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Kirby D. Shealy III

Partner

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Columbia
P: 803.212.4966

Some clients who come to me think that what they want is a fire-breathing dragon – a scorcher in the courtroom.  What I tell them is that often a fire-breathing dragon makes small problems into bigger, more expensive problems.  I always say, “Let’s look at what you want to achieve – and go from there."

Primary Practice:

Kirby D. Shealy III is an experienced trial lawyer, having tried more than 50 cases, bench and jury, in both state and federal courts in South Carolina. He has handled more than 25 appeals before the appellate courts of South Carolina, serving as lead counsel in nearly all of them.  Kirby has represented clients in a variety of types of cases, including commercial contract, copyright and trademark infringement, construction defect, products liability, title defect and catastrophic injury and death claims against trucking, manufacturing and other commercial enterprises.

He has handled multiple cases involving the liability of directors and officers of corporate entities, has advised such entities regarding governance issues and has advised on multiple matters involving breach of fiduciary duty, unfair trade practices and fraud. In addition, Kirby has worked closely with charter schools on governance issues and on advising students, teachers and administrators on school discipline and employment matters.

“ I do think there are far too few lawyers who are really good listeners. We really need to be listening before we start spouting our wisdom. ”

Education

  • University of South Carolina School of Law, J.D., 1996
  • Davidson College, B.A., 1993

Bar Admissions

  • South Carolina

Court Admissions

  • South Carolina
  • United States District Court, District of South Carolina
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Community Involvement

In the community, Kirby is currently the Secretary of Thompson Child and Family Focus.  He also serves as a trustee of Heathwood Hall Episcopal School and is the chancellor of the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina.  He is also the  Scoutmaster for Troop 8 of the Indian Waters Council, BSA.

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Areas of Practice

Acknowledgements

  • AV® Peer Review Rated - Martindale-Hubbell
  • Best Lawyers® - Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
  • Gold Compleat Lawyer Award, University of South Carolina School of Law Alumni Council, 2015
  • Anne Thornhill Weston Award, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, 2016
  • Legal Elite of the Midlands, Columbia Business Monthly, 2016-2017
  • South Carolina Bar Mentor of the Year, 2017
  • Richland County Bar Association Civic Star Award, 2017

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

Kirby is an active member of several professional organizations, including the South Carolina chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, of which he is the president-elect. He is a past-president of the John Belton O’Neall Inn of Court, an organization of lawyers and judges whose mission is to promote the highest standards of civility, professionalism and competency in the legal profession. He also serves as the Chair of the South Carolina Supreme Court’s Committee on Character and Fitness, which is charged with determining the suitability of applicants to the South Carolina Bar.

South Carolina Bar

South Carolina Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness

Richland County Bar Association

Defense Research Institute

John Belton O'Neall Inn of Court

Leadership Columbia, 2007

American Board of Trial Advocates

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