Top Rated Civil Rights Attorney in Spartanburg, SC

Honors and Awards:

• The International Society of Barristers was formed to recognize each era's best advocates that they might join together to support these common goals:  Retaining trial by jury in litigated matters;  Improving advocacy under an adversary system;  Recognizing advocacy as a distinct specialty, with the creation of proper standards for those holding themselves out as advocates;  Abolishing animosity between counsel representing plaintiffs and defendants, replacing it with a recognition that all trial lawyers are advocates fully representing the rights of all clients;  Encouraging and demanding ethical conduct by all involved in litigation – parties, witnesses, counsel and judges;  Insisting that clients be represented by independent counsel owing their allegiance to the client; and  Protecting the rights of citizens, the independence of the judiciary and the integrity of the Bar. Membership is by invitation only which is proceeded by a rigorous screening process that considers the lawyer’s ability, experience, accomplishments and ethical standards as assessed by trial lawyers and judges., International Society of Barristers , 2016
• National Trial Lawyers Top 40 under 40 in South Carolina since 2012.   
• Order of the Wig and Robe
• Recipient, Strom Thurmond Merit Scholarship in Law
• Carolina Legal Scholar
• Cum Laude, University of South Carolina, 2006

Bar/Professional Activity:

• South Carolina Association for Justice
• American Association for Justice
• Spartanburg Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Georgia, 2006
• U.S. District Court District of South Carolina, 2007
• South Carolina, 2007
• U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 2008

Pro bono/Community Service:

• Spartanburg Art Museum is a regional museum promoting contemporary visual arts by inspiring and engaging people of all ages through exhibitions and education.
• Past Chair, Salvation Army Toast of the Town Committee
• Board of Directors - Upstate March of Dimes
• Board of Advisors, Salvation Army of Spartanburg
• Member, First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg

Scholarly Lectures and Writings:

• Editor in Chief, American Bar Association Real Property, Probate, and Trust Journal

Verdicts and Settlements:

• $6.1 Million– Judgment Plaintiff was deceived in a real estate scam related to the purchase of mountain property.  The judgment included loss of $2 million in investment funds, treble damages for unfair trade practices, and attorneys fees.  $2.9 Million – JudgmentWrongful death/Negligent use of Firearm The deceased Plaintiff was hunting with a protégé. The protégé mistook the Plaintiff for an animal, shot and killed him. Action was brought for negligence that resulted in judgment. $1.6 Million – Verdict Medical Malpractice/Shoulder Injury Medical Malpractice case brought against one of the foremost shoulder surgeons in the world. The allegations included a lack of informed consent and failure to perform the proper surgery resulting in axillary nerve damage. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the Plaintiffs. An affidavit from the jury foreman showed the jury considered an additional $1Million appropriate for punitive damages. $1.075 Million – Settlement Plaintiff’s husband was operating a floor buffer when he became overcome with Carbon Monoxide emitted by the buffer.  The buffer failed to include a shutoff switch so the buffer continued to run after the operator fell to the ground.  The case was filed as a strict liability product defect and negligence action and settled after trial began.  $700,000 – Judgment Fraud/Real Estate Scam Plaintiffs were deceived by Defendant into an investment for real property. Defendant failed to make improvements to property and then absconded with the funds.  $700,000 - Settlement In the case Oliver v. City of Duncan et. al., T. Ryan Langley successfully argued that Duncan, S.C., police officer Terry Lane caused the wrongful death of his client’s daughter, Rebecca Lynn Oliver. He argued that the police officer did not follow standard policies and procedures, and instead used excessive force, when he chose to shoot Ms. Oliver. $700,000 - Settlement  The estate of a pregnant woman shot and killed in 2012 by a City of Woodruff police officer settled its legal action for $700,000. Langley successfully argued that the police officer, Todd Knight, used excessive force when he shot Lacey Denise Lamb, age 28 and 5-months pregnant, as part of a traffic stop. The family sued the City of Woodruff, Officer Knight and the Woodruff Police Department for gross negligence and for violation of constitutional rights under 42 U.S. Code Section 1983.  $500,000 – Settlement Medical Malpractice/Shoulder Injury Medical Malpractice case brought against one of the foremost shoulder surgeons in the world. The allegations included a lack of informed consent and failure to perform the proper surgery causing scapula injury. $500,000 – Settlement Fifth Amendment Constitutional Takings Claim against the City of Spartanburg. The allegations included a wrongful deprivation of private property by law enforcement.  $375,000 – Settlement Negligence/False Positive on Drug Test The Plaintiff underwent drug testing which was interpreted as positive. Plaintiff contested the interpretation and obtained an independent drug test immediately after the positive result. This result was negative. An action was brought against the drug test laboratory and resulted in settlement of the case. $275,000 – Settlement Employment/Wrongful Termination The Plaintiff was employed as a Safety Manager at a manufacturing facility. He was exposed to an abusive supervisor as well as observation of several traumatic events in the workplace including a death. He had a stress reaction that required medical treatment. Eventually he was terminated and the Plaintiff brought an action against the Defendant for violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and resulted in settlement of the case. NONE OF THIS INFORMATION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS A DESCRIPTION OR CHARACTERIZATION OF THE QUALITY OF THE FIRM'S REPRESENTATION AND IN NO WAY SHOULD BE INTERPRETED AS A GUARANTEE OF A SPECIFIC RESULT FOR YOUR CASE OR ANY CASE. EVERY CASE IS DIFFERENT ANS MUST BE EVALUATED ON ITS OWN MERITS.

Educational Background:

• Wofford College, B.A., Magna Cum Laude, 2002