John T. Lay, Jr.

Columbia, SC

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2008

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Insurance Law

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Firm

Gallivan, White & Boyd PA

27 Best Lawyers awards

Awarded Practice Areas

Insurance Law Bet-the-Company Litigation Commercial Litigation Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants Product Liability Litigation - Defendants

*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Columbia, SC.

Biography

John T. Lay

Overview

Columbia, South Carolina

803-779-1833

1201 Main Street, Suite 1200
P.O. Box 7368
Columbia, SC 29201

The University of South Carolina School of Law, J.D., graduated 1991
Davidson College, BA, graduated 1987

South Carolina, South Carolina Bar

American Bar Association - Member
American Board of Trial Advocates - Past President
Association of Defense Trial Attorneys - Member
Defense Research Institute - Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Committees
International Association of Defense Counsel - Past President
Richland County Bar - Member
South Carolina Bar - Member
South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association - Past President

United States District Court of South Carolina
United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
Unites States Supreme Court

Firm Location

Education

Bar Admissions

Affiliations

Court Admissions

Columbia, South Carolina

803-779-1833

1201 Main Street, Suite 1200
P.O. Box 7368
Columbia, SC 29201

South Carolina, South Carolina Bar

American Bar Association - Member
American Board of Trial Advocates - Past President
Association of Defense Trial Attorneys - Member
Defense Research Institute - Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Committees
International Association of Defense Counsel - Past President
Richland County Bar - Member
South Carolina Bar - Member
South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association - Past President

The University of South Carolina School of Law, J.D., graduated 1991
Davidson College, BA, graduated 1987

United States District Court of South Carolina
United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
Unites States Supreme Court

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers^® for:

Insurance Law, Columbia, SC (2026)
Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Columbia, SC (2025)
Bet-the-Company Litigation, Columbia, SC (2024)
Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, Columbia, SC (2022)
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Columbia, SC (2020)
Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Columbia, SC (2019)
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Columbia, SC (2018)
Insurance Law, Columbia, SC (2017)

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America^® 2026 for work in:

Bet-the-Company Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Insurance Law
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Product Liability Litigation - Defendants

Additional Areas of Practice:

Banking and Finance Law
Product Liability Litigation
Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants

Awards:

Greater Columbia Business Monthly's Legal Elite, 2010 & 2011
2010 Leadership in Law Award - South Carolina Lawyers Weekly
2010 Fred H. Sievert Award - Defense Research Institute (National Award)
2009 Exceptional Performance Citation - Defense Research Institute
Best Lawyers in America, 2008 to Present (Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and Product Liability)
South Carolina Super Lawyers, 2008 to Present

News & Media

Publications

Litigation 2023

Litigation 2022

Corporate Law & Commercial Litigation

Litigation

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