Wesley E. Henderson
Top rated Business & Corporate attorney in Charleston, South Carolina
Henderson & Henderson, LLC
Practice areas: Business & Corporate, Civil Litigation, Business Litigation; view more
Licensed in South Carolina since: 2010
Education: University of South Carolina School of Law
Selected to Rising Stars: 2024 - 2025 Call today:
843-212-3188
Henderson & Henderson, LLC
578-A East Bay StreetCharleston, SC 29403 Visit website
An accomplished entrepreneur and dedicated attorney, Wesley E. Henderson extends his proficiency across South Carolina, offering invaluable counsel and comprehensive resources for individuals seeking adept navigation through the complexities of both legal and business realms. As the founder of Henderson & Henderson, LLC, an eminent Charleston-based boutique law firm, he channels his fervor for the law into a focused practice. His focus areas include startups, entrepreneurship, general business law, business litigation, partnership disputes and employment law.
Mr. Henderson is fervently committed to the principles of localism, driven by a dedicated focus on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. He firmly believes that these businesses deliver exceptional services and contribute significantly to the betterment of communities.
Graduating magna cum laude from Wofford College, Mr. Henderson proceeded to pursue legal studies at the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law, where they earned their Juris Doctor degree in 2010. Notably, he was honored with the Justice J.B. Ness Scholarship during his academic tenure. Furthermore, he is recognized as a South Carolina Bar Certified Mediator.
An active participant in legal associations, Mr. Henderson holds memberships with prestigious organizations such as the Mt. Pleasant Business Association, the South Carolina Bar and the Charleston County Bar Association. Beyond his legal acumen, his commitment to community service is evident through his roles as the founder and chairman of "Driving for Downs," a South Carolina nonprofit corporation and as a dedicated advisory board member and vice chair of the Salvation Army.
Throughout his career, Mr. Henderson has received numerous awards. He stands as a distinguished legal professional, earning recognition as the "Go-To Business Lawyer" by The Business Journal and securing a coveted spot on the "40 Under 40" list by the Charleston Regional Business Journal. His exceptional leadership in the legal realm was further underscored by the "Leadership in Law" Award bestowed upon him by South Carolina Lawyers Weekly. He also has a "Very Good" rating on Avvo. Beyond his accolades, he is a highly sought-after speaker, captivating audiences with his profound knowledge of various business matters.
Practice areas
Business/Corporate, Civil Litigation: Defense, Civil Litigation: Plaintiff, Business Litigation, Closely Held Business, Employment & Labor: EmployerFocus areas
Business Formation and Planning, Business Organizations, Employment Law - Employee, Labor Law, Limited Liability Companies, Non-Compete Agreements, Trade Secret
- 30% Business/Corporate
- 20% Civil Litigation: Defense
- 20% Civil Litigation: Plaintiff
- 10% Business Litigation
- 10% Closely Held Business
- 10% Employment & Labor: Employer
First Admitted: 2010, South Carolina
Professional Webpage: https://hhlawsc.com/team/wesley-e-henderson/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Corporate Law, SC Bar Committee Member, 2025
Videos
- Non-compete clauses are some of the most misunderstood parts of employment and business contracts. In this episode, South Carolina business attorney Wesley Henderson explains what makes a non-compete clause enforceable, what makes it invalid, and how both employers and employees can protect themselves. You will learn: ● When a non-compete is valid under South Carolina law ● How far and how long a restriction can go ● What “geography, scope, and duration” mean in real cases ● Why an overly broad clause can make the whole agreement void ● The difference between a non-compete and a non-solicitation ● How employees can negotiate or challenge unfair clauses ● Why employers should draft narrow, enforceable contracts, Non-compete Agreements Explained: What Employers and Employees Need to Know, 2025
- Selling a business starts long before a deal is ever on the table. In this episode, we walk through the behind the scenes factors that determine whether a deal closes or falls apart once a buyer starts digging into the details. You will learn why ownership of intellectual property matters, how trade secrets and client processes create real value, and why assignable contracts reduce buyer risk. We also cover the role of professionals, clean documentation, employee structure, and repeatable systems in increasing valuation. A business that runs on paper, not just in your head, is easier to trust, easier to transfer, and far more valuable when it is time to sell. In this episode: 00:00 Introduction 00:57 Owning Intellectual Property 02:25 Having Assignable Contracts 02:57 Prior Utilization of Professionals 04:09 Reps and Warranties Explained 05:06 Having Established Systems 05:31 Employee Management 06:08 Can Your Business Run Without You?, Why Profitable Businesses Still Fail to Sell, 2026
