How much does it cost to hire D. for a business case?

Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. D. walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

Does D. offer a free consultation?

D. charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain D.'s office. Some business attorneys offer free consults — check D.'s current terms during booking.

How long do business cases in South Carolina typically take?

Simple business matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. D. gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

Can D. take my case if I'm outside Charleston?

D. is licensed in South Carolina. Matters governed by South Carolina law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — D. will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

What should I bring to my first meeting with D.?

Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. D. will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

Is D. accepting new business clients right now?

D.'s intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Unclaimed · Is this you?

D. Summers Clarke II, Business Attorney in Charleston, South Carolina

Over 19 years of legal practice · focused on Business, Construction, and General · 4.8/5 rating from 54 verified client reviews

MemberatBarnwell Whaley Patterson & Helms, LLC

Charleston, SC

Practicing business in Charleston since 2007.

19+: Years practicing
4.8 ★: 54 client reviews
3: Bar admissions

Practices in

Business Construction General Insurance Litigation Personal Injury +1 more →

Are you D. Summers Clarke II?

This profile was built from public bar records and is still unclaimed. Claim it free to control your photo, bio, and fees — and get client inquiries sent straight to you.

Claim this profile — free

Quick answer

D. Summers Clarke II is a member based in Charleston, SC. The practice focuses on Business, Construction, and General. D. has over 19 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Barnwell Whaley Patterson & Helms, LLC. Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 54 client reviews.

Based in: Charleston, SC
Experience: over 19 years
Known for: Business · Construction · General

Handles Business, Construction, and General matters from Charleston, SC.
Over 19 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
Recognized with AV Preeminent.

Areas of practice

Legal matters D. takes on

D. concentrates on business, construction, general, insurance, and litigation. Each area below outlines the kind of case D. handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Business cases in Charleston, South Carolina

D. takes business matters in Charleston, South Carolina. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before D. agrees to represent you.

Construction cases in Charleston, South Carolina

D. takes construction matters in Charleston, South Carolina. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before D. agrees to represent you.

General cases in Charleston, South Carolina

D. takes general matters in Charleston, South Carolina. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before D. agrees to represent you.

Insurance cases in Charleston, South Carolina

D. takes insurance matters in Charleston, South Carolina. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before D. agrees to represent you.

Litigation cases in Charleston, South Carolina

D. takes litigation matters in Charleston, South Carolina. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before D. agrees to represent you.

Biography

Meet D. Summers Clarke II — business lawyer in Charleston

A native of Florence, South Carolina, Ms. Clarke earned her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill's Kenan-Flager Business School and her Juris Doctor at the University of South Carolina. While in law school, Summers served as the Magister of Calhoun Inn of the Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity, as a Student Note Editor for the Southeastern Environmental Law Journal, and authored It's Not Easy Being Green: The Constitutionality of Implementing the Endangered Species Act Under the Commerce Clause, 14 S.E. Envtl. L.J. 297 (2006).

Prior to joining Barnwell Whaley, Ms. Clarke clerked for the Honorable C. Weston Houck, U.S. District Judge for the District of South Carolina in Charleston and practiced as an associate with a Charleston firm for over two years. Summers is admitted to the South Carolina Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. She is a member of the Defense Research Institute, and the Charleston County and South Carolina Bar Associations, the latter of which she is a member of the Young Lawyers Division.

How D. handles business matters

The kind of cases D. takes

D. reviews new inquiries case-by-case for business, construction, and general matters in Charleston and the surrounding South Carolina area.

Credentials

Education, bar admissions, and languages

University of South Carolina School of Law
J.D. · 2007
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
B.S.B.A. · 2004

Jurisdictions

D.'s state bar admissions

U.S. Court of Appeal
2009 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court,
2008 · ACTIVE
South Carolina
2007 · ACTIVE

D. studied at J.D. in University of South Carolina School of Law and B.S.B.A. in University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Law school and academic background

D. completed J.D. in University of South Carolina School of Law and B.S.B.A. in University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice D. runs in South Carolina is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Recognition and thought leadership

D. has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

AV Preeminent

Legal awards and honors

AV Preeminent.

Affiliations

D.'s professional memberships and bar associations

Charleston County Bar Association South Carolina Bar
membership

Locations

D. Summers Clarke II's office in Charleston

D.'s primary office is at 211 King Street, Suite 300, Charleston, SC, 29401. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Barnwell Whaley Patterson & Helms, LLC

211 King Street, Suite 300

Charleston, SC 29401

Open in Google Maps

Client feedback

Client reviews of D. Summers Clarke II — 4.8/5 rating from 54 verified client reviews

Every review below is from a verified client of D.. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing business attorneys in Charleston.

4.8

54 client reviews

Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once D. Summers Clarke II claims this profile.

Read all reviews

Hiring guide

How to hire D. Summers Clarke II — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new business attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with D. usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

D. charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain D.'s office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; D. will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a business attorney in Charleston, South Carolina

A short list to run through before you commit: How many business matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for D.

D. discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in business practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every business matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. D. confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

D.'s office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many business practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about D. Summers Clarke II

How much does it cost to hire D. for a business case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. D. walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does D. offer a free consultation?
D. charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain D.'s office. Some business attorneys offer free consults — check D.'s current terms during booking.
How long do business cases in South Carolina typically take?
Simple business matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. D. gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can D. take my case if I'm outside Charleston?
D. is licensed in South Carolina. Matters governed by South Carolina law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — D. will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with D.?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. D. will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is D. accepting new business clients right now?
D.'s intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Community Q&A

Real questions asked by South Carolina residents in the last few months, answered by business attorneys like D. Summers Clarke II. Each link opens the full answer thread.

What Are The Consequences Of Not Complying With Business Licenses In South Carolina?
I launched a catering business in Greenville, South Carolina, without realizing I needed specific licenses. I could face fines or even business closure if I'm not compliant. What a
1 verified answer · Business · South Carolina
What Are The Penalties For Non-Compliance With Labor Laws In Texas?
My business in Houston just received a notice for a labor law violation regarding employee overtime pay. I’m worried about the potential penalties, including fines or back pay. Wha
1 verified answer · Business · Texas
What Are The Steps To Dissolve My Corporation In California?
My partnership decided to dissolve our corporation in California due to lack of business. We filed all taxes but didn't know about the formal steps to dissolve it legally. We still
1 verified answer · Business · California
What Are The Filing Requirements For A DBA In Nevada?
I want to operate my online business under a different name in Las Vegas, Nevada, but I’m not sure what the filing requirements are for a DBA (Doing Business As). What do I need to
1 verified answer · Business · Nevada
Can I Franchise My Business Without Legal Help In Minnesota?
I’ve been running a successful coffee shop in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and I want to franchise it. I’m not sure if I can handle the legal side of franchising on my own. Is it advisa
1 verified answer · Business · Minnesota
Can My Business Be Impacted By A Personal Lawsuit Against Me In Pennsylvania?
I’m facing a personal lawsuit in Philadelphia, and I’m concerned about the potential impact on my small business. My business and personal finances are intertwined. Can my business
1 verified answer · Business · Pennsylvania

Areas served

Business attorneys serving Charleston, Columbia and Greenville in South Carolina

D. handles business matters throughout South Carolina. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified business attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If D.'s intake is full or the fit isn't right, these business attorneys in Charleston handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.