CARR LEGAL GROUP
If there is one quote that sums up the legal philosophy of attorney Patrick Carr, it would be something he said during a discussion with this magazine on the topic of tort reform.
“People think the system is only available to the rich and powerful, but that’s never been what our civil justice system is about,” Carr said. “It’s about holding people accountable. It’s about encouraging good behavior and curbing bad behavior.”
Viewed through that lens, you can see why he fights so hard for his clients. It also underscores why tort reform is a subject that he’s so passionate about. As the principal of Carr Legal Group, he spearheads an experienced group of personal injury attorneys who have dedicated their careers to helping those who have been hurt in an accident or impacted by drunk driving.
And too often, he sees bad actors attempting to twist the system to make it harder for victims to be made whole.
“Tort reform is a hot button issue in our legislature. Sadly, the people who are promoting tort reform are doing it in a dishonest manner,” Carr said. “They tell you it will make insurance rates go down, but there’s no evidence to support that. When they make changes to our civil justice system to diminish or eliminate the remedies available to injury or death victims, who benefits from that? The wrongdoer, by not being held accountable – and their insurance companies.”
One of the proposals at hand he sees as a grave injustice is the lowering of mandatory minimum liability from $1 million down to $300,000. “If a drunk driver runs a red light and kills someone, do you think $300,000 is adequate compensation for that loss? It’s not. Even a million isn’t enough,” Carr said. “They’re going in the wrong direction; if anything, it should be increasing due to inflation.”
It is a valid point, especially in South Carolina, where drunk driving injuries and deaths are among the worst in the nation. And when someone is injured or killed by their actions, it’s a grave injustice that Carr has built his career around redressing.
“It’s about making sure that people who are harmed through no fault of their own can get just compensation for what they’ve experienced,” he said. “If you’re a client of mine, you’re going to get personal attention and diligent service. You’re going to get my 28 years of experience and the finest legal representation within the highest ethical standards.”
And you’re going to get an ally who wants to see you made whole, one who knows how to fight a system that far too often tries to keep you from getting the justice you deserve.
1 Corpus Christi Place, Unit 113 . HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC, 1917 Lovejoy Street . Beaufort, SC , (843) 738 – 2277 . carrlegal.com
Attorneys listed left to right: Manning Cathcart, Hutson S. Davis, Jr., W. Lamar Johnson II, and Barry L. Johnson
JOHNSON & DAVIS, PA
What is your area of practice?
Barry Johnson: Business and land (transactional, government permitting, litigation)
Hutson S. Davis, Jr.: Medical negligence – defense.
W. Lamar Johnson II: Complex civil litigation, real estate development and business transactions.
Manning Cathcart: I defend health care professionals in medical malpractice cases.
What is your most memorable case?
Barry Johnson: Booker vs. S.C. Highway Department (early 1970s), regarding South Carolina’s law of privilege, as related to our relatively new discovery practice in civil litigation.
Hutson S. Davis, Jr.: Representing a physician in a case with Muhammad Ali as a potential witness. I spent several hours with him.
Manning Cathcart: My first jury trial. I experienced all the highs and lows of civil litigation.
How do you avoid bringing the job home?
Barry Johnson: Trust in God through my savior, Jesus Christ.
Hutson S. Davis, Jr.: I cannot always do that. My clients may need me at odd hours. I try to stay as involved with my family as possible.
W. Lamar Johnson II: By establishing appropriate boundaries with workload so that I can fulfill my primary obligations as a husband and father.
Manning Cathcart: I have hobbies outside of the law that take my mind off of work. I also spend time with friends and family who are not lawyers.
What inspired you to become a lawyer?
Barry Johnson: The history of the founding documents of America (Declaration of Independence and the Constitution).
Hutson S. Davis, Jr.: I was on high school and college debate teams.
W. Lamar Johnson II: Seeing my Dad’s experiences and ability to help people during his career and the opportunity to work with him.
Manning Cathcart: I was inspired to become a lawyer by the challenge and responsibility that comes with the profession. I am able to push myself while helping others at the same time.
What is the most valuable thing you do for your clients?
Barry Johnson: Serve them with integrity and wisdom.
Hutson S. Davis, Jr.: Be their counsel and companion through difficult and sometimes difficult to understand legal matters.
W. Lamar Johnson II: Helping clients determine what their legal objectives are (and sometimes should be) within the context of their specific situation, be it transactional or litigation, then developing a practical strategy for accomplishing them.
Manning Cathcart: I shoulder the burden of a lawsuit and give them peace of mind.
What is something your clients would never guess about you?
Barry Johnson: My lifelong love of horses.
Hutson S. Davis, Jr.: That I have a life outside of the office and courtroom.
W. Lamar Johnson II: That listening to heavy metal music helps me focus during long sessions of document drafting.
What’s the most important tool you use?
Barry Johnson: My memory.
Hutson S. Davis, Jr.:: Understanding, empathy, and communication.
Manning Cathcart: The South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure.
