In 2018, Earl Ellis began his full time mediation practice in Columbia, South Carolina, conducting mediations statewide.  Prior to 2018, Earl was a founding partner of Ellis Lawhorne before the firm merged with Adams and Reese in 2013. He has 40 years of litigation experience, 20 years of mediation experience and 15 years of arbitration experience, serving as an arbitrator and certified mediator for litigants as they seek to resolve business disputes, navigate dissolution, dispose of complex fee disputes, and adjudicate tort actions.

Earl was selected “Lawyer of the Year” in Worker’s Compensation Law by Best Lawyers in 2013, and he ranks among South Carolina Super Lawyers.  Earl is also listed in Best Lawyers in America. 

His mediation experience includes commercial, product liability, medical malpractice, nursing home, and workers’ compensation disputes. Earl is familiar with complex mediations, having conducted weeklong mediations and structured multi-party settlements. With experience in traditional litigation and workers’ compensation, he is adept at resolving cases involving traditional liability and workers’ compensation issues simultaneously and addressing all claims, liens and Medicare set-asides issues in one setting.

• University of South Carolina School of Law, J.D., 1975
• Davidson College, B.A., 1972

Bar Admissions
South Carolina

Court Admissions:
United States Supreme Court
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
South Carolina Supreme Court
South Carolina
United States District Court, District of South Carolina

Professional Memberships / Affiliations:
South Carolina Bar, former president; Workers’ Compensation Section, first chairman; House of Delegates, former chairman
South Carolina Bar Foundation, former board member
Richland County Bar Association
South Carolina Defense Trial Attorney Association
South Carolina Self-Insurers Association, former president

$395 per hour for 3 parties or less.  $125 per party for 4 or more parties.  Travel time is charged at half the hourly rate. 

BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2024:

$425 per hour for 3 parties or less.  $125 per party for 4 or more parties.  Travel time is charged at half the hourly rate.