W. Christopher Swett

On behalf of asbestos victims, Chris litigates against manufacturers, property owners and contractors who sold or installed asbestos-containing products and exposed workers and families to asbestos. Additionally, he has tried multiple cases against suppliers of allegedly asbestos-contaminated talc and manufacturers of cosmetic talcum powder products for consumers suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
 
Chris also litigates cases for  consumers against automotive and automotive part manufacturers  involving vehicle defects, including airbags, brakes, door latches and engine components. He has additional experience representing victims seriously injured or killed by toxic exposures, environmental contamination, fires and other negligence and misconduct.

A frequent speaker at national conferences, Chris has presented on topics such as the FDA’s role in the regulation of certain consumer products, discovery issues that arise in mass torts and multistate litigation, and strategies for cross-examining experts at trial. He has also been quoted in national and local print media, including The Wall Street Journal and The Post and Courier.  
  
Chris received both the Citadel Scholar full academic scholarship and the Citadel Honors Program Gold Seal. In law school, Chris was honored with the University of South Carolina School of Law's Cali Award for environmental law. Additionally, he served as Senior Associate Editor for the Southeastern Environmental Law Journal and is the author of published pieces concerning environmental law such as Politics, Money, and Radioactive Waste: The Savannah River Site Conundrum, 16.2 Se. Envtl. L.J. 391 (2008).

Prior to joining Motley Rice, Chris served as a law clerk to the Honorable R. Bryan Harwell of the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. In this capacity, he conducted complex research, prepared proposed orders involving numerous areas of the law, and assisted with various phases of both civil and criminal trials.
 
Growing up in rural South Carolina with blue-collar parents, Chris quickly learned the value of hard work and giving back to the community. He has volunteered as a Special Prosecutor for the South Carolina Attorney General's Office. He proudly served as class chairman for The Citadel Foundation, helping to raise money for need-based scholarship funding. He is also a former member of the Charleston County Library Board of Trustees. Chris is recognized as an AV®-rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell®. Chris is recognized as an AV^®rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell^®.