What’s the last great book you read for pleasure?
Barry Johnson: “The Age of Jackson” (1945) by Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
Hutson S. Davis, Jr.: “Bonhoeffer” by Eric Metaxas.
W. Lamar Johnson II: “Studies in the Napoleonic Wars” by Sir Charles Oman.
Manning Cathcart: “Suttree” by Cormac McCarthy.
The Victoria building, Suite 200, 10 Pinckney Colony Road • bluffton, SC 29909, (843) 815 – 7121 . jd-pa.com
PRINCE LAW FIRM, PC
On her solo family law practice: “I don’t just represent ‘clients.’ I represent people.” My approach to the practice of family law is an integration of serious trial experience with compassionate understanding. Family law clients need strong, solid legal advice, but they also want to be heard. To ensure I can effectively tell each client’s “story” to the court, I dedicate myself to learning the specific details that make each person’s case different.
Emerging issues in family law practice: It is not enough to be knowledgeable about just the law. Modern family law practitioners must stay well-versed on increasingly common issues affecting their cases, such as mental illness, personality disorders, addiction, and abuse. How we present these issues in court may profoundly impact the outcome, particularly regarding child custody, which is why we often use expert witnesses to assist us.
We also often use experts to assist in presenting complex financial issues to the court. For example, many local individuals are self-employed, which poses a special set of financial issues, such as income verification and business valuations. Experience in handling complex issues and utilizing financial experts can be a crucial factor in achieving a favorable financial result in your case.
On experience: My legal career has afforded me trial experience from both sides of the bench: I started as an Assistant Solicitor and Special Gun Prosecutor for the 14th Judicial Circuit. Following that, I was in private practice as a civil and family trial attorney. Eventually, I was appointed as a Magistrate Court Judge, where I was responsible for the jury trial docket. After I finally returned to private practice, I quickly narrowed my focus exclusively to family law because that was where I felt I was making the greatest difference in my clients’ lives.
On family and home: Hilton Head has grown tremendously since the days when I could ride my moped from my father’s house in Sea Pines to the (old two-lane) bridge without the burden of the traffic we all expect today. I remember well the car dealership that used to occupy the property where my office is currently located. I love the Lowcountry, and I love practicing law in our community. My husband and I are proud to be raising our daughter here along with our three dogs: Duke, Jax, and Ozzy.
200 CENTRAL AVE . HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC 29926, (843) 681 – 9000 . bethprincelawfirm.com
BANNON LAW GROUP, LLC
The Bannon Law Group is a unicorn of law offices–litigation experience, transactional experience and fabulously good looking. From real estate closings to criminal defense, the Bannon Law Group can assist with any legal trouble you may find yourself in. Quarterbacking criminal defense is Jim Bannon, a State College, PA native who has carried his love of the Nittany Lions to the Lowcountry for the past 17 years. Handling real estate with flair is Meredith Bannon, hailing from nearly everywhere due to being an Army child. Married to both each other and their passion to serving clients, Jim and Meredith have steered the Bannon Law Group from a one room office to now three locations in Bluffton, Charleston and Pooler, Ga. Though he plays his cards close to his chest, Jim will reveal that he was a professional actor in a previous life–skills that definitely translate to jury appeal and courtroom savoir faire. Meredith is an open book and will happily tell tales of her latest travels while putting her clients at ease through the most difficult real estate transactions.
10 Westbury Parkway, UNIT A . Bluffton, SC 29910 . (843) 815 – 4505, 2201 Pooler Parkway, Ste. 200 . Pooler, GA 31322 . (912) 239 – 6610, 78 Asheley Point Dr., Suite 201 . Charleston, SC 29407 . (843) 815 – 4505
BUTLER & COLLEGE, LLC
At Butler & College, LLC, we focus our practice on helping businesses, individuals, and families with their real estate and estate planning needs in a manner that is honest, affordable, and customer oriented. Our firm has eight convenient locations stretching from Calabash, N.C. to Bluffton, S.C.
Owners Ryan Butler, Andrew College, Ashely Brown, and Frances Reindollar believe our team should be with you from contract to closing. Though many of our clients never see us except for the day they sign their closings documents, it is important to understand how much your real estate closing attorney is working for you behind the scenes. From researching your title and ensuring the closing documents have been executed, Ashley, Natalia, and the Bluffton team make sure things go smoothly on closing day.
In addition to handling real estate transactions, attorney Natalia Chandler is an experienced litigator. She can assist with minor criminal matters and family law related issues.
Tom McNutt is the estate planning attorney for the Bluffton location. He knows that no matter where are in your life’s journey, you have undoubtedly worked hard to build your personal and financial legacies. You worry about what would happen to your family if you were to become disabled or pass away. When you create an estate plan with tom, you can worry less. Butler & College offers free estate planning consultations so you will know your options and how much it will cost before you commit.
152 State Street, Suite 201 . Bluffton, SC 29910, (843) 277 – 6220 . bandclawfirm.com
