Background
A Journey of Service
Monier “Mo” Abusaft is a graduate of Wofford College and Vanderbilt University Law School. At Wofford, his interest in ministry led him to graduate Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion. He was also awarded an ELI Fellowship, given to emerging leaders in ministry.
Among Mo’s many activities during college, he was a summer missionary at Camp Cedine Ministries—being recognized as Cedine’s Missionary of the Year in 2007. He also served as President of his beloved fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc., and was a member of the Wofford College Football team.
Monier has never stopped fighting for the community that raised him. As an attorney, he fights for the rights of those without a voice, delivering justice for the wrongfully accused and challenging a broken criminal justice system. On County Council, he has stood up for us: delivering millions of funding to our community, creating new jobs, rebuilding neighborhoods, bringing new investment into the district, and supporting small and minority-owned businesses. Monier has also led the fight for us: taking down the Confederate flag off of I-85, and leading the effort to remove corrupt Sheriff Chuck Wright from office.
Education & Career
A Journey of Service
Legal Career
After earning his Juris Doctorate from Vanderbilt, he returned to Spartanburg to be State Circuit Court Judge J. Mark Hayes’s law clerk. Mo then joined the staff of then Chief Justice Costa Pleicones at the South Carolina Supreme Court.
After leaving the office of the Chief Justice, Mo became a public defender in the 16th Circuit Public Defender’s Office before moving to the 7th Circuit Public Defender’s office in Spartanburg. In May 2020, Mo started the Law Office of Mo Abusaft where he focuses on civil rights, delivering justice and serving those too often left without a voice.
Fellowships & Appointments
Mo is the recipient of numerous fellowships and appointments. He is a graduate of the Spartanburg County Foundation’s Grassroots Leadership Development Institute, and a 2019 graduate of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce’s Minority Business Accelerator.
Mo is also a proud 2022 graduate of the South Carolina Democratic Party’s James E. Clyburn Political Fellowship. He is currently progressing through the American Association for Justice’s Leadership Academy and serves on the South Carolina Association for Justice’s Board of Governors as the Co-Chair of the Civil Rights Section.
Community
Community Involvement
Beyond his professional career, Mo is involved in multiple nonprofits and ministries. He is the former President of the Spartanburg Branch of the NAACP. Along with his work with the NAACP, Mo is the Board Chairman of Spartanburg Juneteenth Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization responsible for Spartanburg Juneteenth—a festival celebrating the history and achievements of African Americans.
He also serves his church community as the General Counsel for the historic Mt. Moriah Baptist Church on Spartanburg’s Southside.
Public Office
Serving Spartanburg
Mo comes from a politically engaged family and on January 1, 2021, took office as Spartanburg County Council representative. He represents 55,000 Spartanburg Citizens on Spartanburg’s Southside, Northside, Una, Arkwright, portions of Moore, and portions of Roebuck.
Personal
Life Beyond Politics
On a more personal note, Mo is a competitive barbeque enthusiast who competes in multiple barbeque competitions a year. When not participating in these activities, he enjoys spending time with his family and church community at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church.
Mo is a Proud Leader at L.H. Turner Facility Services & Construction Co.
Milestones
Timeline
Wofford College
Bachelor of Arts in Religion
Graduated Phi Beta Kappa, ELI Fellowship recipient
Vanderbilt University
Juris Doctorate
Law School graduate
Post-Law School
Legal Career Beginnings
Law clerk for Judge J. Mark Hayes, then South Carolina Supreme Court
2019
Minority Business Accelerator
Greenville Chamber of Commerce Graduate
2020
Law Office of Mo Abusaft
Started private practice serving criminal defense and personal injury clients
2021
County Council District 1
Took office as Spartanburg County Council Representative
2022
James E. Clyburn Fellowship
South Carolina Democratic Party Political Fellowship Graduate
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