--- title: "Karen F. Ballenger | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/karen-f-ballenger-family-court-judge-south-carolina-family-court-circuit-10-sc" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Karen F. Ballenger South Carolina Family Court, Circuit 10 · Family Court Judge ## Profile - Court: South Carolina Family Court, Circuit 10 - State: South Carolina - Role: Family Court Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-27 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - She then held the role of a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Carol Connor and later for the Honorable William H. Ballenger, Jr., in the Tenth Judicial Circuit - She has also held the role of an attorney for the Oconee County Juvenile Drug Court and participates in various legal and civic organizations - She subsequently became a partner and principal at Ballenger, Fedder, Cain & Norton, LLP, and immediately prior to her judicial appointment, she was a partner at Norton & Ballenger in Walhalla, South Carolina ### Education - Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of South Carolina and a Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1987 ### Additional information - Elected by the South Carolina General Assembly on May 23, 2012, to fill the unexpired term of the Honorable Timothy M. Cain. - Following her clerkships, she returned to private practice, joining Ross, Stoudemire and Awde, P.A. in Seneca, South Carolina, and became a partner in 1992. - After law school, Judge Ballenger began her career at Kennedy, Price & Dial in Columbia, South Carolina. - Judge Ballenger has one daughter, Courtney, who attended the College of Charleston Judge Karen F. Ballenger’s career reflects extensive experience in both private practice and judicial service, with a focus on family law and community involvement - Judge Karen Fowler Ballenger was born in Mullins, South Carolina, to Sara Geraldine Fowler and the late R.M. Fowler, Jr. - Judge Ballenger is a member of the South Carolina Bar and the Oconee County Bar. - Birth place: Mullins, South Carolina ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### recording broadcasting photography Scope: statewide South Carolina Rule 605 generally prohibits courtroom broadcasting, televising, recording, and photography unless an exception or presiding-judge authorization applies. Evidence excerpt: the broadcasting, televising, recording, or taking photographs in the courtroom and areas immediately adjacent thereto during sessions of court or recesses between sessions is prohibited [South Carolina Appellate Court Rule 605: Broadcasting, Televising, Recording or Photographing Court Proceedings](https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-605/) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### electronic evidence presentation Scope: statewide South Carolina Rule 605 permits the presiding judge to authorize electronic or photographic means for evidence presentation, record preservation, or judicial administration. Evidence excerpt: A presiding judge may authorize the use of electronic or photographic means for the presentation of evidence [South Carolina Appellate Court Rule 605: Broadcasting, Televising, Recording or Photographing Court Proceedings](https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-605/) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### media coverage notice Scope: statewide South Carolina Rule 605 requires media representatives to give reasonable notice to the presiding judge when requesting courtroom coverage. Evidence excerpt: Media representatives must give reasonable notice to the presiding judge of a request to cover a proceeding. [South Carolina Appellate Court Rule 605: Broadcasting, Televising, Recording or Photographing Court Proceedings](https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-605/) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote communication technology Scope: statewide South Carolina Rule 612 authorizes the Supreme Court to provide by order for courts to use remote communication technology for proceedings. Evidence excerpt: the Supreme Court of South Carolina may provide for the use of remote communication technology by the courts of this State to conduct proceedings [South Carolina Appellate Court Rule 612: Use of Remote Communication Technology](https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-612/) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### virtual and in person recording Scope: statewide South Carolina's statewide order prohibits photographing, recording, or streaming live, virtual, or broadcasted court proceedings unless the presiding judge specifically authorizes it under Rule 605. Evidence excerpt: taking still photographs, recording (visual or audio), or streaming of any live, virtual, or subsequently broadcasted court proceeding is strictly prohibited unless specifically authorized by the presiding judge pursuant to Rule 605 [Supreme Court of South Carolina Order: Recording of In-Person or Virtual Court Proceedings](https://www.sccourts.org/courtOrders/displayOrder.cfm?orderNo=2020-09-28-01) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/family-court/judges/karen-f-ballenger/) - [Official roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/family-court/judges/karen-f-ballenger/) - [South Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/family-court/judges/karen-f-ballenger/) - [South Carolina Appellate Court Rule 605: Broadcasting, Televising, Recording or Photographing Court Proceedings](https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-605/) - [South Carolina Appellate Court Rule 612: Use of Remote Communication Technology](https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-612/) - [Supreme Court of South Carolina Order: Recording of In-Person or Virtual Court Proceedings](https://www.sccourts.org/courtOrders/displayOrder.cfm?orderNo=2020-09-28-01) - [Official biography source for Karen F. Ballenger](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/trial-courts/family-court/judges/karen-f-ballenger) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/karen-f-ballenger-family-court-judge-south-carolina-family-court-circuit-10-sc", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/karen-f-ballenger-family-court-judge-south-carolina-family-court-circuit-10-sc", "name": "Karen F. Ballenger | KnowJudges", "description": "Karen F. Ballenger, South Carolina Family Court, Circuit 10. 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