It’s official, the Charleston School of Law is going to be sold, and to all indications, InfiLaw Systems would be the purchasers.
They are already in place with a management agreement and the press release made on Wednesday on the Charleston School of Law website referred to the school in the third person and the InfiLaw Systems in the first person, making it clear who was in control, already.
The announcement declaring the “intention to transfer ownership to The InfiLaw System” mentioned that the transfer would become effective upon CHE and ABA approval.
The news referred to a joint statement issued by Robert S. Carr and George C. Kosko two directors and founders of the Charleston School of law. They said, “We made this decision because a majority of the founders had expressed a desire to pull back and retire … As a result, this transaction is part of a necessary succession plan that ensures that the Charleston School of Law will be viable and thrive over the long therm.”
The soon-to-be former directors said, “One of the key reasons we chose to move forward with InfiLaw is because it is committed to maintain the best of the Charleston School of Law, including our culture and vision, while at the same time bringing its strengths, including investment in the law school in terms of systems, programs and infrastructure, as well as a demonstrated commitment to public service.”
The directors said that they would continue to operate the school without making any “operational decisions” until the transfer is complete.
The school is ready to accept viable alternative offers, and they have established a process by which alternative proposals could be submitted to their lawyer.
The founders also said that no public institution had approached them with intentions to buy the law school and no private institution had engaged in any substantial discussion.
They said they have not ruled out becoming a non-profit institution or selling the school to one of the owners. However, they said, none of the other options except selling the school to InfiLaw had as much merit in protecting the interests of the school and its students.