Journal of the House of Representatives
of the Second Session of the 110th General Assembly
of the State of South Carolina
being the Regular Session Beginning Tuesday, January 11, 1994

Page Finder Index
| Printed Page 5230, Apr. 28 | Printed Page 5250, Apr. 28 |
Printed Page 5240 . . . . . Thursday, April 28, 1994
PERSONAL DATA QUESTIONNAIRE SUMMARY

1. Donna S. Strom
Home Address: Business Address:
830 Hampton Creek Way 3150 Harden Street Extension
Columbia, SC 29209 Columbia, SC 29202

2. She was born in Plainfield, New Jersey on March 10, 1959. She is presently 35 years old.

Printed Page 5241 . . . . . Thursday, April 28, 1994
4. She was married to Joseph Preston Strom, Jr. on October 5, 1985. She has one child: Margaret McKenna, age 5.

5. Military Service: She has not served in the military.

6. She attended Salem College, August, 1977 - May, 1981, Bachelor of Arts Degree, cum laude in History, Political Science and Sociology; and the University of South Carolina School of Law, August, 1981 -May, 1984, awarded Juris Doctor degree.

8. Legal/Judicial education during the past five years:
She has attended the following South Carolina Bar Continuing Legal Education seminars over the past five years:
South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association Annual Convention:1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993
"Family Court - Bits and Pieces," July, 1989
"Family Law Fall 1991 Update," November, 1991
"Legal Ethics in Advertising," March, 1991
"Domestic Practice: The Return of Hot Tips from the Experts," May, 1991
"Family Court Early '92 Bench/Bar Update:Some Things to Think," March, 1992
"Domestic Practice: Hot Tips from the Experts Rides Again," May, 1992
"Bench/Bar Update - Family Court Bench," November, 1992
"Domestic Practice: Hot Tips from the Experts," May, 1993
"Serving the Best Interests of Children," November, 1993
She attended the following two-day seminar sponsored by the American Bar Association in Washington, DC (September, 1992):
"Symposium on the Review and Adjustment of Child Support"
She organized an in-house continuing legal education seminar in conjunction with the American Bar Association's Center for Children and the Law on the following topic:
"Interstate Child Support Remedies"

9. Taught or Lectured:
South Carolina Bar Continuing Legal Education Seminars:
"Domestic Practice: The Return of Hot Tips from the Experts," May, 1991 (Lecture Topic - Interstate Child Support Remedies)

Printed Page 5242 . . . . . Thursday, April 28, 1994
"Domestic Practice: Hot Tips from the Experts Rides Again," May, 1992 (Lecture Topic - Child Support Enforcement Against Military Personnel)
United States Attorneys Conference on the Child Support Recovery Act of 1992:
Panel participant to discuss the Act which provides for the federal prosecution of child support obligors and to discuss the coordination of efforts between federal and state authorities
Guest Lecturer, Columbia Junior College for Paralegal Studies on various child support related topics

10. Published Books and Articles:
Child Support Prosecutors' Bulletin; Vol. I, No. 7; July, 1991; "Retroactive Establishment of Support"

12. Legal experience since graduation from law school:
Law Clerk to the Honorable J. Z. McKown, Resident Judge of the Seventh Circuit (retired), 1984-1985
State Attorney, South Carolina Department of Social Services' Office of Child Support Enforcement
Responsible for child support prosecution in various circuits including the Fifth Judicial Circuit. These circuits include Richland, Kershaw, Orangeburg and York Counties.
Chief State Attorney, South Carolina Department of Social Services' Office of Child Support Enforcement
Responsible for the management of a regional office with approximately 22 staff working in 8 counties and for child support prosecution in Newberry and Calhoun Counties, 1989-1991
Chief Counsel, South Carolina Department of Social Services' Office of Child Support Enforcement
Responsible for the supervision of attorney staff statewide, the creation of program policy to ensure compliance with State and Federal law, the development and monitoring of legislation, the drafting and execution of contracts between the Department and Clerks of Courts and law enforcement, the coordination of program activities with Court Administration and Family Court, and the prosecution of child support cases in support of the attorney staff, 1991-present

Printed Page 5243 . . . . . Thursday, April 28, 1994
13. Rating in Martindale-Hubbell: She has been a public sector attorney since her graduation from law school and has not sought a rating in Martindale-Hubbell.

