Ian T. Duggan | Callison Tighe

Ian is a determined attorney whose experience helps individuals and organizations through challenging legal situations. In an age of increasing lawyer specialization, Ian sustains a practice assisting clients from all walks of life through complex legal problems. No matter the client or legal issue, earnest advice and zealous advocacy are the hallmarks of Ian’s practice.

Whether facing potential litigation or investigation, Ian’s clients rely on his experience to help them address immediate crises and plan for issues that may come over the horizon. Ian has served as lead counsel in over 50 cases tried to a verdict in civil and criminal matters in both state and federal court. He also practices regularly in arbitration, administrative, and municipal proceedings. Outside the courtroom, Ian serves as counsel to numerous individuals, businesses, and organizations advising long-term clients through both routine and complex legal questions.

By immersing himself in his clients’ concerns and collaborating with a diverse and talented group of attorneys and professional staff at Callison Tighe, Ian’s goal for each client is to secure a successful and efficient outcome—whether inside or outside the courtroom.

Confident that everyone facing a significant legal issue is deserving of competent legal advice, Ian is proud that his experience includes successfully representing clients from seriously injured blue-collar workers to Fortune 500 companies. This experience includes the representative matters below.

Before joining Callison Tighe in 2017, Ian served as a Judge Advocate officer in the U.S. Air Force. Recognized as one of the service’s top trial advocates, Ian prosecuted and defended some of the highest-profile criminal cases in the Air Force. His Air Force service included tours of duty in Afghanistan, Turkey, and Qatar.

After separating from active duty, Ian served as a senior trial and appellate counsel for the United States Air Force in a reserve officer capacity. In 2019, he became a South Carolina Air National Guard officer. Today, Ian serves as the Staff Judge Advocate for the 169^th Fighter Wing at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, charged with providing legal support to a fighter command of over 1000 Airmen and their families. Ian relies on this significant military experience in representing enlisted servicemembers and noncommissioned and commissioned officers in courts-martial, nonjudicial punishment, and other adverse administrative actions.

In addition to his military service, Ian enjoys serving his community by providing free or reduced fee representation in select matters. He has been a recipient of the South Carolina Supreme Court’s “Pro Bono Honor Roll” since its inception.

Though raised in Virginia, Ian considers South Carolina home. He came to the state to attend Furman University, where he served as captain of the men’s lacrosse team and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history in 2007. Ian received his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2010.

Admissions

South Carolina, 2010
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, 2017
U.S. District Court for South Carolina, 2017
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Services, 2011
U.S. Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals, 2011

Education

University of South Carolina School of Law, Juris Doctor, 2010
- Dean’s List
- Pro Bono Board Member
Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, 2015
- Distinguished graduate
Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, 2021
Furman University, Bachelor of Arts, History, 2007
- Captain, Men’s Lacrosse team
- Dean’s List
- Phi Alpha Theta
- Study abroad, Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand
Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, 2024

Associations

Life Member, National Guard Association of the United States & National Guard Association of South Carolina
American Bar Association
South Carolina Association for Justice
South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Federal Bar Association
Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel, United States District Court of South Carolina

Honors & Awards

Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2021 to present
AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, 2020 to present
Client Champion Silver Award from Martindale-Hubbell, 2021
“Legal Elite of the Midlands” by Columbia Business Monthly – Business Litigation, 2021 to present
Meritorious Service Medal
Joint Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters
U.S. Air Forces in Europe 2013 Schubert Award in International Law
39th Air Base 2014 Wing Staff Agencies Company Grade Officer of the Year

Published Works

“1001 is the Loneliest Number: Material Matters in 18 U.S.C. § 1001,” co-authored with Louis Lang, July 2020 edition, South Carolina Lawyer magazine
Fourth Circuit Survey: CACI Premier Technology, Inc. v. Rhodes, 61 South Carolina Law Review 595 (2010)

Representative Matters

Disclaimer: The following examples are intended only to be representative of Mr. Duggan’s practice. These examples are not intended, and cannot be relied upon, to predict the results in any other case.

After a nearly two-week jury trial, Ian secured a “not guilty” verdict for a chiropractor in a complex healthcare criminal fraud prosecution in federal court.
After a week-long jury trial, Ian secured a six-figure verdict against the State of South Carolina in an inverse condemnation and trespass case.
Retained by a federally elected official’s campaign, Ian prepared his client for a successful outcome before the South Carolina Election Commission.
Ian secured a seven-figure settlement for his client in a complex, multi-state business dispute involving fraud and trademark infringement allegations.
Ian represented an individual arrested, falsely accused of crimes, physically assaulted, and restrained by a South Carolina Sheriff. Ian’s advocacy in court on his client’s behalf led to a six-figure settlement, the dismissal of charges, and the expungement of his client’s criminal record.
Ian secured a six-figure settlement on behalf of an individual with employment law and reprisal claims against an employer.
Ian secured the dismissal of a fraud claim against multiple professional clients in a federal court civil proceeding.
Serving as counsel for a company expanding operations on the South Carolina coast, Ian shepherded his client through negotiations with multiple government environmental agencies. He successfully represented this family-owned business in three legal proceedings—securing a directed verdict, summary judgment, and settlement of an appeal on his client’s behalf.
Ian secured a seven-figure settlement for a whistleblower who alleged fraud and other violations of the law by an employer.
Just before an impending trial, Ian secured a seven-figure settlement on behalf of his clients in a complex environmental law case.
In representing a military officer in court-martial proceedings, Ian’s advocacy led to the dismissal of multiple felony charges and the preservation of retirement benefits for his client after 30+ years of military service.