Biography
Curtis L. Ott is a partner in the firm’s Columbia, South Carolina, office. With over 30 years of litigation experience, Curtis centers his practice on transportation, product liability and appellate cases.
From his trial and appellate experience and involvement in the leadership of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association, Curtis is extremely familiar with all aspects of litigation: venues, attorneys, mediations and the nuances of South Carolina law. He has tried 75 cases to verdict in state and federal courts as well as briefed and argued before the South Carolina Supreme Court and the South Carolina Court of Appeals. Curtis is keenly aware of what drives the value of cases and how they should be litigated to reach the best results.
Curtis has represented a wide array of clients throughout his career; however, he often represents clients in the following industries:
- Automotive
- Trucking
- Industrial Machinery/Equipment
- Retail Establishments
Curtis also advises and defends insurers, self-insured corporations, and third-party risk managers on complex litigation matters involving tort liability and risk management issues. He is experienced in the investigation, preparation, and trial of all types of claims related to tort law and personal injury defense including premises liability, intentional torts, and business torts.
Achieving the highest level of client satisfaction is vital to Curtis and he recognizes that the practice of law is a service industry. Curtis believes the best lawyers understand what their clients want and strive to achieve those results through attentiveness and responsiveness to the client.
Education
Davidson College
B.A. (1989)
Boston University
J.D., cum laude (1992)
Associations & Professional Memberships
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- Defense Research Institute (DRI)
- International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)
- John Belton O’Neill Inn of Court
- Leadership Columbia, Graduate (1999)
- Litigation Counsel of America
- South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association (SCDTAA)
- Past President (2015)
- President (2014)
- President-Elect (2013)
- Treasurer (2012)
- Secretary (2011)
- Board of Directors (2003-2015) (2023)
- Annual Trial Academy, Co-Chair (2004, 2005, 2009)
- Product Liability Substantive Law Committee, Chair (2001-2003)
- Trucking Industry Defense Association
Honors & Awards
- Best Lawyers in America (2009 -2025)
- Commercial Litigation
- Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
- Lawyer of the Year (2024)
- Columbia Business Magazine
- Legal Elite: Appellate (2024)
- Legal Elite: Business Litigation (2024)
- Legal Elite: Retail & Consumer Products (2021)
- Legal Elite: Personal Injury – Defendant (2023)
- South Carolina Super Lawyers, Personal Injury – Products: Defense (2008- 2021)
Community Involvement
- A.C. Flora High School, Parent Teacher Student Organization
- Co-Past President (2018-2019)
- Co-President (2017-2018)
- Trinity Cathedral, Vestry