William L. Howard

William L. Howard is a dedicated advocate for Young Clement Rivers, LLP’s clients and has served the state of South Carolina as a judge in both the trial and appellate courts. He has particular skill representing the firm’s clients in complex litigation and alternate dispute resolution.

His judicial career began in May 1988, when he was elected to the position of Resident Circuit Judge for the 9th Judicial Circuit. He served continuously in this position until 1994 when he was appointed to the position of Acting Judge for the South Carolina Court of Appeals. In June 1995, he returned to the Circuit Court bench until 1996 when the General Assembly elected him to the Court of Appeals.

During his tenure on the circuit bench, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court appointed him to handle all state-court asbestos related litigation in South Carolina. In addition, he served as the circuit judge at the Susan Smith trial.

Early in his career, Mr. Howard served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve and trained in the Army Transportation Corps. Following his military service, he moved to Charleston to begin his law practice. During his time in private practice, he served as a member of the Governor's Committee for Consumer Affairs, the Chairman of the 9th Judicial Circuit Resolution of Fee Disputes Committee, and a member of the South Carolina Bar Ethics Committee.

Practice groups

• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Professional Liability
• Special Task Litigation

Admitted to practice

• South Carolina, 1973

Education

• University of South Carolina School of Law, J.D., 1973
• Dickinson College, B.A., 1970

Memberships

• South Carolina Bar Association

Speeches/appearances

• Good Morning, America
• Dateline, NBC
• National Conference on the Media and The Courts, National Judicial College, Reno, Nevada
• Guest Speaker – Alabama, California, Colorado, Oregon, Tennessee, Louisiana Judicial Conferences
• Clarke Foundation Guest Lecturer, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa., 1996
• Numerous South Carolina CLE and JCLE programs

Articles/publications

• Televised trials: Can The Government Market Electronic Access? 49 S.C.L.Rev. 55 (1997)
• Cameras In The Courtroom: We Pursue Different Objectives, Quill, October 1996
• Co-editor, The South Carolina Civil and Criminal Law Practice Manual, a CLE publication of the South Carolina Bar, 2003

Contact Young Clement Rivers, LLP

To talk to William L. Howard or one of Young Clement Rivers, LLP’s seasoned South Carolina advocates call (843) 577-4000 or contact the firm online.