Steve is a proven litigator with first-chair jury trial experience, and regularly practices in South Carolina state and federal courts. He focuses his practice in the areas of civil and construction litigation, probate litigation, estate administration, and estate planning. Before joining Hamilton Martens, Steve practiced for three years with a general practice law firm in York, South Carolina, where he represented individual clients and small businesses in various civil and probate litigation matters, as well as provided legal advice and counsel on various transactional matters in the areas of estate administration, estate planning, and business formation. In addition to his experience in private practice, Steve also has experience in administrative law. Shortly after being admitted to the South Carolina Bar, Steve began working as a Hearing Officer for the South Carolina Department of Social Services, a position that he held for nearly a year and a half and in which he adjudicated more than 500 administrative matters.
Steve is licensed to practice law in all state and federal courts of South Carolina. He is also admitted to practice in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. Steve was sworn in and admitted to the United States Supreme Court Bar in March 2019 by Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr.
Steve received his Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Wake Forest University and his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the Charlotte School of Law. Steve graduated in the Top 6 percent of his law school class, and during his last semester of law school, served as a federal judicial extern in the Chambers of Chief United States District Judge Frank D. Whitney of the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.
Community Involvement:
South Carolina Bar House of Delegates, July 2021 – Present
York County Bar Association, Treasurer (2020 – 2021 Term); Vice President (2021 – 2022 Term)
SC VALOR Veterans Legal Clinic, Attorney Volunteer
Probate Court 201 & 301: Sun City Carolina Lakes, Attorney Speaker
“For the Times They are A-Changin’”: The New World of Guardianships and Conservatorships in South Carolina, Attorney Panelist: Fees for A.I.I.’s Counsel and Guardians ad Litem in Adult Guardianship and Conservatorship Proceedings
Law School for Non-Lawyers (sponsored by the South Carolina Bar), Attorney Speaker (taught the South Carolina Wills, Estates, and Probate seminar of the Program)
Steve is my warrior. He helped me though everything. He kept me informed, gave me wonderful advice, and he fought hard for me. He was my security for five plus years. He made me laugh when I was worri...
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