Press Releases

John T. Lay Appointed to South Carolina’s Judicial Merit Selection Commission

Columbia, S.C. – July 11, 2025

Gallivan White Boyd (GWB) is proud to announce that John T. Lay has been appointed to the Judicial Merit Selection Commission (JMSC) for the upcoming judicial election cycle. This prestigious appointment recognizes John T.’s deep commitment to the legal profession and to public service in South Carolina.

John T. is a partner in GWB’s Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina, offices. With more than 30 years of experience handling complex, high-stakes litigation, he has tried over 100 cases to verdict and managed appeals in both state and federal courts. His practice includes product liability, business litigation, professional negligence, False Claims Act matters, and insurance coverage and bad faith. He represents both governmental and private clients across these areas.

The JMSC is responsible for screening and recommending judicial candidates for South Carolina’s courts, ensuring only the most qualified individuals are considered for judgeships. The Commission’s work is essential to maintaining the strength, fairness, and integrity of the judiciary across the state. John T. joins a distinguished group of Commission members entrusted with upholding the standards and independence of South Carolina’s courts.

Consistently recognized among the top in his field, John T. has earned honors from Benchmark Litigation, multiple “Lawyer of the Year” awards from Best Lawyers® in America, and a long-running ranking in Chambers USA for General Commercial Litigation. He has been named among the Top 10 Lawyers in South Carolina by Super Lawyers®, recognized as Legal Elite by Columbia Business Monthly, and selected as a Thought Leader by the Lexology Index for his work in product liability and life sciences. In June, he was named to Forbes inaugural list of America’s Best-In-State Lawyers.

For more on John T. Lay’s practice, visit here.