Columbia, SC…On May 2, Mary Christine “Tena” Hardee was promoted to general counsel for the South Carolina Department of Children’s Advocacy.  In this position, she provides legal counsel for the agency and also oversees the System Improvement Division, encompassing the Investigations and Critical Investigations units, which is primarily responsible for ensuring children receive adequate protection and care from child-serving agencies.

“Tena has a wealth of experience in the field of child and family law and has a passion for helping children who have been neglected and abused,” says LaDara Depugh, DCA chief of staff and acting state child advocate.  “She has already been an incredible asset to this agency, and I look forward to working with her in this new capacity as we seek to positively impact the children of South Carolina, especially those who are in the care of the state.”

Hardee had previously served as general counsel for the Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program since March 2021. Before that, she worked at the Children’s Law Center at the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law, where she served as a part-time resource attorney for 14 years.  As part of her Law Center duties, she regularly developed and provided training for guardians ad litem, their contract attorneys, and other child-serving professionals.  She also maintained a private family law practice for 15 years and is a former board member for the Friends of the Metropolitan Children’s Advocacy Center. 

Hardee earned both her law degree and her bachelor’s in political science from the University of South Carolina. She and her husband, Mark, live in Columbia and share three adult children.

“I am passionate about the mission of the Department of Children's Advocacy and look forward to working to improve outcomes for children in this new role,” says Hardee.

About the Department of Children’s Advocacy
The South Carolina Department of Children’s Advocacy’s mission is to champion advocacy, accountability, and service to improve outcomes for children served by state agencies in South Carolina. The DCA is an independent state agency which administers the Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program, Continuum of Care, Foster Care Review Division, and System Improvement Division.