Best Class-Action Law Firms in South Carolina

Class-action lawsuits in South Carolina require specialized legal expertise to navigate complex litigation procedures and maximize settlement outcomes for affected parties. Claims administrators and law firms need experienced legal partners who understand both the procedural requirements and strategic considerations that determine case success.

The state's legal landscape includes established firms with proven track records in consumer protection, product liability, and corporate misconduct cases. These top-rated South Carolina class action lawyers bring decades of experience handling multi-plaintiff litigation across various practice areas, from pharmaceutical recalls to data breaches and employment disputes.

1) Anastopoulo Law Firm

Anastopoulo Law Firm founded in 1967 by William H. Anastopoulo represents one of South Carolina's established legal practices. The firm maintains offices across multiple South Carolina cities including Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and Rock Hill.

The firm recently expanded its class action capabilities by adding Paul Doolittle as Chairman of their Class Action and Mass Action Division. Doolittle brings experience from Motley Rice, a prominent mass tort firm.

Anastopoulo handles South Carolina class action lawsuits alongside personal injury, medical malpractice, and workers' compensation cases. Their practice areas extend beyond class actions to include criminal defense and business law matters.

The firm has operated for over 25 years under founding attorney Akim Anastopoulo's leadership. They serve clients throughout South Carolina and North Carolina in various legal matters.

Claims administrators and opposing counsel will find Anastopoulo Law Firm active in both individual and collective litigation matters across the state's major metropolitan areas.

2) Hopkins Law Firm

Hopkins Law Firm in Charleston has operated since 2013, focusing on class action litigation and personal injury cases. The firm maintains offices in Charleston and serves clients throughout South Carolina.

Clay Hopkins leads the firm's class action practice. He has secured significant verdicts and settlements for clients in various class action matters.

The firm handles multiple practice areas beyond class actions, including personal injury, civil law, and criminal defense. This diversification allows them to serve clients with different legal needs.

Hopkins Law Firm offers free case reviews for potential class action matters. They work on a contingency fee basis for most class action cases, meaning clients pay attorney fees only if the case succeeds.

The firm has recovered millions of dollars for clients across different types of litigation. Their experience spans over two decades of combined legal practice among team members.

Claims administrators working with Hopkins Law Firm can expect direct communication and efficient case management. The firm prioritizes building strong cases with thorough documentation and evidence gathering.

3) Strom Law Firm

Strom Law Firm operates from Columbia, South Carolina, focusing on consumer protection litigation and complex class action cases. The firm has built a reputation for handling large-scale consumer disputes across multiple practice areas.

The attorneys at Strom Law Firm have devoted their professional lives to serving South Carolina families in personal injury, civil rights, and criminal defense matters. Their class action division specifically targets consumer protection violations and corporate misconduct cases.

Strom Law Firm reports raising $2 billion for clients across various legal matters. This includes settlements from class action lawsuits involving defective products, data breaches, and consumer fraud cases.

The firm's class action lawyers maintain a statewide and national reputation for excellence in consumer protection litigation. They handle cases involving false advertising, warranty breaches, and corporate violations of consumer protection statutes.

Claims administrators working with Strom Law Firm can expect direct communication regarding settlement administration and distribution processes. The firm maintains experience with large-scale settlement structures and class member notification requirements.

Their Columbia office coordinates multi-jurisdictional class actions while maintaining focus on South Carolina-based consumer protection cases.

4) Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP stands as one of South Carolina's most prominent law firms for class-action defense work. The firm has built a strong reputation defending consumer products companies, including tobacco manufacturers, in mass tort and class-action litigation.

The firm earned 32 national rankings in the 2025 Best Law Firms list, demonstrating its legal excellence across multiple practice areas. Nelson Mullins received Tier 1 national rankings in commercial litigation and bankruptcy law.

The Legal 500 recognized Nelson Mullins as a Top Tier Firm in product liability, mass tort and class action defense. This recognition highlights their expertise in defending complex class-action cases involving consumer products.

With offices in Columbia, Greenville, and Myrtle Beach, Nelson Mullins provides comprehensive coverage across South Carolina. The firm's litigation team handles high-stakes class-action defense matters for corporate clients facing multi-jurisdictional litigation.

Claims administrators working with defendants in class-action cases will find Nelson Mullins well-equipped to handle complex settlement administration and compliance requirements. Their extensive experience in mass tort defense provides valuable insights for case strategy development.

