Karen E. Lear, J.D.

Senior Instructor
Department of Retailing
College of Hospitality, Sport and Retail Management

Education
J.D., University of South Carolina School of Law, Columbia, SC
B.A., Coker College, Hartsville, SC

Research Interests
Counterfeit and luxury fashion products
Internet issues for employers
Celebrities in retail advertising

Awards and Honors

• Finalist, Harry E. Varney Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award, Columbia, South Carolina (2008)
• Co-chair, Coker College Board of Trustees, Hartsville, South Carolina (2007 – present)
• Chair, Coker College Alumni Association, Hartsville, South Carolina (2005 – 07)
• Pro Bono Service Award, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (2000)
• Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, Hartsville, South Carolina (1998)

Biography
Ms. Lear has been an instructor in the Department of Retailing at the University of South Carolina since 2006. She teaches in the areas of business law and personnel management, and was a 2008 finalist for the Harry E. Varney Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award. In addition, she sits on the University’s Committee on Intellectual Property and chairs the College of HRSM’s Alumni Committee.

Professor Lear’s research focuses on employment-related and other legal issues affecting retailers. She has presented papers for various conferences, including the Association of Marketing Theory and Practice, the International Conference on Sport and Entertainment Business, and the International Conference on Cybernetics and Information Technologies, Systems and Applications. She was a reviewer for the 2008 Conference of the Association of Marketing Theory and Practice, and will be published in an upcoming special edition of the International Journal of Retail and Distribution Management. She is a member of the South Carolina Bar Association’s Law-Related Education Committee, and writes and speaks on issues relating to public education.

Prior to arriving at USC, Ms. Lear practiced law with Duff, White and Turner, L.L.C., a Columbia, S.C. firm that serves public school districts and colleges across the state. She remains affiliated with the firm as “of counsel.” Before attending law school, Professor Lear worked in retail management, including roles as a merchandise coordinator, human resources manager, and corporate trainer. She earned her Juris Doctor Degree in 2000 from the University of South Carolina School of Law. Ms. Lear is co-chair of Coker College’s Board of Trustees, and a member of the South Carolina Bar Association, Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity, and the Columbia area chapter of Women in Philanthropy.

Publications
Lear, K. E., Runyan, R. C., & Whitaker, W. H. (2007). Sports celebrity endorsements and retailing: A content analysis, International Journal of Retail and Distribution Management, forthcoming.

Presentations
“Purchasing Fakes Online: Legal Analysis, Public Policy Issues, and Industry Response” presented in March 2008 at the Association of Marketing Theory and Practice 2008 Conference, Savannah, Georgia. Refereed.

“Sports Celebrity Endorsements in Retail Products Advertising,” presented in November 2007 at the International Conference on Sport and Entertainment Business, Columbia, South Carolina. Refereed.

“To Seek or Not to Seek: Should Employers Use Information from the Internet when Making Employment Decisions?” presented in July 2007 at the 4th International Conference on Cybernetics and Information Technologies, Systems and Applications, Orlando, Florida. Refereed.

“Copyright Law,” presented in June 2008 at the South Carolina Bar’s Law for South Carolina Teachers seminar, Columbia, S.C.

“Title IX,” presented in June 2008 at the South Carolina Bar’s Law for South Carolina Teachers seminar, Columbia, S.C.

Professional Affiliations

• International Council of Shopping Centers - Member
• International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition - Member
• International Textile and Apparel Association - Member
• South Carolina Bar Association - Member
• Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity - Member 

Consulting

• Interim legal counsel, 2006, (pro bono), Coker College, Hartsville, S.C.
• Member, Committee on Law Related Education, S.C. Bar Association • Lucas, Mindy, “Change in Latitude? Change in Attitude,” Free Times Style insert, March 7, 2007, pp. 4 -7.
• Lucas, Mindy, “Who’s Driving the Market Anyway?” Free Times Style insert, March 7, 2007, pp. 4 -7.
• Lucas, Mindy, “The Latest Rule of Fashion? There Are No Rules,” Free Times Style insert, Oct. 18, 2006, pp. 44 – 45.

E-mail: klear@sc.edu
Office: 1018B Carolina Coliseum
Phone: (803)-777-5216
Fax: (803)-777-4357

Courses Taught:

• TSTM 240 – Business Law
• RETL 268 – Principles of Fashion Merchandising
• RETL 344 – Personnel Organization and Supervision
• RETL 363 – Textiles for Retailers
• RETL 368 – Fashion Product Analysis
• RETL 399 – International Trade for Retailers
• RETL 525 – Law for Retailers