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Steven A. McKelvey, Jr.
Partner
1320 Main Street
17th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201
For more than 30 years, Steve has dedicated himself to meeting and exceeding his clients’ needs in the automotive industry. He is the leader of the firm's nationally recognized Automotive Industry Group, which provides comprehensive strategic counseling, experienced litigators, and proven trial attorneys in virtually all aspects of the transportation sector. In this capacity, Steve works...
For more than 30 years, Steve has dedicated himself to meeting and exceeding his clients’ needs in the automotive industry. He is the leader of the firm's nationally recognized Automotive Industry Group, which provides comprehensive strategic counseling, experienced litigators, and proven trial attorneys in virtually all aspects of the transportation sector. In this capacity, Steve works closely with more than 100 attorneys in the Automotive Industry Group, and with dozens of clients throughout the industry. He is one of a very small number of lawyers to have been recognized by Chambers USA with a Nationwide Band 1 Ranking in the category of America's Leading Lawyers for Business, in the Transportation: Road (Automotive). Additionally, Steve has been recognized by Legal 500 United States as a Leading Lawyer in the Transportation: Rail and Road sector.
Steve is a long-time trusted advisor to many automotive company general counsels, deputy/assistant general counsels, in-house legal teams, and company executives. He is recognized as a highly effective legal strategist with a deep understanding of the auto industry. His unwavering commitment to his clients is one of his strongest qualities, and his ability to help them achieve their business goals and needs within the industry’s heavily regulated framework is his hallmark. Steve values his broad and deep working relationships with countless participants in virtually all aspects of the auto industry, including relationships with legacy OEMs, distributors, start-up companies and newer entrants to the industry, state and federal regulators, and industry attorneys representing a wide range of stakeholders on all sides of the issues facing his clients.
Steve has advised clients or represented them in matters in more than 40 states and multiple U.S. territories. His representation of clients extends well beyond those who manufacture and distribute passenger cars and trucks and extends to those engaged in many other aspects of the transportation sector, including the manufacture and distribution of motorcycles, e-bikes, powersport products, heavy trucks, marine products, aircraft, and more. He regularly consults with these clients on a wide range of issues, including ongoing business matters, major business initiatives, anticipated or existing legal disputes, and active litigation.
Steve is regularly invited to speak on national and state panels in the automobile industry, including client panels, industry conferences, government panels, and other industry events.
closely with more than 100 attorneys in the Automotive Industry Group, and with dozens of clients throughout the industry. He is one of a very small number of lawyers to have been recognized by Chambers USA with a Nationwide Band 1 Ranking in the category of America's Leading Lawyers for Business, in the Transportation: Road (Automotive). Additionally, Steve has been recognized by Legal 500 United States as a Leading Lawyer in the Transportation: Rail and Road sector.
Steve is a long-time trusted advisor to many automotive company general counsels, deputy/assistant general counsels, in-house legal teams, and company executives. He is recognized as a highly effective legal strategist with a deep understanding of the auto industry. His unwavering commitment to his clients is one of his strongest qualities, and his ability to help them achieve their business goals and needs within the industry’s heavily regulated framework is his hallmark. Steve values his broad and deep working relationships with countless participants in virtually all aspects of the auto industry, including relationships with legacy OEMs, distributors, start-up companies and newer entrants to the industry, state and federal regulators, and industry attorneys representing a wide range of stakeholders on all sides of the issues facing his clients.
Steve has advised clients or represented them in matters in more than 40 states and multiple U.S. territories. His representation of clients extends well beyond those who manufacture and distribute passenger cars and trucks and extends to those engaged in many other aspects of the transportation sector, including the manufacture and distribution of motorcycles, e-bikes, powersport products, heavy trucks, marine products, aircraft, and more. He regularly consults with these clients on a wide range of issues, including ongoing business matters, major business initiatives, anticipated or existing legal disputes, and active litigation.
Steve is regularly invited to speak on national and state panels in the automobile industry, including client panels, industry conferences, government panels, and other industry events.