5) Barnwell Whaley Patterson & Helms

Barnwell Whaley Patterson & Helms established operations in Charleston in 1938 and serves businesses and professionals across South Carolina and North Carolina. The firm maintains 20 attorneys specializing in complex litigation matters.

The firm focuses on insurance coverage, insurance defense, business litigation, and professional malpractice cases. Their attorneys handle alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration, and appellate practice.

Claims administrators work with Barnwell Whaley on insurance defense matters and coverage disputes. The firm's litigation experience spans multiple decades of courtroom representation.

The Charleston headquarters operates alongside a secondary office location. Their client rating shows 67% exceptional reviews according to legal rating services.

Barnwell Whaley represents corporate clients in civil litigation proceedings. The firm's practice areas align with insurance industry needs and business dispute resolution.

Law firms refer complex litigation cases to Barnwell Whaley when specialized insurance law expertise is required. The attorneys maintain active practices in both state and federal courts throughout their coverage areas.

6) Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte

Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte operates as a Columbia-based litigation firm with extensive experience in commercial disputes. The firm handles complex litigation matters across state and federal courts in South Carolina.

The firm's litigation team focuses on commercial cases, insurance disputes, and securities litigation. They represent clients in class-action matters involving business and financial services disputes.

Robinson Gray maintains the distinction of being the only South Carolina law firm that belongs to Meritas, a global network of commercial law firms. This membership provides access to resources for multi-jurisdictional class actions.

The firm's attorneys have received recognition from Best Lawyers, with 34 attorneys listed in the 2026 edition. Claims administrators work with Robinson Gray on matters involving corporate liability, professional malpractice, and regulatory compliance.

Their business litigation practice includes bankruptcy, banking disputes, and financial services cases. The firm's location in Columbia's BullStreet District positions them to handle statewide class-action matters efficiently.

7) Nexsen Pruet LLC

Nexsen Pruet operates as a multi-specialty business law firm with nearly 200 lawyers across eight offices in North and South Carolina. The firm maintains a strong regional presence while competing with large national law firms entering the Carolinas market.

The firm's class action litigators regularly act as national and local counsel in both state and federal court proceedings. Their attorneys handle all aspects of class action defense, including class certification, motions to dismiss, and summary judgment.

Nexsen Pruet's class action team addresses standing issues, unfair trade practice matters, and remedial action proceedings. They also manage opt-out and objector issues throughout litigation.

The firm earned National Tier 2 rankings for Public Finance Law and Litigation - Construction in the 2022 U.S. News Best Lawyers rankings. Additionally, they received 59 Tier 1 metropolitan rankings across six North and South Carolina cities.

Nexsen Pruet achieved inclusion in The American Lawyer's Am Law 200 list, demonstrating their competitive position among major law firms. This recognition comes during increased competition from national firms expanding into the Carolinas market.

8) Bennett Law Offices

Bennett Law Offices operates multiple locations across South Carolina, serving clients in personal injury and litigation matters. The firm maintains offices in both the Lowcountry and other regions of the state.

Steve Bennett leads Bennett Law Firm, P.A. from their Ridgeland office, focusing on legal matters for South Carolina Lowcountry residents. The firm emphasizes personalized attention and works toward successful case resolutions.

Bennett Law Firm & Mediation, LLC operates from Moncks Corner under Bennett Shaheena's leadership. This location specializes in personal injury law and mediation services.

The Bennett offices handle various litigation types that may include class action participation. Their established presence in South Carolina's legal community provides familiarity with state court procedures and local legal requirements.

Claims administrators working with Bennett Law Offices can expect direct communication and established case management processes. The firm's multiple locations allow for regional coverage across different South Carolina jurisdictions.

Both Bennett locations maintain professional relationships with the South Carolina legal community and offer consultation services for potential class action matters.

9) Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete LLP

Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete serves Columbia, SC in class action litigation cases. The firm represents only companies, not plaintiffs, in workplace legal matters.

The firm operates as a national labor and employment law practice. They handle affirmative action cases, ERISA litigation, and immigration matters alongside class action defense work.

Constangy employs 237 attorneys nationwide and ranks 193rd among U.S. law firms by size. The firm maintains multiple office locations across the country to serve business clients.

Their practice focuses exclusively on defending employers in workplace disputes. This includes class action lawsuits related to wage and hour claims, discrimination cases, and employment compliance issues.

The firm added a cybersecurity and data privacy practice in 2023. This expansion helps clients address modern workplace challenges involving data protection and digital security.

