Alumna Athlete Spotlight: Jenny Honeycutt, ’01

In this feature from Meredith Athletics, alumna Jenny Honeycutt, ’01, talks about her experience as a student-athlete and her accomplishments since graduating from Meredith.

Honeycutt played volleyball for Meredith College and graduated Magna Cum Laude, completing her Bachelor of Arts degree in political studies and speech communication in just three years. She continued her education at the University of South Carolina School of Law where she earned a J.D. in 2004.

Honeycutt began her career working with a statewide law firm in South Carolina, where she made partner and eventually became a small business owner co-establishing the firm Best Honeycutt, PA in 2013. Since the firm’s inception, she has earned several accolades including being named a “Legal Elite of the Lowcountry” by Charleston Business Magazine and a “Rising Star” by South Carolina Super Lawyers. Honeycutt recently served as an adjunct professor at the College of Charleston teaching business law and is an active member of the Junior League of Charleston. Honeycutt is married to Trey Honeycutt and they are the proud parents of three children, Rhame, Tanner, and Adleigh.

Meredith Athletics: How did you choose Meredith College?
Honeycutt:  “I thrived in a single gender grade/high school (Ashley Hall); for that reason, I looked exclusively at women’s colleges.  I had looked at more than a half dozen schools when my college counselor suggested Meredith.  When I arrived on campus, walked through Johnson Hall and looked at the words inscribed in the rotunda, I immediately knew I had found my college home.

Meredith Athletics: In addition to playing on the volleyball team, what other activities did you participate in while at the College?

Honeycutt: “I was an Emerging Leader scholar and participated in student government, wrote for The Meredith Herald and worked as a student assistant in the office of Dr. Jean Jackson.  In addition, I participated in all of the traditions that make Meredith unique – those that you just have to experience.”

Meredith Athletics: When did you decide you wanted to pursue a career in law and was it always your career goal to have your own firm?

Honeycutt: “I knew that I wanted to study political science and communication when I arrived at Meredith. The career services office started working with me early on a road map to achieve my goals. I learned my sophomore year that I would be able to complete my undergraduate course work in three years. I worked for the North Carolina Republican party during the 2000 Bush presidential campaign and decided that law would be the place to start if I was interested in politics.

After graduating from Meredith in 2001, I took a year off and married my high school sweetheart, Trey Honeycutt, who I dated while I attended Meredith. Just two and a half years later, I graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in December 2004. I was offered an associate position with a prominent state-wide law firm in my hometown of Charleston, South Carolina where I eventually became a partner. I had the opportunity to start my own firm with one of my colleagues, and in 2013, we formed Best Honeycutt, PA.”

Meredith Athletics: How did you choose the construction/development industry?

Honeycutt: “I started my practice as a civil defense litigator handling general insurance defense. Shortly after I began practicing, there was an opening in the construction litigation department, and I eagerly accepted the invitation to join the team. Since then, I have primarily defended small business owners in the construction industry from suits alleging construction defects. I am also a certified circuit court mediator.”

Meredith Athletics: How do you think being a student-athlete made an impact on your academic career at Meredith?

Honeycutt: “Being a student-athlete requires discipline. Since volleyball is a fall sport, I had to manage my time as soon as I began. I quickly learned how to balance my coursework with my practice and tournament schedule. Competing at the college level is intense. Coming into college and immediately being accepted by a team of peers who were at different stages in their college carrier gave me extra confidence to face the challenges of college.”

Meredith Athletics: How do you think Meredith Athletics and Meredith College prepared you for your career?

Honeycutt: “There is no doubt that participating in a team sport helped me develop the discipline I would need to balance work and family. It also enhanced the collaborative skills useful for practicing in a small law firm.”

Please consider joining Jenny Honeycutt by becoming a member of the Avenging Angels Club, the official giving society of Meredith College Athletics. By joining, you are advancing the resources of our athletic program and enhancing the experience of our student-athletes. Learn more about the Avenging Angels Club