BRYAN LAW FIRM - Key Persons
David Goldman was born in Jackson Heights, New York. He earned his bachelor's degree from Emory University in 1965 and his law degree from Washington and Lee University in 1968. He was a member of Phi Alpha Delta.
Mr. Goldman was admitted to the New York Bar in 1969 and the South Carolina Bar in 1970. He was associated with the Bryan Law Firm in 1969 and became a partner in 1972. His practice focused primarily on medical malpractice, personal injury, and civil litigation.
Mr. Goldman was a lecturer for the South Carolina Bar Continuing Legal Education Division for many years beginning in 1980. He served on the Supreme Court of South Carolina's Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline from 1989 to 1991 and as the Assistant Disciplinary Counsel Commission on Lawyer Conduct from 1997 to 1999.
Elizabeth Nesbitt, a Sumter native, joined the firm in 2005 as the firm's receptionist. Through on the job training and various seminars, she transitioned into a workers' compensation paralegal in 2012 and a personal injury paralegal in 2016. She currently serves as the paralegal for John Moorman, Thomas McElveen, and Joe McElveen. Elizabeth graduated from the University of South Carolina with an Associate in Arts degree and an Associate in Science degree.
Howard P. King, former Resident and Active Retired Judge of the Third Judicial Circuit, joined the firm in an "Of Counsel" capacity on March 1, 2020.
Upon graduation from The Citadel, Howard was commissioned in the United States Army Artillery and served two years active duty in Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Giessen Germany. Thereafter, he served six years in the South Carolina National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserves.
Following his active duty service, he enrolled in the University of Tennessee School of Law, later transferring to the University of South Carolina School of Law where he graduated with a Juris Doctor in 1966. He entered private practice in Sumter as an Associate with Bryan and Bahnmuller, and three years later he became a partner and the firm name changed to Bryan, Bahnmuller, and King. He practiced law with the firm (later Bryan, Bahnmuller, King, Goldman, and McElveen) until 1996 when he was elected Resident Judge for the Third Judicial Circuit. After 10 ½ years he relinquished his Resident Seat but continued to serve in an Active Retired Capacity until February 29, 2020 when he retired from the Judicial Branch.
Education:
Greenville, SC public schools- Graduate: Greenville Senior High School-1957
Joe McElveen was born in Sumter, South Carolina, and attended the public schools of Sumter. In 1968, he graduated from The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, where he was a Gold Star student and a Distinguished Air Force Student and graduate. He then attended the law school of the University of South Carolina and graduated in 1971. While in law school he served on the Editorial Board of the South Carolina Law Review and had two of his articles published. Joe was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1971. He joined the firm as an associate in 1972 and became a partner in 1975.
After law school, Joe served in the United States Air Force. He first served as administrative officer for the 728th Tactical Fighter Support Squadron, and he completed his active duty and reserve duty as a Staff Judge Advocate. He was honorably discharged in 1977.
For a number of years, Joe practiced family law almost exclusively. He was a Certified Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He was the founding chair of the Family Law Section of the South Carolina Bar. He served on the editorial board of The Family Advocate, a publication of the Family Law Section of the American Bar Association. In 1985 his article, "Ten Commandments of Family Law Negotiation," was published in Trial magazine.
Joe served on the Commission on Continuing Lawyer Competence. He has served on the House of Delegates and Board of Governors of the South Carolina Bar. Joe was awarded the Gold Compleat Lawyer Award by the South Carolina School of Law in 1996. He was recognized as an AV Rated Attorney, which is the highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards. He has been a frequent lecturer at Continuing Legal Education seminars. Joe has served as a board member of the Workplace Litigation Group, and has been an active member of the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Education Association and the Injured Workers' Advocates.
Joe currently serves as the mayor of his hometown and has done so since 2000. Prior to serving as mayor, he served as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives for ten years, during which time he served two terms as a Majority Leader. He also served on Sumter City Council for two years (1964-86).
Joe's practice mainly focuses on Workers' Compensation but he is also a Certified Mediator, offering full service mediator services, and is admitted to practice before the United States District Court.
Joe and his wife Kathy have two children, Thomas and Kate, and a granddaughter, Adelaide.
Joseph Thomas McElveen, III, a native of Sumter, South Carolina, and son of partner, Joseph T. McElveen, Jr. joined the firm as an associate on May 24, 2004. Mr. McElveen received a bachelor's degree in History from Davidson College in 2000 and received his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2003. On January 1, 2008, he became a partner in the firm. Mr. McElveen currently serves District 35 in the South Carolina Senate.
John Ford was born in San Angelo, Texas in 1943. He graduated cum laude in 1965 with a bachelor's degree from Hillsdale College. He earned his law degree from Washington and Lee, graduating in 1968. He was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 1968, the US Supreme Court in 1973, the South Carolina Bar in 1974, the SC Federal District Court in 1977, and the US Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1987.
Mr. Ford was a special agent with the FBI from 1969 to 1974. He joined the Bryan Law Firm as an associate in 1980 and became a partner in 1981. His practice focused primarily on personal injury.
From 1997 to 1999, Mr. Ford served with the Commission on Lawyer Conduct as well as the Disciplinary Committee of the South Carolina Bar. He began serving on the Board of Governors for the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association in 1996. He was the President of the Sumter County Bar in 2001.
John Moorman was born and raised in Cheraw, South Carolina. He graduated magna cum laude from Presbyterian College in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in History with Honors as well as minors in French and International Studies. John graduated from the University of South Carolina, School of Law and was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 2003. While at the University of South Carolina, School of Law, John was selected as a member of the Moot Court Bar and the John Belton O'Neall Inn of Court and served as the President of the student chapter of the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association, now known as the South Carolina Association for Justice.
John is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, he is also certified as a Mediator. John became an associate with the Bryan Law Firm in 2007 and became a partner in 2009.
Prior to joining the Bryan Law Firm, John served as an Assistant Solicitor in the Lexington County Solicitor's Office. His practice focuses primarily on personal injury, worker's compensation, insurance disputes, and criminal defense. In addition to practicing in these areas, John has briefed and argued cases before the South Carolina Court of Appeals and the South Carolina Supreme Court.
John is very involved in the Sumter community. He is a member of the Shaw-Sumter Community Council, Sumter Sertoma Club, where he currently serves as President, and the Sumter Touchdown Club. He is a member of First Presbyterian Church where he has served as a Moderator and Secretary of the Board of Deacons and where he currently serves as an Elder. John and his wife, Anna, live in Sumter and are the proud parents of two daughters, Caroline and Mary Taylor.
John R. Moorman joined the firm as an associate on April 1, 2007. Mr. Moorman graduated Magna Cum Laude with Honors from Presbyterian College with a bachelor's degree in History and received his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2003. On January 1, 2009, he became a partner in the firm and now serves as the managing partner.
Julie Long joined the Bryan Law Firm in 2003 as the firm's part-time receptionist. She transitioned into the firm's transcriptionist, and in 2005, through on the job training and college courses, Julie became employed fulltime as the firm's bookkeeper. Julie currently serves as the firm's office manager and assists attorneys John Moorman and Thomas McElveen with criminal matters. Julie earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina, receiving the Academic Achievement Award for the Business division.
Michelle Stone, a Sumter native, joined the Bryan Law Firm in 2013 as the lead receptionist and an administrative assistant. Her duties were expanded and, in 2014, she began serving as the firm's bookkeeper. Through on-the-job training, Michelle transitioned into a personal injury paralegal in 2016. She serves as the paralegal for John Moorman.
PRACTICE AREAS
Personal Injury Claims