 1960, Juris Doctor, Cumberland School of Law of Samford University - 1969, General Jurisdiction Graduate, National Judicial College

Biography.

Baxter Hicks Harwell, Jr., ("Judge Harwell") was born in Mars Bluff in Florence County on February 27, 1933. He graduated from the public schools of Florence County. He received the Degree of Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Carolina in 1958, L.L.B. Degree from Cumberland University in 1960, and was the Student Bar President. He also received the Degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence from Cumberland School of Law of Samford University in 1969. Also, he is a General Jurisdiction Graduate of the National Judicial College.

On June 9, 1956, he married Nancy Crum Cockfield, a public high school teacher. They have three daughters and blessed with many grandchildren. Judge Harwell's expanded family includes four brothers: the late Reverend Lacy, former Chief Justice of South Carolina Supreme Court David, Florence County Magistrate Jim, Clinical Psychologist Joe, and a sister Ann Harwell Hill, a retired school teacher. Also part of the family are three Walker Deer Hounds, whose blood lines are only known to God, their father is believed to be a catalog salesman from the Capital City and their mother was a farmer's daughter. Their names are "U-lied", "Yip", and "Yap".

Judge Harwell began his private law practice in Florence in 1961. He served in the House of Representatives in 1979-1980 and 1989-1995 and was elected Judge of the 12th Judicial Circuit on March 21, 1995 and qualified June 14, 1995 and served until he retired from the Circuit Court Bench in 2005. He returned to practice law with the Finklea Law Firm in 2009 of counsel and practices criminal law and personal injury. He is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit, South Carolina Supreme Court, and United State Supreme Court. He is a member of the South Carolina Bar Association, Florence County Bar Association, and American Bar Association.

Judge Harwell was a member of a multitude of civic organizations and served in leadership position in many including U.S. Jaycee's Chief Legal Counsel in 1968-69; State President of the South Carolina Jaycees in 1966-67; Chief Legal Counsel for the Omar Shrine in 1972; President of the Florence Lions Club in 1973-74; Lions International District Governor in 1976-77; Florence Public Schools District One Advisory Board for the Area Vocational Center in 1973-74; Committee for Better Schools; the Florence Board of Directors for Council on Aging in 1968-71; State Commission on Aging in 1970-78; Chairman of the Florence City County Complex Building Commission and Detention Center that approved and implemented building the new Florence County Law Enforcement Center and Florence County Detention Center; Chairman of the Committee for God and Country Foundation that expanded the Florence National Cemetery; Commander of The American Legion; a Life Member of the V.F.W. and a life member of the D.A.V. He was a member of the Florence First Presbyterian Church.

In recognition of his sacrificial service, Judge Harwell was honored with the Florence Distinguished Community Service Award in 1964, Florence County Outstanding Young Man of the Year in 1966, and a recipient of the Order of the Palmetto.

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