--- title: "Stephanie P. McDonald | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/stephanie-p-mcdonald-judge-south-carolina-court-of-appeals-sc" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Stephanie P. McDonald South Carolina Court of Appeals · Judge ## Profile - Court: South Carolina Court of Appeals - State: South Carolina - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-27 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - 2014–present: Judge, South Carolina Court of Appeals, Seat 7 - Stephanie Myrick Pendarvis McDonald is a judge on the South Carolina Court of Appeals, elected by the South Carolina General Assembly on May 28, 2014 to fill the seat vacated by the retirement of Hon - 2011–2014: At‐large judge, South Carolina Circuit Court, Seat 9 ### Education - University of South Carolina School of Law — J.D. (1994) ### Additional information - She was re‐elected in 2020 for a term ending June 30, 2026 - After law school, McDonald worked in civil litigation at Stuckey and Senn (1994–1997). - She graduated magna cum laude in 1991, receiving the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award for leadership, scholarship, and service. - focusing on civil litigation and appellate matters in state and federal courts - South Carolina Senate Judiciary Committee — law clerk during law school - She then joined Senn, McDonald & Leinbach, LLC for 14 years - She has also served on the South Carolina Commission on Judicial Conduct and as an Attorney to Assist Disciplinary Counsel - Born in Columbia, SC and raised in Charleston, McDonald attended the Honors College at the University of South Carolina, where she was a Phi Beta Kappa member, President of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, and President of Carolina Cares. - American Jurisprudence Awards for Evidence and Moot Court ## 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/court-of-appeals/judges/stephanie-p-mcdonald/) - [Official roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/court-of-appeals/judges/stephanie-p-mcdonald/) - [South Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.sccourts.org/courts/court-of-appeals/judges/stephanie-p-mcdonald/) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8259/stephanie-pendarvis-mcdonald/) - [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) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8259/stephanie-pendarvis-mcdonald/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/stephanie-p-mcdonald-judge-south-carolina-court-of-appeals-sc", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/stephanie-p-mcdonald-judge-south-carolina-court-of-appeals-sc", "name": "Stephanie P. 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