Bess DuRant

Firm: Sowell + DuRant
Location: Columbia - SC

  • 1325 Park ST. Suite 100
    Columbia, SC 29201
    USA
  • Tel : 803-722-1100
  • Fax : 803-281-8890
  • Linkedin.Logo

 

Bess DuRant is a litigator engaged in complex business disputes on both the trial and appellate level. Her practice includes corporate governance issues, bet-the-company litigation, shareholder disputes, derivative actions, along with other business torts and contractual disputes. Bess’ practice also includes trust and estate litigation. Additionally, Bess focuses on Constitutional issues, Freedom of Information Act matters, and election disputes. Bess’ practice includes appellate work across many areas of the law. In addition to appeals involving the firm’s clients, Bess also handles appeals that have been tried by other counsel. She also advises trial counsel in preparation for appeals. Bess is a Supreme Court of South Carolina Certified Mediator and Arbitrator.

ADMISSIONS

  • South Carolina
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina

EDUCATION

  • University of South Carolina School of Law, J.D., cum laude
    • South Carolina Law Review, editorial board
    • Phi Delta Phi International Legal Fraternity
  • Washington and Lee University, B.A. in politics with special attainment in commerce, cum laude

MEMBERSHIPS

  • Member, Trial and Appellate Advocacy Section Council for SC Bar
  • Member, Dispute Resolution Section for SC Bar
  • Member, Commission on Alternative Dispute Resolution (appointed by SC Supreme Court)
  • South Carolina Supreme Court Certified Mediator and Arbitrator
  • American Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association
  • South Carolina Federal Bar Association
  • Richland County and Sumter County Bar Associations

PUBLICATIONS/PRESENTATIONS

  • “Scheduling Possible Claims – Lessons from Martineau v. Wier” Presentation before South Carolina Bankruptcy Law Bar, dated August 20, 2020
  • “Election Statutes Make Headlines” South Carolina Young Lawyer (Vol. 5, Issue 5, September 2012)
  • The Political Question Doctrine: A Doctrine for Long-Term Change in Our Public Schools, 59 S.C. L. REV. 531 (2008).

COMMUNITY + RECOGNITION

Sowell + DuRant

Sowell + DuRant is a leading litigation firm with the experience and skills to perform for our clients with analytical, trusted, and exceptional service. The practice focuses on complex business disputes, corporate governance, probate and estate litigation, general commercial litigation, appeals, mediation, and arbitration.

The members of this firm have handled approximately 75 appeals in one form or another, including direct appeals in state and federal courts, petitions for certiorari in the South Carolina Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court.  We have also filed and prosecuted petitions for writ of mandamus in both state and federal appeals courts.

We have orally argued over half of these appellate filings, to include oral arguments in the South Carolina Court of Appeals, South Carolina Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, and United States Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit.  Our members belong to the bars of the United States Supreme Court, along with the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fourth and Federal Circuits.

Biff Sowell has been recognized for his appellate skills in Benchmark Litigation and has chaired South Carolina Bar seminars on Appellate Advocacy.

Bess DuRant is a member of the Trial & Appellate Advocacy Section Council for the South Carolina Bar. Additionally, she is the chosen lawyer for the State of South Carolina for Premier Appellate Lawyers.

Caroline Gimenez-Kaushik clerked in the South Carolina Supreme Court for the Honorable Kaye G. Hearn.  Caroline has written numerous appellate brief and is a recent graduate of the South Carolina Bar’s Leadership Academy.