Vance J. Bettis (Of Counsel)

With over 30 years of litigation experience – nearly all of which has been in the area of employment law – Vance has litigated hundreds of employment lawsuits. Since the early 1980’s, Vance has represented every South Carolina Governor, regardless of political affiliation, in employment matters. E.g., Rose v. Beasley (S.C. 1997); Sloan v. Sanford (S.C. 2004). Vance has been involved in some of the most important employment-related cases in South Carolina, including successfully defending two class action lawsuits that each sought against the State damages in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Anonymous Taxpayer v. South Carolina Dept. of Revenue (S.C. 2008); Ward v. State (S.C. 2000); see Alston v. City of Camden (S.C. 1996).

In addition to representing public employers, Vance has represented numerous private employers in employment cases – discrimination, wrongful discharge, handbook issues, and employment-related torts. Vance has also handled hundreds of discrimination lawsuits and charges. He has argued more than 50 times before South Carolina’s appellate courts and has handled some 40 appeals before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Vance is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law and received his L.L.M. in labor and employment law from Georgetown University School of Law. He served active duty in the United States Navy JAG Corps and retired as a Commander from the United States Naval Reserves in 1995. Vance received the Order of the Palmetto from Governor Riley for his service as an Assistant Attorney General for South Carolina from 1981-84. A native South Carolinian, Vance was born in Charleston.

Vance serves on the boards of directors of the Columbia YMCA and Still Hopes.

• University of South Carolina, J.D., 1975
• Georgetown University, L.L.M., 1979
• University of South Carolina, B.A., 1972

• South Carolina, 1975
• U.S. Court of Military Appeals, 1977
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 1979
• U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina, 1980
• U.S. Supreme Court, 1999

• Chair, South Carolina Bar Employment and Labor Law Section, 1995-1996
• Member, YMCA Columbia Board of Directors (former President and Chief Volunteer Officer)
• Member, Board of Directors of Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community

• U.S. Navy, JAGC, active duty, 1975-1979
• U.S. Naval Reserve, JAGC, 1979-1995