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Robert H. Brunson

Robert H. Brunson

Partner

Liberty Center
151 Meeting Street
Suite 600
Charleston, SC 29401
robert.brunson@nelsonmullins.com

Robert serves clients in a national trial practice. Throughout more than thirty 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, and supply chain...

Robert serves clients in a national trial practice. Throughout more than thirty 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, 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. 

A former Editor in Chief of the South Carolina Law Review and clerk to a United States District Court Judge, he has taught Trial Advocacy at two different law schools in South Carolina, founded the firm’s Legal Project Management Task Force, is co–chair of the Consumer and Mechanical Products Liability and Class Action Practice Group as well as the Private Wealth Services Group, 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.

Robert H. Brunson

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. 

A former Editor in Chief of the South Carolina Law Review and clerk to a United States District Court Judge, he has taught Trial Advocacy at two different law schools in South Carolina, founded the firm’s Legal Project Management Task Force, is co–chair of the Consumer and Mechanical Products Liability and Class Action Practice Group as well as the Private Wealth Services Group, 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.

Robert serves clients in a national trial practice. Throughout more than thirty 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, 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. 

A former Editor in Chief of the South Carolina Law Review and clerk to a United States District Court Judge, he has taught Trial Advocacy at two different law schools in South Carolina, founded the firm’s Legal Project Management Task Force, is co–chair of the Consumer and Mechanical Products Liability and Class Action Practice Group as well as the Private Wealth Services Group, 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

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
  • Representation of a trustee in efforts to recover funds misappropriated from a family trust
  • Defense of automotive and recreational product manufacturers in products liability and dealer franchise disputes
  • Uses customized, proprietary project management tools to provide forecasting, reporting, fixed fee accounting, litigation timelines, and formal “risk analysis” to clients
  • Counsel for consumer products manufacturer in class litigation relating to alleged product defects
  • Lead counsel in class actions seeking compensation for property devaluation relating to environmental spills      
  • Representation of automotive distributors in litigation with dealers
  • Counseling manufacturer clients on product recall requirements and related regulations promulgated under the Consumer Product Safety Act
  • Representation of a large appliance manufacturer as a plaintiff in the recovery of business losses from a component part supplier through multi–year litigation
  • 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
  • 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
  • Independent Counsel leading internal investigation of allegations relating to employment discrimination at a major corporation
  • Appellate counsel after major product manufacturer experienced a multi–million dollar adverse judgment in Maryland
  • Defense counsel for consumer product manufacturer sued in Arizona for alleged antitrust violations
  • Counsel for four small business owners suing the seller of defective ice machines in federal court
  • 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

Industries

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • 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
  • 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)