Reese Joye

1938-2008

South Carolina Senate
Honors Reese Joye

In Memory of Reese I. Joye

On Sunday, July 20, 2008, the members of Joye Law Firm lost our founder and president, Reese I. Joye.

Mr. Joye, 70, passed away early Sunday morning in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He had been in Massachusetts attending an annual trial advocacy summer conference at Harvard University, an event he organized, and was set to return to Charleston on Sunday.

A tenacious litigator who focused on protecting the rights of individuals, Mr. Joye founded the Joye Law Firm in 1968. He tried hundreds of cases before juries over the last 30 years and authored several legal books. Also, he was known for his knowledge regarding DUI cases in addition to personal injury law. In 1997, the firm sued Daimler Chrysler for more than $262.5 million, winning the largest settlement in South Carolina history and one of the largest settlements against a car manufacturer in the United States.

Additionally, Mr. Joye was a founding member of the National College for DUI Defense, founding president of the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the primary organizer of the Charleston County Public Defender's Office. Furthermore, he was instrumental in the debate in drafting the state’s DUI law over the past few years. In 2006, he was one of three attorneys asked to help draft legislation to replace South Carolina’s DUI laws.

Reese Joye was a man invested in his community and dedicated to his practice. A native South Carolinian, Mr. Joye was an Eagle Scout and graduated from Bennettsville High School in 1956 and was voted “Most Likely to Succeed.” From there he earned both his bachelor’s degree and law degree from the University of South Carolina.

Mr. Joye is survived by his wife, Jackie, three children, including firm partner Mark Joye, and five grandchildren. Plans for services will be announced later this week.

Everyone at Joye Law Firm would like to thank those who have shared their kind words and condolences. Reese Joye was an incredible attorney, an outstanding individual, and a born leader.

Bar Admissions

1965 - South Carolina
1965 - U.S. Federal Courts
1975 - U.S. Supreme Court

Education:

University of South Carolina (B.S.M.E.)
University of South Carolina School of Law (L.L.B.)

Areas of Practice:

Personal Injury
Aviation
Alcohol-Related Cases
General Criminal Defense Trial Work

Published Works:

“Trial of Drunk Driving Cases,” Modern Trials West, 1984
“The Trial Notebook,” Drunk Driving - the Workbook Kluwer,", 1986
“Drunk Driving: Recommendations for Safer Highways," Lexington, 1987

Representative Cases:

State v. Barrs, 184 S.E.2d 708 (S.C. 1971)
Cummings v. Dorchester Coca-Cola Bottling Co., 194 S.E.2d 185 (S.C. 1973)
Wiggins v. Thomas, 215 S.E.2d 426 (S.C. 1975)
Murphy v. Hagan, 271 S.E.2d 311 (S.C. 1980)
Kraft v. Hartford Ins. Companies, 305 S.E.2d 243 (S.C. 1983)

Representative Clients:

People Accused of Drunk Driving
Charleston Naval Shipyard Federal Credit Union
Injured People
Various Businesses

Honors and Awards:

South Carolina House of Representatives, Citation for Service
Who's Who in American Law
Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout

Professional Associations and Memberships:

American Association for Justice, Aviation Section, 1984-1985 Chair
American Association for Justice, Criminal Law Section, 1989-1990 Chair
American Association for Justice, 1978-1986 Trustee, Insurance Trust Program
American Association for Justice, Chair, State Delegates
American Board of Trial Advocates
S.C. Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Founding President
I Care of Charleston, Inc. (POW/MIA), 1971-1973
Roscoe Pound Foundation

Free Consultation

Have you or someone you care about been injured in an accident? Contact a South Carolina accident lawyer at the Joye Law Firm today. Our office is located in Charleston, but we have successfully advocated for clients throughout the lowcountry area, including Columbia, Georgetown, Goose Creek, Hilton Head, Sumter, Moncks Corner, Myrtle Beach, Summerville and Walterboro. Complete a FREE Online Consultation Form or call us today.

Our personal injury attorneys specialize in the following areas of practice: auto accidents, boat accidents, brain injuries, drug injuries, defective products, dog bites, drunk driving, fire and burn injuries, motorcycle accidents, nursing home abuse and neglect, premises liability, Social Security Disability benefits, spinal cord injuries, truck accidents, workers' compensation, and wrongful death.

Bookmark our site: