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Robert H. Brunson
Partner
151 Meeting Street
Suite 600
Charleston, SC 29401
Throughout more than 35 years with the firm, Robert has represented corporate, institutional, and individual clients in a wide range of litigation matters, including the defense of colleges and universities in tuition refund class actions, high wealth family trust and estate disputes, environmental and consumer class actions, business/commercial conflicts, and supply chain and consumer litigation over alleged...
Throughout more than 35 years with the firm, Robert has represented corporate, institutional, and individual clients in a wide range of litigation matters, including the defense of colleges and universities in tuition refund class actions, high wealth family trust and estate disputes, environmental and consumer class actions, business/commercial conflicts, and supply chain and consumer litigation over alleged product defects. In every engagement, Robert brings an innovative approach to solving client problems, application of the latest technologies to enhance client service and efficiency, and unique experiences in high stakes trials.
Robert, a former Editor in Chief of the South Carolina Law Review and clerk to a United States District Court Judge, has taught Trial Advocacy at two different law schools in South Carolina, founded the firm’s Legal Project Management Task Force, serves as co–chair of the Private Wealth Services Group, is a frequent speaker on legal education topics, and a founding member of the James Petigru Inn of Court in Charleston. Robert combines old–school trial experience with modern technologies and methods to guide clients through litigation challenges that matter deeply.
product defects. In every engagement, Robert brings an innovative approach to solving client problems, application of the latest technologies to enhance client service and efficiency, and unique experiences in high stakes trials.
Robert, a former Editor in Chief of the South Carolina Law Review and clerk to a United States District Court Judge, has taught Trial Advocacy at two different law schools in South Carolina, founded the firm’s Legal Project Management Task Force, serves as co–chair of the Private Wealth Services Group, is a frequent speaker on legal education topics, and a founding member of the James Petigru Inn of Court in Charleston. Robert combines old–school trial experience with modern technologies and methods to guide clients through litigation challenges that matter deeply.
Experience
Experience
- Defense of colleges and universities in class actions seeking tuition and fee refunds for COVID 19–related changes in methods of instruction
- Defense of numerous defendants accused of breach of trust and fiduciary obligations in multimillion–dollar estate disputes
- Assist beneficiaries, trusts, and estates in actions to recovery funds diverted from a trust or estate by undue influence
- Representation of a trustee in efforts to recover funds misappropriated from a family trust
- All types of probate litigation, will contests, fiduciary suits
- Defense of automotive and recreational product manufacturers in products liability and dealer franchise disputes
- Counsel for consumer products manufacturer in class litigation relating to alleged product defects
- Lead defense counsel in class actions seeking compensation for property devaluation relating to environmental spills
- Land use litigation, including unconstitutional taking of property rights
- Representation of a large appliance manufacturer as a plaintiff in the recovery of business losses from a component part supplier through multi–year litigation
- Defense trial counsel for a major petroleum company in a class action brought on behalf of service stations alleging environmental property damage from leaking underground storage tanks
- Defense trial counsel for the audit committee of the board of a large publicly traded corporation sued in a federal securities fraud class action
- Defense of a Brazilian product manufacturer sued for fraud and contribution relating to alleged defects in compressors
- Class and derivative suit counsel for plaintiff property owners suing board of directors of a homeowners’ association and others for unlawful conduct causing damage to property values
- Appellate counsel in South Carolina and other states in various matters
- Counsel for businesses suing the seller of defective machinery for lost profits
- Trial and appellate counsel for a developer seeking permission to build a bridge to an island
- Trial counsel for computer software companies in litigation regarding alleged defects in applications
Education
-
University of South Carolina School of Law,
JD
(1988)
- Editor in Chief, South Carolina Law Review (1987-1988)
- Order of the Coif
- Order of Wig and Robe
- John Belton O’Neall Inn of Court
- Emory University, BA, History and Political Science (1984)
Admissions
- Georgia
- South Carolina
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
Clerkships
- Law Clerk, the Honorable Karen L. Henderson, U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
Practice Areas
Experience
- Defense of colleges and universities in class actions seeking tuition and fee refunds for COVID 19–related changes in methods of instruction
