South Carolina’s top legal group announces recipients of annual awards
March 9, 2018
The South Carolina Association for Justice (SCAJ) has announced the recipients of their annual awards, recognizing a few of the state’s top legal minds. SCAJ has over 1300 members and is a leading advocate for matters related to justice and access to fairness under the law. The awards will be presented during SCAJ’s annual convention in August in acknowledgement of these legal leaders and their contributions to justice:
2018 Founders’ Award Recipient: Joseph F. “Joe” Rice
For years of professional service to the people of this Country and to the purposes of this Association and who is worthy of being recognized as the Peoples’ Advocate – A Trial Lawyer.
Since beginning to practice law in 1979, Joe has become nationally recognized as a skillful and innovative negotiator of complex litigation settlements. He served as the lead negotiator in some of the largest civil actions our courts have seen in the last 20 years. Legal scholars and experts have described Joe in articles as one of the nation’s “five most feared and respected plaintiffs’ lawyers in corporate America” while also noting “Rice has earned most of his respect from playing fair and remaining humble.” Actively involved in landmark litigation involving Asbestos, Tobacco, and the BP oil spill, Joe continues to negotiate for the firm’s clients at all levels.
Joe is a graduate of the USC School of Law and a founding member of the law firm of Motley Rice. He has served on the faculty at Duke University School of Law and has taught classes at both USC and Charleston schools of law. He’s very involved in many civic community causes and resides in Mount Pleasant with his wife Lisa.
2018 Outstanding Contribution to Justice Portrait Honoree:
Judge J. Mark Hayes, II
South Carolina Circuit Court, Spartanburg SC
Judge Hayes graduated cum laude from Wofford College and received his Juris Doctor from USC School of Law in May of 1984. Judge Hayes began his legal career as a clerk for the Honorable E.C. Burnett, III. While in private practice, he served on the South Carolina Commission on Lawyer Conduct. He was a member of the American Bar Association, South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association and the South Carolina School Board Lawyer’s Association.
After almost 20 years in private practice in Spartanburg, he was elected Circuit Court Judge, At-Large, Seat 5 on April 9, 2003. He was also Chairman of the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium Commission, which completed a ten million dollar renovation of the Auditorium in 2001.
2018 Worthy Adversary Award Recipient:
W. Hugh McAngus, Sr.
McAngus, Gouldelock, & Courie, Columbia SC
In recognition of your professionalism, honesty, ethical behavior, and distinguished service to the legal profession.
Hugh is a founding member of a Columbia-based firm that has grown to include 14 regional southeast offices. He has concentrated his practice in the area of workers’ compensation defense for more than forty years, making it a priority to obtain the best results for his clients and to identify industry trends that may affect them. His practice focuses on defending complex workers’ compensation claims, catastrophic losses, toxic exposure and occupational disease claims as well as mediation. Hugh is recognized by the Supreme Court of South Carolina as a certified mediator and has been involved in the development of workers’ compensation law on both a state and national level.
Hugh has served as president for the South Carolina Self-Insurers Association and the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association.
A graduate of the University of South Carolina as well as its school of law, Hugh is a proud husband, father and grandfather.
2018 Matthew J. Perry Public Service Award Recipient:
Luther J. Battiste, III
Johnson Toal & Battiste, P.A., Columbia SC
A founding shareholder of Johnson, Toal & Battiste, P.A., Luther is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and Emory University Law School. In 1983, Luther made history by becoming one of the first two African-Americans elected to Columbia City Council since Reconstruction. He served on Council for fifteen years, including two terms as Mayor Pro Tempore.
His legal and public service career has been extensive, including serving as president of the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association and the Southeastern Region of the American Board of Trial Advocates (SEABOTA). Luther is a member of the John Belton O’Neil Inn of Court and past Chairman of the Richland-Lexington Airport Commission, which operates the Columbia Airport. Most recently, Luther was elected National Vice President of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Luther presently serves on the boards of South State Bank, the National Center for State Courts and the executive committee of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
While maintaining a public service career, Luther still found time to practice law, be a husband to his wife Judy, and a dad to their children Justin and Jade. It is without question he meets and exceeds the standards of this very award.
SCAJ
The South Carolina Association for Justice was founded in 1957 to serve as advocates for those who are harmed by the actions of others and to strengthen the justice system through education and action. With membership from all across South Carolina, SCAJ is a strong and growing organization fighting for fairness under the law. Visit SCAJ.com for more information on the Association.
