Whether he’s helping a client or building something, Rusty likes rolling up his sleeves and doing things the right way. He credits mentors and real-life experiences for his work ethic and compassion. “I enjoy helping people,” Rusty says. “I view the practice of law as a service and not a business.”
Rusty is licensed to provide that service in South Carolina courts and in the federal District Court for the District of South Carolina. He is a member of the South Carolina Bar Association, the Greenville County Bar, and the American Bar Association. He also is a member of the South Carolina Association for Justice and has served on that organization’s Board of Governors.
Clemson University; University of South Carolina School of Law
Rusty was born and raised in Greenville, SC. He majored in Business Management at Clemson University, graduating with honors (magna cum laude) in 2008. The predicable next step for Rusty might have been immediate entry into graduate school, but he likes working with his hands and wanted to experience another part of the country. So, he headed out West. After a year in construction, he entered law school, graduating from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2012. Next, Rusty worked three years as a public defender for the State of South Carolina Circuit Court, Tenth Circuit, in Walhalla, SC. Then he moved back to Greenville and into private practice.
Rusty exemplifies the PLW commitment to church, family, and community. He attends Grace Church Downtown with his wife and three boys, and he volunteers at Jumpstart, a nonprofit that helps current and former prisoners transition back into society. For leisure-time activities, Rusty and his family enjoy time at the lake and on rivers whitewater kayaking. Rusty also enjoys building things with his hands, especially amateur woodworking.
Lifelong mentor
When asked to name a hero, Rusty answers immediately: “I look up to my Dad (PLW Partner Douglas Patrick). He has practiced law a long time, and he has always done it the right way.”
Rusty enjoys sharing a workplace with his father; the learning opportunities are abundant. “He has been successful because he genuinely cares for those he represents,” Rusty says. “He will not sacrifice his morals to win a case, he treats the other side with respect, and his word is trusted.”
His Dad is also a great storyteller, Rusty adds.
