About Mary
Mary LaFave has practiced law in South Carolina since her admission to the Bar in November 2006. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and history from a private liberal arts college located in Lexington, Kentucky in 2002 and her Juris Doctorate degree from Michigan State University in 2006 as president of her class. During her first two years as an attorney, Mary worked for the Richland County Public Defender’s Office where she obtained invaluable trial and courtroom experience. In 2008, Mary went into private practice focusing on civil litigation in both State and Federal Courts. She has represented individuals, businesses and insurance carriers all over the State of South Carolina. Mary has obtained favorable results in both State and Federal Courts for her clients and is also a certified mediator. She has enjoyed leadership roles in the South Carolina Women Lawyers Association, South Carolina Mock Trial Association, and National Trial Competition.
Mary focuses the majority of her practice on insurance defense, bad faith defense, government defense, premises liability, personal injury, coverage disputes, municipal litigation, declaratory judgment actions, and tort defense providing zealous advocacy using a proactive approach. As a certified mediator, Mary’s diverse experience in the courtroom and with the juries of South Carolina is invaluable in dispute resolution.
- United States Supreme Court, 2014
- 4th Circuit United States District Court of Appeals, 2014
- United States District Court – District of South Carolina, 2008
- South Carolina Bar, 2006
- Transylvania University, 2002
- Michigan State University, College of Law 2006
- South Carolina Judicial Qualifications Committee 2014
- Richland County Bar Association Member – 2006 to present
- South Carolina Women Lawyers Association Member – 2012 to present
- South Carolina Women Lawyers Association Membership Committee Chair – 2016 to 2018
- South Carolina Women Lawyers Association Board Member – 2017 to 2019
- South Carolina Mock Trial, Coach Meadow Glen Middle School 2014
- South Carolina Mock Trial, Judge
- National Trial Competition, Judge
- 2024 Best Lawyers in America®- Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- South Carolina Supreme Court, Certified Circuit Court Mediator – 2015
- Martindale-Hubble® Peer Review Rating™ AV® Preeminent™
- 2013, 2014 & 2016 Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers South Carolina Rising Star
- 2015, 2016 & 2017 Columbia Business Magazine® Legal Elite of the Midlands
- Martindale-Hubble® Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers™
- 2014 Top Attorneys – South Carolina’s Outstanding Young Lawyers
- Represented National Retailer in premises liability matter in Lexington County, South Carolina Court of Common Pleas and obtained defense verdict.
- Represented National Insurance carrier in Federal District Court in breach of contract and bad faith action and obtained defense verdict.
- Represented National Insurance carrier in Federal District Court in a fatality case and obtained Declaratory Judgment in favor of the carrier on a contract interpretation issue.
- Represented homeowner in premises liability matter in Charleston County, South Carolina Court of Common Pleas and obtained defense verdict.
- Represented business owner in Lexington County, South Carolina Court of Common Pleas for fraud, breach of warranty, negligence, and breach of contract with fraudulent intent and obtained a defense verdict.
- Represented homeowner in premises liability matter in Dorchester County, South Carolina Court of Common Pleas for negligence and obtained summary judgment.
- Represented National Insurance carrier in Federal District Court in assault, sexual molestation, and negligence action for bad faith and breach of contract and obtained declaratory judgment which was affirmed by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals.