James E. Chellis
James E. Chellis, born September 4, 1951, in Summerville South Carolina where he attended the public schools; he graduated from Porter-Gaud School 1970, University of South Carolina, Bachelor of Arts (Major: intensive English) 1973, and University of South Carolina School of Law, Juris Doctor 1977.
Mr. Chellis began the practice of law in Summerville, South Carolina in November 1977. In 1983 Mr. Frampton joined Mr. Chellis where they have maintained their general practice of law since then.
In the 32 years that Mr. Chellis has practiced law he has handled a broad variety of cases. He is a general practice lawyer with experience in trials and transactions.
Over the last five (5) years, Mr. Chellis has handled the following civil trial matters:
- suit for dissolution of an LLC
- challenge of a Will, based on lack of capacity of the testator
- a wrongful death claim, arising from a motorcycle accident
- enforcement of subdivision restrictions
- partition of a beneficiary’s interest in a decedent’s residence
- defense of a claim of breach of fiduciary duty by an agent under a general durable power of attorney
- defense of a negligence claim against a surveyor
- social security disability insurance claims
- challenge of the construction of Will by a beneficiary
- fair housing discrimination
- eviction from a foreclosed home
- commercial collections for a local building supply company
- breach of express and implied warranty
- personal injury from a motor vehicle accident
- negligence, product liability and warranty claims in an EBS (stucco) case
- boundary line dispute (surveyor negligence issue)
- partition actions
- suits to quiet title
- as associated counsel in a class action
- as local counsel in plaintiffs mesothelioma cases
- personal injury arising from negligence of property owner
- a wrongful death claim arising from a motor vehicle accident
The following represent some of the transactions that Mr. Chellis has been involved in on behalf of his clients:
- start up and financing of a manufacturing plant resulting in the creation of 200 new jobs
- local counsel to an out of the state developer of a major retail shopping center
- counsel to local developer for the refinancing of a major retail shopping center
- long term ground lease negotiation, preparation, drafting--major retail store
- counsel to several local developers of residential subdivisions
- sale of corporate assets of a car dealership
- seller financed sale of business assets
- divisive reorganization of a corporation
- complete redemption of stock of a shareholder in a closely held business
- commercial and residential loan closings
- drafting basic estate planning documents, including Wills, testamentary trust, living trust, credit shelter trust, children's trusts, charitable gifts
Mr. Chellis was lead counsel in the following cases: Southeastern Steel Company V. W.A. Hunt Construction Company, Inc., 301 S.C. 140, 390 S.E.2d 475. (Ct. /App. 1990); Richards v. Hearn, Court of Appeals, (1998 unreported; issue: respondent to post-trial additur motion); South Carolina Title Insurance Company v. Cooper River Federal Saving and Loan, Court of Appeals, (case rendered moot before oral argument; issue: appeal of trial court decision on boundary line surveying issue); Stone v. Fox, Court of Appeals, (1999 unreported; appeal of summary judgment on issue of good faith purchaser for value of testamentary gift of timber land); In re James R. Andrews, Jr., Debtor, 15 BR 717 (1981); In re Marion Douglas Dorn, Jr., Debtor, Bankruptcy No. 84-01001.
Mr. Chellis has lectured to members of the local bar in programs sponsored by the National Business Institute. The following is a list of the topics Mr. Chellis has presented: Discouraging Family Estate Litigation through Proper Planning and Administration; Tips for Drafting Estate Planning Documents; How to Administer Trusts & Estates to Anticipate and Avoid Litigation; Resolving Real Estate Title Defects: The Quiet Title Suit and Other Actions, Party Wall, Driveways/Roads, Agreements and Other Party Agreements; Monetary Settlements and Escrow Agreements; Transfers of Title to Real Property in South Carolina: Deeds and Warranties, Confidential Relationships and Undue Influence; Suing on the General Warranty and Recovery of Attorneys Fees.
Mr. Chellis is a member of the Dorchester County Bar, a former President; South Carolina Bar Association; American Bar Association; American Association for Justice f/k/a American Trial Lawyers Association.
Mr. Chellis is a member of Bethany United Methodist Church, Summerville where he serves as President of the Daily Bread Sunday School Class, and is a facilitator of Disciple IV and serve as the facilitator of Disciple III and Disciple II Bible studies. In addition, Mr. Chellis serves as a Confirmation Mentor and has served in the following capacities: Past-Chairman: Pastor Parish Relations Committee; Past-Member, Education Building & Fellowship Hall Building Committee; Member (ex officio): Sanctuary Building Committee; Member (ex officio): Administrative Building Committee; Past-Member, Board of Trustees; Member, Church Council; Past-Stewardship Chairman; Past-Member, Church Mission Statement Committee (Note: Bethany is the largest United Methodist congregation in the South Carolina Conference).
Mr. Chellis has been a Mentor in the Helping One Student at a Time (HOST) program, a public school reading program for 2nd & 3rd Grade Students at Summerville Elementary School who are identified as "reading challenged."
Mr. Chellis is a member of the South Carolina Gamecock Club, and USC Association of Lettermen.