Experience
Experience
- Experience in business counseling and litigation, with an emphasis on representation of automobile manufacturers, distributors, and automobile manufacturer trade associations. Regularly represents these entities in litigation matters throughout the country, including add points, relocations, terminations, licensing, vehicle allocations, warranty reimbursements, incentives, facilities, financing, and other manufacturer issues related to dealers and state/federal regulatory bodies
- Experience also extends to heavy trucks, light commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles
- Has represented captive and affiliated auto finance companies
- For more than three decades, has advised clients and/or appeared on their behalf in matters in more than 40 states
Education
-
University of South Carolina School of Law,
JD
(1990)
- Editor in Chief, South Carolina Law Review
- Member, South Carolina School of Law Moot Court Bar
- University of South Carolina, BA, English, cum laude (1986)
Admissions
- South Carolina
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
Clerkships
- Law Clerk, the Honorable Randall T. Bell, South Carolina Court of Appeals (1990 - 1991)
Practice Areas
Industries
Experience
- Experience in business counseling and litigation, with an emphasis on representation of automobile manufacturers, distributors, and automobile manufacturer trade associations. Regularly represents these entities in litigation matters throughout the country, including add points, relocations, terminations, licensing, vehicle allocations, warranty reimbursements, incentives, facilities, financing, and other manufacturer issues related to dealers and state/federal regulatory bodies
- Experience also extends to heavy trucks, light commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles
- Has represented captive and affiliated auto finance companies
- For more than three decades, has advised clients and/or appeared on their behalf in matters in more than 40 states
Media
Recognitions
- Legal 500 United States,
- Industry Focus: Transport: rail and road – litigation (2020–2023); Leading Lawyer (2023)
- Dispute Resolution: Product Liability, mass tort, and class action–defense: Automotive/Transport (2021)
- Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Transportation: Road (Automotive) – Nationwide (2012–2024); Band 1: Transportation: Road (Automotive) – Nationwide (2018–2024)
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Franchise Law (2009–2025)
Professional Activities
- South Carolina Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Franchising Law Forum
- Business Law Section
- Intellectual Property Law Section
- National Association of Motor Vehicle Boards and Commissions, Associate Member
- DRI – The Voice of the Defense Bar
- South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association
For more than 30 years, Steve has dedicated himself to meeting and exceeding his clients’ needs in the automotive industry. He is the leader of the firm's nationally recognized Automotive Industry Group, which provides comprehensive strategic counseling, experienced litigators, and proven trial attorneys in virtually all aspects of the transportation sector. In this capacity, Steve works... closely with more than 100 attorneys in the Automotive Industry Group, and with dozens of clients throughout the industry. He is one of a very small number of lawyers to have been recognized by Chambers USA with a Nationwide Band 1 Ranking in the category of America's Leading Lawyers for Business, in the Transportation: Road (Automotive). Additionally, Steve has been recognized by Legal 500 United States as a Leading Lawyer in the Transportation: Rail and Road sector.
Steve is a long-time trusted advisor to many automotive company general counsels, deputy/assistant general counsels, in-house legal teams, and company executives. He is recognized as a highly effective legal strategist with a deep understanding of the auto industry. His unwavering commitment to his clients is one of his strongest qualities, and his ability to help them achieve their business goals and needs within the industry’s heavily regulated framework is his hallmark. Steve values his broad and deep working relationships with countless participants in virtually all aspects of the auto industry, including relationships with legacy OEMs, distributors, start-up companies and newer entrants to the industry, state and federal regulators, and industry attorneys representing a wide range of stakeholders on all sides of the issues facing his clients.
Steve has advised clients or represented them in matters in more than 40 states and multiple U.S. territories. His representation of clients extends well beyond those who manufacture and distribute passenger cars and trucks and extends to those engaged in many other aspects of the transportation sector, including the manufacture and distribution of motorcycles, e-bikes, powersport products, heavy trucks, marine products, aircraft, and more. He regularly consults with these clients on a wide range of issues, including ongoing business matters, major business initiatives, anticipated or existing legal disputes, and active litigation.
Steve is regularly invited to speak on national and state panels in the automobile industry, including client panels, industry conferences, government panels, and other industry events.
Experience
The 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
- Experience in business counseling and litigation, with an emphasis on representation of automobile manufacturers, distributors, and automobile manufacturer trade associations. Regularly represents these entities in litigation matters throughout the country, including add points, relocations, terminations, licensing, vehicle allocations, warranty reimbursements, incentives, facilities, financing, and other manufacturer issues related to dealers and state/federal regulatory bodies
- Experience also extends to heavy trucks, light commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles
- Has represented captive and affiliated auto finance companies
- For more than three decades, has advised clients and/or appeared on their behalf in matters in more than 40 states
Education
-
University of South Carolina School of Law,
JD
(1990)
- Editor in Chief, South Carolina Law Review
- Member, South Carolina School of Law Moot Court Bar
- University of South Carolina, BA, English, cum laude (1986)
Admissions
- South Carolina
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
Clerkships
- Law Clerk, The Honorable Randall T. Bell, South Carolina Court of Appeals (1990 - 1991)
Practice Areas
- Commercial Litigation & Business Torts
- Consumer Financial Services
- Franchise & Distribution - Litigation
- General Counsel Services
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- Litigation
Industries
- Legal 500 United States,
- Industry Focus: Transport: rail and road – litigation (2020–2023); Leading Lawyer (2023)
- Dispute Resolution: Product Liability, mass tort, and class action–defense: Automotive/Transport (2021)
- Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Transportation: Road (Automotive) – Nationwide (2012–2024); Band 1: Transportation: Road (Automotive) – Nationwide (2018–2024)
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Franchise Law (2009–2025)
- South Carolina Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Franchising Law Forum
- Business Law Section
- Intellectual Property Law Section
- National Association of Motor Vehicle Boards and Commissions, Associate Member
- DRI – The Voice of the Defense Bar
- South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association
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