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Jack B. SwerlingMember
Jack B. Swerling
Pro

Jack B. Swerling

5.0
44 reviews

1720 Main Street, Suite 301, Columbia, SC 29211

Criminal Law, Assault and Battery, Bank Fraud and 45 more

About Jack B. Swerling

Jack B. Swerling is an active Columbia criminal attorney, litigator, writer, and lecturer. He focuses his legal practice on criminal cases in state and federal courts and a select group of civil cases. Mr. Swerling has been a member of the South Carolina Bar and licensed to practice by the Supreme Court of South Carolina since 1973.

In recognition of his work, he has been honored by election to several prestigious organizations that only invite attorneys into their ranks who have been subjected to a rigorous investigation of the lawyer's experience, demonstrated skill, and character.

- He has been selected to be a Fellow in the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers, the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.

- He was named a South Carolina Super Lawyer in criminal defense and is also listed in Naifeh and Smith's The Best Lawyers in America in the area of criminal defense.

Mr. Swerling is one of only 70, South Carolina lawyers who are Fellows in the American College of Trial Lawyers, which is limited to the top five percent of trial lawyers in the United States. He is one of only five lawyers in South Carolina in the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, one of only three lawyers in South Carolina in the American Board of Criminal Lawyers and one of only five South Carolina Lawyers in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. The International Academy is limited to 600 lawyers worldwide.

Mr. Swerling lectures frequently at continuing legal education programs for lawyers and judges, and speaks at schools, civic organizations, and professional groups. He has written several books on criminal practice.

Previous Work

Prior to establishing his current law firm in 1991, Jack Swerling was a partner in the law firm of Swerling, Harpootlian and McCulloch. Prior to that he practiced law for ten years with his former partner and mentor, the late State Senator Isadore Lourie.

Professional Association Memberships & Activities

- Chief Justice's Commission on the Profession

- South Carolina Supreme Court Docketing Task Force

- Richland County Bar Association (Chairman, Criminal Law Committee, 1989-1991)

- American Bar Association (Member, Section of Criminal Justice)

- South Carolina Bar (Chairman, Criminal Law Section, 1985-1986)

- American Association for Justice

- South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association (Chairman, Criminal Law Section, 1981-1984)

- South Carolina Bar Foundation (Life Fellow and Past President)

- Permanent Member of the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference

- South Carolina Criminal Trial Lawyers Association (a founding member)

- The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

- American Judicature Society

- John Belton O'Neil Inn of Court

- South Carolina Supreme Court Board of Commissioners on Grievance and Discipline 1989-1993

- South Carolina Supreme Court's Rules Committee

- South Carolina Board of Law Examiners, 1987-1992

- South Carolina Pre-Trial Intervention Advisory Committee, 1980-1982

- South Carolina Legislative Committee on Indigent Defense, 1990-1995

- South Carolina Uniform Jury Charge Project, 1991-1994

- Chairman, South Carolina Criminal Docket Committee

- Advisory Committee, The Child Victim Court Notebook, 1987

 

Jack B. Swerling (Columbia, South Carolina) View website

Awards

Platinum Client Champion
This award is granted to attorneys who have received at least 10 client reviews, and have an average review score of 4.5 or higher.
Champion Badge Platinum
AV Preeminent Peer Rated
This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Jack B. Swerling got this award in 2021

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Jack B. Swerling got this award in 2021

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A, publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.

Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Reviews for Jack B. Swerling

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Criminal Law
Posted by Jazmine
October 28, 2025
Hired Attorney Jack B. Swerling

As the relative of one of Mr. Swerling's clients who faced criminal charges, I would like to share my experience with Mr. Swerling as our attorney. Mr. Swerling communicated with us every step of the way. He and his staff were very polite and empathetic to his clients' charges and concerns. My relative is now home, free at last, and able to be a productive member of society again. With the help of God and Mr. Swerling representing us, we are extremely grateful. We could not have asked for a better lawyer.

 
Criminal Law
Posted by Sarah
April 23, 2025
Hired Attorney Jack B. Swerling

Jack Swerling got me the most favorable outcome possible w/ the charges I was facing. He worked tirelessly with the solicitor, speaking in my favor, & pushing for a sentence that kept me from being incarcerated for 15 years. Now, I am able to continue working, caring for my elderly mother, & raising my 17-year-old daughter. Through this experience, he was not only my attorney, but he became a dear friend. Hopefully, I'll never need another criminal defense attorney, but in the event I do, he'll be the first one I seek for representation. I HIGHLY recommend him for anyone's criminal defense needs!

 
Criminal Law
Posted by anonymous
November 08, 2024
Hired Attorney Jack B. Swerling

JACK IS THE BEST ! STARTED OFF AS MY LAWYER ENDED AS MY FRIEND ! I LOVE JACK ..HE IS AWSOME .. GIVE HIM YOUR PROBLEMS HE GONE HANDLE THE REST .. ALSO LOVE HIS TEAM ! VERY SUPPORTIVE , YOU DEFINITELY CAN TRUST HIM .. THANK YOU JACKKKK .!

Felonies
Posted by Sabrina
June 14, 2023
Hired Attorney Jack B. Swerling

Jack Swerling, Alyssa, Kellie, Ebony, and John are the best! They work hard. I can't even express how grateful am I am for all they have done for me. After 4 long years and many tears they stood beside me and represented me making sure that every step of the way they had my back. In short I am free! I would recommend Jack and his staff to anyone!!

