Ellen Hines Smith Access to Justice Award
2026

The South Carolina Access to Justice Commission announces Kieley M. Sutton as the first recipient of the inaugural Ellen Hines Smith Access to Justice Award, recognizing her significant contributions to improving access to South Carolina’s courts for people facing barriers to justice.

Kieley Sutton, an Assistant Public Defender in Richland County, is also the founder and Executive Director of the Rainy Day Fund (RDF), a nonprofit that helps alleviate financial barriers that often prevent people from exiting or avoiding legal system involvement, such as those associated with housing, employment, securing identification, restoration of rights, or court costs. Through RDF, Kieley helped start South Carolina's first Driver's License Reinstatement Clinic, which has served over 1,200 clients since 2023 and required significant cross-agency collaboration.

"[Kieley] saw that a lot of folks in South Carolina were falling through the cracks when it came to getting the legal help they needed, and instead of just talking about it, she did something about it," said Nick Reese, a former client and now certified behavioral interventionist and peer support specialist. 

"At first, her idea was to help with smaller, immediate needs, but it grew fast because her compassion and her vision were bigger than that. She turned RDF into a way to offer clinics that didn't exist anywhere in the state." 

In addition to her work with RDF, Kieley also serves as the defense attorney for the City of Columbia Homeless Court, and helped establish the Ask-An-Attorney program hosted at the Transitions Homeless Shelter and the Richland County Public Library, which gives individuals experiencing homelessness the opportunity to receive guidance and legal support they would not otherwise have access to. According to SC Bar Foundation Executive Director Olivia Jones, the Ask-An-Attorney program is "largely driven by [Kieley's] commitment to the holistic practice of law and informed by her social work training."

That social work training also grew out of Kieley's recognition of an unmet need. Recognizing the importance of collaborating with social workers, but understanding that social workers are not always available, Kieley completed her Masters in Social Work and became a licensed South Carolina Social Worker—all while still working as a public defender and serving clients through RDF.

"She understands that meaningful representation must address both legal issues and the social and economic challenges shaping her clients' lives," said Tricia Ravenhorst, General Counsel for the SC Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault (SCCADVASA).

Jones added, "In short: Kieley sees a need, and innovates a solution."

This award honors the legacy of Ellen Hines Smith (1940–1998), a pioneering South Carolina attorney, judge, and public-service leader who dedicated her career to expanding access to justice. Known for her innovation, collaboration, and commitment to underserved communities, she worked with courts, local governments, churches, and nonprofits to expand legal services, championed children’s welfare and affordable housing, and mentored generations of attorneys. Her legacy reflects a steadfast belief that justice should be accessible to all.

Reflecting on this legacy, Kieley expressed her excitement to receive the award, and pointed out similarities between the values behind her work and the work of Ellen Hines Smith. "Judge Smith's work to expand justice for those who have been excluded from the justice system is exactly what I hoped to do with my legal career," she said. 

"I'm honored to be chosen to receive this award in her honor. Like Judge Smith, I will continue to value justice, service, and compassion throughout my practice." 

The Ellen Hines Smith Access to Justice Award will be presented annually to a licensed attorney practicing in South Carolina who has demonstrated significant or meaningful contributions to improving access to the court system for litigants who face barriers due to socioeconomic status, disability, geography, or who are otherwise vulnerable.

The South Carolina Access to Justice Commission works to identify and address barriers to civil legal assistance and improve access to justice for all South Carolinians. Established by the South Carolina Supreme Court in 2007, the Commission brings together a broad range of legal system stakeholders who work together to advance meaningful access to South Carolina's civil justice system by assessing essential civil legal needs, fostering collaboration, and identifying innovative solutions. Learn more about the Commission and its work at scaccesstojustice.org.