Claims administrators working with South Carolina employers will find Constangy's defense-only approach beneficial for class action litigation strategies. The firm's size and national presence provide resources for complex multi-jurisdictional cases.

10) McAngus Goudelock & Courie

McAngus Goudelock & Courie was founded in Columbia, SC in 1995 by three attorneys who established a defense-focused practice. The firm has grown to over 200 attorneys across 16 offices in six southeastern states.

MGC operates as an insurance defense firm serving claims administrators and corporate clients. The firm handles workers' compensation, general liability, and employment law matters across multiple jurisdictions.

The firm maintains offices throughout South Carolina, including locations in Columbia, Greenville, Charleston, and Myrtle Beach. This geographic coverage allows MGC to handle cases statewide for insurance carriers and third-party administrators.

75 MGC attorneys have been selected to Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists, indicating peer recognition for their legal work. The firm has received workplace awards in both South Carolina and North Carolina.

MGC focuses on litigation defense and regulatory compliance for insurance industry clients. Their experience spans traditional insurance defense work as well as class action defense matters for corporate defendants and their insurers.

Key Areas of Expertise in Class-Action Litigation

Class-action law firms in South Carolina handle three primary litigation areas that require specialized knowledge and experience. Consumer protection claims involve deceptive business practices and product defects, while employment disputes cover wage violations and workplace discrimination, and environmental cases address toxic exposures and contamination issues.

Consumer Protection Claims

Consumer protection class actions target companies that engage in deceptive practices or sell defective products. These cases often involve violations of state consumer protection acts and federal regulations.

Common consumer claims include:

• False advertising and marketing schemes
• Defective products causing harm or financial loss
• Data breaches compromising personal information
• Unfair billing practices and hidden fees

Law firms must understand both South Carolina's Unfair Trade Practices Act and federal consumer protection laws. Data privacy litigation has become increasingly important as companies face claims related to security breaches.

Successful consumer protection cases require extensive discovery and expert testimony. Attorneys must prove that consumers suffered actual damages and that the defendant's conduct violated specific legal standards.

The certification process demands showing that common issues predominate over individual questions. This often involves demonstrating uniform deceptive practices across the entire consumer class.

Employment and Labor Disputes

Employment class actions address systematic violations of wage and hour laws, discrimination, and workplace safety issues. These cases typically involve multiple employees facing similar treatment from their employer.

Key employment litigation areas:

• Wage and hour violations - unpaid overtime, missed meal breaks
• Discrimination claims - based on race, gender, age, or disability
• ERISA violations - pension and benefit plan mismanagement
• Workplace safety - systematic safety violations affecting groups

Class certification requires showing that employees faced similar policies or practices. Individual damage calculations can complicate these cases but often don't prevent certification when common liability issues exist.

South Carolina employment laws interact with federal statutes like the Fair Labor Standards Act. Attorneys must navigate both state and federal requirements while building cases that affect entire workforces.

Settlement negotiations often involve both monetary compensation and injunctive relief requiring policy changes.

Environmental and Toxic Tort Cases

Environmental class actions arise when communities face exposure to hazardous substances or environmental contamination. These cases involve complex scientific evidence and multiple defendants.

Typical environmental claims include:

• Groundwater contamination from industrial facilities
• Air pollution affecting residential areas
• Chemical exposure from manufacturing operations
• Soil contamination reducing property values

Medical monitoring claims allow affected individuals to recover costs for ongoing health surveillance. Property damage claims address diminished real estate values due to contamination.

Complex class action cases require courts with expertise in handling technical evidence and multiple expert witnesses. Causation remains the most challenging element in toxic tort litigation.

Mass tort alternatives may be preferable when individual injuries vary significantly. However, property damage and medical monitoring claims often proceed as class actions due to common exposure patterns.

Settlement structures typically include cleanup funds, medical monitoring programs, and property value restoration.

Class-Action Process in South Carolina

South Carolina follows specific procedures for class certification that require demonstrating common questions of law or fact. The state draws from federal class action rules but lacks certain requirements like superiority standards for certification.

Filing and Certification Requirements

Class action lawsuits begin when named plaintiffs file claims against defendants on behalf of a proposed class sharing common injuries or damages. All class members must have suffered similar harm from the same defendant's actions, products, or services.

