Jefferson Coulter serves as the Director of Pro Bono, Public Interest, & Community Engagement at the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law, where he brings a wealth of experience in poverty law, civil legal aid, and community advocacy. His leadership in legal education emphasizes practical skills and a commitment to addressing systemic inequities through access to justice. Coulter’s extensive background includes managing legal services across diverse regions, fostering pro bono partnerships, and developing innovative programs to serve marginalized communities. His work bridges academic scholarship and real-world impact, inspiring students to engage in public interest law.

Before joining USC, Coulter held significant roles, including Executive Director of the Legal Aid Society in Louisville, Kentucky, where he expanded client access across a 15-county region, opened new offices, and strengthened ties with law firms and law schools for pro bono initiatives. At the Northwest Justice Project in Seattle, he served as Statewide Advocacy Counsel and Managing Attorney, leading efforts to improve outcomes in housing, employment, and criminal justice, including the establishment of the Health Justice Initiative, a medical-legal partnership in Spokane.

Coulter’s academic journey includes a Juris Doctor from Gonzaga University School of Law, a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Eastern Washington University, and a Bachelor of Arts from West Virginia University. As an Adjunct Professor at Gonzaga, he taught Poverty Law, mentoring students in advocacy for low-income communities. Admitted to the Kentucky and Washington State Bars, Coulter is also conversant in French and Spanish. At USC, he oversees the Pro Bono Program, reinforcing the law school’s commitment to access to justice and community engagement.