Attorneys
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Team of Competent, Committed Attorneys of south carolina
The lawyers at Johnson, Toal & Battiste, PA
have extensive experience and outstanding capabilities in their respective areas of practice. We have an equally talented and experienced support team. Our firm is different because we surround ourselves with a very capable and devoted staff that understands how important every client and every case is to the firm. We are committed to the highest standards of client service and satisfaction on every matter entrusted to us. Your trust and confidence are very important to us and we strive daily to earn and maintain them.
AREAS OF PRACTICE
- Complex Civil Litigation
- Workers’ Compensation
- Motor Vehicle Wrecks
- Medical Malpractice
- Administrative Law
BAR ADMISSIONS
- South Carolina
- U. S. Court of Appeals, Third District
- U. S. District Court, District of South Carolina
- U. S. Supreme Court
EDUCATION
- University of South Carolina
- B. A., International Studies, 1971
- Emory University School of Law
- Juris Doctor, 1974
Columbia Office
1615 Barnwell St.
P. O. Box 1431
Columbia, SC 29202
LUTHER J. BATTISTE, IIIFOUNDING SHAREHOLDER
Luther J. Battiste, III is a founding shareholder of Johnson, Toal & Battiste, P.A., and the past National President of the American Board of Trial Advocates 2020. He received his B.A. from the University of South Carolina (1971) and JD from Emory University School of Law (1974).
In 1983, Luther entered the political arena and made history by becoming one of the first two African-Americans elected to Columbia City Council since Reconstruction. He served fifteen years as a member of the Columbia City Council including two terms as Mayor Pro Tempore. In 1998, the City of Columbia dedicated to Luther J. Battiste, III the Monument and Plaza in honor of his dedicated service as a public servant.
Luther has been repeatedly selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers of America, and Super Lawyers and also has been awarded the “AV” highest rating for ethics and legal ability by the Martindale-Hubbell national rating service. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the International Society of Barristers.
Membership is by invitation only.
Luther has served as president of the Columbia Lawyers Association, the Richland County Bar, Association, the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association, and The Southeastern Region of the American Board of Trial Advocates (SEABOTA).
He is also a member of the John Belton O’Neil Inn of Court, Southern Trial Lawyers Association, American Association for Justice, the National Bar Association, the South Carolina Association for Justice, International Society of Barristers, and the Injured Workers Advocates.
He served two terms as Commissioner of the Richland-Lexington Airport Commission which operates the Columbia Airport and as Chairman for two years. In 1999, Luther Battiste received the coveted Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of South Carolina. In 1999, he was selected to the South Carolina Black Hall Fame and for inclusion in the Bell South African American Calendar for 2004. In 2007, the Richland County Bar Association awarded him the John W. Williams Award, its highest honor. In 2008, he was selected by Historic Columbia Foundation as one of the 30 Most Significant African-Americans in Richland County. In 2022, he was selected for membership in the Warren E. Burger Society of the National Center for State Courts.
Luther was 2020 national president of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He was the first African American president of ABOTA, an invitation only organization of over 7,600 of the best plaintiff and defense trial lawyers in the United States.
His previous community service includes serving as President of the Board of the Columbia Museum of Art, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Capital City Club and as Chair of University Associates, a group of business professional and community leaders who support the University of South Carolina. He also served for 15 years on the board of South State Bank and on the board of Columbia College.
Luther is married to Judy M. Battiste, and they have two children, Justin and Jade. He
is a lay minister and chalice bearer at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
National President of the American Board of Trial Advocates
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- American Inns of Court
- American Association for Justice
- National Bar Association
- Southern Trial Lawyers Association
- Richland County Bar Association
- South Carolina Black Lawyers Association
- South Carolina Association for Justice
- Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference
PROFESSIONAL, CIVIC AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Member, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity
- Member, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity
- Member, NAACP
- Member, South Carolina Supreme Court Historical Society
- National Center for State Courts Just Horizons Council
HONORS AND AWARDS
- Super Lawyers
- The Best Lawyers in America
- Fran Coker Award – Given to Luther and Judy Battiste by FLABOTA for creating The ABOTA Foundation Civics Education Literacy Program, 2021
- Selected for membership in the National Center for State Courts Warren E. Burger Society, 2021
- National Bar Association's Trial Master Award 2020
- 30 Most Significant African Americans in Richland County, Historic Columbia Foundation, 2008
- John H. Williams Award, Richland County Bar Association, 2007 (Highest Award)
- Bell South African-American Calendar Honoree, 2004
- South Carolina Black Hall of Fame Honoree
- Walker Solomon Award, Columbia Chapter Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, 2003
