Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
A Williston native has been appointed to fill a new judicial seat.
On June 20, Martha Rivers Davisson was sworn in as the Second Judicial Circuit’s second judge during a ceremony at the Aiken County Judicial Center. She was appointed by lawmakers on April 17 to the newly created seat that covers Barnwell, Aiken and Bamberg counties.
Davisson said it is a “great honor” to serve as a judge, something she’s wanted to do since clerking for a judge right after law school.
“I always thought it would be an honor and a great way to serve,” she said.
The South Carolina General Assembly created the Second Judicial Circuit seat in 2022 along with seats in the Ninth (Charleston and Berkeley counties), 14th (Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, Colleton and Allendale counties) and 15th (Horry and Georgetown counties) Judicial Circuits.
Prior to this, the circuit only had one judge, Courtney Clyburn-Pope, but the new seat was created based on population.
“We all recognize the backlog in cases with Covid which slowed down a lot of procedures,” said Davisson.
After learning of the position, Davisson applied and went through a vetting process with the S.C. Bar, a citizens committee, and the Judicial Merit Selection Committee. She then had a hearing before the committee before meeting with legislators who then voted.
S.C. Rep. Bill Taylor of House District 86, which covers Aiken and Lexington counties, called Davisson “very competent and respected.”
For the past 20 years, Davisson has operated the Rivers Law Firm with offices in Williston and Aiken. She and her team helped clients with personal injury, family law, probate, real estate, and criminal matters.
The offices closed in May after she was appointed to the judicial seat.
“I thank everybody who trusted me in that manner to assist them,” she said.
She now looks forward to continuing to provide quality service in her new role. She credits her commitment to service and her values to her parents, Mary and the late Tommy Rivers.
“I have wonderful parents who have always been very involved in the community. They have always sought to better the community,” said Davisson.
Her father served on Williston school board, Williston Town Council, and later as mayor of the Town of Williston. He sought to solve any conflicts people had by staying level-headed, respectful and fair.
“My dad always pressed upon me that you take your blessings, but recognize there are others who aren’t as fortunate as you and that you should assist any way you can,” she said.
She plans to “remember those lessons” as she takes the bench to preside over various legal cases.
“You have to remember that this is important to that individual and you need to treat that with respect. Keep in mind everyone is coming from a different perspective. Even if you don’t agree, you must be respectful,” said Davisson.
This is important for any judge or attorney, butespecially those in small towns like those in the Second Judicial Circuit.
Davisson has already started working and will spend her first few months touring the state to “see how they do things and learn from other judges so I can understand the courtroom procedure from this perspective,” she said.
Though her role has changed, her commitment to legal excellence has not.
