Louis "Tripp" Hutto has been named to the position of Staff Attorney within the Office of University Counsel at Coastal Carolina University. His duties will include serving as a legal officer of the institution, managing and performing legal reviews on contracts, as well as performing legal reviews of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. He will also assist CCU's university counsel and associate university counsel in rendering legal advice to the institution.

He has served CCU as assistant director of residency in the Office of Admissions for the past three years, and is a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA).

"Tripp is an excellent fit within the Office of University Counsel," said Timothy Meacham, CCU's university counsel. "His prior experience in rendering determinations based upon interpretations of residency regulations will serve him well in his new position within the office. This is excellent prior experience for our type of work."

Katherine Brooks, associate university counsel, said, "We are excited that Tripp has joined the Office of University Counsel as staff attorney. He is a talented attorney, and he comes to our office with great institutional knowledge."

Prior to working at CCU, Hutto was in private practice for more than 20 years, serving as shareholder for six years, with a primary focus in the areas of estate planning, probate administration, residential and commercial real estate, and business organization.

Hutto earned a bachelor's degree in history from Wofford College, a master's degree in business from Webster University, a juris doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law, and an LL.M. in taxation from New York University School of Law.

He is a member of the South Carolina Bar Association.