James D. Myrick Principal

Phone: (843) 720-4643  |  Fax: (843) 723-7398  |  Email: jmyrick@buistmoore.com

Practice Areas
Business Litigation
Environmental
Insurance
Product Liability
Zoning and Land Use

James D. Myrick, Head of Litigation for the Firm, is an AV-rated trial attorney practicing in a wide range of complex litigation fields. Now in his 20^th year with the Firm, he has mediated, arbitrated and tried cases in the areas of personal injury (defense and plaintiff), commercial disputes, products liability and environmental permits. Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Myrick represents major national and regional companies as well as individuals and minority business interests. With solid experience in taking cases to jury verdict, Myrick emphasizes trial preparation, but also understands the importance of early business-like solutions.

Product liability cases have addressed sterile eye solutions, quenching machines and other industrial equipment, tires from several international manufacturers, shotguns, asbestos-containing products and commercial irrigation systems. Other work involving personal injury includes representation of several tractor-trailer companies and other transportation interests.

Since 1998, land use litigation and business disputes have become focus areas. Contested environmental permits (including stormwater, water quality certification, wetlands regulation, and dock permitting) have generated knowledge of South Carolina’s regulations, regulatory agencies and administrative law. Zoning and work with local planning commissions fit together with this practice. Business disputes have spanned breakups of limited liability companies (LLC) and limited liability partnerships (LLP) and more typical contractual conflicts.

Mr. Myrick is a South Carolina-certified arbitrator and mediator. He has also argued several appeals before the South Carolina Supreme Court and the South Carolina Court of Appeals.

Representative Matters:

•	South Carolina Supreme Court victory in favor of an international retailer, construing storm water regulations and water quality certification rules, enabling construction of a multi-million dollar superstore
•	South Carolina Supreme Court victory in favor of an international retailer, upholding the land use decision of a local planning commission and recognizing the rights of county councils to re-zone and establish criteria for new projects
•	South Carolina Court of Appeals victory in favor of a homeowner association, upholding a dock master plan and interpreting the definition of “waterfront property” under South Carolina environmental regulations
•	Securing a dismissal of Texas client in a multi-million dollar contractual dispute involving the sale of several radio stations in Houston, Texas
•	Negotiating a site-specific solution for an Atlanta developer which allowed reduction of environmental impact on a protected perennial stream and the construction of a 43 acre retail complex
•	Successful resolution of a challenge to sterility of eye-care solution after a series of patient infections in one South Carolina facility
•	Representation of a major chemical manufacturer as local counsel in the catastrophic loss caused by the Norfolk Southern train derailment in Graniteville, South Carolina
•	Successfully defended the design and manufacture of a European quenching machine against product liability claims arising from a crushing injury to a plant employee

Educational Background:

•	International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy, 1991
•	University of South Carolina School of Law, 1988 - J.D.
	Associate Editor-in-Chief, University of South Carolina Law Review, 1987-88 Staff Member, University of South Carolina Law Review, 1986-87 Author of two survey articles, one on photographic evidence and the other on South Carolina Civil Procedure Phi Delta Theta Legal Fraternity
•	Duke University, 1982 - A.B.
	Dean's List, 1979-1982 3rd Place, National Contemporary Issues Debates, 1980 Selection Chairman, Wellington House, an independent men's house on main quadrangle, 1981

Honors:

•	The Best Lawyers In America, Personal Injury Litigation and Insurance Law, 2006-Present

Publications, Papers, Programs and Seminars:

•	Author of "Venue", an extended article for South Carolina Jurisprudence, the State's Legal Encyclopedia
•	Legal Handbook for Volunteers, published by South Carolina Young Lawyers' Division, Committee Chairman, 1993
•	"Post Trial Practice," Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Presenting Faculty Member, 1995

Professional Organizations:

•	Appointed by Governor Mark Sanford as Commissioner on the South Carolina Commission on Indigent Defense, 2006-2007
•	American Bar Association    • Member, 1988 to Present • Vice-Chair, Business Litigation Committee of Torts and Insurance Practices Section, 2006-2008    • Vice-Chair, Toxic and Hazardous Substances and Environmental Law, Torts and Insurance Practice Section, 1995-1996
•	South Carolina Bar    • Board of Governors, 1997-1999    • House of Delegates, 1997    • Young Lawyers Division: President, 1996-1997; President-Elect, 1995-1996; Vice President, 1994-1995; Secretary/Treasurer, 1993-1994; Chairman Long Range Planning Committee, 1994-1995
•	Charleston Lawyers' Club    • President, 1995 - 1996    • Vice President, 1994-1995    • Secretary, 1993-1994

Bar Admissions:

•	South Carolina, 1988
•	South Carolina Supreme Court, 1988
•	United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, 1989

Community Organizations:

•	Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Advisory Committee, 1994
•	Downtown Kiwanis Club of Charleston    • Board of Directors, 1995-1996    • Member, 1991-2007
•	Special Events Committee, The Harbour Club, 1993-1995
•	Clowns' Bazaar     • Member of the Board of Directors, 1998-2007