Leadership drives innovation and results.
Gallivan White Boyd has a proven history of leadership that is rooted in our commitment to our clients, communities and the legal profession. For more than seven decades, our attorneys have served in leadership positions at the highest level within local, state, national and international organizations committed to the preservation of justice for all. Our attorneys have served as president of the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC), Defense Research Institute (DRI), South Carolina Bar, Greenville County Bar and numerous other civic and professional organizations. At Gallivan White Boyd, we believe that leadership drives innovation and a history of proven results for our clients, community and profession.
What We Value
- Excellence in client service
- Quality professionalism
- Honesty and integrity
- Positive communication
- Accountability to strive for success
- Community involvement and partnership
Firm Diversity
Gallivan White Boyd promotes diversity throughout the firm in both its hiring and retention practices. The firm has dedicated itself to the principle that continued growth of business is dependent on attracting and retaining highly qualified employees who understand and can relate to the diverse backgrounds of the clients and communities we serve.
The diversity of our attorneys and support staff ranges from visible differences in color, nationality, gender, physical attributes and age, to qualities that are less evident like religion, culture, sexual orientation, perspective, personality, education and socioeconomic background. The culture at Gallivan White Boyd is devoted to incorporating diversity and providing access to leadership opportunities, conferences, workshops and mentoring. The firm encourages the advancement of women and minorities within the firm and has been recognized for this initiative with the prestigious Law Firm Diversity Award conferred by the Defense Research Institute (DRI) – The Voice of the Defense Bar.
Notably, several attorneys participate in The Riley Institute at Furman University. Those who are selected for admission and complete the program become Riley Fellows—developing the resources to positively impact their organizations and communities. Riley Fellows have participated in hands-on community action projects that respond to real issues both locally and statewide.
Gallivan White Boyd is also an annual contributor to The Charleston Forum, an active movement to promote healthy dialogue and leverage the power of unity in South Carolina. We welcome diversity. It is through this initiative that the firm joins forces to overcome social barriers statewide.
Community Involvement
Executive Committee
Partners in Charge
Administration
Gallivan White Boyd contributes to the legal industry and community at large. The firm is a long-standing, respected member of professional and civic communities both locally and worldwide. Many of the firm’s attorneys hold leadership positions in distinguished professional organizations such as the Defense Research Institute (DRI), International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), Insuralex and the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC), to name a few. Over the past decade, our attorneys have been elected president of these organizations, specifically the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association (SCDTAA).
Fun Fact: In 2019, the firm was recognized as the top contributor of monetary and food donations for the South Carolina Legal Feeding Frenzy led by the South Carolina Bar Young Lawyers Division. It is a rewarding opportunity to serve others, creating unique experiences for the firm’s lawyers.
Experience. Leadership. Results.
FIRM HISTORY
1948
F. Dean Rainey Sr. founded the firm.
1958
The firm expands to four attorneys.
1976
H. Mills Gallivan and Daniel B. White join the firm with the highest starting salary in South Carolina at $13,200.
1977
W. Howard Boyd Jr. joins the firm.
1984
The firm expands to 17 attorneys and moves to 330 E. Coffee Street in Greenville, South Carolina.
1998
The firm expands to 27 attorneys.
2000
Daniel B. White served as chair of the South Carolina Bar House of Delegates (2000-2002).
2001
H. Mills Gallivan served as president of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association, SCDTAA.
2003
The firm moves to Liberty Plaza in Greenville, South Carolina. In the same year, Jennifer E. Johnsen served as president of the Greenville County Bar Association.
2006
Daniel B. White becomes president of the South Carolina Bar (2006-2007).
2008
H. Mills Gallivan served as president of Rotary Charities Inc. (2008-2010).
2009
T. David Rheney was elected president of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association, SCDTAA (2009-2010).
2010
The firm's Abnormal Use blog, led by James M. Dedman IV, became nationally recognized. In the same year, Daniel B. White served as South Carolina Bar delegate to the American Bar Association's House of Delegates (2010-2014).
2011
The firm opened offices in Columbia, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. Gray T. Culbreath was elected president of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association, SCDTAA (2010-2011). H. Mills Gallivan served as president of the Haynsworth-Perry American Inn of Court (2011-2013).
2012
H. Mills Gallivan was elected president of the National Foundation for Judicial Excellence (2012-2013).
2013
65th Anniversary - The firm expands to 65 attorneys. Curtis Ott was elected president of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association, SCDTAA (2013-2014).
2015
The firm opened the Charleston, South Carolina, office. John T. Lay Jr. served as president of the South Carolina chapter for the American Board of Trial Advocates, ABOTA (2015-2016). Ronald K. Wray II served as president of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association, SCDTAA (2014-2015). Amy L.B. Hill served as president of the Richland County Bar, the largest county bar in South Carolina.
2016
John E. Cuttino was elected president of the Defense Research Institute - The Voice of the Defense Bar (2016-2017). H. Mills Gallivan was elected president of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, FDCC (2016-2017), and chair of the South Carolina Bar Dispute Resolution Section (2016). John T. Lay Jr. served as president of the International Association of Defense Counsel, IADC (2016-2017) and Jennifer E. Johnsen was the 2016 campaign chair for United Way of Greenville County.
2017
Lindsay A. Joyner was elected president of the South Carolina Bar Young Lawyers Division (2017-2018).