- Defense of numerous defendants accused of breach of trust and fiduciary obligations in multimillion–dollar estate disputes
- Assist beneficiaries, trusts, and estates in actions to recovery funds diverted from a trust or estate by undue influence
- Representation of a trustee in efforts to recover funds misappropriated from a family trust
- All types of probate litigation, will contests, fiduciary suits
- Defense of automotive and recreational product manufacturers in products liability and dealer franchise disputes
- Counsel for consumer products manufacturer in class litigation relating to alleged product defects
- Lead defense counsel in class actions seeking compensation for property devaluation relating to environmental spills
- Land use litigation, including unconstitutional taking of property rights
- Representation of a large appliance manufacturer as a plaintiff in the recovery of business losses from a component part supplier through multi–year litigation
- Defense trial counsel for a major petroleum company in a class action brought on behalf of service stations alleging environmental property damage from leaking underground storage tanks
- Defense trial counsel for the audit committee of the board of a large publicly traded corporation sued in a federal securities fraud class action
- Defense of a Brazilian product manufacturer sued for fraud and contribution relating to alleged defects in compressors
- Class and derivative suit counsel for plaintiff property owners suing board of directors of a homeowners’ association and others for unlawful conduct causing damage to property values
- Appellate counsel in South Carolina and other states in various matters
- Counsel for businesses suing the seller of defective machinery for lost profits
- Trial and appellate counsel for a developer seeking permission to build a bridge to an island
- Trial counsel for computer software companies in litigation regarding alleged defects in applications
Media
Insights
| Larry King Will Contest — Key Takeaways, The National Law Review, Co-Author (March 15, 2021) |
| Mistakes in a Will or Trust May Be Corrected by the Court in Narrow Circumstances, The National Law Review, Co-Author (March 11, 2021) |
Events / Speaking Engagements
| What Happens When the Chain Wrecks?, Hosted by Next Generation Manufacturing, Speaker (May 19, 2021) |
| Legal Project Management: Prepare for Changes in the Practice of Law, Panelist (August 18, 2014) |
| Legal Project Management, IADC's 2014 Midyear Meeting, Speaker (February 8-13, 2014) |
| How Does Project Management Change Day-to-Day Lawyering, PLI Program on Project Management Session 3 (January 22, 2013) |
| Knowledge Management in the Legal Profession, Ark Group, Panelist (October 24-25, 2012) |
News
Recognitions
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation (2024, 2025), Litigation –Trusts and Estates (2024, 2025)
- S.C. Supreme Court Pro Bono Honor Roll (2020, 2021)
- Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Recognized Practitioner, Product Liability and Mass Torts – Nationwide (2015–2020)
- Benchmark Litigation "Litigation Star", Antitrust, Competition, FCPA and Enforcement, Insurance, International Arbitration, Product Liability, Securities (2018–2025)
- Charleston Business Magazine "Legal Elite of the Lowcountry"
- Business Litigation (2017, 2022-2024)
Professional Activities
- State Bar of Georgia
- South Carolina Bar
- Litigation Section, American Bar Association
- DRI – The Voice of the Defense Bar
- International Association of Defense Counsel
- South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims Bar Association
Community
- Board Member, South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families (2020-2023)
- Member, Hope Center Campaign Steering Committee
- Volunteer play-by-play announcer for high school football team live feeds (2018-present)
- Chair, GLORY Center Board of Directors (after school program for teens) (2010)
- Chair, Collaborative Advisory Board (seeking health and education solutions for rural hometown of Allendale, SC) (2010)
- Chairman of the Board, Boys and Girls Club of America – Trident Area (2008–2009)
Leadership
- Founder and Former Chairman, Nelson Mullins Legal Project Management Initiative
- Former Chairman, Nelson Mullins Operations and Finance Committee
- Founding Member and Past President, James L. Petigru Inn of Court in Charleston
- Former Chairman, Nelson Mullins Recruiting Committee and Associates Committee
- Adjunct professor of Trial Advocacy, Charleston School of Law (2011 and 2012) and University of South Carolina School of Law (2013–2016)
Throughout more than 35 years with the firm, Robert has represented corporate, institutional, and individual clients in a wide range of litigation matters, including the defense of colleges and universities in tuition refund class actions, high wealth family trust and estate disputes, environmental and consumer class actions, business/commercial conflicts, and supply chain and consumer litigation over alleged... product defects. In every engagement, Robert brings an innovative approach to solving client problems, application of the latest technologies to enhance client service and efficiency, and unique experiences in high stakes trials.
