(COLUMBIA, SC)—Stephen K. Benjamin, Mayor of Columbia and Special Counsel for Parker Poe’s Columbia office, was elected to serve as a United States Conference of Mayors Trustee.
In a comment made during the 80th annual meeting of the USCM, CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran said, “Mayor Benjamin brings a wealth of experience to the Conference and the organization will benefit greatly from his leadership.”
Founded in 1932, the U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are 1,210 such cities in the country today and each is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Mayor Benjamin will join 12 other trustees on the USCM board in contributing to the development of national urban policy by serving on one or more of the Conference's standing committees and specialized task forces.
“Being chosen to help lead an organization that has distinguished itself as a driving force for innovation and leadership is truly humbling,” said Mayor Benjamin who last year was elected to serve on the conference’s Advisory Board. “It is a great honor and a great opportunity for the City of Columbia to share new ideas, build new initiatives and position ourselves as the most talented, educated and entrepreneurial city in America.”
Mayor Benjamin has practiced law for more than 17 years. He represents both governmental and corporate clients in the areas of government relations, economic development and public finance. He previously worked in the Governor’s Cabinet as Director of the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. He has also served as an assistant prosecutor in South Carolina’s Fourth Judicial Circuit and was the Democratic Party’s nominee for Attorney General of South Carolina in 2002.
About Parker Poe
Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP has 210 lawyers in six offices located in major markets across North Carolina and South Carolina. The Firm provides legal counsel to large commercial and public organizations on litigation, corporate and regulatory matters. It has been recognized in recent years as one of the fastest growing law firms in the United States and as an award-winning leader in the use of technology to provide better and more efficient service to domestic and international clients.