Our team of South Carolina lawyers represents companies and individuals in litigation, appeals, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), and professional licensing matters. With offices in Columbia and Charleston, we serve clients statewide.
What makes a law firm stand out from its competition? Its lawyers? Its practice focus? Its philosophy for client representation? At Howser, Newman & Besley, LLC, we believe that each of these factors makes us unique from other law firms . With a team of lawyers whose practices are dedicated to dispute resolution, and a firm philosophy that fosters collaboration in order to produce the best possible results for our clients – we believe that our firm is uniquely structured to provide quality and cost-effective representation in our areas of practice.
Much of our practice is devoted to representing corporate clients in litigation, appeals, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR). However, we also represent individuals within our insurance coverage disputes and professional negligence practice areas. We maintain ongoing relationships with many clients who routinely seek our advice regarding pre-litigation strategies, and who regularly face legal disputes as a function of doing business in our modern society.
We are committed to providing practical and efficient legal solutions for our clients, whether that means negotiating an informal resolution before a dispute disrupts a construction project, or discretely resolving a professional negligence claim outside of the public eye. However, we also recognize that litigation is sometimes necessary, and when it is, we aggressively pursue favorable outcomes for our clients. We have taken cases to the Supreme Court of South Carolina and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. You can rest assured that if this is what it takes to protect your company’s assets or your professional reputation, we have the team, resources, and dedication required to go the distance.
Our Areas of Practice
We focus our practice in the areas of civil litigation, civil appeals, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), and professional license defense. HN&B is committed to effective and efficient representation of its clients. The Firm is founded on the principle that cost-effective, quality legal services, customized for each client’s needs, is the basis of successful legal representation. We have particular experience in the following areas.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Mediation and arbitration are cost-effective ways to resolve many different types of disputes, and South Carolina now require parties to attempt mediation in all civil matters prior to trial. The South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission requires mediation in certain cases as well. We have extensive experience in a broad range of ADR matters. In addition, a number of our attorneys are certified mediators and arbitrators, and with their extensive litigation backgrounds, they bring a practical and results-oriented approach to helping parties resolve their differences out of court.
Appellate Practice
When going to court is the only option, an appeal will often follow. If two parties are so at odds that they cannot settle their differences, at least one of them is likely to be dissatisfied with the outcome at trial. Our appellate practice includes representing clients before the South Carolina Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of South Carolina, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. We represent both new and existing clients in the appellate process – and in our trial practice, we use our appellate experience to properly preserve as many issues as possible for appeal, should it become necessary.
Construction Litigation
We represent architects, engineers, materials suppliers, builders, contractors, subcontractors, insurance companies, and other parties in construction litigation throughout South Carolina. We routinely handle cases involving breaches of contract, construction defects, insurance coverage disputes, mechanic’s liens and payment disputes, professional negligence, and defense of personal injury and workers’ compensation claims. Recognizing the risk for all parties involved if a project gets delayed due to litigation, we emphasize finding ways to settle our clients’ construction-related disputes prior to trial.
Insurance Coverage
Insurance coverage disputes can arise under a broad range of circumstances, and at Howser, Newman & Besley, LLC, we are well-positioned to represent clients in all types of coverage-related matters. We handle cases involving allegations of bad faith, breach of contract, and negligence. Furthermore, we have extensive experience using declaratory judgment actions, examinations under oath (EUOs), and other legal mechanisms and procedures to favorably resolve insurance coverage disputes for our clients as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.
Personal Injury
In our personal injury practice, we represent companies and individuals in cases involving negligence, auto accidents, premises-related accidents, and accidents involving dangerous and defective products. While we do work to settle these cases when appropriate, we will not hesitate to go to court to represent our clients and their rights.
Professional Negligence
Allegations of professional negligence can have far-reaching implications. When facing a claim, disciplinary proceeding, or ethics investigation, it is imperative to take a proactive approach to executing a strategic defense. We represent architects, accountants, attorneys, engineers, and real estate agents/brokers in civil litigation involving allegations of professional negligence. We have significant experience in ethics and disciplinary matters involving the South Carolina State Bar Association, the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (DLLR), and DLLR’s various professional licensing boards.
Workers’ Compensation
We represent employers throughout South Carolina in investigating and defending against workers’ compensation claims. Despite the “no-fault” nature of South Carolina’s workers’ compensation system, there are still numerous potential defenses to employees’ claims for benefits. From the initial determination of liability to mediation and workers’ compensation appeals, our attorneys provide practical, legally-sound advice at every stage of the process.
Answers to FAQs
Q: Where are your firm’s offices located?
Our firm has two office locations, one in Columbia and one in Charleston. Our main office in Columbia is located downtown at 1508 Washington Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Our Charleston office is downtown near the historic Charleston Market and Waterfront Park, at 215 East Bay St., Suite 303, Charleston, SC 29401.
Q: How long has your firm been in business?
We opened our doors in 1996. Since then, our practice has expanded to two offices, and we have a team of professional staff members who are dedicated to providing the highest-quality service to our clients.
Q: Is your firm rated on Martindale-Hubbell®?
Yes, our firm is Peer Rated on Martindale-Hubbell®, and several of our attorneys have AV Preeminent® ratings. According to Martindale-Hubbell®, “This rating signifies that a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.”
In addition, our firm has been recognized by Best Lawyers, a publication of U.S. News & World Report, as one of the “Best Law Firms” for 2018. Several of our attorneys have received recognition from Best Lawyers for their experience in construction law, personal injury litigation, and product liability litigation as well.
Q: In which courts are your attorneys admitted to practice?
Our team includes attorneys who are admitted to practice in all state courts in South Carolina and the federal courts with jurisdiction over matters arising in South Carolina. We also represent clients in mediation and arbitration proceedings throughout the state. Our attorneys are able to represent clients in:
- South Carolina Circuit Court (all counties)
- South Carolina Court of Appeals
- Supreme Court of South Carolina
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- Additionally, several of our attorneys are admitted in other jurisdictions
Q: What is your firm’s approach to client communication?
We believe that client communication is of the utmost importance. We will keep you fully informed about the status of your case, and we will work closely with you to make strategic decisions with your immediate and long-term interests in mind. If you have information, thoughts, or questions, we want to hear from you. While we care deeply about the results we obtain for our clients, ultimately it is your case, and we want to make sure you are satisfied with the process and the final outcome.
Contact Howser, Newman & Besley, LLC
If you are facing a potential legal dispute or have questions and would like to speak with one of our attorneys, we encourage you to get in touch. You can reach our Columbia office at (866) 207-6209 or our Charleston office at (877) 216-6970, or you can send an email to one of our attorneys directly.