Robert, a former Editor in Chief of the South Carolina Law Review and clerk to a United States District Court Judge, has taught Trial Advocacy at two different law schools in South Carolina, founded the firm’s Legal Project Management Task Force, serves as co–chair of the Private Wealth Services Group, is a frequent speaker on legal education topics, and a founding member of the James Petigru Inn of Court in Charleston. Robert combines old–school trial experience with modern technologies and methods to guide clients through litigation challenges that matter deeply.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.Experience
- Defense of colleges and universities in class actions seeking tuition and fee refunds for COVID 19–related changes in methods of instruction
- Defense of numerous defendants accused of breach of trust and fiduciary obligations in multimillion–dollar estate disputes
- Assist beneficiaries, trusts, and estates in actions to recovery funds diverted from a trust or estate by undue influence
- Representation of a trustee in efforts to recover funds misappropriated from a family trust
- All types of probate litigation, will contests, fiduciary suits
- Defense of automotive and recreational product manufacturers in products liability and dealer franchise disputes
- Counsel for consumer products manufacturer in class litigation relating to alleged product defects
- Lead defense counsel in class actions seeking compensation for property devaluation relating to environmental spills
- Land use litigation, including unconstitutional taking of property rights
- Representation of a large appliance manufacturer as a plaintiff in the recovery of business losses from a component part supplier through multi–year litigation
- Defense trial counsel for a major petroleum company in a class action brought on behalf of service stations alleging environmental property damage from leaking underground storage tanks
- Defense trial counsel for the audit committee of the board of a large publicly traded corporation sued in a federal securities fraud class action
- Defense of a Brazilian product manufacturer sued for fraud and contribution relating to alleged defects in compressors
- Class and derivative suit counsel for plaintiff property owners suing board of directors of a homeowners’ association and others for unlawful conduct causing damage to property values
- Appellate counsel in South Carolina and other states in various matters
- Counsel for businesses suing the seller of defective machinery for lost profits
- Trial and appellate counsel for a developer seeking permission to build a bridge to an island
- Trial counsel for computer software companies in litigation regarding alleged defects in applications
Education
-
University of South Carolina School of Law,
JD
(1988)
- Editor in Chief, South Carolina Law Review (1987-1988)
- Order of the Coif
- Order of Wig and Robe
- John Belton O’Neall Inn of Court
- Emory University, BA, History and Political Science (1984)
Admissions
- Georgia
- South Carolina
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
Clerkships
- Law Clerk, The Honorable Karen L. Henderson, U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
Practice Areas
- Commercial Litigation & Business Torts
- Probate Litigation
- Products Liability - Consumer & Mechanical
- Consumer Product Safety, Risk Prevention & Regulatory Compliance
- Environmental Enforcement & Litigation
- False Advertising & Unfair Trade Practices
- Class Action & Multi-Claim Litigation
Industries
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation (2024, 2025), Litigation –Trusts and Estates (2024, 2025)
- S.C. Supreme Court Pro Bono Honor Roll (2020, 2021)
- Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Recognized Practitioner, Product Liability and Mass Torts – Nationwide (2015–2020)
- Benchmark Litigation "Litigation Star", Antitrust, Competition, FCPA and Enforcement, Insurance, International Arbitration, Product Liability, Securities (2018–2025)
- Charleston Business Magazine "Legal Elite of the Lowcountry"
- Business Litigation (2017, 2022-2024)
- State Bar of Georgia
- South Carolina Bar
- Litigation Section, American Bar Association
- DRI – The Voice of the Defense Bar
- International Association of Defense Counsel
- South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims Bar Association
- Board Member, South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families (2020-2023)
- Member, Hope Center Campaign Steering Committee
- Volunteer play-by-play announcer for high school football team live feeds (2018-present)
- Chair, GLORY Center Board of Directors (after school program for teens) (2010)
- Chair, Collaborative Advisory Board (seeking health and education solutions for rural hometown of Allendale, SC) (2010)
- Chairman of the Board, Boys and Girls Club of America – Trident Area (2008–2009)
- Founder and Former Chairman, Nelson Mullins Legal Project Management Initiative
- Former Chairman, Nelson Mullins Operations and Finance Committee
- Founding Member and Past President, James L. Petigru Inn of Court in Charleston
- Former Chairman, Nelson Mullins Recruiting Committee and Associates Committee
- Adjunct professor of Trial Advocacy, Charleston School of Law (2011 and 2012) and University of South Carolina School of Law (2013–2016)
Highlights from the Firm’s Insights