Key certification criteria include:

• Numerosity of affected parties
• Common questions of law or fact
• Typicality of representative claims
• Adequacy of class representation

South Carolina courts recognize that a single question of law or fact can justify class action disposition when it holds sufficient importance relative to the entire case. The certification process occurs during discovery after the initial complaint filing.

Attorneys must demonstrate that individual lawsuits would be impractical or inefficient compared to class treatment. The court evaluates whether the proposed class meets all statutory requirements before granting certification status.

Timeline for Resolution

Class action cases typically span 18 months to several years depending on case complexity and defendant cooperation. Discovery phases often extend 6-12 months as attorneys gather evidence from multiple sources and class members.

Motion practice and depositions consume significant time before settlement negotiations begin. Courts may require mediation sessions to expedite resolution and reduce litigation costs for all parties involved.

Typical timeline phases:

• Initial filing and service: 30-60 days
• Discovery period: 6-12 months
• Class certification ruling: 3-6 months
• Settlement negotiations: 6-18 months

Complex cases involving multiple defendants or extensive damages calculations require longer resolution periods. Mass tort litigation often involves extended timelines due to the volume of evidence and number of affected parties.

Settlement and Payout Distribution

Courts must approve all class action settlements to ensure fairness to class members. Settlement agreements specify distribution methods, administrative costs, and attorney fee arrangements before final approval.

Distribution typically follows this structure:

• Administrative expenses (2-5%)
• Attorney fees (25-40%)
• Class member payments (remaining funds)

Claims administrators oversee the distribution process and verify class member eligibility. Individual payouts depend on damages suffered, participation rates, and total settlement amounts available for distribution.

Settlement notices must reach all identifiable class members through appropriate channels. Courts establish claim deadlines and objection periods before finalizing distributions to ensure due process rights are protected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Claims administrators and law firms often need specific information about South Carolina's class-action legal landscape. The following addresses key concerns about firm selection, case evaluation standards, fee structures, and client communication protocols.

What are the top-rated class-action law firms in South Carolina?

Top-rated South Carolina class action lawyers include several established firms with proven track records. Anastopoulo Law Firm handles complex class-action matters across multiple practice areas.

Hopkins Law Firm brings over two decades of combined experience to class-action litigation. Strom Law Firm maintains a dedicated class-action practice focusing on consumer protection cases.

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP represents both plaintiffs and defendants in large-scale litigation. Barnwell Whaley Patterson & Helms offers class-action representation with regional expertise.

How do I choose the right attorney for a class-action lawsuit in South Carolina?

Claims administrators should evaluate attorneys based on specific case experience and track record. Review the firm's history with similar class-action matters and settlement outcomes.

Consider the firm's resources for handling complex litigation. Large class actions require substantial financial investment and staffing capabilities.

Examine the attorney's certification experience and success rates. Class action lawsuit expertise varies significantly between firms and individual practitioners.

What recent large settlements have South Carolina class-action law firms achieved?

Settlement information for active cases remains confidential until court approval. Public records show varying settlement amounts based on case complexity and defendant resources.

Consumer protection cases typically yield settlements ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. Employment class actions often result in both monetary compensation and policy changes.

Most firms maintain confidential settlement records for competitive reasons. Claims administrators can request specific settlement history during initial consultations.

What should clients expect in terms of communication and updates from their class-action attorneys?

Professional firms provide regular case status updates through multiple communication channels. Expect monthly or quarterly reports depending on litigation phase and case activity.

Most firms use client portals or email systems for document sharing. Court filings and significant developments trigger immediate client notifications.

Communication frequency increases during discovery phases and settlement negotiations. Firms typically assign dedicated case managers for large class-action matters.

How do class-action law firms in South Carolina handle legal fees and payment?

Most class-action cases operate on contingency fee arrangements. Attorneys receive payment only after successful resolution or settlement approval.

Contingency fees typically range from 25% to 40% of total recovery amounts. Fee percentages may vary based on case complexity and settlement timing.

Case expenses remain separate from attorney fees. Clients may be responsible for court costs, expert witness fees, and discovery expenses regardless of outcome.

What criteria do South Carolina class-action law firms use to determine whether to take a case?

Firms evaluate potential class size and damage amounts before accepting cases. Minimum thresholds typically require substantial monetary damages affecting numerous individuals.

Legal merit assessment includes reviewing available evidence and applicable statutes. Firms consider statute of limitations issues and jurisdictional requirements.

Resource requirements influence case acceptance decisions. Complex litigation demands significant time investment and upfront costs for case development.