South Carolina law firm is turning 100, still going strong

BEAUFORT, S.C.

The Beaufort legislation agency of Harvey and Battey — whose attorneys have served as among the main political figures in Beaufort County and the state — turns 100 years previous this month.

That makes it the oldest legislation agency in Beaufort County, mentioned Invoice Harvey III, the grandson of the founder, and one of many oldest in South Carolina.

Nonetheless, the century-old agency, housed in a nondescript constructing on Craven Avenue in Beaufort’s historic downtown, is just not gazing within the rear-view mirror, Harvey provides. It’s utilizing the milestone as a springboard for future growth.

“Typically, once you consider one thing that’s as previous as 100 years, you consider it as dying — previous and dying,” Harvey advised The Beaufort Gazette and Island Packet. “We aren’t. Now we have a really thrilling, very lively group of youthful attorneys.”

W. Brantley Harvey Sr. based Harvey and Battey in 1922.

Harvey III, Harvey Sr.’s grandson and the third technology of Harveys within the agency, credit “dedication to integrity” and the agency’s concentrate on public service, versus chasing the “almighty greenback,” for Harvey-Battey’s longevity.

“Integrity is tough to take care of, and you may lose it in a short time,” Harvey III mentioned. “Type of like repute. You solely have one integrity, and it’s very onerous to take care of with a multi-employee group.”

Alex Murdaugh, 53, who labored for an additional 100-plus-year-old South Carolina agency, is a living proof in how shortly authorized reputations will be misplaced.

PMPED, a Hampton-based agency began in 1910 by Randolph Murdaugh Sr., Murdaugh’s grandfather, modified its identify to Parker Legislation Group within the wake of Alex Murdaugh’s alleged scheme to steal $8.4 million from purchasers, which has led to fifteen indictments containing 79 expenses.

State Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, who has been with Harvey-Battey for 37 years, famous that W. Brantley Harvey Sr. and Randolph Murdaugh Sr. had been second cousins.

Whereas Harvey Sr. moved to Beaufort and entered into public life and repair, mentioned Davis, Murdaugh stayed in Hampton County and developed a strong legislation agency.

“It’s sort of fascinating that two cousins sort of went on totally different paths,” Davis mentioned.

ACTIVE IN PUBLIC SERVICE

Harvey Sr. died in 1981.

W. Brantley Harvey Jr., his son and Invoice Harvey III’s father, joined the agency in 1955. He was born in Walterboro and grew up on The Level in Beaufort. He died in 2018.

Colden R. Battey Jr. joined the agency in 1963. He’s retired however nonetheless spends a number of hours within the workplace every day.

The agency’s attorneys have been lively in public service and politics from the start.

Harvey Sr. was elected to the South Carolina Home of Representatives in 1924, simply two years after he based the agency, and once more 1926, earlier than becoming a member of the South Carolina Senate in 1928. He represented Beaufort County for twenty-four years till 1952. He was the principal creator of the South Carolina Staff’ Compensation Act.

Harvey Jr. was elected to the Home in 1958 and served 16 years till 1974. He served as lieutenant governor from 1975­ to 1978. And he performed a significant function in buying the Beaufort campus of the College of South Carolina and in establishing the Technical School of the Lowcountry as one of many state’s 16 technical faculties.

Each had been Democrats.

“Now we have not affirmatively promoted public service,” Harvey III mentioned, “however I believe it’s been a trademark of our longevity.”

‘PROUD OF THE FIRM’

Political involvement continues at the moment.

Davis, the longtime Harvey-Battey lawyer and Republican state senator, mentioned Harvey Jr. was a mentor. He acquired concerned with public service due to the instance the elder lawyer set.

“We each had a ardour for shielding the atmosphere,” says Davis of Harvey Jr. “We each cared about schooling. We had been each very frugal about cash.”

And virtually 100 years after Harvey Sr. first was elected to the Senate, Davis represents that very same district.

“I’m actually happy with the agency,” Davis mentioned. “I’m happy with the historical past of public service we have now.”

For his half, Harvey III has served as the town lawyer for the Metropolis of Beaufort for the previous 35 years. He appears at that place as a “quasi-public service,” and he takes delight in having helped form the town’s insurance policies and progress in that function.

Colden Battey Jr. assumed extra accountability in operating the agency when Harvey Jr. was pursuing his political profession. However Battey additionally was concerned in public service domestically, serving as chairman of the Beaufort County Council for eight years. And he was on the board of the Beaufort Jasper Increased Training Fee for 17 years.

FIRM’S CASES

At present, the agency has eight attorneys, and Harvey III mentioned it’s the one full-service legislation agency in Beaufort, practising private harm, actual property, property and household legislation amongst different specialties.

“There are particular issues we don’t do,” he mentioned, “however there’s not many.”

The agency just lately resolved a multi-million-dollar private harm case wherein an 83-year-old overseas nationwide was struck by a automotive in Charleston, Harvey III mentioned. A part of the case has been settled for $3 million, whereas attorneys proceed to work on the remaining settlement.

Harvey III is most happy with a $39.4 million settlement from a 2014 nationwide class-action lawsuit involving lively responsibility service members who had been overcharged on mortgage rates of interest by JP Morgan Chase Financial institution. The agency represented Marine Corps Capt. Jonathon Rowles, the lead plaintiff, who alleged the financial institution violated the Servicemembers’ Civil Reduction Act. That legislation was enacted in 1942 to guard deployed members of the navy from monetary duress whereas on lively responsibility.

“We resolved that case very favorably for members of the navy,” Harvey III mentioned.

The agency is hiring new attorneys, he mentioned. And it’s within the means of opening an workplace in Okatie.