Sam Cothran creatively addresses the many complex ethical challenges inherent in the cutting-edge practice of a dynamic, multi-jurisdictional law firm. As leader of Motley Rice’s legal department, Sam directs and advises the firm’s management on diverse in-house legal matters regarding governmental compliance, contracts and legal defense, as well as labor and employment, marketing, financial and operational issues.
After working for an international accounting firm as a certified public accountant and for several Fortune 1,000 companies as a financial manager, Sam attended law school to complement his background in business management and finance and joined Motley Rice attorneys shortly after graduation.
Recognized as a BV® rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell®, Sam is the author of Dischargeability of Consumer Credit Card Debt in Bankruptcy After Anastas v. American Savings Bank, 48 S.C.L. Rev. 915 (1997). As a law student, Sam served as Managing Editor of the South Carolina Law Review. He was named a Carolina Legal Scholar and awarded both the Order of the Coif and Order of the Wig and Robe.
Sam is active in his community, serving on the board of Directors for the Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center.
Education
J.D. cum laude, University of South Carolina School of Law, 1998
M.B.A., Duke University, 1994
B.S. summa cum laude, University of South Carolina, 1981
Associations
American Bar Association
Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants
Licensed In
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
Admitted to Practice Before
U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina and District of South Carolina