Charleston School of Law takes what could be a step toward sale

CHARLESTON— The Charleston School of Law has entered a management agreement with a company that operates three other law schools, a contract that could be the first step in selling the school.

The Infilaw System is comprised of Charlotte School of Law, the Florida Coastal School of Law and the Phoenix School of Law.

The Charleston School of Law issued a statement that said the alliance with InfiLaw System gives the school “access to pioneering programs and tools that will help it provide students with excellence in teaching, strong faculty relationships as well as opportunities for public service and community involvement.”

Spokesman Andy Brack said he could not talk about the future of the school for regulatory reasons.

But Alex Sanders, a former judge, state lawmaker and College of Charleston president who was one of the founders of the Charleston school, said he is no longer on the school’s board or a co-owner.

The Charleston School of Law, which opened in 2004, is one of two law schools in the state. The other is at the University of South Carolina.

Sanders said he didn’t know if the school would ultimately be sold but said “to sell a law school is a complicated thing. It could take months or years. It is not like selling a loaf of bread.”

The Charleston School of Law has about 600 students and tuition for the 2013-14 school year is about $38,000.

The Infilaw System website says it is a consortium of independent law schools. The only thing on the site on Friday morning said that an important announcement was coming soon and to check back later.