 
Homicide
Posted by Ken
March 16, 2022
Hired Attorney Jack B. Swerling

Jack Swerling represented my nephew on the charge of involuntary manslaughter and he was found NOT GUILTY. This was a high profile contentious homicide trial. Our family was aware that he is recognized for his legacy of powerful courtroom victories. He places the highest emphasis on trial skills. He stands for honesty and integrity in representation. He has fought and won for clients in State and Federal Court, He has earned countless awards for his trial accomplishments, He is without doubt, "the best-known criminal lawyer in the Nation!

 
Criminal Law
Posted by Darrin
February 05, 2022
Hired Attorney Jack B. Swerling

Thank you Jack Swerling for taking our case and doing an outstanding job in getting the case dismissed. What initially was a stressful time for my family turned into a time of confidence after speaking with you. You treated us as though we were your family and we will be forever grateful. Your reputation definitely preceded you and I will tell anybody out there that’s looking for an attorney that is gonna throw his everything in your case and treat you like family, Jack Swerling and his paralegal Ebony English are just the best. Thank you Ebony for always keeping us informed and reassuring us all the time “don’t worry, Jack got this”, you really made us feel great. You guys are indeed the best!!!

 
Criminal Law
Posted by anonymous
April 27, 2021
Hired Attorney Jack B. Swerling

From the beginning Mr Swerling was everything you’d hope for when put in a position of being wrongfully accused. During what seemed to be the most trying time in my life he fought for true justice and I would highly recommend him if you find yourself in that type of situation.

Criminal Law
Posted by anonymous
March 10, 2020
Hired Attorney Jack B. Swerling

Jack is a phenomenal person and lawyer. Thank you for helping our family at anytime day or night. Thank you and your staff.

Appellate Practice
Posted by anonymous
June 08, 2018
Hired Attorney Jack B. Swerling

Mr Swerling and his staff provided excellent service to my family. He lives up to his name he knows the system very well. We filed for a appeal for our son and he won the appeal not once but 3 times. Twice with the appelatte court and once with the Supreme court. He was acquitted of all charges. I would hire Jack again.

Criminal Law
Posted by anonymous
May 18, 2017
Hired Attorney Jack B. Swerling

Jack Swerling is the greatest attorney that will ever be. I was charged with Embezzlement(value over $10,000.00 or more) and Jack Swerling had made charges dismissed. I never had to go to court. I only went to roll call only twice. Tell me what lawyer can do that for you with such a serious crime? Jack Swerling is the correct answer. Thank You, Jack and you are my MVL(Most Valuable Lawyer)

 
From the Martindale-Avvo Legal Network

Services

Areas of Law

  • Criminal Law 9
    • Drug Crimes
    • Federal Criminal Law
    • Felonies
    • Homicide
    • Misdemeanors
    • Parole and Probation
    • Sex Crimes
    • Theft
    • Weapons Charges
  • White Collar Crime
  • Other 37
    • Assault and Battery
    • Bank Fraud
    • Burglary
    • Controlled Substances Law
    • Criminal Appeals
    • Criminal Defense
    • Criminal Conspiracy
    • Criminal Fraud
    • Criminal Investigation
    • Drugs and Narcotics
    • Drug Trafficking
    • Drug Offenses
    • Drug Forfeiture
    • Extortion
    • Electronic Surveillance
    • Fraud and Deceit
    • Forensic Accounting
    • Forensic DNA
    • Forensic Medicine
    • Forensic Science
    • Forgery
    • Grand Jury Practice
    • Hit and Run
    • Health Care Fraud
    • Mail Fraud
    • Manslaughter
    • Medicare Fraud and Abuse
    • Money Laundering
    • Mortgage Fraud
    • Murder
    • Search and Seizure
    • Sexual Assault
    • Stalking
    • Tax Fraud
    • Vehicular Homicide
    • Wire Fraud
    • Wiretapping

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1973, South Carolina
    1973, U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina
    1974, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
    1976, U.S. Supreme Court
    Memberships
    Richland County (Chairman, Criminal Law Committee, 1989-1991) and American (Member, Section of Criminal Justice) Bar Associations
    South Carolina Bar (Chairman, Criminal Law Section, 1985-1986)
    American Judicature Society
    The Association of Trial Lawyers of America
    South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association (Chairman, Criminal Law Section, 1981-1984)
    South Carolina Criminal Trial Lawyers Association
    The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
    American Judicature Society
    John Belton O'Neil Inns of Court (Master Bencher). Fellow: South Carolina Bar Foundation (Life
    Bar Fellowship
    and Former President); Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference (Permanent Member); American College of Trial Lawyers; American Academy of Appellate Lawyers; American Board of Criminal Lawyers; International Academy of Trial Lawyers.
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    University of South Carolina
    Class of 1973
    J.D.
    Other Education
    Clemson University
    Class of 1968
    B.A.
  • Personal Details & History
    Age
    Born in 1946
    New York, N.Y., May 30, 1946

Contact Jack B. Swerling

Member at Jack B. Swerling
5.0
44 reviews

1720 Main Street, Suite 301Columbia, SC 29211U.S.A.

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Fax: (803) 799-4059
Office Hours:
  • Monday By appointment
  • Tuesday By appointment
  • Wednesday By appointment
  • Thursday By appointment
  • Friday By appointment
  • Saturday By appointment
  • Sunday By appointment

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Attorneys FAQs

  • Is this attorney admitted to practice in any U.S. Federal Courts?
    Jack B. Swerling is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, United States District Court for the District of South Carolina and United States Supreme Court.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, Jack B. Swerling has a 5.0 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Client Review rated?
    Yes, Jack B. Swerling has a 5.0 Client Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    Jack B. Swerling attended University of South Carolina.
  • Is this attorney listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers?
    Jack B. Swerling is listed in the Appellate Practice and Criminal Trial Practice section of the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.

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