Henry B. Smythe Jr. Principal

Phone: (843) 720-4607  |  Fax: (843) 723-7398  |  Email: hsmythe@buistmoore.com

Practice Areas
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Business Litigation
Civil Litigation
Insurance
Product Liability

Henry B. Smythe, Jr. is a trial lawyer with 30 years experience representing major corporations in complex litigation in the areas of product liability defense, mass tort defense, and class action litigation. His clients range from major national and regional companies to locally owned concerns, in court cases in both the state and federal systems. His product liability clients have included many manufacturers of automobiles, tractor-trailers, heavy-duty building equipment, tires, automobile seats, tobacco products and wood products. Other work regarding personal injury includes representation of automobile service companies. Mr. Smythe has also handled various business litigation matters for corporations and individual clients. He is the Managing Director of Buist Moore Smythe McGee P.A.

Representative Matters:

•	Representation of a tobacco manufacturer in suits for wrongful death
•	Representation of tire manufacturers in personal injury and wrongful death actions
•	Representation of vehicle manufacturers in personal injury and wrongful death actions
•	Representation of consumer products manufacturer in fire-related lawsuits
•	Representation of equipment manufacturers in warranty and personal injury matter

Selected Reported Decisions:

•	Branning v. Morgan Guaranty Trust Co. of New York, 739 F.Supp. 1056 (D.S.C. 1990). BMSM represented Morgan Guaranty Trust. The district court entered summary judgment for defendants in alleged bank fraud matter on several legal grounds including the preclusive effect of prior adjudications in related cases.
•	Garvin v. Alumax of South Carolina, Inc., 787 F.2d 910 (4th Cir. 1986). BMSM represented Alumax. The Fourth Circuit held that Alumax, as a statutory employer, was immune from the longshoreman's common-law tort claim.
•	International Paper Company v. Century Contractors, Inc., 892 F.2d 74 (Table) (4th Cir. 1989) (Unpublished disposition, full text available 1989 WL 152507). BMSM represented Century Contractors, Inc. on brief. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's ruling that International Paper and Industrial Risk Insurers, Inc. could not recover because they had contractually assumed the risk of fire loss.
•	In re Asbestosis Cases, 266 S.E.2d 773 (S.C. 1980). BMSM represented defendant Armstrong Cork, a distributor supplier of insulation products appealed from denial of its Motion for Change of Venue. Supreme Court held that venue was proper only in county in which distributor supplier had its only place of business. Adverse ruling for appellant.
•	Lindsey v. South Carolina Tax Commission, 395 S.E.2d 184 (S.C. 1990). BMSM represented for Defendant Commonwealth II in a successful effort to change the assessment on an unfinished subdivision.
•	Mobay Chemical Corp. v. City of Goose Creek, 299 S.E.2d 486 (S.C. 1983). BMSM represented respondents DuPont and General Dynamics in an appeal from an order enjoining the city from annexing the Bushy Park Industrial Park. DuPont and General Dynamics persuaded the South Carolina Supreme Court held that the petition for annexation was improper.

Educational Background:

•	University of Virginia School of Law, 1976 - J.D.
•	Yale University, 1970 - B.A., Political Science
	Cogswell Award for Leadership, Calhoun College

Professional Background:

•	Buist Moore Smythe McGee P.A. • Managing Director • Principal (since 1981)
•	Supply Corps Officer, United States Navy, 1970-1972

Honors:

•	The Best Lawyers In America, Personal Injury Litigation
•	Super Lawyers, South Carolina, 2009
•	Chambers USA 2007 - Leaders in their Field, Litigation
•	Martindale Hubbell Law Directory, AV rating

Professional Organizations:

•	American Bar Association, Member
•	American Board of Trial Advocates, Member
•	American Counsel Association, Member
•	Defense Research Institute-Products Section, Member
•	Product Liability Advisory Council, Member
•	World's Leading Product Liability Lawyers
•	SC Defense Trial Attorneys Association, Member
•	Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, Member
•	Litigation Counsel of America

Bar Admissions:

•	Approved Mediator, United States District Court for the District of South Carolina
•	Certified Circuit Court Mediator
•	District of Columbia, 1979
•	South Carolina, 1977

Community Organizations:

•	Charleston City Council • Councilmember, 1992-1996
•	Coastal Community Foundation • President, 1988-1991 • Board of Directors, 1985-1991, 1999-2005
•	College of Charleston Foundation • Board of Directors, 1991-1998
•	Hospice of Charleston, Inc. • Board of Directors, past member
•	International African American Museum • Board of Directors, 2006-Present
•	Leadership South Carolina, Class of 1982
•	Palmetto Project • Advisory Board, past member
•	Saul Alexander Foundation • Board Member, 2002-Present
•	Spoleto Festival, USA • Secretary, 1994-Present • Board of Directors, 1993-Present
•	Town of Sullivan's Island • Town Attorney, 1977-1978
•	Trident Urban League, 1995-Present