MCKINNEY - Key Persons
Gary Lemel was destined from an early age to make his living in public speaking. Starting in middle school, throughout high school and continuing into college at Vanderbilt University and law school at Wake Forest University, he was active in speech, debate, and mock trial programs. He served as co-captain of the Intercollegiate Debate Team at Vanderbilt and upon graduating was awarded the Founder's Medal for Excellence in Oratory. This medal, voted on by the faculty of the Communications Department, recognizes one student from each class for outstanding achievement in public communication and speech.
Upon graduating the Wake Forest School of Law in 1996, Gary was fortunate enough to begin his career as an associate in a law office practicing extensively in the area of criminal defense in York County. While many of his law school classmates had yet to leave the research library, he had already begun to try cases at both the magistrate and General Sessions levels. He has served the citizens of York County and surrounding areas with pride since that time.
Over the course of his career, Gary has worked as a private attorney, as City Solicitor for Rock Hill, and as a Public Defender. His cases have ranged in scope from basic traffic violations to death penalty litigation. While with the York County Public Defender office, he served as Senior Assistant Public Defender, handling both administrative and training duties, as well as his normal caseload. While there he became known for handling complex and difficult cases involving violent crimes, particularly those involving forensic and medical evidence. His current practice spans multiple counties and focuses extensively on Driving Under the Influence (a subject that he has lectured on at state conferences), drug charges of all levels, and other high-level felonies. Gary's work is driven by a desire to ensure that the American ideals of the right to a fair trial are upheld for all people.
In addition to his professional responsibilities, Gary remains involved in numerous volunteer and Bar Association committees. He served for eight years as Chairman of the York County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs and two years as vice president of the Public Defender Association. He was a board member of the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, serving as Circuit representative for York and Union counties and as President. He also serves as a member of the Bar's Judicial Qualifications Committee and Public Defender Standards Committee. He is a Commissioner with the South Carolina Commission on Disabilities and Special Needs.
Recently, Gary was named a Lawyer of the Year by the S.C. Bar's Law-Related Education Division for his volunteer work coaching students in the mock trial programs at Fort Mill Middle School and Nation Ford High School. Both schools have gone on to win regional and state titles.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Member of the South Carolina Bar
Jim was born on December 13, 1962 in Darlington, South Carolina. He spent his childhood in Society Hill, South Carolina. Jim credits his mother with his sense of fairness and his father with his competitive edge.
At a fairly early age, Jim decided that he wanted to be an attorney. His family was involved in farming and other business interests to which he was not drawn. Jim finished high school in Cheraw, South Carolina in 1981 and college in Charleston, South Carolina in 1983. Upon graduating the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1987, Jim joined the firm of McKinney, Givens and Millar in Rock Hill. He has remained with successor firms at the same location. The members of the current firm have practiced at the same location for over 60 combined years.
Jim is a member of the South Carolina Bar and the North Carolina Bar and practices in multiple counties in both states. He represents clients in Family Court and Circuit Court in South Carolina and District Court and Superior Court in North Carolina. He also represents clients in appellate matters before the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.
Jim has one son and one daughter. He enjoys the practice of law and related areas of interest. Jim's practice focuses primarily in personal injury and family law. He is a Certified Court Mediator. He is a member of the Family Law section of the North Carolina Bar, past president of the York County Bar Association, coach of the two-time state champion Middle School Mock Trial team, the South Carolina Association for Justice, and other civic organizations.
Jessica is originally from York County, South Carolina. Her mother is an English teacher and her father is an attorney - they formed quite the team when it came to making sure Jessica was driven and focused on her studies. Her father taught her that you need to work hard to succeed - even when you don't feel like it, and that there is always room for improvement. Her mother taught her that success in your career is important, but success in your family - life is the most important.
Jessica began her college career at the University of Alabama where she joined her sorority, Delta Gamma, and received the Golden Lamp Award for academic excellence. Jessica then transferred to Clemson University (yes, she loves both teams, and no, she will not pick a side) where she graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a minor in chemistry.
Next, Jessica attended the George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. where she was an articles editor on the ABA's Public Contract Law Journal; She was published in that same journal in the Spring of 2020. During law school, Jessica worked at the District Attorney's Office in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the Family Violence and Sexual Assault division, and later worked at a boutique firm located in Washington, D.C. where she focused on contract law. Jessica then joined the legal team for Break the Cycle in D.C. where she helped young victims of domestic violence and sexual assault navigate the legal system.
Jessica graduated in May of 2020. She received a double-concentrated degree in Family Law and Public Contract Law, and was awarded the Pro Bono Service Award for her work with teenaged victims of Domestic violence.
McKinney, Tucker & Lemel has always been a second family for Jessica, and her father has been with the firm since before Jessica was born. She spent many sick days in the office with her dad, and could always count on Ms. Beth and Ms. Sadie to bring her treats and make her smile. She is now at the firm as an attorney that focuses on family law- she can still count on Ms. Beth and Ms. Sadie to make her smile.
Jessica lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband, Dylan, their two children, and their dogs, Molly and Charlie. Jessica enjoys reading, playing with her children, and trying new restaurants with her husband."