Richard C. Detwiler | Callison Tighe

With over 30 years as a trial lawyer, Rick has earned Martindale-Hubbell’s highest Peer Review Rating of AV Preeminent by demonstrating the highest level of professional excellence, legal skill and ethical standing in the practice of law.

Rick’s practice includes representing clients in cases involving:

Rick is also certified as a Circuit Court Mediator by the South Carolina Supreme Court.

Born and raised in Columbia, Rick attended the University of South Carolina, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in 1977. He then went to work for Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation, where his positions included state sales manager in Atlanta and national sales supervisor at Lawyers Title’s headquarters in Richmond, Va. In that latter position, he analyzed and developed marketing strategies for branch and agency operations throughout the United States. He left Lawyers Title to attend law school.

Rick completed the University of South Carolina School of Law in only two and a half years, graduating in December 1985 as a member of the Class of 1986. He was a member of the Law School’s Moot Court Bar and competed as a member of the law school’s ABA Moot Court Team. He is also a graduate of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy’s Advanced Trial Advocacy program in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Rick brought his practice to Callison Tighe in 1991 and has been a partner since 1992. He is a member of the firm’s Management Committee.

Rick and his family have lived in nearby Camden, SC since 1988. He has been married for over 35 years to his wife Janet and they have one son, Will.

Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals Fourth Circuit, 2000
U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina, 1986
South Carolina, 1986

Certifications

South Carolina Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator

Education

The University of South Carolina School of Law (J.D. 1985/Class of ‘86)
The University of South Carolina (B.S. 1977, Business Administration)

Associations

South Carolina Bar
- Trial and Appellate Advocacy Section
- Family Law Section
- Torts and Insurance Practice Section
- Workers’ Compensation Section
American Association for Justice
South Carolina Association for Justice

Honors & Awards

Best Lawyers in America, Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants, 2018-present; Commercial Litigation, 2020-present
AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale Hubbell Peer Ratings
“Legal Elite of the Midlands” by Columbia Metropolitan Magazine, 2013-14, 2017 and 2019 in field of workers’ compensation; 2018 and 2021 in the field of business litigation; 2020 in the field of personal injury

Representative Cases

Disclaimer: The following examples are intended only to be representative of Mr. Detwiler’s practice. Mr. Detwiler is solely responsible for this content. These examples are not intended, and cannot be relied upon, to predict the results in any other case.

Lloyd & Rings Wholesale Nursery, Inc. v. Long & Woodley Landscaping & Garden Center, Inc., 315 S.C. 88, 431 S.E.2d 632 (1993). (Defended at the trial and appellate level a claim by a Florida plaintiff to domesticate a Florida judgment against a South Carolina resident, based upon lack of personal jurisdiction.)
CompTrust AGC, etc. v. Whitaker’s, Inc. of Sumter and Whitaker’s Trust, etc., 2007-UP-199 (2007). (Defended an appeal challenging a jury award of actual and punitive damages in a case involving misrepresentations by an insured of business/worker classifications. Rick was lead trial and appellate counsel.)
Gregory Electric Company, Inc. v. American Express Financial Advisors, n/k/a Ameriprise Financial Services, et al., NASD/FINRA Case No. 04-04413. (Prosecuted a securities arbitration claim on behalf of an investor involving claims of unsuitability, fraud, churning, violation of SEC Rule 10b-5, among other claims, resulting in a substantial arbitration award against Ameriprise Financial Services.
Gregory Electric Company, Inc. v. Seaboard Securities, Inc. (Handled a securities arbitration claim on behalf of an investor involving claims of unsuitability, fraud, churning, violation of SEC Rule 10b-5, among other claims.)
Wallace v. Dixie Narco, Inc., a/k/a Maytag and Fidelity & Guaranty Insurance Co., WCC File No. 0526479, Civil Action No. 2007-CO-06-229. (Prosecuted a mental-mental injury claim against employer, resulting in an award of total disability benefits, after appeal to the South Carolina Court of Common Pleas, reversing the South Carolina Workers Compensation Commission.)
Creative Communication Services, Inc. v. Travelers Property Casualty Company of America and PAD Able, Inc., d/b/a Harold R. Beard Agency, Civil Action No. 2006-CP-40-6758. (Prosecuted civil claim against an insurance carrier and agent for allegedly overbilling workers’ compensation premiums.)
Moffitt v. South Carolina Department of Transportation, Civil Action No. 99-CP-27-122. (As lead trial counsel, obtained jury award, plus award of attorneys’ fees, in a condemnation case involving a taking of only one-third of an acre but substantial damages to the remainder of the landowner’s property; appeal by SCDOT withdrawn.)
Litigated and resolved dispute over a family business involving oppression and mismanagement by majority shareholders, resulting in a buyout of client’s shares for a figure in excess of market value.
Litigated and resolved dispute against a real estate broker which aided in seller’s breach of $1.3 million real estate contract.
Defended a minority shareholder derivative suit against a family-owned real estate development company, which alleged fraud and mismanagement by the controlling directors, resulting in no settlement or award to the disaffected shareholder and payment of clients’ attorneys fees.
Defended claims by remainder beneficiaries against the primary income beneficiary and trustee of a trust, and prosecuted related claims against the successor trustee for mismanagement and partiality in the Trust’s administration.
Handled hundreds of workers compensation cases for commercial and residential general contractors and subcontractors.
Handled many workers’ compensation injury claims for injured workers involving awards or settlement for permanent and total disability.
Handled numerous lifetime benefits cases for injured workers involving traumatic brain injuries under S.C. Code § 42-9-10.
In 2015, successfully resolved a medical malpractice claim against a doctor and regional hospital on behalf of a patient who was rendered a quadriplegic after the medical providers over-corrected his serum saline, causing central pontine myelinolysis, also referred to as osmotic demyelination syndrome.
Successfully represented a number of physicians in practice management matters, including commercial litigation over physician practices.
Successfully represented contractors in disputes over alleged OSHA violations.