Jack B. Swerling

Jack B. Swerling is an active Columbia criminal attorney, litigator, writer, and lecturer. He focuses his legal practice on criminal cases in state and federal courts and a select group of civil cases. Mr. Swerling has been a member of the South Carolina Bar and licensed to practice by the Supreme Court of South Carolina since 1973.

In recognition of his work, he has been honored by election to several prestigious organizations that only invite attorneys into their ranks who have been subjected to a rigorous investigation of the lawyer's experience, demonstrated skill, and character.

- He has been selected to be a Fellow in the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers, the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.

- He was named a South Carolina Super Lawyer in criminal defense and is also listed in Naifeh and Smith's The Best Lawyers in America in the area of criminal defense.

Mr. Swerling is one of only 70, South Carolina lawyers who are Fellows in the American College of Trial Lawyers, which is limited to the top five percent of trial lawyers in the United States. He is one of only five lawyers in South Carolina in the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, one of only three lawyers in South Carolina in the American Board of Criminal Lawyers and one of only five South Carolina Lawyers in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. The International Academy is limited to 600 lawyers worldwide.

Mr. Swerling lectures frequently at continuing legal education programs for lawyers and judges, and speaks at schools, civic organizations, and professional groups. He has written several books on criminal practice.

Previous Work

Prior to establishing his current law firm in 1991, Jack Swerling was a partner in the law firm of Swerling, Harpootlian and McCulloch. Prior to that he practiced law for ten years with his former partner and mentor, the late State Senator Isadore Lourie.

Professional Association Memberships & Activities

- Chief Justice's Commission on the Profession

- South Carolina Supreme Court Docketing Task Force

- Richland County Bar Association (Chairman, Criminal Law Committee, 1989-1991)

- American Bar Association (Member, Section of Criminal Justice)

- South Carolina Bar (Chairman, Criminal Law Section, 1985-1986)

- American Association for Justice

- South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association (Chairman, Criminal Law Section, 1981-1984)

- South Carolina Bar Foundation (Life Fellow and Past President)

- Permanent Member of the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference

- South Carolina Criminal Trial Lawyers Association (a founding member)

- The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

- American Judicature Society

- John Belton O'Neil Inn of Court

- South Carolina Supreme Court Board of Commissioners on Grievance and Discipline 1989-1993

- South Carolina Supreme Court's Rules Committee

- South Carolina Board of Law Examiners, 1987-1992

- South Carolina Pre-Trial Intervention Advisory Committee, 1980-1982

- South Carolina Legislative Committee on Indigent Defense, 1990-1995

- South Carolina Uniform Jury Charge Project, 1991-1994

- Chairman, South Carolina Criminal Docket Committee

- Advisory Committee, The Child Victim Court Notebook, 1987