Charleston Bar honors Ashley Pennington with its top award
Congratulations to Ashley Pennington, who has received the James Louis Petigru Award from the Charleston County Bar Association. It’s the organization’s highest honor.
Named after famed attorney and former South Carolina attorney general James Petigru, the award is rarely given. Ashley is only the sixth recipient of the medallion, which the Bar says recognizes individuals who bring honor to the legal profession.
Before coming to Burnette Shutt & McDaniel, Ashley was a long-time criminal defense attorney representing clients in serious felony charges, including death penalty cases. He has never had a client sentenced to death other than those who elected to represent themselves.
He led public defender offices in Berkley and Charleston County, supervising and mentoring dozens of attorneys during his tenure. He also was deeply committed to helping clients receive the services they needed, from job training to housing assistance, to avoid further brushes with the legal system.
During his time heading the public defender offices, he worked to develop a Charleston Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to promote collaboration and fairness in the county’s criminal-justice policies. He also founded the nonprofit SC Re-Entry Initiative and continues to volunteer his time to help people successfully reintegrate into society.
His practice at Burnette Shutt & McDaniel includes criminal justice civil rights. He’s long been interested in prison and jail reform and is part of the legal team fighting to end inhumane conditions at Richland County’s Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. The attorneys have fought for more than two years in federal court to rectify things at the overcrowded, understaffed county jail.
His practice also includes other civil rights lawsuits and tort claims that allow victims of government wrongdoing to recover damages. Additionally, he represents clients in personal injury litigation. This includes cases involving excessive force and police-involved shootings.