Douglas Edward Leadbitter | Columbia Car Accident Lawyer

I have practiced law in South Carolina State Government, large firms, small firms, and have had my own firm for almost five years. I was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in November of 2000. I began my legal career as an Assistant Attorney General with the South Carolina Office of the Attorney General. During my tenure at the Attorney General's Office, I acquired a great deal of non-jury trial court and appellate court experience in the Post Conviction Relief Section. With Harvey, Casterline & Vallini, LLP, I did both plaintiff and defense work in a number of different legal areas. I litigated matters involving commercial disputes, construction defects, breach of contract, personal injury, real property disputes, subdivision covenant enforcement, collections, probate matters, criminal defense, and post conviction relief. I then worked briefly as contract attorney with the Knight Law Firm in Summerville, South Carolina in their litigation department before I accepted the position with Allen, Kopet & Associates, PLLC where I did insurance defense work exclusively. At Rogers, Townsend Thomas, PC I worked as a contract attorney in their foreclosure department and insurance defense department for several months before I opened up my own practice, Douglas E. Leadbitter, LLC, in August of 2011.

What should clients look for in a lawyer?
Honesty, integrity personal service.

How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases?
Local knowledge is a huge part of law practice in SC for trial lawyers. Knowledge of the local jury pools is critical for all lawyers who try cases in SC. I practice in all counties in South Carolina and am thoroughly familiar with the jury pools of all venues.

What information can you provide in a free phone consultation?
I typically can determine whether or not a potential client's claim is worth pursuing and whether or not is will be beneficial to obtain counsel.

What information do you need in a free phone consultation?
Everything that is relevant to the claim or case. Detailed information is critical in assessing the merits of any claim

What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community?
I have a small office. I am more hands-on and provide much personalized attention to my clients and cases than other larger firms do.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Helping other people when they need it most.

What are your other interests in addition to law?
I am an avid bowler and tennis player. I am alos a classical musician and freelance in SC and NC.

Are you involved in your community?
I volunteer in local musical groups to promote the arts and musical education community in SC.

Position	Organization	Location	Duration
Owner	Douglas E. Leadbitter, LLC		2011 - Present
Contract Attorney	Rogers Townsend & Thomas, PC		2010 - 2011
Litigation Associate	Allen, Kopet & Associates, PLLC		2009 – 2010
Contract Litigation Attorney	Knight Law Firm, LLC		2008 - 2009
Litigation Associate	Harvey, Casterline & Vallini, LLP		2004 - 2008
Assistant Attorney General	South Carolina Attorney General		2000 - 2004
Law Clerk	Montgomery, Patterson, Potts & Willard, LLP		1998 – 2000
Paralegal	Haynsworth, Baldwin, Johnson & Greaves, LLC		1995 - 1997
Band Instrumentalist	United States Air Force		1988 - 1992

School	Degree	Major	Graduation
University of South Carolina School of Law	JD	Law School	2000
University of South Carolina	Music	Music Education	05/1997

State / Court	Date
South Carolina	2000

• South Carolina Bar Association, Member since 2000.

• Member of the South Carolina Bar since 2000.

Sun.	Mon.	Tue.	Wed.	Thu.	Fri.	Sat.
	9:00 am - 5:00 pm	9:00 am - 5:00 pm	9:00 am - 5:00 pm	9:00 am - 5:00 pm	9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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