Spartanburg-based Attorney Tom A. Killoren Jr. Elected to Lead State’s Top Attorney Group  

Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina Association for Justice has unanimously elected Tom A. Killoren Jr. as President, bringing more than three decades of trial experience to the helm of the State’s largest legal organization.  Killoren is a partner at Spartanburg-based KD Trial Lawyers, PC. 

He is the first lawyer from the Hub City to serve as President of the prestigious Association since 1962 when James Turner presided over the 1,400-member association. Killoren, known as a fierce advocate in the courtroom and a compassionate counsel for his clients, will serve a one-year term.

“It is a great honor to lead an Association that is determined to expand judicial access and ensure that the rights of the underdog are heard and preserved,” said Killoren, who plans to strengthen the integrity of the State’s judicial system through education and effective action. “We are fearless advocates for those who have been harmed by others, and we aim to protect the rights of the individual to seek recourse in open and fair courtrooms.”

Killoren earned his law degree from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law and then honed his trial skills as an Assistant State’s Attorney for three years before entering private practice, ultimately becoming a named partner of KD Trial Lawyers (which includes a Circuit Court Judge and a Federal District Court Judge amongst its noted alumni).

Killoren regularly receives legal recognitions.  He won the South Carolina Legal Elite Award in 2022 and Super Lawyers has recognized Killoren for the past five years.  Martindale-Hubbell has bestowed its AV Preeminent rating on him for the past decade.

Killoren is dedicated to giving back to the community. Each year, he organizes a “March Madness” fundraiser for Kids Upstate (formerly the Boys and Girls Clubs of Spartanburg). He also sponsors tennis tournaments benefitting the Habitat for Humanity, the Ellen Hines Smith Girls Home, and the St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic.

Killoren’s new role was formally announced at SCAJ’s Annual Convention where lawyers from across the state gathered for educational seminars and strategic planning.  Killoren will serve a one-year term along with a new group of officers elected to serve in other SCAJ leadership positions including:

- Sydney J. Lynn is now President-elect.  Sydney is an attorney at Charleston-based Joye Law Firm, and, in 2016, led the opening of their Columbia office.  She focuses on building trust with her clients as she helps them navigate their personal injury and workers’ compensation cases.

- Ashley White Creech has been elected Vice-President. She is an attorney at McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC.  Ashley focuses on personal injury and has had key successes at trials for her clients. Ashley also has presented oral arguments in both State and Federal appellate courts.

- Kevin Dean has been elected Secretary/Treasurer. He is a member at Motley Rice LLC (Mount Pleasant office) and focuses on catastrophic injury, products liability, and wrongful death cases.  Kevin represents victims and families affected by hazardous consumer products, occupational and industrial accidents, premise injuries, and other incidents of negligence.