14. Frequency of appearances in court:
Federal - 0
State - 0
Other - 100% in Family Court
From 1985 until 1991, she appeared in Family Courts statewide almost on a daily basis. Since becoming Chief Counsel in 1991, she appeared in court on an as-needed basis to provide training and assistance in complex and sensitive litigation.

15. Percentage of litigation:
Civil - 0%
Criminal - 0%
Domestic - 100%

16. Percentage of cases in trial courts:
Jury - 0%
Non-Jury - 100%
Chief Counsel

17. Five (5) of the most significant litigated matters in either trial or appellate court:
(a) SCDSS v. Douglas Thompson. This was a contested paternity and child support case in which the Defendant continued to deny paternity even though genetic testing indicated a high probability that the Defendant was the father of the child.
(b) SCDSS v. Carlton Horning. This Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support (URESA) case involved the enforcement of provisions of a divorce decree which directed the Defendant to pay college support for his daughter's benefit. Defendant asserted that his purchasing an automobile for his child exonerated him from his obligations pursuant to the divorce decree. The court held that the car was gift to the child and that one party could not arbitrarily modify the terms of the divorce decree.
(c) SCDSS v. William Barnes. This case involved an uninsured teenage child with severe physical disabilities resulting from

Printed Page 5244 . . . . . Thursday, April 28, 1994
a hit-and-run car accident. After exhausting every enforcement remedy available, the Court entered judgment against the Defendant who stood to inherit property from his elderly parents.
(d) SCDSS v. David Hayes. This case made her appreciate the meaning of the words "Counselor at Law." The legal battle to compel the Defendant to support his children was an enduring, vigorous fight. However, the most rewarding aspect of this case was the relationship she developed with the minor daughter. The daughter confided in her that the Defendant, her father, had been abusing her for nearly a decade. The case was successfully prosecuted in criminal court. She has monitored the progress of this child into her adulthood and is pleased to say she has matured into a self-confident young wife.
(e) SCDSS v. Robert A. Schwarzer. This case involved the interpretation of federal law regarding whether the SCDSS had standing to pursue child support as a plaintiff on behalf of a custodial parent. Additionally, the court addressed the issue of attorney fees in agency cases. These issues were significant because at the time of trial the issues were not well-settled state law.

18. Five (5) civil appeals:
Not applicable

25. Occupation, business or profession other than the practice of law:
None other than summer or part-time employment during high school, college and law school. These positions include a clerk in a pharmacy, an order department clerk for Mobay Chemical Corp., a bank teller for Rock Hill National Bank, and as a law clerk for various attorneys.

26. Officer or Director: She currently holds the position of secretary in a closely-held family corporation, Gaston Chemical Sales, Inc. This corporation sells chemicals to textile companies. Her tenure as secretary is indefinite.

Printed Page 5245 . . . . . Thursday, April 28, 1994
28. Financial Arrangements or Business Relationships (Conflict of Interest):
Her husband left the private practice of law in 1993, to become the United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina. He currently has a financial interest in several matters which are being handled by previous law partners, Dennis Bolt, Jon Popowski, Joe McCullough, Leigh Leventis and Debbie Chapman. She would recuse herself from any matters which are handled by these attorneys until these financial matters are concluded. She anticipated that these issues will be resolved by the end of 1994.

37. Violation of S. C. Code Section 8-13-700:
She has no knowledge of any formal charges or informal allegations against her or any other candidate for violations of these provisions.

38. Violation of S. C. Code Section 8-13-765:
She has no knowledge of any formal charges or informal allegations against her or any other candidate for violations of these provisions.

39. Expenditures Relating to Candidacy:
Preparation of resume:
Photography Fee (12/3/93) $78.75
Typesetting & Printing (12/9/93) $47.25
Stationery & Envelopes (12/8/93) $82.95
Typing (2/18/94) $68.00
Postage (2/18/94) $98.60
These expenses have been incurred by her and paid for with personal funds.

