Originally published in the September 2017 edition of South Carolina Lawyer magazine (pages 9,12). Lawyers Helping Lawyers By Henry Deneen There are interesting parallels between the SC Rules of Professional Conduct and the principles of Emotional Intelligence (EI). In the November 2016 issue of this magazine, I wrote about ways our EI can be improved with resulting […]
News
“SC Flood Insurance”
Columbia’s CBS affiliate WLTX News 19 called on J.R. Murphy on August 31, 2017 in reporting on the damage left behind in Texas by hurricane Harvey. The morning news team interviewed Murphy regarding insurance coverage and risk reduction. He reminded viewers that flooding is not covered by standard homeowner policies. J.R. Murphy is the the managing shareholder […]
Plan for Success: Mediation Strategies
M&G shareholder Anthony Livoti moderated a discussion at the annual meeting of the International Association of Defense Counsel in Quebec on July 11. Attorneys Bruce McIntosh and Erik Snapp joined Livoti for the session entitled “Plan for Success: Mediation Strategies.” Mediation is a topic Livoti loves to write about and discuss. An excerpt from an […]
Mediation in South Carolina: Process is Confidential; Results are Not
Appeals Court rules mediated settlements are subject to disclosure & setoff With lawyer advertising filling the airwaves, it seems litigation is everywhere and that our courts are crammed with parties trying their cases to juries. However, the reality is that fewer and fewer cases are being tried to a jury and more and more cases […]
Key Ruling on Reservation of Rights in South Carolina
High Court affirms strict requirements The South Carolina Supreme Court has issued a final ruling in a case that is significant for every liability insurer, and particularly for those that insure residential building contractors and subcontractors. The court’s July 26th opinion in Harleysville Group Insurance v. Heritage Communities, Inc. is significant because it changes prior […]
S.C. Supreme Court Continues Pattern of Deference to Legislature
Over the past few months, the South Carolina Supreme Court has issued a string of cases providing clarification on long-unresolved issues. The Cases In April, the Supreme Court issued two decisions interpreting the Contribution Among Tortfeasors Act. In the first decision, the Court answered questions regarding a product liability defendant’s ability to argue a plaintiff’s […]
Murphy & Grantland Attorney Joins Department of Revenue
Jason Luther Becomes a General Counsel for State Agency Columbia –The South Carolina Department of Revenue has hired Jason P. Luther as General Counsel for Litigation. Luther had been practicing civil defense as an associate with Murphy & Grantland since 2012. “We’ll miss Jason and his outstanding work for our clients,” said shareholder Ron Diegel. […]
M&G attorneys Recognized in Publication from South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association
The new edition of The DefenseLine, a publication of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association, contains notable recognition for two Murphy & Grantland attorneys. On cover of the Spring 2017 edition (Volume 45 Number 1), M&G shareholder Anthony Livoti is pictured with the group’s new officers. Livoti is the President-Elect. Additionally, Elizabeth M. McMillan […]
Legal Assistance for Survivors of Trafficking (LAST) CLE
The following is an invitation from the Greenville County Bar Association. M&G attorney Elliott Daniels, a member of the S.C. Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Task Force, is on the faculty for the program. The Greenville Bar Association is partnering with the Federal Bar Association to educate lawyers to represent human trafficking victims. This CLE will […]
J.R. Murphy on the Deteriorating Quality of Communication in the Law Industry
Earlier this year, J.R. Murphy spoke with the business news publication Metro Columbia CEO about the state of the legal industry in South Carolina. In a newly published video from the interview, the publication featured excerpts of J.R. remarking on how there is less civility than when his legal career began more than 20 years […]
Kerri A. Rupert Joins Murphy & Grantland
Growth continues at Columbia civil defense firm. Columbia, SC – Attorney Kerri Rupert has joined Murphy & Grantland as an associate. Rupert is the fourth attorney to join the civil defense firm since this past December (Porter, Kennedy, Walker). Rupert comes to M&G from another corporate defense firm in Columbia and previously worked as Senior […]
Quick Tips: Risk Reduction for Hurricane Season
Businesses and individuals can take steps to reduce risk from wind and rain of hurricanes and tropical systems. TREE TROUBLE: Check for dead or week limbs and trunks. If there is tree damage and insurance coverage applies, the property owner will likely be on the hook for a deductible. Businesses and individuals can be liable […]
Former Chief Justice Offers Stark Reminder of South Carolina Construction Law
Justice Jean Toal Dismisses Construction Defect Case in Charleston County A Charleston County case* involving allegations of residential construction defects has been summarily dismissed by the presiding judge. While not appellate authority at this stage, the decision has made a major impression on the legal community because in this case, the trial court judge was […]
Law Firm Boosts Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice
Attorney Ray Moore earns arbitrator certification Columbia – The South Carolina Board of Arbitrator and Mediator Certification has approved Murphy & Grantland attorney Ray Moore as an arbitrator. The certification allows Moore to act as a neutral in both kinds of alternative dispute resolution in the state: arbitration and mediation. Both are legal options that avoid […]
“Governor Haley’s History Previews Role on World Stage”
The following excerpt is from a post coauthored by Murphy & Grantland attorney Elliott Daniels on the The Global Justice Blog. The blog, from Amb. Mark P. Logan at the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, “addresses ethics, international law, and human rights in today’s fractured world.” When President-elect Trump improbably picked Nikki Haley, […]
South Carolina Supreme Court Finally Answers Hotly Debated Issue
Justices address jury fault allocation for tort claims
Attorneys Recognized by Peers: Selections to 2017 Super Lawyers® & Rising Stars
Six Murphy & Grantland attorneys are listed in the 2017 edition of South Carolina Super Lawyers® & Rising Stars. Peter E. Farr (Rising Stars) in the areas of Personal Injury – General, Nonprofit Organizations, Civil Litigation John M. Grantland (Super Lawyers®) in the area of Civil Litigation Jason Luther (Rising Stars) in the areas of Civil […]
Murphy Grantland Listed Among Largest Law Firms in S.C.
South Carolina Lawyers Weekly has listed Murphy & Grantland among the largest law firms in the Palmetto State in its article entitled “SC Largest Law Firms: New spaces, new faces.” In reporting on changes within the state’s legal industry, the newspaper reported that M&G had 21 attorneys at the time of its annual survey, making it […]
Human Trafficking Pro Bono Project
Murphy and Grantland is proud to recognize attorney Elliott Daniels for his pro bono service to victims of human trafficking. Daniels has partnered with attorneys at Moore & Van Allen to retain local counsel for survivors of trafficking in South Carolina and to present at the S.C. Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Task Force. The firm’s […]
Murphy & Grantland Celebrates 20th Anniversary
From two attorneys to law firm that employs 60 people Columbia – April 11, 2017 marks the 20th anniversary of the Murphy & Grantland law firm in Columbia. On April 11, 1997, J.R. Murphy, a former University of South Carolina soccer letterman, and John M. Grantland, a former Marine Corps Judge Advocate, set out on […]