“And then I blinked…” Claire Fort Reminisces

In 1970, as a 27 year old mother of a six year old daughter, I was given the most extraordinary opportunity of my life.  In a blessing that I still strive to fully comprehend I was offered a position with a new start up law firm.  But it was not to be just another law firm, far from it.  This was a law firm which would be led by one of the most unique and inspiring individuals our state will likely ever see.  The bedrock of the firm that Governor Robert E. McNair started in January of 1971 was his absolute resolve to establish excellence in the legal capacity of the firm along with his determination to not only  provide exceptional service for the firm’s clients but to also foster growth and prosperity for his beloved state of South Carolina wherever possible.  Then I blinked…and it is now almost 42 years later!

Obviously a lot happened during those years and I have been privileged in some measure to not only be a part of how and why, but to witness up close and personally the exceptional successes, and near successes, our Firm experienced.  Foremost was the assembling of outstanding legal talents beginning with the other two co-founders of the Firm, Jim Konduros and Wayne Corley, coupled with equally talented and committed staff members, whose common purpose was striving to live into the vision for and mission of our Firm established by Governor McNair.  It was for me exhilarating, and at the same time humbling, to be a part of that.

But time marches on…and with time comes change.   It is now my turn to make a change.  As I leave the Firm at the beginning of its 42nd year I will always hold within my heart and soul the deepest gratitude for what was given to me all those years ago…as well as the certainty that whatever measure of achievement I have had in my professional life was made possible by that blessing bestowed on me in January 1971.
 
And I would be remiss if I did not also say, to all the extraordinary people in the Greater Midlands Area and throughout our state with whom I have had the privilege of working over these 42 years, I thank you for all you have done and continue to do to make our state a better environment in which to live and work.  God’s speed in your future endeavors.  I hope our paths continue to cross frequently.

                            
Claire