- In the latest episode, Attorney *Wesley Henderson* explains why business partnership disputes rarely start as fights and usually begin with unspoken assumptions. He discusses how partners can prevent disputes by removing assumptions early, building trust, and getting clear from day one. Wesley breaks down the most common causes of partnership conflict, including unclear roles and responsibilities, disagreements over money, different expectations about time commitment, and mismatched visions for growth. He explains why an operating agreement alone is not enough and why honest conversations about compensation, reinvestment, exit strategies, and business values are critical. He also covers what to do when a partnership dispute already exists, including how to preserve the value of the business, maintain trust when possible, and understand the company’s financials before making major decisions. The goal is to protect the business as an asset and resolve disputes in a practical and cost effective way. In this episode: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Preventing Partnership Disputes 01:49 Clear Roles and Responsibilities 03:16 Money Decisions 04:04 Business Growth Expectations 04:29 Mission and Values Statement 04:59 Planning an Exit Strategy 05:37 Handling Disputes 06:00 Maintain Trust & Assets 07:53 Understand Business Financials, How to Handle Conflict with your Business Partner, 2026
- Business partner disputes can ruin a company fast, and most of the time the warning signs were there long before things finally explode. In this episode, attorney Wesley Henderson breaks down the four most common reasons business partners end up in conflict and what smart business owners can do to protect themselves. Whether it is resentment about workload, power struggles over decisions, misuse of company funds, or a breach of fiduciary duty, Wesley explains how these issues start and the best ways to address them. He also shares how HH Law approaches these cases, what they look for when a new dispute comes in, and the practical options for moving forward. That includes buyouts, selling the business, or finding creative solutions that preserve as much value as possible. *If you have a business partner at all, whether things feel unstable or everything seems fine right now, this episode will help you understand your options and avoid the most expensive mistakes before they happen.* In this episode: 00:00 Introduction 01:21 Business Partner Isn’t Pulling Their Weight 02:20 A Power Struggle Between Partners 03:14 Business Partner Misusing Funds 03:59 Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Business Partner Disputes Explained by Attorney Wesley Henderson, 2026
- Running a business comes with tough decisions and sometimes legal ones. In this episode, attorney Wesley Henderson of HH Law explains when business owners actually need a lawyer. He discusses common issues like disputes, contracts, compliance, and startup agreements, along with the value of having ongoing outside counsel. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “When do I actually need a business lawyer?” this episode is for you. #businesslaw #legaladvice #smallbusinessowners #businesscompliance #hhlaw #businesslawyer #SouthCarolinaBusiness In this episode: 00:00 Introduction 01:10 Business Disputes 02:19 Specific Projects/Tasks 03:00 Compliance 03:41 Starting a Business 04:32 Ongoing Outside Counsel, When Do You Actually Need a Business Lawyer? | HH Law, 2025
Special Licenses / Certifications
- South Carolina Bar Certified Mediator
Pro bono / Community Service
- Driving for Downs, A South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation, Founder, Chairman
- First Scots Kindergarten, Board Chair, 2026
- Hosted Driving for Downs Golf tournament annually for 5 years raising money for a camp for special needs children. We expect to continue this in the coming years.
- Salvation Army, Advisory Board Member – Vice Chair
Educational Background
- Wofford College, 2007, Magna Cum Laude
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- “Business Formation,” Charleston Bar Association, CLE Presenter for Fundamentals of the Practice of Law. October 2018
- “Legal Tips for Businesses,” Legal and Tax Considerations, SCORE, August 2015
- “Business Succession Planning,” Edward Jones Conference, June 2015
- “Law for Inventors”, MakeLab, April 2015
- “Joint Venture Agreements”, Charleston County, May 2015
- “Employment Law for Small Businesses”, State Farm, March 2015
- “Legal for Small Businesses,” Small Business Week, May 2016
- “Business Law for Startups,” SCORE, August 2016
- “Legal Issues for Small Businesses,” SCORE, May 2017
- “Legal for Creatives,” Podcast Interview by Mallory Whitfield, July 2018, https://www.badasscreatives.com/podcast/episode-036-legal-basics-for-creative-business-owners-wesley-henderson
- “Negotiating Physician Contracts,” American College of Cardiology. September 2018
Honors
- JB Ness Scholarship Recipient, University of South Carolina
- 40 Under 40, Charleston Regional Business Journal, 2021
- Leadership in Law, South Carolina Lawyers Weekly, 2020
- "Go-To Lawyer" for Business, Business Journal, 2021
Office location for Wesley E. Henderson
578-A East Bay Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: 843-212-3188
Selections
- Rising Stars: 2024 - 2025
