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Turning 125: Nelson Mullins Celebrating 125 Years of Legal Service in 2022
In January 1897, attorney P.H. Nelson left his position as solicitor of the Fifth Judicial Circuit to set up a private law practice in Columbia, S.C. The State newspaper contained a short but prescient news item on Jan. 26 about the endeavor, which noted that "the new firm should meet with great success."
And they were right. Today, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP offers legal services in 15 states and the District of Columbia from 31 offices with 930+ attorneys, policy advisors, and professionals. It is the 71st largest law firm in the nation based on 2020 gross revenues, according to The American Lawyer’s Am Law 100, a legal news organization that tracks law firm growth.
Throughout 2022, Nelson Mullins will be sharing seminal events from its history that highlight its growth from a one-man firm in 1897 to where we are today. Click here to learn more.
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Richard W. Riley
Partner
2 W. Washington Street
Suite 400
Greenville, SC 29601
Suite 900
Washington, D.C., 20001
1320 Main Street
17th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201
Dick is a senior partner of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP and EducationCounsel LLC. A former U.S. Secretary of Education (1993–2001) and a former Governor of South Carolina (1979–1987), Dick, with full support of the firm, remains an ambassador for improving education in the state, nation, and abroad.
Dick is a senior partner of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP and EducationCounsel LLC. A former U.S. Secretary of Education (1993–2001) and a former Governor of South Carolina (1979–1987), Dick, with full support of the firm, remains an ambassador for improving education in the state, nation, and abroad.
Experience
Experience
- Has counseled clients on business, governance, financial matters, government processes and education law, policy, strategy and advocacy
- Works with partners to develop strategy in complex business, legal, and education matters
Previous Professional Experience
- As U.S. Secretary of Education, helped launch initiatives to raise academic standards; improve instruction for the poor and disadvantaged; increase parental involvement in education; expand grants and loans to help more students attend college; and prepare young people in America for the world of work
- As Governor of South Carolina, initiated the Education Improvement Act, the Employment Revitalization Act, the S.C. Research Authority, regional nuclear waste compacts, merit selection of public service commissioners, greater openness in government, and a constitutional amendment creating a state reserve fund
- As S.C. State Legislator, advocated for Home Rule for local governments, judicial reform, legislative transparency, revision of the State Constitution, and modernization of state government
Education
- University of South Carolina School of Law, JD (1959)
- Furman University, BA, Political Science, cum laude (1954)
Admissions
- South Carolina
Practice Areas
Industries
Experience
- Has counseled clients on business, governance, financial matters, government processes and education law, policy, strategy and advocacy
- Works with partners to develop strategy in complex business, legal, and education matters
Previous Professional Experience
- As U.S. Secretary of Education, helped launch initiatives to raise academic standards; improve instruction for the poor and disadvantaged; increase parental involvement in education; expand grants and loans to help more students attend college; and prepare young people in America for the world of work
- As Governor of South Carolina, initiated the Education Improvement Act, the Employment Revitalization Act, the S.C. Research Authority, regional nuclear waste compacts, merit selection of public service commissioners, greater openness in government, and a constitutional amendment creating a state reserve fund
- As S.C. State Legislator, advocated for Home Rule for local governments, judicial reform, legislative transparency, revision of the State Constitution, and modernization of state government
Media
Recognitions
- Inducted into South Carolina Hall of Fame
- Named by TIME Magazine among Top Ten Best Cabinet Members in USA history
- Recipient of national and local awards from education and public service organizations
- Recipient of honorary degrees from higher education institutions in the United States and abroad
- College of Education at Winthrop University and College of Education and Leadership, Walden University, bear his name
Professional Activities
- South Carolina Bar
- American Bar Association
- Distinguished Professor of Education at the University of South Carolina
- Advisory Board Chair of Richard W. Riley Institute of Government, Politics and Public Leadership at Furman University
- ABA Commissions on Rule of Law and Civics in our Nation's Schools
Dick is a senior partner of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP and EducationCounsel LLC. A former U.S. Secretary of Education (1993–2001) and a former Governor of South Carolina (1979–1987), Dick, with full support of the firm, remains an ambassador for improving education in the state, nation, and abroad.
Experience
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
- Has counseled clients on business, governance, financial matters, government processes and education law, policy, strategy and advocacy
- Works with partners to develop strategy in complex business, legal, and education matters
Previous Professional Experience
- As U.S. Secretary of Education, helped launch initiatives to raise academic standards; improve instruction for the poor and disadvantaged; increase parental involvement in education; expand grants and loans to help more students attend college; and prepare young people in America for the world of work
- As Governor of South Carolina, initiated the Education Improvement Act, the Employment Revitalization Act, the S.C. Research Authority, regional nuclear waste compacts, merit selection of public service commissioners, greater openness in government, and a constitutional amendment creating a state reserve fund
- As S.C. State Legislator, advocated for Home Rule for local governments, judicial reform, legislative transparency, revision of the State Constitution, and modernization of state government
Education
- University of South Carolina School of Law, JD (1959)
- Furman University, BA, Political Science, cum laude (1954)
Admissions
- South Carolina
Practice Areas
- Corporate Governance
- Economic Development
- Education EducationCounsel LLC
- Federal Government Strategies
- Government Relations
- Higher Education
- State & Local Government Relations
Industries
- Inducted into South Carolina Hall of Fame
- Named by TIME Magazine among Top Ten Best Cabinet Members in USA history
- Recipient of national and local awards from education and public service organizations
- Recipient of honorary degrees from higher education institutions in the United States and abroad
- College of Education at Winthrop University and College of Education and Leadership, Walden University, bear his name
- South Carolina Bar
- American Bar Association
- Distinguished Professor of Education at the University of South Carolina
- Advisory Board Chair of Richard W. Riley Institute of Government, Politics and Public Leadership at Furman University
- ABA Commissions on Rule of Law and Civics in our Nation's Schools
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