Posted in: Lawyers › Trial and Appellate Advocacy Section Council
Thornwell F. “Biff” Sowell, III was recently recognized for his superior work by his peers when he was named winner of the SC Bar Trial and Appellate Advocacy Section Award.
“He has amply satisfied each criterion for this award. His resume shows how he has dedicated his life to the art and techniques of trial and appellate advocacy, while still having the loveliest family and life outside of the office,” says Bess DuRant, Sowell’s law partner at the Columbia firm Sowell and Durant who nominated him for the honor. “His record shows his outstanding skills and conduct in his practice of trial and appellate advocacy.”
Sowell has maintained the same level of persistence, gratitude and commitment to the profession for over 45 years. When asked what it meant to receive the Trial and Appellate Advocacy Award, Sowell promptly recognized the work of his fellow attorneys.
“It is nice to be recognized and the award could have gone to a lot of people, but it went to me and I’m thankful,” Sowell said. "There are a lot of lawyers who do equally good work who don’t always get recognized so when you are recognized you have to be grateful for it.”
Colleagues credit Sowell for making a tremendous impact on the craft of trial and appellate advocacy through serving as an educator.
“There are many more reasons that Biff deserves to receive the Trial and Appellate Advocacy Section Award, but one is his impact on the many lawyers he has trained and mentored. I am blessed to be one of them,” wrote Judge A. Marvin Quattlebaum, Jr., U.S. Circuit judge on the 4th Circuit, in his letter of nomination. “I will always cherish and never forget the lessons he taught me and the care he showed me. I can only do my best to try to follow in his great example.”
Sowell’s impact in the courtroom is equally as important as his mentorship. He credits this to his early days at Nelson Mullins under the guidance of outstanding mentors Bruce Shaw, Bob Currin and Ed Mullins.
“Through many long depositions, mediations, days-long court hearings, and deadlines, I knew I could always count on Biff to be prepared, to bring a sense of humor, and to be a calming force when many around him were losing their heads,” added Columbia attorney Nekki Shutt, one of Sowell’s nominators. “Of course, those personal attributes are in addition to his vast knowledge of the law, his technical proficiency, his professionalism, and his core civility. I cannot think of anyone in South Carolina who is more deserving of this award than Biff. He is the best of us.”
Sowell’s love for his work, colleagues and clients remind him why he appreciates the profession each day.
“I’m lucky to be [a lawyer], I am grateful to be one. I am grateful to all of my colleagues, clients and workmates over the years for what they have contributed to my career,” Sowell says. “I’ve enjoyed just about every minute of it.”
The Trial and Appellate Advocacy Section Award is given to a lawyer who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to furthering the art and techniques of trial and appellate advocacy in the legal profession while also devoting substantial time and effort to the education and training of attorneys in the areas of trial and appellate advocacy.