44. Bar Associations and Professional Organizations:
South Carolina Bar, Family Law Section, Children's Committee; Richland County Bar; South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association; National Institute for Child Support Enforcement; Pro Bono Program

45. Civic, charitable, educational, social and fraternal organizations:
Member of Trenholm Road United Methodist Church; volunteer for Children Unlimited, a private adoption organization; member of South Carolina Welfare Reform Task Force; member of Child Support Advisory Committee; chairperson, Child Support Guidelines Review Committee

Printed Page 5246 . . . . . Thursday, April 28, 1994
46. She has devoted her entire legal career to family law issues. She is very proud to be a public service attorney, and she has strived to acquire as much training and experience in all areas of domestic law as possible. She has worked on special projects with the Richland County Solicitor's Office involving issues related to juveniles and child abuse and neglect. In her capacity as Chief Counsel to the Child Support Enforcement Program, she is responsible for the coordination of activities between her agency and the Clerks of Court and law enforcement. She feels that the relationship that she has developed with these entities would be beneficial to her in the responsibilities of personnel in these areas.
She has also served as the agency coordinator for the American Bar Association's Pro Se pilot project in the Fifth Judicial Circuit. The purpose of this project was to provide "user friendly" access to the Family Court for litigants without attorneys.
More recently, she has had the privilege of working on the Welfare Reform Task Force, and she looks forward to making continued contributions to this effort.
Currently, she is working with the Bankruptcy Law Section of the South Carolina Bar to create a local rule facilitating the collection of past due child support in Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings.
She would enthusiastically embrace the opportunity to serve the citizens of South Carolina as a Family Court Judge.

47. Five (5) letters of recommendation:
(a) Kevin C. Fernald, Vice President/Area Manager
First Citizens Bank
P. O. Box 29, Columbia, SC 29202
733-2067
(b) R. Randall Bridwell, Professor of Law
The University of South Carolina School of Law
Columbia, SC 29208
777-4155
(c) Paul L. Reeves, Esquire
Lewis, Reeves and Stone
P. O. Box 11803, Columbia, SC 29211
256-1268

Printed Page 5247 . . . . . Thursday, April 28, 1994
(d) Robert L. Thompson, Jr.
Vice President, Public Affairs
Springs Industries, Inc.
Fort Mill, SC 29715
547-3736
(e) Larry C. Smith, Esquire
Interim County Attorney, County of Richland
P. O. Box 192, Columbia, SC 29202
748-4853

The Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline reports no formal complaints or charges against you of any kind. We've checked with the records of the applicable law enforcement agencies, Richland County Sheriffs's, Columbia City Police, SLED and FBI, all are negative. The Judgement Rolls of Richland County showed one action in which you and, I believe, your husband were a plaintiff, were plaintiff's in a suit, it looks as though it regarded a construction of your home or a home. It looks as though it was settled; is that correct?
MS. STROM: Yes, that's right.
THE CHAIRMAN: Any other actions that you're aware of?
MS. STROM: Not that I'm aware of, no, sir.
THE CHAIRMAN: The Federal Court Records are negative. No complaints or statements have been received against you. There is no one present to testify against you either. Prior to turning you over to Ms. McNamee for questioning, you have the opportunity to make a short oral statement or we will take a written statement, if you so desire.
MS. STROM: I'll waive that. Thank you.
THE CHAIRMAN: Thank you very much. Ms. McNamee.
MS. MCNAMEE: Thank you.
MS. STROM - EXAMINATION BY MS. MCNAMEE:
Q. Good afternoon.
A. Good afternoon.
Q. Ms. Strom, why don't we just get right into judicial temperament and just tell me what makes up the qualities of a good Family Court judge and are there any models that you have concerning that?
A. Yes, there are some models. I think a judge must do the things that we teach our children to do, at least I'm trying to teach my child to do, and that's -- those are the basics, like courtesy, being polite and respectful. And I think it's very important that a judge not allow any disruption in the courtroom.

Printed Page 5248 . . . . . Thursday, April 28, 1994
I think it's very important for a judge to allow litigants to have the opportunity to fully litigate the issues and the litigants must know that the judge has done that, must feel good about that. They must leave the courtroom feeling as though they've had their full bite of the apple, that they have been able to say what they needed to say and that the judge has listened.

