Married to my bride Leslie for 33 wonderful years w/ 4 children and 2 grandchildren. Avid sailor, boater, and fisherman. Poor golfer!
Practice areas
Civil litigation in all state and federal courts including personal injury, admiralty claims, contract disputes, products liability, wrongful death, auto accidents, boating accidents, defamation, and slander, and general litigation
37 years
Trials in state and federal courts. Boat, car, and truck injuries; wrongful death and survival; defective products; slip/trip and fall, premises liability, etc.
37 years
Salvage, Jones Act claims, collisions and allisions, vessel damage claims, boating accidents, unseaworthiness, maritime personal injury, seamen's wage claims, insurance and surveys, yacht claims, vessel contracts and documentation, charter parties
37 years
EEOC claims, wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage claims. Adjunct Professor of Business and Employment Law at University of South Carolina Beaufort
37 years
Languages spoken
English
Laughlin & Bowen, PC
Po Box 21119
Hilton Head Island, SC, 29925-1119
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
SC | Good Standing | 1982 | 12/08/2019 |
Legal answers | 118 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
Inclusion in Bar Registry | Bar Registry of Pre-eminent Lawyers | 2004 |
Av rating | Martindale Hubbel | 1990 |
Bronze Star and others for Vietnam Service | United States Army | 1971 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Partner | Laughlin & Bowen, P.C. | 1990 - Present |
Adjunct Professor | University of South Carolina and USC Beaufort | 1979 - Present |
Litigation Partner | Palmer, Brooks, Bowen & Howell | 1987 - 1990 |
Attorney | Bowen, Smoot & Laughlin | 1982 - 1987 |
Teacher and Coach | The McCallie School | 1976 - 1979 |
Field Artillery Officer | United States Army (Active & Reserve) | 1968 - 1995 |
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Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Maritime Law Association of the US | Associate Member | 2012 - Present |
South Carolina Marina Association | Member | 2009 - Present |
South Carolina Bar Association | Chair, 14th Circuit Fee Dispute Panel | 2008 - Present |
United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | Admitted to Practice | 2003 - Present |
South Eastern Admiralty Law Institute | Member | 2002 - Present |
SC Bar Conflict Resolution | Certified Mediator | 2000 - Present |
---|---|---|
The Retired Officers Association (now MOAA) | Member | 1995 - Present |
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit | Admitted to Practice | 1993 - Present |
Scottish Rite - Charleston | Member | 1992 - Present |
Masonic Lodge - Unanimity Lodge 418 | Past Master | 1990 - Present |
The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of South Carolina | Member | 1986 - Present |
South Carolina Bar | Attorney Member | 1982 - Present |
United States District Court for the District of South Carolina | Admitted to Practice | 1982 - Present |
Beaufort County Bar Association | Member,Former Vice President and Treasurer | 1982 - Present |
South Carolina Bar Association | Member Legislative Counsel Commitee | 1992 - 1994 |
South Carolina Bar Association | Member, Ethics Advisory Committee | 1989 - 1992 |
Church of the Cross, Bluffton | Vestryman | 1988 - 1991 |
Chatham Artillery | Member | 1985 - 2005 |
Hilton Head Sertoma Club | Charter Member, Past President | 1982 - 2002 |
Association of Trial Lawyers of America | Past Member | N/A |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
University of South Carolina Department of English - Masters Thesis | The Damnation of Faustus, "A Petty Case of Paltry Legacies" | 1976 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
United States Army Field Artillery School Branch Officer Advance Course | DIploma | 1983 |
University of South Carolina School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1982 |
University of South Carolina | MA - Masters | 1976 |
University of South Carolina | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1974 |
United States Army Field Artillery Officer Candidate School | Diploma | 1969 |
University of the South, Sewanee, TN | N/A | 1968 |
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Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
USCB BADM | Commercial and Employment Law | 2016 |
USCB BADM | Commercial and Employment Law | 2015 |
USCB BADM Management | Employment Law | 2014 |
USCB BADM | Business and Commercial Law | 2014 |
USCB Hospitality Management | Employment Law | 2013 |
USCB BADM | Business and Commercial Law | 2013 |
---|---|---|
USCB Hospitality Management | Employment Law | 2012 |
USCB BADM | Commercial Law - TITLE VII and Employment Law | 2012 |
SC Yacht Club Crusing Fleet | Yacht Insurance Issues and Hurricane Preparedness | 2012 |
Hilton Head Island Bar Association CLE | Recognizing Admiralty Issues for the General Practicioner | 2012 |
USCB BADM | Commercial Law | 2011 |
SC Yacht Club Cruising Fleet | Admiralty Issues for Yacht Owners | 2011 |
USCB BADM | Business and Commercial Law | 2010 |
USCB BADM | Business and Commercial Law | 2009 |
USCB BADM | Business and Commercial Law | 2008 |
USCB College of Business Administration | Commercial and Business Law | 2007 |
USCB College of Business Adminsitration | Commercial and Business Law | 2006 |
Hilton Head Island USCG Auxillary | Salvage and Towing | 2006 |
USCB College of Business Administration | Commercial and Business Law | 2005 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Orlosky v. Law Office of Jay A. Mullinax | Jury verdict of $80,000 + for Orlosky (on appeal) |
Marx v. Hilton Head Prep | settled |
DeWeerd v. SeaRay of Savannah, et al | settled |
Lucassen v. Moorsby | Settled |
Insurance Company v. Southern Dredging Company | Settled |
Eddie Flowers v. LRTA | Jury Verdict for $202,000.00 |
---|---|
Hanahan, et al v. Rhett, Delaney, et al | Settled with most defendants for mid-seven figures total, Offer of Judgment against Delaney for $400,000 accepted |
Outdoor Resorts Of America v. Billy-Bobs Marinas | Settled |
Client v. Mercury Marine | Settled |
Bailey v. Cummins Atlantic | settled |
Client v. North Myrtle Beach Marina | settled |
Client v. Aqua Splash | settled |
Client v. Daufuskie Club, Inc. | settled |
Client v. Beaufort County | settled |
Outdoor Resorts Of America v. Tug Capt George, et al | settled |
Client v. State of SC (2 cases) | Settled |
Client v. Household Intl., Inc. | Settled |
Posted by James
Mon Jul 22 2013
Posted by Robert
Tue Jun 25 2013
Julius Hines, Admiralty and maritime Attorney on Oct 30, 2017
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I have had the privilege of being opposite John Bowen on several cases and think very highly of him. He's also a friend and a person I genuinely admire.
Michael Cerrati, Intellectual property Attorney on Sep 11, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Michael Howell, Probate Attorney on Jun 24, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter
John is an excellent litigator and I can endorse him without reservation. He is a thorough and zealous advocate on behalf of his clients. Although, the bulk of my experience with John is in will, trust and probate litigation, he is also well known in general litigation matters as well as admiralty law.
Bruce Schmidt, Mediation Attorney on Jun 22, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
As a retired Circuit Court Judge, I have worked with John in his role as a mediator and as a college faculty member. John has impressed me as a person who is extremely competent, professional and trustworthy. His long term practice on Hilton Head makes him an excellent and reliable choice for representation in any of his several areas of expertise. His gentlemanly conduct and knowledge of the law establishes him as an attorney of the highest caliber. I heartily endorse his work and am pleased to have this opportunity to recognize his excellence.
Jon Austen, Mediation Attorney on Jun 19, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. John is an experienced, excellent attorney that I have worked with on many mediations. John handles personal injury cases, general litigation and admiralty claims. John's trial experience and knowledge of the system are a real asset to his clients. He is always a strong advocate for his clients and pleasure to work with.
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