Stephen, PLW’s Managing Partner, has always been competitive — first in sports, then in law school trial competitions, and most decidedly in professional practice. For almost as long, he’s felt a calling to make a difference in people’s lives. Being a trial lawyer is an ideal outlet for his competitiveness and his compassion. He represents people whose voices must be heard and whose stories must be told.
For more than 35 years, Stephen has successfully represented clients in jury trials throughout the Upstate of South Carolina. Intent on providing unmatched representation, he continually studies the fine points of personal injury, business, and related litigation strategy. His client-focused, listen-first approach and litigation experience have resulted in verdicts and settlements worth millions of dollars.
University of South Carolina; University of South Carolina School of Law
Born in Rock Hill, SC, Stephen earned a Bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of South Carolina. He developed his love of the courtroom as a member of the University of South Carolina Law School Trial Competition Team, winning the Law School competition and moving on to compete in the National Trial Competition. Stephen was admitted in 1989 to the South Carolina courts and the federal District Court for the District of South Carolina. In 1990, he added the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to his admissions. A small sampling of Stephen’s professional associations includes:
National Trial Lawyers Top 100
American and South Carolina Associations for Justice
The Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
Likewise, Stephen’s inclusion on national and statewide Super/Best/Elite Lawyers lists is extensive.
Stephen believes strongly in giving back to local, state, and global communities. That commitment has been reflected in his participation with church youth group mission trips and in his lifelong service to Palmetto Boys State, a leadership program sponsored by the American Legion.
Boys State Alum and Former Director
Early each summer, more than 1,000 high school students from throughout South Carolina come to the Anderson College campus for a week. They become citizens of Palmetto Boys State, where they learn about government and politics by participating in a mock governmental system. They also get to know other teens from entirely different walks of life.
“We try to instill in them the values that we believe are important in good leadership,” Stephen says. He’s been involved with the organization for 41 years and was the Director for 17 years. Stephen attended the program himself as a teen in 1981.4
Practice Areas
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State: South Carolina
Acquired: 1989
No misconduct found
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2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
N/A
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
1900 - Present
Member, Patrick, Lewis, & Watts, P.A.
1989
JD
1986
BA
