
Monty D. Desai, Criminal Defense Attorney in Greenville, South Carolina
Over 21 years of legal practice · focused on Criminal Defense, Immigration, and Personal Injury · 5.0/5 rating from 2 verified client reviews
AttorneyatCarolina Law Group
Greenville, SC
Practicing criminal defense in Greenville since 2005.
- 21+
- Years practicing
- 5.0 ★
- 2 client reviews
- 1
- Bar admission
Are you Monty D. Desai?
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Quick answer
Monty D. Desai is an attorney based in Greenville, SC. The practice focuses on Criminal Defense, Immigration, and Personal Injury. Monty has over 21 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Carolina Law Group. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 2 client reviews.
- Based in
- Greenville, SC
- Experience
- over 21 years
- Known for
- Criminal Defense · Immigration · Personal Injury
- Handles Criminal Defense, Immigration, and Personal Injury matters from Greenville, SC.
- Over 21 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with Peer Reviewed.
About Monty D. Desai: Monty D. Desai is an attorney based in Greenville, SC. The practice focuses on Criminal Defense, Immigration, and Personal Injury. Monty has over 21 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Carolina Law Group. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 2 client reviews.
Areas of practice
Practice areas handled by Monty D. Desai
Monty concentrates on criminal defense, immigration, personal injury, tbi/sci, and workers comp. Each area below outlines the kind of case Monty handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Criminal Defense
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Immigration
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Personal Injury
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TBI/SCI
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Workers Comp
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Wrongful Death
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Criminal Defense cases in Greenville, South Carolina
Monty takes criminal defense matters in Greenville, 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 Monty agrees to represent you.
Immigration cases in Greenville, South Carolina
Monty takes immigration matters in Greenville, 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 Monty agrees to represent you.
Personal Injury cases in Greenville, South Carolina
Monty takes personal injury matters in Greenville, 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 Monty agrees to represent you.
TBI/SCI cases in Greenville, South Carolina
Monty takes tbi/sci matters in Greenville, 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 Monty agrees to represent you.
Workers Comp cases in Greenville, South Carolina
Monty takes workers comp matters in Greenville, 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 Monty agrees to represent you.
Biography
About Monty D. Desai — Over 21 years of South Carolina criminal defense experience
Monty D. Desai is an attorney based in Greenville, SC. The practice focuses on Criminal Defense, Immigration, and Personal Injury. Monty has over 21 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Carolina Law Group. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 2 client reviews.
Monty D. Desai came to the United States on Christmas Eve, 1988 and eventually made his home in Spartanburg, S.C. After high school he joined the service in order to earn money for college. Monty would go on to earn a letter of commendation as a Navy Corpsman for the Marine Corps. His carrier, the USS Normandy was the carrier responsible for firing Tomahawk Cruise Missiles on Sarajevo, Yugoslavia in 1995.
Monty held a number of jobs following his service, however his father had been a physician in India and education had always been important to the family. He continued to earn his way throughout his undergraduate career at the University of South Carolina. From there, Monty went on to attend Thomas M. Cooley Law School on full scholarship, where he earned his Juris Doctorate. It was there that he first met Nihar Patel, and the two realized they each shared a client-centered philosophy of practicing law.
Following graduation from law school, Monty served as prosecutor with Greenville County Solicitor’s Office. He also worked as a former adjunct professor in the Criminal Justice Division at Greenville Technical College.
Monty is a member of the South Carolina Trial Lawyers, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National Association of Distinguished Council, the American Association of Justice, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association; and is licensed in the Federal District Court of South Carolina. Among numerous accolades, Monty has been selected for inclusion to the South Carolina Rising Stars for 2012 and 2013; he is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum—awarded for achieving a trial verdict, award or settlement in the amount of $1 million or more; and he was named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 in South Carolina. In 2015 Monty was recognized by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys as ranked among the Top 10 Under 40 for excellence in the field of personal injury.
Monty is the father of two boys. In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf, swimming and tennis.
How Monty handles criminal defense matters
Monty D. Desai came to the United States on Christmas Eve, 1988 and eventually made his home in Spartanburg, S.C. After high school he joined the service in order to earn money for college. Monty would go on to earn a letter of commendation as a Navy Corpsman for the Marine Corps. His carrier, the USS Normandy was the carrier responsible for firing Tomahawk Cruise Missiles on Sarajevo, Yugoslavia…
Who Monty represents
Monty reviews new inquiries case-by-case for criminal defense, immigration, and personal injury matters in Greenville and the surrounding South Carolina area.
Credentials
Monty D. Desai's legal education and bar admissions
Thomas M. Cooley School of Law
J.D. · 2005
Jurisdictions
Monty's state bar admissions
South Carolina
2005 · ACTIVE
Monty studied at J.D. in Thomas M. Cooley School of Law.
Law school and academic background
Monty completed J.D. in Thomas M. Cooley School of Law. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Monty runs in South Carolina is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Awards, publications, and recognition of Monty D. Desai
Monty has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
Peer Reviewed
Legal awards and honors
Peer Reviewed.
Locations
Monty D. Desai's office in Greenville
Monty's primary office is at 910 East Washington Street, Greenville, SC, 29601. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of Monty D. Desai — 5.0/5 rating from 2 verified client reviews
Every review below is from a verified client of Monty. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing criminal defense attorneys in Greenville.
5.0
2 client reviews
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Monty D. Desai claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire Monty D. Desai — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new criminal defense attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Monty usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Monty charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Monty'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; Monty will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a criminal defense attorney in Greenville, South Carolina
A short list to run through before you commit: How many criminal defense 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 Monty
Monty discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in criminal defense practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every criminal defense 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. Monty confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Monty's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many criminal defense practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Monty D. Desai
How much does it cost to hire Monty for a criminal defense case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Monty walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Monty offer a free consultation?
Monty charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Monty's office. Some criminal defense attorneys offer free consults — check Monty's current terms during booking.
How long do criminal defense cases in South Carolina typically take?
Simple criminal defense 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. Monty gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Monty take my case if I'm outside Greenville?
Monty 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 — Monty 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 Monty?
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. Monty will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Monty accepting new criminal defense clients right now?
Monty's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Criminal Defense attorneys serving Greenville, Columbia and Charleston in South Carolina
Monty handles criminal defense matters throughout South Carolina. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified criminal defense attorneys in that community.
- Greenville2,449 attorneys
- Columbia4,189 attorneys
- Charleston2,702 attorneys
- Mount Pleasant1,100 attorneys
- Spartanburg583 attorneys
- Myrtle Beach506 attorneys
- North Charleston476 attorneys
- Lexington379 attorneys
- Rock Hill372 attorneys
- Hilton Head Island347 attorneys
- Florence335 attorneys
- Summerville299 attorneys
More counsel
Other top-rated criminal defense attorneys in South Carolina
If Monty's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these criminal defense attorneys in Greenville handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.





