Former SC Supreme Court Justice returns to private law practice

COLUMBIA — Former state Supreme Court Justice John Few has officially re-entered private practice after 26 years on the bench, opening his own law firm in Columbia.

“There will be no soft landing for me, as I plan to return to the active practice of law with the same energy and enthusiasm that has defined my career as a judge and justice,” Few said in a statement.

The 63-year-old stepped down from the state’s high court at the end of July, when his 10-year term ended.

Few faced a rare challenge to hold onto his seat — a contest even more unusual because his three opponents included former House Speaker Jay Lucas. Few dropped his bid for re-election in March, a day before the Legislature was scheduled to vote, after it became clear he would not win.

His withdrawal forced the race to be canceled and the application process to start over.

Five judges are seeking the open seat. Public hearings before a legislative screening panel are scheduled to begin Nov. 16. An election in the General Assembly is tentatively set for March 3.

Few could have remained on the bench until he was replaced. But he opted not to stay beyond his official term.

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Few said he will focus on litigating complex cases, taking his clients back into the same South Carolina courtrooms in which he presided as a judge.

Born in Anderson and brought up in Greenwood, Few practiced law in Greenville before becoming a circuit court trial judge in 2000. He was chief judge of the Court of Appeals before winning a seat on the state Supreme Court in 2016.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from Duke University and law degree from the University of South Carolina.

He has been a part-time law professor since 2005.