Samuel Bynum Cothran, Jr.

Samuel Bynum Cothran, Jr., Civil Rights Attorney in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Over 28 years of legal practice · 4.4/5 rating from 1 verified client review

Member and General CounselatMotley Rice Llc

Mount Pleasant, SC

Practicing civil rights in Mount Pleasant since 1998.

28+
Years practicing
4.4 ★
1 client review
3
Bar admissions

Practices in

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Quick answer

Samuel Bynum Cothran, Jr. is a member and general counsel based in Mount Pleasant, SC. The practice focuses on Civil Rights. Samuel has over 28 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Motley Rice Llc. Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 1 client review.

Based in
Mount Pleasant, SC
Experience
over 28 years
Known for
Civil Rights
  • Handles Civil Rights matters from Mount Pleasant, SC.
  • Over 28 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
  • Recognized with BV Distinguished.

About Samuel Bynum Cothran, Jr.: Samuel Bynum Cothran, Jr. is a member and general counsel based in Mount Pleasant, SC. The practice focuses on Civil Rights. Samuel has over 28 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Motley Rice Llc. Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 1 client review.

Areas of practice

Practice areas handled by Samuel Bynum Cothran, Jr.

Samuel concentrates on civil rights. Each area below outlines the kind of case Samuel handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Civil Rights cases in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Samuel takes civil rights matters in Mount Pleasant, 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 Samuel agrees to represent you.

Biography

About Samuel Bynum Cothran, Jr. — Over 28 years of South Carolina civil rights experience

Samuel Bynum Cothran, Jr. is a member and general counsel based in Mount Pleasant, SC. The practice focuses on Civil Rights. Samuel has over 28 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Motley Rice Llc. Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 1 client review.

Since the firm’s founding more than 20 years ago, Sam has led its in-house legal department and provided steady guidance in a dynamic environment as the firm has tripled in size.

Sam’s practice encompasses a broad range of matters impacting the firm, including risk management, professional ethics, contracts, employment, regulatory compliance, tax, governance, financing, intellectual property, marketing, and operations. He regularly advises the firm’s Executive Committee, Practice Group Leaders, and Directors of Accounting, Client Services, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Marketing.

Sam’s early career included stints as a CPA with an international accounting firm and a financial manager with several Fortune 1000 companies. After returning to school to earn his MBA and JD, he began practicing law with Motley Rice attorneys.

Honored as a Carolina Legal Scholar, Sam was inducted into The Order of the Coif and The Order of the Wig and Robe. He served as Managing Editor of the South Carolina Law Review and authored Dischargeability of Consumer Credit Card Debt in Bankruptcy After Anastas v. American Savings Bank, 48 S.C.L. Rev. 915 (1997).

Active in his community, Sam served on the Board of Directors for the Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center.

Blog Posts

November 11, 2024

A Thank You for Our Veterans

by: Joseph F. Rice

February 26, 2020

Decade in Review: Plaintiffs’ Litigation Highlights Causes, Not Just Cases

by: Joseph F. Rice

May 28, 2019

SCOTUS preemption ruling good news for drug and device plaintiffs Causes, Not Just Cases

by: Louis M. Bograd

News

April 28, 2025

The history and legacy of Workers’ Memorial Day

by:
M. Nolan Webb

December 20, 2010

New Members Announced: Motley Rice grows and expands litigation efforts

by: Motley Rice

Samuel's approach to civil rights cases

Since the firm’s founding more than 20 years ago, Sam has led its in-house legal department and provided steady guidance in a dynamic environment as the firm has tripled in size. Sam’s practice encompasses a broad range of matters impacting the firm, including risk management, professional ethics, contracts, employment, regulatory compliance, tax, governance, financing, intellectual property,…

Clients Samuel works with

Samuel reviews new inquiries case-by-case for civil rights matters in Mount Pleasant and the surrounding South Carolina area.

Credentials

Samuel Bynum Cothran, Jr.'s legal education and bar admissions

  • University of South Carolina School of Law

    J.D. · 1998

  • University of South Carolina

    B.S. · 1981

Jurisdictions

Samuel's state bar admissions

  • North Carolina

    1998 · ACTIVE

  • SC U.S. District Cou

    1998 · ACTIVE

  • North Carolina

    1998 · ACTIVE

Samuel studied at J.D. in University of South Carolina School of Law and B.S. in University of South Carolina.

Law school and academic background

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

Recognition

Awards, publications, and recognition of Samuel Bynum Cothran, Jr.

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

  • BV Distinguished

Legal awards and honors

BV Distinguished.

Affiliations

Samuel's professional memberships and bar associations

  • Associations •American Bar Association •Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers •American Institute of Certified Public Accountants •South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants

    membership

Locations

Samuel Bynum Cothran, Jr.'s office in Mount Pleasant

Samuel's primary office is at 28 Bridgeside Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC, 29464. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Motley Rice Llc

28 Bridgeside Blvd.

Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

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Client feedback

Client reviews of Samuel Bynum Cothran, Jr. — 4.4/5 rating from 1 verified client review

Every review below is from a verified client of Samuel. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing civil rights attorneys in Mount Pleasant.

4.4

1 client review

Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Samuel Bynum Cothran, Jr. claims this profile.

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Hiring guide

How to hire Samuel Bynum Cothran, Jr. — what to expect in your first consultation

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

Consultation formats and pricing

Samuel charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Samuel'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; Samuel will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a civil rights attorney in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

A short list to run through before you commit: How many civil rights 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 Samuel

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

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every civil rights 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. Samuel confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

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

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Samuel Bynum Cothran, Jr.

  • How much does it cost to hire Samuel for a civil rights case?

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

  • Does Samuel offer a free consultation?

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

  • How long do civil rights cases in South Carolina typically take?

    Simple civil rights 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. Samuel gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

  • Can Samuel take my case if I'm outside Mount Pleasant?

    Samuel 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 — Samuel 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 Samuel?

    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. Samuel will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

  • Is Samuel accepting new civil rights clients right now?

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

Areas served

Civil Rights attorneys serving Mount Pleasant, Columbia and Charleston in South Carolina

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

More counsel

If Samuel's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these civil rights attorneys in Mount Pleasant handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.