- University of South Carolina Distinguished Alumni Award, 1999
- Luther Battiste Monument and Plaza Dedication, 1998
- University of South Carolina Black Alumni of the Year Award, 1986
AREAS OF PRACTICE
- Criminal defense
- Personal Injury
- Probate
BAR ADMISSIONS
- South Carolina
- U. S. District Court-South Carolina
EDUCATION
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- B. A., 1992
- University of South Carolina School of Law
- Juris Doctor, 1995
Columbia Office
1615 Barnwell St.
P. O. Box 1431
Columbia, SC 29202
GEORGE C. JOHNSON, MANAGING SHAREHOLDER
George C. Johnson is a graduate of Dreher High School and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After college, George attended the University of South Carolina Law School graduating in 1995. George entered law school as a Webster Scholarship Recipient. Additionally, George is a licensed funeral director at Leevy Funeral Home.
George has been active in the Richland County Bar Association, South Carolina Bar Association and American Bar Association. With the South Carolina Bar Association, George was a member of the Board of Governors and the Common Pleas Docket Management Taskforce. With the American Bar Association, George was a Diversity Fellow, member of the General Practice Division’s Council, and a Director of the General Practice Division. In 2015 George was selected to be a Liberty Fellow.
George focuses on Criminal Defense, Probate Law, Nursing Home Neglect, and Personal Injury. He is married and has two children.
Hear more about Johnson, Toal & Battiste Law Firm from George:
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
- South Carolina Bar
- Richland County Bar Association
PROFESSIONAL, CIVIC, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Member
AREAS OF PRACTICE
- Civil Litigation
- Criminal Litigation
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State Courts
- Federal Courts
EDUCATION
- University of Minnesota
- Associates Degree, Mortuary Science, 1962
- Benedict College
- Bachelor of Science Degree, 1965
- University of South Carolina School of Law
- Juris Doctor, 1968
- Benedict College
- Doctor of Laws, 1972
- University of South Carolina School of Law Doctor of Laws, 2010
Columbia Office
1615 Barnwell St.
P. O. Box 1431
Columbia, SC 29202
I.S. LEEVY JOHNSON, FOUNDING SHAREHOLDER
I.S. Leevy Johnson is featured in numerous editions of the Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers. He is recognized as one of South Carolina’s top civil and criminal trial lawyers. He graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1968. He was honored by his legal peers in 1985, when he was elected President of the South Carolina Bar. I.S. has received the highest rating for ethics and legal ability awarded by the Martindale Hubbell National rating service.
He has received numerous top honors accorded a lawyer in South Carolina. From the South Carolina Bar, he received the Durant Distinguished Public Service Award for illustrious public service, sound judgment, wise counsel and outstanding leadership gratuitously rendered for many years to the legal profession. The University of South Carolina School of Law awarded him the Compleat Lawyer Award for his dedication and support of legal education.
For his unselfish service to his peers of the Richland County Bar, he received the John W. Williams, Jr. Distinguished Service Award. And on April 21, 2000 he was awarded the prestigious Matthew J. Perry Medallion by the Columbia Lawyers Association for his contributions to improving the quality of legal services to citizens of South Carolina. In June of 2002, he was recognized by the South Carolina Association for Justice for being the People’s Advocate. He has also been inducted as a Fellow in the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers.
In 2014 he received the Spirit of Excellence award from the American Bar Association. On October 18, 1999, I.S. received the State of South Carolina’s highest award, the Order of the Palmetto. Benedict College, University of South Carolina, Allen University and Morris College have bestowed on him the honorary Doctor of Law degree.
I.S. is married to the former Doris Wright. They are the parents of two sons, George C. Johnson and Christopher Leevy Johnson. Doris serves as Assistant Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Benedict College. George is a shareholder with Johnson, Toal & Battiste, P. A. Chris is the President of Leevy’s Funeral Home and is Campus Pastor at Brookland Baptist Church, Northeast Campus. I.S. is the doting grandfather of Rachel, Ryann, Leah and Ian Samuel.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
- South Carolina Bar
- National Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- American College of Trial Lawyers
- South Carolina Association for Justice
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference
PROFESSIONAL, CIVIC, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Chairman, University of South Carolina Community Advisory Council
- Member, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
- Member, NAACP
- Member, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity
HONORS AND AWARDS
- Best Lawyers in America
- Super Lawyers
- Advocate of the Year, South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center
- Distinguished Citizen Award, Indian Waters Council, Boy Scouts of America
- Founders Award, South Carolina Trial Lawyers
- John H. Williams Award for Distinguished Service, Richland County Bar
- The Compleat Lawyers Award, The University of South Carolina School of Law
- South Carolina Black Hall of Fame
- Bell South African-American History Calendar History Honoree
AREAS OF PRACTICE
- Mediation
- Social Security
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State Courts of South Carolina
