Michael W. Tighe, who in 1971 co-founded this law firm, retired on July 1, 2025.
Mike continuously guided Callison Tighe as its manager for almost 50 years. He was one of the premier real estate attorneys in the state of South Carolina, participating in many of the seminal appellate decisions in the state involving title matters and title insurance.
A Columbia native, Mike commenced his undergraduate studies at the University of South Carolina in the fall of 1962. After two years, he was allowed to enroll in the School of Law, and after his first year, he graduated from the undergraduate school magna cum laude; two years later he graduated magna cum laude from the law school, first in his class. While in law school, he was Editor in Chief of the South Carolina Law Review and Chief Justice of Wig and Robe.
After law school, Mike was appointed law clerk to The Honorable Clement H. Haynsworth Jr., Chief Judge of the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Following his one-year clerkship, Mike had an ROTC commission when he was called to active duty in the U.S. Air Force for 4 years’ service, including a tour in Korea. Upon release from active duty, he served as assistant South Carolina Attorney General for two years, before he and Mr. Callison formed the law firm which still bears their names.
In private practice, Mike represented real estate developers, brokers, lenders, and title insurance companies. He has also served as a certified mediator and arbitrator, as well as a speaker at continuing legal education seminars.
In 2016, the law firm created the perpetual Michael W. Tighe Law Scholarship at the University of South Carolina School of Law in honor of Mike’s contributions to the legal profession and to the firm.
For the past 27 years, Stephanie Brown served as Mike’s legal assistant. Stephanie has retired as well, and says of her time at Callison Tighe, “It has been an honor and a privilege to work for Mike Tighe for the past 27 years and to be a part of a law firm that has become more like family to me than just somewhere to work. As we both step down from our places in the firm, we know that with the outstanding leadership and staff, the firm will continue to grow and serve our community well. Thank you again for the opportunity to work with such a great group of people.”
Mike’s impact on the firm and the legal community is best captured by those who worked alongside him.
“Mike is a brilliant lawyer who led our firm for over fifty years,” said Callison Tighe’s managing partner, Rick Detwiler. “He was a leader who was generous in every way. He was a mentor to our lawyers and staff. And he remains a great friend to us all. We miss him tremendously.”
We will cherish our many years of working with Mike, his guidance and his wise counsel. We are deeply grateful for the legacy he leaves us, and we wish him all the enjoyment that he has so richly earned throughout his full life and profoundly distinguished career.