He received both his Bachelor of Science and Juris Doctorate degrees from the University of South Carolina. He is an “AV Preeminent” rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 2021, has been named a Super Lawyer since 2021, and was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2013-2015.
His practice focuses primarily on Insurance defense including construction disputes, serious personal injury, and complex litigation. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Watkins worked in the surety industry as a Surety Bond Underwriter for Travelers.
He has been a lecturer and author on construction and surety industry topics for groups such as the Carolinas Associated General Contractors (CAGC), Lorman Education Services, and the American Bar Association. He is a past president of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association’s Young Lawyers and currently serves on its board and as a prior chair of its Trial Academy. He has served on the South Carolina Bar’s Judicial Qualifications Committee to screen judicial candidates, and is a construction committee member for the Claims & Litigation Management Alliance, and the South Carolina Bar.
Areas of Focus
Education
University of South Carolina (J.D., 2005)
University of South Carolina (B.S., 1998)
Admissions
South Carolina Supreme Court (2005)
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals (2005)
U.S. District Court – District of South Carolina (2006)