I think it is very important for a judge to carefully and expeditiously hear cases and render a decision. I think a judge should not do anything to drive up the cost of litigation, for example, by being unavailable when the judge should be available. I think accessibility is a very important trait in a judge, whether that is lunch hour or after hours or early in the mornings. That's the way it should be, especially in Family Court.

As far as judges that perhaps exemplify some of these characteristics, I think Judge Jim Moore is one who is a well organized person and runs a courtroom in that manner when he was on the Circuit Bench. He was cool minded and even tempered and I think it's very important for a judge not to lose his or her temper on the bench.

Judge Henry McKeller happens to be a friend of mine, so I've sort of followed him somewhat. He came out of banking, out of the banking industry and I know how hard he has worked to bring himself up to speed. I think he's done that very well. He is a judge that is well prepared. And I think that is one of the most important aspects of a Family Court judge is to be well prepared and for the litigants to know that you've been prepared, that you prepared for their case.

Judge Mallard in Charleston, I consider him a people person and I think it is very important not only to have the intellect, the mind and the preparation in a case, but I think it's important to also be able to look behind the issues to the people, so that you are -- you use your head and your gut instinct especially in these critical issues facing the Family Court.

Judge Campbell, I've been in front of him many times, been chewed up by him many times and have learned an awful lot from him also. I admire his strong sense of ethics. We've talked -- I've heard the discussions all day in regard to the ex parte communication, he probably is the person I think of first when I think of someone who is very strict in not allowing ex parte communication. I learned that rule from him.
Q. So you won't take the turkey either?
A. I won't take it. Well -- and if you want me to jump into something -- into that issue also, that is -- as far as gifts and that sort of thing, I think it's improper for a judge to take any gratuity from an attorney or anyone who would be in the courtroom. That is something that is very much a part of my life now because my husband has been appointed to a political

Printed Page 5249 . . . . . Thursday, April 28, 1994
position. And we may be the only folks at a dinner table paying for our meal other than a host or hostess, but we do that, so that's very much already a part of my life.
Q. Your experience as an attorney since you graduated has been totally, as I understand, with the Department of Social Services; is that correct?
A. That's correct. My first year out of law school I worked for a circuit judge. So I traveled the state with him and was exposed to pretty much all areas of Common Pleas and General Sessions court and I enjoyed it very much, but it also -- I always thought I wanted to be in Family Court and that convinced me even more.

In fact, if he would go looking for me during a break or at the end of a break, he'd say, "Go find her in Family Court." That's usually where I'd be sitting, but, yes, I have been with the Department of Social Services which has been a tremendously rewarding experience for me.

I have been very proud of the fact that I've been a public servant and that's something I think a judge has to bear in mind, that that courtroom doesn't belong to the judge, that courtroom belongs to the people.

And as far as temperament is concerned, I think that's another important aspect of temperament is to know, is to bear in mind that you are the servant of the people. And I think that was -- I think that bit of humility is very important in a day-to-day renderings of a judge or goings on of a judge.

But as far as my experience with the Department of Social services, I have made a -- I made conscious decision to stay there because it afforded me so much exposure to so many areas of law. I have been the chief litigator for the Child Support Program. And I've spent countless hours in the courtroom and I loved the courtroom. I'm very comfortable there.

Also in prosecuting child support cases, it's -- I've had the fortune, the good fortune of dealing with the other ancillary issues which arise in Family Court as far as visitation and custody and the interpretation of divorce decrees and in deciding how much child support should be paid, of course, we must look at all of the issues and that sort of thing, what is available, what assets or what income is available. So I've had a very broad exposure to many aspects of Family Court. I am a pro bono attorney and, in fact, I'm handling a divorce case right now on behalf of a client.
Q. You say you have exposure to these areas. Do you have experience in some of these areas, like adoption? I mean have you handled adoption cases?
A. I have not handled an adoption, no. I have not done that.
Q. Have you handled a termination of parental rights?

| Printed Page 5230, Apr. 28 | Printed Page 5250, Apr. 28 |
Page Finder Index