Established in 1984, Lewis & Babcock is a law firm that specializes in handling civil, business, construction, condemnation, class action, toxic tort, professional negligence, and land use and zoning litigations. It also handles cases related to personal injury, product liability, legal and medical malpractice, and insurance, environmental and personal injury law. The firm assists landowners in contesting land acquisition issues and contract disputes before zoning board of appeals. It represents architects, engineers, suppliers, developers, contractors and subcontractors in litigations related to construction defects. The firm s attorneys are members of the American Bar Association, South Carolina Bar Association, Richland County Bar Association and American Trial Lawyers Association. Lewis & Babcock employs more than five attorneys and is located in Columbia, S.C.
From our offices in Columbia, South Carolina, we represent clients throughout the state in litigation of all matters including: Legal Malpractice, Banking Industry Misconduct, Business Litigation, Class Actions, Eminent Domain/Condemnation, Federal Criminal Defense, Products Liability, Professional Misconduct, Appellate Practice, Government Interference,
A Columbia native, Joseph joined the firm after serving at the Solicitor’s Office for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. There he prosecuted violent and non-violent cases, including financial crimes. His courtroom experience includes extensive motions and pleadings practice, and successfully obtaining jury trial convictions for animal cruelty, DUI, felony gun law violations, methamphetamine manufacturing and heroin distribution, and murder cases.
Fraud
We assist homeowners, home owners associations, and other policyholders in disputes over insurance coverage and allegations of insurance bad faith or insurance fraud.
Theft
Misdemeanors
Drug Crimes
Animal cruelty is an offense that has gained greater attention and resources in recent years, and for good reason, according to Berry. Abuse of animals frequently leads to abuse of humans, such as violence against children and spouses. It also tends to occur alongside other criminal activities, such as drug trafficking.
For example, if you, along with four partners, hired an attorney to draft corporate formation documents that were negligently drafted in manner that benefits one partner to your detriment, who did the lawyer represent? Was it all of the partners, the legal entity, or you individually? What happens if that lawyer produces a document you signed acknowledging that you were advised to seek independent legal counsel? Were you being represented in this instance and do you still have a potentially viable claim for professional malpractice? Or, what if your business partner is also an attorney who prepared the documents for your business venture? Was your partner acting as your legal counsel in that instance?
Business Disputes
Since 1984, attorneys at Lewis Babcock have been helping clients resolve business disputes throughout South Carolina. Our client-centered focus and robust legal representation consistently delivers results through negotiation, arbitration, mediation, or litigation in state and federal courts. Each business dispute is as different as each client’s goals and resources. Our attorneys will work with you to find an approach to our services that meets your needs, whether that is hourly, contingency, or a blend of the two.
Startups, small businesses and corporations — Our attorneys represent plaintiff and defendant businesses in disputes over deceptive or unfair trade practices, theft of trade secrets, and breaches of contract. We also represent businesses in commercial landlord-tenant disputes and other real estate litigation issues.
Construction Litigation
Real Estate Transactions
Eminent Domain
If you have been contacted by the government and advised that it intends to take your property, it can be a frightening experience. While the South Carolina eminent domain laws do afford you some protection, it is important to understand the process. Here is a brief outline of the different steps in an eminent domain case, also referred to as a condemnation case.
The term malpractice means that a professional has performed services below the expected standard of performance for their industry. Many people have heard the term used in the context of a medical malpractice lawsuit brought against a medical provider. Just like medical providers, lawyers are expected to perform up to a certain level of professional standards. When a lawyer performs below these standards and causes injury to a client, the lawyer committed legal malpractice. Similar to other malpractice lawsuits, an injured client may seek the recovery of damages caused by the attorney’s conduct.
Legal malpractice is a complex area of law. In representing clients, lawyers can sometimes fall below the standard of care for the legal profession. This can take place during a lawyer’s representation of a client in a lawsuit, or during a lawyer’s representation of a client in a transactional matter, such as a real estate closing, or drafting a contract or estate planning documents.