2018
Jennifer E. Johnsen was elected to the board of directors for the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, FDCC. She currently serves on the board.
2020
A. Johnston Cox was elected president of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association, SCDTAA (2020–2021). He currently serves as national membership chair for the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, ADTA. T. David Rheney becomes president of Insuralex, a group created by independent law firms who practice insurance, reinsurance coverage, defense, litigation and all other related legal services (2020–2021). H. Mills Gallivan becomes the president-elect of Lawyers for Civil Justice and chairman of the Board for Bon Secours Mercy Health (formerly known as Bon Secours Health System) St. Francis Hospital (2020-2021). Jennifer E. Johnson was elected senior director of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, FDCC.
2022
Christopher M. Kelly was elected president of the Transportation Lawyers Association, TLA (2022)
We’re still creating history.
Gallivan White Boyd takes pride in the community service and leadership of all our attorneys. Our unprecedented achievements display our commitment to the law, our fellow attorneys, and most importantly, our clients. While we are proud of our legacy of leadership, we will never be content to rest on our laurels. We believe that our commitment to leadership yesterday, today and tomorrow drives demonstrable results that benefit corporations and small businesses in need of legal services. (Pictured: C. William McGee, CEO)
FIRM HISTORY
1948
F. Dean Rainey Sr. founded the firm.
1958
The firm expands to four attorneys.
1976
H. Mills Gallivan and Daniel B. White join the firm with the highest starting salary in South Carolina at $13,200.
1977
W. Howard Boyd Jr. joins the firm.
1984
The firm expands to 17 attorneys and moves to 330 E. Coffee Street in Greenville, South Carolina.
1998
The firm expands to 27 attorneys.
2000
Daniel B. White served as chair of the South Carolina Bar House of Delegates (2000-2002).
2001
H. Mills Gallivan served as president of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association, SCDTAA.
2003
The firm moves to Liberty Plaza in Greenville, South Carolina. In the same year, Jennifer E. Johnsen served as president of the Greenville County Bar Association.
2006
Daniel B. White becomes president of the South Carolina Bar (2006-2007).
2008
H. Mills Gallivan served as president of Rotary Charities Inc. (2008-2010).
2009
T. David Rheney was elected president of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association, SCDTAA (2009-2010).
2010
The firm's Abnormal Use blog, led by James M. Dedman IV, became nationally recognized. In the same year, Daniel B. White served as South Carolina Bar delegate to the American Bar Association's House of Delegates (2010-2014).
2011
The firm opened offices in Columbia, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. Gray T. Culbreath was elected president of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association, SCDTAA (2010-2011). H. Mills Gallivan served as president of the Haynsworth-Perry American Inn of Court (2011-2013).
2012
H. Mills Gallivan was elected president of the National Foundation for Judicial Excellence (2012-2013).
2013
65th Anniversary - The firm expands to 65 attorneys. Curtis Ott was elected president of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association, SCDTAA (2013-2014).
2015
The firm opened the Charleston, South Carolina, office. John T. Lay Jr. served as president of the South Carolina chapter for the American Board of Trial Advocates, ABOTA (2015-2016). Ronald K. Wray II served as president of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association, SCDTAA (2014-2015). Amy L.B. Hill served as president of the Richland County Bar, the largest county bar in South Carolina.
2016
John E. Cuttino was elected president of the Defense Research Institute - The Voice of the Defense Bar (2016-2017). H. Mills Gallivan was elected president of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, FDCC (2016-2017), and chair of the South Carolina Bar Dispute Resolution Section (2016). John T. Lay Jr. served as president of the International Association of Defense Counsel, IADC (2016-2017) and Jennifer E. Johnsen was the 2016 campaign chair for United Way of Greenville County.
2017
Lindsay A. Joyner was elected president of the South Carolina Bar Young Lawyers Division (2017-2018).
2018
Jennifer E. Johnsen was elected to the board of directors for the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, FDCC. She currently serves on the board.
2020
A. Johnston Cox was elected president of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association, SCDTAA (2020–2021). He currently serves as national membership chair for the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, ADTA. T. David Rheney becomes president of Insuralex, a group created by independent law firms who practice insurance, reinsurance coverage, defense, litigation and all other related legal services (2020–2021). H. Mills Gallivan becomes the president-elect of Lawyers for Civil Justice and chairman of the Board for Bon Secours Mercy Health (formerly known as Bon Secours Health System) St. Francis Hospital (2020-2021). Jennifer E. Johnson was elected senior director of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, FDCC.
2022
Christopher M. Kelly was elected president of the Transportation Lawyers Association, TLA (2022)
We’re still creating history.
Gallivan White Boyd takes pride in the community service and leadership of all our attorneys. Our unprecedented achievements display our commitment to the law, our fellow attorneys, and most importantly, our clients. While we are proud of our legacy of leadership, we will never be content to rest on our laurels. We believe that our commitment to leadership yesterday, today and tomorrow drives demonstrable results that benefit corporations and small businesses in need of legal services. (Pictured: C. William McGee, CEO)
We're Stronger United
Each year, we partner with United Way of Greenville to help break down barriers, connect communities and change lives. Partners W. Howard Boyd Jr. and Jennifer E. Johnson have served as campaign chair for United Way.