Arthur E. Justice, Jr

Arthur E. Justice, Jr

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FlorenceMyrtle Beach
  • 843-656-4412

Art Justice has been providing legal advice to businesses for close to four decades. Art’s counsel encompasses all areas of business, but particularly the areas of employment, economic development incentives, and risk management.

Art’s approach to guiding clients, whether dealing with current business issues or new development, is based on his decades of experience defending lawsuits. Art has tried well over 100 cases to verdict. Whether defending an employment discrimination suit, a professional liability action, or other business disputes, his experience in the courtroom helps him guide his clients in managing issues on the front-end that will help avoid litigation on the back end. Art likes to be involved in his clients’ issues early, helping guide them on business development and investment issues, personnel management, and general business issues. 

Art has counseled businesses and governmental entities on economic development incentives, including fee-in-lieu of tax agreements, for over 25 years, involving over $1,000,000,000 in capital investments during that time.  He assists large and small business in navigating the myriad of employment laws, regulations, and practices.  Art also lends his experience to firm clients who are facing “bet-the-company” issues and litigation.

Art is an experienced certified mediator and is often sought by his peers to help resolve extremely difficult cases.  Art has been involved in firm management his entire career and currently serves as the firm’s risk management and ethics counsel.  Art continues his career long involvement in community organizations, including leading a ministry at his church that provides beds to school children who do not have a bed to sleep in.

 

Employment

  • Defended a building supply company in a federal suit alleging that the plaintiff had been fired from his job because he complained about a female supervisor who used profane language around the plaintiff.  Art obtained a dismissal of the suit before it ever got to trial because he showed, through employee affidavits, that everyone in the warehouse, including the plaintiff, used bad language every now and then.
  • Represented an employer in a lengthy and involved wage and hour investigation by the Department of Labor, in which Art and his team were able to demonstrate that Fourth Circuit case law clearly held that the client’s treatment of meal and wait time was in compliance with the FLSA. When one of the client’s former employees wanted to continue to pursue the matter by threatening a lawsuit, Art met with her attorney and fully explained the client’s position, resulting in the former employee dropping her claim.
  • Assisted a major building materials company determine the most economical way to downsize its multi-state warehouse system and develop and implement a reduction in force plan. As a result, the client is now experiencing a return to growth.

Professional Liability

  • Represented an attorney in a malpractice action in which Art’s client was alleged to have failed to properly counsel the plaintiffs on very intricate bank regulations. The case settled for an amount very favorable to Art’s client, because he was able to show that the plaintiffs’ own actions contributed to the imposition of the divestment order by the regulatory agency.
  • Represented an accountant in a claim involving both corporate income tax return preparation and preparation of federal and state withholding returns.  Was able to resolve the case for less than cost of defense.

Economic Development Incentives

  • Assisted an existing manufacturer in obtaining a fee-in-lieu of tax agreement, including special source revenue credits, to enable the client to invest in an upgrade of over $40 million.
  • Represented a distributor in locating a new facility in South Carolina with over $65 million in capital investment and 400 jobs.
  • Counseled a governmental entity in offering incentives to a company looking to invest over $500 million.
  • University of South Carolina, J.D., 1984
  • Louisiana State University, B.S., 1980
  • South Carolina, 1984
  • U.S. District Court, South Carolina, 1985
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 1985

Professional Involvement

  • Member, Standing Committee on Lawyers Professional Liability, American Bar Association, 2014 - 2017

Community Involvement

  • Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Board, 1993-1994
  • Florence County Progress (Private County Economic Development Organization), Chairman of Board, 1997-2000, Board of Directors, 1992-2000, 2008 - 2014
  • Florence County Economic Development Authority (County Agency), Authority Board, 1996-2000, Reappointed by Florence County, 2002-2006, Progress Appointment, 2015 – present, First Vice-Chair, 2017-present
  • United Way of Florence, Chairman, Board of Directors, 2009, Campaign Chair, 2008, Board Member 1995 – 1998, 2001 – 2012,
  • South Carolina United Methodist Conference, Appointed by Bishop as Trustee, The Methodist Manor 2010 - present
  • Best Lawyers in America, Litigation: Labor and Employment Law, 2011-2024
  • Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law: Management, 2017-2024
  • South Carolina Super Lawyers, Labor and Employment Law, 2010-2020
  • 2012 Ashpy P. Lowrimore Award for Community Service, Greater Florence United Way
  • 2010 Leadership in the Law, S.C. Lawyers Weekly
  • Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™-AV®
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Industries

Best Lawyers
In AmericaEmployment Law: Management
2017-2024

Best Lawyers
In AmericaLabor & Employment
Law 2011-2024