- South Carolina District Court
- United States Court of Appeals to the Fourth Circuit
EDUCATION
- Yale University
- B. S., Chemistry, 1962
- University of South Carolina School of Law
- Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, 1968
Columbia Office
1615 Barnwell St.
P. O. Box 1431
Columbia, SC 29202
WILLIAM T. TOAL, FOUNDING SHAREHOLDER
William T. Toal was born in Columbia, South Carolina on March 17, 1940. Yale University awarded him a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in 1962. After a three-year enlistment in the United States Navy, Bill enrolled in law school at the University of South Carolina. Bill graduated first in his class and received the Juris Doctor degree in 1968 magna cum laude. Upon graduation, he became a law clerk to the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. The following year, Bill was the only full-time lawyer in the newly formed Public Defender’s Office in Greenville County.
In 1970, the University of South Carolina School of Law hired him as an assistant professor. In his five years there, he taught contracts, torts, student legal aid, corrections clinic, defense clinic and juvenile defense clinic. In 1975, Bill joined Johnson, Toal and Battiste, P.A. bringing with him extensive courtroom experience, both at the trial and appellate levels. His trial practice includes criminal, personal injury, and commercial litigation.
Bill is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Richland County Bar Association, the Orangeburg County Bar Association, the South Carolina Association for Justice and the American Association for Justice.
Bill is married to Jean Hoefer Toal, who, on March 17, 1988, became the first female Justice to sit on the South Carolina Supreme Court. She is presently Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court. They are the parents of two daughters: Jean Eisen and Lilla Mandsager. Bill has two grandchildren, Patrick and Ruth.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
- South Carolina Bar
- Richland County Bar Association
- Orangeburg County Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- South Carolina Association for Justice
- American Association for Justice
CERTIFICATIONS AND SPECIALTIES
- Mediation
HONORS AND AWARDS
- Best Lawyers in America
CHELSEA A. GLOVER ESQ.
Chelsea A. Glover is a graduate of Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies with a concentration in Public Relations. After college, Chelsea studied International Public Relations abroad at Regent’s University in London, England.
Shortly after, Chelsea attended the University of South Carolina School of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor. While in law school, Chelsea worked as a Law Clerk at the South Carolina Office of the Attorney General where she primarily assisted with general prosecution and securities cases. Prior to working at the Attorney General’s office, Chelsea served as an intern at the Department of Commerce and assisted in South Carolina’s division of international strategy and trade. Chelsea served as a Student Attorney with USC’s Domestic Violence Clinic.
During law school, Chelsea also served as a judicial intern to The Honorable John D. Geathers’ of the South Carolina Court of Appeals. She actively volunteered with the Matthew J. Perry Chapter of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) where she previously worked with Constitutional Scholars Pipeline, served as the chapter’s Social Events Coordinator and Regional Director of Sub-Region 3 of the Southern Region of BLSA. While Serving as Regional Director, Chelsea coordinated The Carolina Academic Retreat, a seminar dedicated to introducing more minorities to the legal profession.
Chelsea is a former Judicial Law Clerk to The Honorable DeAndrea Gist Benjamin, Chief Administrative Judge of General Sessions for the 5th Judicial Circuit and a former Assistant Solicitor for the 1st Judicial Circuit, which includes Orangeburg, Calhoun and Dorchester. While prosecuting Chelsea managed a diverse caseload but focused mostly on crimes involving domestic violence.
Chelsea co-founded The Solicitor’s Office Career Series, a youth outreach program that introduced elementary and middle school at risk students to professions within in our community. The Career Series was founded in hopes of catching the attention of young scholars prior to their introduction to drugs, gangs and criminal activities. Serving as a prosecutor afforded Chelsea a valuable experience where she played in integral role in the preparation and trial of several major homicide cases.
Chelsea is a member of South Carolina Association for Justice (SCAJ) and entered law school as South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association Scholar. Chelsea is licensed to practice law in South Carolina, U.S. Court of Appeals (Fourth Circuit), United States District Court (District of South Carolina) and the state of North Carolina. Chelsea is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and lifetime member of the NAACP.
