ABOTA officers: Sandy Stern; Robbie Foster; Susan McWilliams, president; Mark Buyck; Reece Williams; Luther Battiste, National Board Representative; Sam Outler; and John T. Lay. On Thursday, February 2, 2012, at the Palmetto Club, the South Carolina Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) named Columbian David Fedor the S. C. Trial Lawyer of the Year. Rebecca Laffitte, last year’s recipient, made the presentation in front of about 100 attendees.

The keynote speaker was U. S. District Judge Margaret B. Seymour. ABOTA is a national organization dedicated to elevating the standards of integrity, honor and courtesy in the legal profession and to preserving and promoting the civil jury trial. To qualify for membership, an attorney must have brought at least 20 jury trials to verdict. Susi McWilliams of Nexsen Pruet is president.

What are trial lawyers?

Trial lawyers represent clients involved in litigation, both civil and criminal. Criminal lawyers may represent plaintiffs or defendants, the “people,” or the accused.

William Ginsberg, president of ABOTA Foundation Civil litigators take the side of a party in a dispute where no crime is involved. The trial lawyer’s job is to persuade a jury of the facts in a case, and to display them in a way that best supports their client's position.

Each piece of evidence must be presented and disputed according to a complicated set of rules. On days out of court, trial lawyers review files and scheduling orders, contact witnesses, take depositions, and talk to clients.

On court days, lawyers argue motions, meet with judges, prepare scheduling orders, select jurors, and argue cases. Trial law requires excellent analytical skills. Litigators use their knowledge of legal precedents to analyze the probable outcome of a case.

Lewis, a recipient of the prestigious War Horse Award, and his wife Carolyn Cromer

Fayrell Furr and Shannon Furr Bobertz, newest member of ABOTA

David Fedor, SC Chapter Trial Lawyer of the Year

Gene and Elsie Rogers

Ron and Rita Stanley

Dean Robbie Wilcox

Becky Laffitte

Margaret Unger, guest lecturer and member from Chicao, and Jo Ann Murray, Abota Foundation

Mark Buyck

Sandy Stern

Joel and Rhonda Collins

Luther and Judy Battiste and Mark and Julia Buyck

U.S. District Judge Margaret Seymour