Today we’d like to introduce you to Jack Swerling.
Hi Jack, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in the Bronx, NY. When I was 11 years old , my family moved to Bloomfield and then Belleville,New Jersey. I graduated high school in 1964 and enrolled at Clemson University. During the summers in high school , I worked on my uncle’s farms in Pennsylvania and particularly enjoyed working with the veterinarians who took care of the dairy and beef herds on the farms. My plan was to take the pre- vet course at Clemson, then go on to the University Of Georgia to become a veterinarian. I didn’t get along well with chemistry and after a year and a half, switched majors to Economics and graduated in 1968..After graduation, I got a job in NYC at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company as a claims adjuster. I moved up the ladder quickly and was promoted to a be a representative of Liberty Mutual In the Manhattan Civil Court negotiating the settlement of cases and if a case did not settle, working with company’s lawyers to get the case tried before a judge or a jury.. This was where I became hooked on litigation and in the fall of 1970, I returned to South Carolina to attend the University of South Carolina School of Law. I married my college girlfriend Erika Helfer of Columbia shortly before entering law school. I thoroughly enjoyed law school and did very well academically. I reconnected with Dick Harpootlian, who I knew from our days at Clemson. Upon graduation in 1973, I accepted a associate position in the law firm of State Senator Isadore Lourie. He had a great influence on my career- he was a great lawyer, a powerful Senator and a man of the people. I took to litigation like a duck takes to water. I found it challenging, exciting and rewarding. I was particularly driven to defend criminal cases – to defend the underdog in a system weighted toward the prosecution. In 1984 I was appointed to represent Donald “ Pee Wee “ Gaskins who was accused of murder in the death of Rudolph Tyner, a death row prisoner. Ironically, my friend from Clemson and law school was the prosecutor. After the trial, Duck and I decided to form a partnership, which we did, and we were joined by attorney Joe McCulloch. Over the next 40 years, I was regularly involved in high profile criminal cases, became active in heading up numerous continuing legal education programs, teaching at both the USC School of Law and the USC School of Medicine, and authored a number of articles and books dedicated to the practice of criminal trial and appellate work.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I found the road to where I am fairly smooth. I’ve worked hard putting in long hours to always be prepared in all the cases I’ve handled. I was vey fortunate to work for Senator Lourie who opened many doors for me. I’ve also been extremely fortunate to have been affiliated with many great lawyers in my practice, many whom are some of the best trial lawyers in the state. I’ve also been blessed to have been associated with a number of outstanding Judges , such as the late former Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court who gave me opportunities to expand my horizons in the practice of law.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My law practice is exclusively dedicated to the defense of criminal cases in both state and federal court at the trial and appellate level. I have represented people in every county in the state in a wide variety of cases. I suppose I’m known for dedication to providing the best representation possible and that I work long hours to achieve the best results. I’m accessible; always respond to my client’s calls, texts or emails even at crazy hours. My clients receive my commitment to always provide the best representation possible.
I love the majesty of the courtroom and I’m still passionate about the law and justice even after a half century being admitted to the Bar.
I’m always in pursuit of learning- about the law and advocacy skills.
I’ve been active in continuing legal education from the onset of my career- first as an attendee at CLE programs, but then a coordinator, moderator, and/or presenter in well over 200 CLE programs for the Bench , the SC Bar, and every lawyer admitted to practice from 1990 to 2020 in the Bridge the Gap program , which was mandatory as a condition to be admitted to practice law in South Carolina.
In addition to teaching numerous CLE courses on trial advocacy, I was an adjunct professor at the USC School of Law for 3 years and taught Criminal Trial Advocacy along with my friend and partner Dick Harpootlian. I understand that the course was in big demand, filled up fast and the students referred to the course as “fun with Jack and Dick.
I’ve also taught classes on Criminal Trial Advocacy for the NITA- the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, the SC Trial Lawyers Association, the Notth Carolina Trial Association, the Bureau of National Affairs, agencies of the Federal Government, The American College of Trial Lawyers, and the SC Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. I have written several books and articles on Criminal Trial Advocacy Over my 50 plus years at the Bar, I have mentored hundreds of lawyers, many of whom are among the elite of the Bench and Bar..
The following are some of the recognitions I’m most proud of
Recognitions
– Martindale-Hubbell —Preeminent Peer Review AV Rating
-Selected for the “Top 10 List” of lawyers in South Carolina by South Carolina Super Lawyer Magazine for many years
-Member of the Chief Justice’s Commission on the Profession for over 15 years
-Listed in Best Lawyers in America
-Listed in Best Law Firms in America
-Recipient of the 2023 Distinguished Service Award by the Richland County Bar Association
-Recipient of the 2014 Pettigru Platinum Compleat
Lawyer Award by the USC School of Law
-Selected as 2025 Lawyer of the Year in Criminal Defense for the Columbia Metro Area in the 31st edition of Best Lawyers in America
-2024 Recipient of the Chief Justice’s Lifetime Achievement Award For Outstanding Contributions to the Legal Profession
– Identified as one of South Carolina’s Premier Icon and Leader Among the State’s lawyers in the 2025 edition of Excellence in the Law published by South Carolina Lawyers Weekl
The following are Fellowships that I have been honored to be invited into
Honorary Fellowships
International Academy of Trial Lawyers
American College of Trial Lawyers
American Board of Criminal Lawyers
American Academy of Appellate Lawyers
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I believe luck contributes to success, but I believe that people can create opportunities for good luck to shine upon them by dedication to purpose and hard work.
Pricing:
- Free consultations
Contact Info:
- Website: https://JackSwerling.com
- Facebook: Jack Swerling
- Youtube: Jack Swerling
- Other: Google
