On Human Trafficking Awareness Day 2018, FOX 24 in Charleston dedicated its broadcast to exploring these crimes in South Carolina. Murphy & Grantland attorney Elliott Daniels serves on the state’s Human Trafficking Task Force (2017 annual report) and represents survivors pro bono. He spoke at length with anchor Leyla Gulen. “When survivors have lawyers, they […]
News
Anthony Livoti to Lead Defense Attorneys in 2018
Livoti Installed as President of South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association Murphy & Grantland shareholder Anthony Livoti is the newly installed President of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association (SCDTAA). The installation came at the group’s 50th Annual meeting in November. Since its inception in 1968, SCDTAA has grown from a group of six […]
“The Persecution of Ting Xue”
The shareholders of Murphy & Grantland proudly support firm attorneys who give of their time to pro bono causes. A recent example is worthy of note. Tim Newton answered a call to serve from Advocates International. At a moment’s notice, Tim quickly drafted an amicus (friend of the court) brief for the United State’s Supreme […]
“Grasping for a Way Out”
The cover story in the November 8, 2017 edition of The Free Times is entitled “Grasping For A Way Out: How Heather Cook Escaped Sex Trafficking — and How Authorities Could Have Helped.” Writer David Travis Bland took an in-depth look at how “sex trafficking is hidden” and authorities have “begun to understand and combat […]
Murphy & Grantland Honored with Communications Award
Murphy & Grantland earns Palmetto Award of Excellence Columbia – The South Carolina Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators presented Murphy & Grantland with an Award of Excellence at the group’s annual Palmetto Awards show on November 2. The civil defense firm launched its “Erasing Risk” campaign in early 2017. The image-driven messaging […]
Law Firm Marketing Director Joins TFA Board in SC
Murphy & Grantland’s Kevin Floyd begins 3 year-term Columbia – Teach for America South Carolina has tabbed a veteran business communicator to join its Regional Advisory Board. Kevin Floyd, Director of Marketing and Communications at the Murphy & Grantland law firm, began his three-year term in August. Floyd is a former TV news executive producer […]
“Out-Of-Court Resolutions Gaining Favor”
Murphy & Grantland attorney Ray Moore appeared on South Carolina Business Review on September 15, 2017 to discuss alternative dispute resolution. Moore is certified as a mediator and arbitrator by the South Carolina Supreme Court’s Commission on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). The following is a description of the “Out-Of-Court Resolutions Gaining Favor” interview with Mike Switzer […]
Emotional Intelligence and the SC Rules of Professional Conduct
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 […]
“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 […]