John O. McDougall

An accomplished attorney with over 50 years of experience, John O. McDougall has been a pillar of leadership within his legal community and a guiding light for those who require deft legal representation that is expeditious and efficacious. At the law office of McDougall Self Currence McLeod in Columbia, South Carolina, he serves residents throughout the state in all aspects of family law, ranging from divorce and separation, and child custody and support, to alimony, property division and adoption, among many others. 

Mr. McDougall completed his undergraduate studies in 1967 at Wofford College and went on to attend the University of South Carolina School of Law, where his legal prowess and foundation were bolstered exponentially. He received his Juris Doctor in 1971, and in the same year, he obtained his license to practice law in South Carolina. Later on, he was admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina and the Supreme Court of the United States. 

Outside his law practice, Mr. McDougall maintains close affiliations with myriad legal organizations, including the following:

• The South Carolina Bar (president)
• The South Carolina Association for Justice
• The American Bar Association
• The American Association for Justice
• The Sumter County Bar Association
• The Richland County Bar Association
• The International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
• The American College of Family Trial Lawyers

A consummate professional through and through, Mr. McDougall understands the emotional frustration of his clients when undergoing legal proceedings, and he aims to initiate conversations about the concerning matter without adding any undue stress – all the while creating a comfortable environment for them to express their goals freely. For his many contributions, he has been peer-review rated AV Preeminent* through Martindale-Hubbell, the organization’s highest rating, and holds a perfect “10.0” rating on Avvo. Moreover, he has been recognized as an Elite Lawyer and has been inducted as a Life Fellow of the South Carolina Bar Foundation. 

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.