Baker, Ravenel, & Bender has defended hundreds of cases in South Carolina’s state and federal courts for clients facing allegations involving asbestos exposure. The firm also has extensive experience in complex federal multi-district litigation.

Baker Ravenel & Bender has represented insurance companies in South Carolina against claims that they acted in bad faith in investigating, adjusting or refusing to pay claims.  Our firm also advises insurers on claim handling practices and how to avoid potential bad faith claims during the handling of the claims or the defense of a third-party lawsuit.

As a full-service litigation firm, Baker Ravenel & Bender provides South Carolina clients with the trial representation they need, including defense and appellate work.  Having successfully litigated thousands of cases, we can meet the demands of the most complex legal battles of a number of types of disputes, including:

•   Covenants not to compete

•   Commercial contracts

•   Commercial leases

•   Non-payment issues

•   Breach of contract

•   Partnership and shareholder disputes

Baker, Ravenel and Bender attorneys provide full-service, cost-effective legal representation to charter schools and school districts across South Carolina.

With our focus and experience in education law, we understand the challenges that arise in educational institutions. Our attorneys regularly assist boards and administrators in understanding how they can cooperatively provide high-quality education services. Our firm advises and guides boards of trustees and administrators regarding various education law issues, including Freedom of Information Act requests, employment matters, working with families and students, and responding to local citizens.

While our attorneys provide wide-ranging advice and counsel to board members and administrators, we also are well versed in handling matters that may evolve into litigation in state and federal courts.

How do you measure the success of a law firm?

At the Columbia offices of Baker, Ravenel & Bender, we believe that our longevity speaks for itself. As one of the oldest law firms in South Carolina, we have handled thousands of cases since we were established around 1900.

With a team of attorneys that includes  certified arbitrators and mediators, former and current law professors, and attorneys highly regarded by their peers, we have a diverse firm capable of handling a wide range of legal matters in South Carolina state and federal courts.

Most importantly, though, we never forget that the case is about you – your reputation, your assets, your livelihood. We stay in constant communication with clients, outlining options and presenting them with possibilities, allowing them to make informed decisions as litigation progresses toward a favorable resolution.

Baker Ravenel & Bender has represented clients through their insurance companies, defending them in matters ranging from construction litigation, dram shop litigation, personal injury litigation, premises liability and products liability. We routinely review policies and provides legal opinions in areas of insurance law, including both first- and third-party coverage.

Our attorneys are experienced in litigating declaratory judgment actions and have done extensive work in trial and appellate courts, litigating insurance coverage issues. We also represent insurer clients in seeking reimbursement and contribution from other insurers. Our firm also assists insurer clients with the investigation of questionable and fraudulent insurance claims.

For more than 40 years South Carolina newspapers, broadcasters and other news outlets and publications have looked to Baker, Ravenel & Bender for representation in media-related and First Amendment cases in state and federal courts. The firm has built an outstanding record in media law cases involving the defense of defamation and invasion of privacy claims, asserting access rights to courts and court records and protecting news organizations and reporters from being compelled to become investigators for litigants.

Most of the significant media law cases decided by South Carolina and federal appellate courts during the period have had the firm as a representative of a party or as counsel for friends of the court. The firm has also been a leader in the assertion of rights of access to the records and meetings of public bodies with involvement in many significant cases decided under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. As the media landscape has changed the firm has represented clients bringing “cybersquatting” claims against domain name poachers and asserting the reporter’s shield law to protect on-line publishers.

Cravens Ravenel advises and defends South Carolina lawyers on ethical and professional conduct issues in attorney disciplinary proceedings. He also provides advice to bar applicants regarding admissions and appears with applicants in front of the Committee on Character and Fitness and the South Carolina Supreme Court.