
Joseph T. McElveen, Jr.
email: jmcelveen@bryanlaw.com
Joe McElveen was born in Sumter, South Carolina, and attended the public schools of Sumter. In 1968, he graduated from The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, where he was a Gold Star student and a Distinguished Air Force Student and graduate. He then attended the law school of the University of South Carolina and graduated in 1971. While in law school he served on the Editorial Board of the South Carolina Law Review and had two of his articles published. Joe was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1971. He joined the firm as an associate in 1972 and became a partner in 1975.
After law school, Joe served in the United States Air Force. He first served as administrative officer for the 728th Tactical Fighter Support Squadron, and he completed his active duty and reserve duty as a Staff Judge Advocate. He was honorably discharged in 1977.
For a number of years, Joe practiced family law almost exclusively. He was a Certified Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He was the founding chair of the Family Law Section of the South Carolina Bar. He served on the editorial board of The Family Advocate, a publication of the Family Law Section of the American Bar Association. In 1985 his article, “Ten Commandments of Family Law Negotiation,” was published in Trial magazine.
Joe served on the Commission on Continuing Lawyer Competence. He has served on the House of Delegates and Board of Governors of the South Carolina Bar. Joe was awarded the Gold Compleat Lawyer Award by the South Carolina School of Law in 1996. He was recognized as an AV Rated Attorney, which is the highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards. He has been a frequent lecturer at Continuing Legal Education seminars. Joe has served as a board member of the Workplace Litigation Group, and has been an active member of the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Education Association and the Injured Workers’ Advocates.
Joe currently serves as the mayor of his hometown and has done so since 2000. Prior to serving as mayor, he served as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives for ten years, during which time he served two terms as a Majority Leader. He also served on Sumter City Council for two years (1964-86).
Joe’s practice mainly focuses on Workers’ Compensation but he is also a Certified Mediator, offering full service mediator services, and is admitted to practice before the United States District Court.
Joe and his wife Kathy have two children, Thomas and Kate, and a granddaughter, Adelaide.
Bar Admissions:
- South Carolina Bar, 1971
- United States District Court for the District of South Carolina
Education:
- The Citadel, 1968
- University of South Carolina School of Law, 1971
Professional Associations:
- Sumter County Bar Association
- South Carolina Bar Association
Professional Experience:
- Administrative Officer, 728th Tactical Fighter Support
Civic Involvement:
- USC Sumter Associates
- South Carolina Bar Board of Governors (2001-2005)
- Mayor, City of Sumter (2000-present)
- South Carolina House of Representatives (1986-1996)
- Majority Leader (1990-1992)
- Sumter City Council (1984-1986)
- House of Delegates, Member (1980-1982)
Areas of Practice:


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MEDIATION SERVICES
Including Circuit Court Mediation and Probate Court Mediation