Thomas McElveen
Legislative Consultant
1320 Main Street
17th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201
Thomas is a legislative and government relations consultant who served three terms as a senator in the South Carolina Senate, representing Sumter, Kershaw, Richland, and Lee counties. Thomas joined the South Carolina Senate as its youngest member and built a reputation as a pragmatic and independent-minded legislator with a knack for building working...
Thomas is a legislative and government relations consultant who served three terms as a senator in the South Carolina Senate, representing Sumter, Kershaw, Richland, and Lee counties. Thomas joined the South Carolina Senate as its youngest member and built a reputation as a pragmatic and independent-minded legislator with a knack for building working relationships and coalitions during his legislative career.
During his 12-year legislative career, Thomas served on numerous committees and sub-committees to include Finance, Judiciary, Transportation, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Family and Veteran Services, among many others. Thomas was often charged with shepherding important pieces of legislation through the legislative process. Thomas also gained very valuable experience as a member of various oversight committees working with numerous state agencies to ensure compliance with all statutory obligations. Finally, Thomas worked with several municipalities and other community organizations to secure funding priorities during the budgetary process.
Thomas has practiced law for more than 21 years and has litigated a variety of cases in both state and federal courts. He is a member of the South Carolina Bar and is also admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. He is certified by the South Carolina Board of Arbitrator and Mediator Certification as a Civil Court Mediator.
relationships and coalitions during his legislative career.
During his 12-year legislative career, Thomas served on numerous committees and sub-committees to include Finance, Judiciary, Transportation, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Family and Veteran Services, among many others. Thomas was often charged with shepherding important pieces of legislation through the legislative process. Thomas also gained very valuable experience as a member of various oversight committees working with numerous state agencies to ensure compliance with all statutory obligations. Finally, Thomas worked with several municipalities and other community organizations to secure funding priorities during the budgetary process.
Thomas has practiced law for more than 21 years and has litigated a variety of cases in both state and federal courts. He is a member of the South Carolina Bar and is also admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. He is certified by the South Carolina Board of Arbitrator and Mediator Certification as a Civil Court Mediator.
Experience
Previous Professional Experience
- Attorney/partner at a South Carolina-based law firm (2003–current)
- State Senator, South Carolina Senate (2012-2024)
Education
- University of South Carolina School of Law, JD (2003)
- Davidson College, BA, History (2000)
Admissions
- South Carolina
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
Previous Professional Experience
- Attorney/partner at a South Carolina-based law firm (2003–current)
- State Senator, South Carolina Senate (2012-2024)
Media
Recognitions
- South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, Business Advocate Award
- The State, “20 Under 40” for Midlands Young Business Leaders
- Wilson Hall Distinguished Alumnus Award (2014)
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina, Green Tie Award for Conservation Leadership
- National Guard Association of South Carolina, Senator of the Year
- Sierra Club of South Carolina, Legislator of the Year
- American Legion of South Carolina, Outstanding Member of the Legislature Award
- American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Legislative Champion Award
- Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce, Bobby Jones Humanitarian Award
- South Carolina Sporting Dogs Association, Distinguished Service Award
Professional Activities
- Elected to South Carolina Senate, District 35 (2012–2024)
- Served on Finance Committee, Judiciary Committee, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, Fish, Game, and Forestry Committee, Transportation Committee, Family and Veterans’ Services Committee, Rules Committee, and Corrections and Penology Committee
- Chairman, standing Senate Veterans Affairs Subcommittee
- Chairman, Sumter County Legislative Delegation
- Chairman, South Carolina Senate Sportsmen’s Caucus
- Served on Department of Social Services Oversight Subcommittee
- Appointed to South Carolina Veterans Policy Advisory Committee by Governor Henry D. McMaster
- Selected for State Legislative Leaders Foundation Emerging Leaders Program, University of Virginia Darden School of Business
- Presenter at Southern Legislative Conference
Community
- Member, Sumpter Sertoma Club
- Member, Shaw-Sumter Community Council
- Board Member, Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce
- Member, Sumter Touchdown Club
- Board Member, The LINK (Sumter-Lee Economic Development Alliance)
- Advisory Board Member, Sumter Item Local News
- Member, South Carolina Access to Justice Commission
- Founding Board Member, South Carolina Outdoors Hall of Fame
- Deacon and Elder, First Presbyterian Church, Sumter
- Honorary Wing Commander (civilian), 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw Air Force Base
- Board Member, Carolina Cup Racing Association
- Board Member, Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments
- Member, MBNO Advisory Board
- Director, TwelveTime Foundation
Leadership
- Tuomey Fellowship
- Leadership Sumter
- Leadership South Carolina
- Liberty Fellowship (Class XIII)
- Member, Aspen Global Leadership Network
- Riley Institute Diversity Leaders Initiative, Midlands Class XVIII
Thomas is a legislative and government relations consultant who served three terms as a senator in the South Carolina Senate, representing Sumter, Kershaw, Richland, and Lee counties. Thomas joined the South Carolina Senate as its youngest member and built a reputation as a pragmatic and independent-minded legislator with a knack for building working... relationships and coalitions during his legislative career.
During his 12-year legislative career, Thomas served on numerous committees and sub-committees to include Finance, Judiciary, Transportation, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Family and Veteran Services, among many others. Thomas was often charged with shepherding important pieces of legislation through the legislative process. Thomas also gained very valuable experience as a member of various oversight committees working with numerous state agencies to ensure compliance with all statutory obligations. Finally, Thomas worked with several municipalities and other community organizations to secure funding priorities during the budgetary process.
Thomas has practiced law for more than 21 years and has litigated a variety of cases in both state and federal courts. He is a member of the South Carolina Bar and is also admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. He is certified by the South Carolina Board of Arbitrator and Mediator Certification as a Civil Court Mediator.
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.Previous Professional Experience
- Attorney/partner at a South Carolina-based law firm (2003–current)
- State Senator, South Carolina Senate (2012-2024)
Education
- University of South Carolina School of Law, JD (2003)
- Davidson College, BA, History (2000)
Admissions
- South Carolina
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
Areas of Focus
- South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, Business Advocate Award
- The State, “20 Under 40” for Midlands Young Business Leaders
- Wilson Hall Distinguished Alumnus Award (2014)
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina, Green Tie Award for Conservation Leadership
- National Guard Association of South Carolina, Senator of the Year
- Sierra Club of South Carolina, Legislator of the Year
- American Legion of South Carolina, Outstanding Member of the Legislature Award
- American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Legislative Champion Award
- Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce, Bobby Jones Humanitarian Award
- South Carolina Sporting Dogs Association, Distinguished Service Award
- Elected to South Carolina Senate, District 35 (2012–2024)
- Served on Finance Committee, Judiciary Committee, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, Fish, Game, and Forestry Committee, Transportation Committee, Family and Veterans’ Services Committee, Rules Committee, and Corrections and Penology Committee
- Chairman, standing Senate Veterans Affairs Subcommittee
- Chairman, Sumter County Legislative Delegation
- Chairman, South Carolina Senate Sportsmen’s Caucus
- Served on Department of Social Services Oversight Subcommittee
- Appointed to South Carolina Veterans Policy Advisory Committee by Governor Henry D. McMaster
- Selected for State Legislative Leaders Foundation Emerging Leaders Program, University of Virginia Darden School of Business
- Presenter at Southern Legislative Conference
- Member, Sumpter Sertoma Club
- Member, Shaw-Sumter Community Council
- Board Member, Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce
- Member, Sumter Touchdown Club
- Board Member, The LINK (Sumter-Lee Economic Development Alliance)
- Advisory Board Member, Sumter Item Local News
- Member, South Carolina Access to Justice Commission
- Founding Board Member, South Carolina Outdoors Hall of Fame
- Deacon and Elder, First Presbyterian Church, Sumter
- Honorary Wing Commander (civilian), 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw Air Force Base
- Board Member, Carolina Cup Racing Association
- Board Member, Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments
- Member, MBNO Advisory Board
- Director, TwelveTime Foundation
- Tuomey Fellowship
- Leadership Sumter
- Leadership South Carolina
- Liberty Fellowship (Class XIII)
- Member, Aspen Global Leadership Network
- Riley Institute Diversity Leaders Initiative, Midlands Class XVIII
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