John C. Land, III

John C. Land III has been working to improve the lives of South Carolinians for decades, compiling a record of public service as both lawyer and lawmaker.

A lifelong resident of Manning, John returned to his hometown after receiving his juris doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1968, launching a law practice that has continued to this day. Always interested in politics and state government, John became secretary of the South Carolina Democratic Party that same year, and six years later was elected to the state House of Representatives. In 1977, he won his first election to the state Senate and has held onto that seat ever since, earning him the title of senior legislator in the South Carolina Statehouse.

Among his many legislative accomplishments, John counts the state's passage of mandatory-seatbelt and automobile child-restraint laws as among his proudest moments. He also has had an impact on a variety of measures to improve education in South Carolina.

"My motivation when I got into public service was to improve the quality of K-12 education, as well as higher education, and I think we have done that," he says.

His longtime commitment to public service has earned him recognition from several professional organizations. In 1996, he received the Compleat Lawyer Award from the South Carolina School of Law Alumni Association for outstanding civic and professional accomplishments, and in 2011 he earned the South Carolina Association for Justice's Founders Award. He has also received honorary degrees from the University of South Carolina, the College of Charleston, Francis Marion University and The Citadel.