D. Michael "Michael" Henthorne, Employment Attorney in Columbia, South Carolina
focused on Employment and Litigation
Columbia, SC
Trusted employment attorney serving Columbia.
- 1
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Practices in
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Quick answer
D. Michael "Michael" Henthorne is an attorney based in Columbia, SOUTH CAROLINA. The practice focuses on Employment and Litigation.
- Based in
- Columbia, SOUTH CAROLINA
- Experience
- attorney
- Known for
- Employment · Litigation
- Handles Employment and Litigation matters from Columbia, SOUTH CAROLINA.
- Recognized with Lawyer of the Year — Employment Law - Management, Columbia (SC) (2024).
About D. Michael "Michael" Henthorne: D. Michael "Michael" Henthorne is an attorney based in Columbia, SOUTH CAROLINA. The practice focuses on Employment and Litigation.
Areas of practice
Legal matters D. takes on
D. concentrates on employment and litigation. Each area below outlines the kind of case D. handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Employment cases in Columbia, South Carolina
D. takes employment matters in Columbia, South Carolina. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before D. agrees to represent you.
Litigation cases in Columbia, South Carolina
D. takes litigation matters in Columbia, South Carolina. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before D. agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet D. Michael "Michael" Henthorne — employment lawyer in Columbia
D. Michael "Michael" Henthorne is an attorney based in Columbia, SOUTH CAROLINA. The practice focuses on Employment and Litigation.
D. Michael Henthorne focuses his practice on representing clients in employment litigation. He has significant trial experience and has successfully appeared before both the South Carolina Court of Appeals and the South Carolina Supreme Court. He also appears regularly in federal and state courts in South Carolina and before various regulatory and administrative tribunals, such as:
- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- The Department of Labor
- The South Carolina Human Affairs Commission
- The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
- The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce
A specialist in employment and labor law as certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court, Michael has litigated matters involving:
- Title VII
- The Americans with Disabilities Act
- The Family and Medical Leave Act
- The Fair Labor Standards Act
- The Age Discrimination in Employment Act
- Wage and hour disputes
- Employment contracts
- Employment torts
- Covenants not to compete, trade secrets and unfair competition matters
Notably, he served as lead trial counsel in an intellectual property dispute involving a Fortune 50 retailer; in the defense of a $500,000 predatory lending claim that resulted in a jury verdict for a national mortgage lender; and in the settlement of a seven-figure negligence claim for a South Carolina healthcare provider prior to trial. He routinely works with in-house corporate counsel and insurers to resolve employment litigation and appellate matters.
Additionally, Michael was previously admitted pro hac vice in Clark County Nevada where he settled an employment dispute on behalf of a national sporting goods distributor, and in the Western District of Tennessee where he resolved a whistleblower action for a leading aluminum rolled products company.
Certified as both a civil mediator and an arbitrator by the South Carolina Supreme Court, Michael also has previously held the Professional in Human Resources designation from the Human Resources Certification Institute in conjunction with the Society for Human Resources Management. He has been a featured speaker at seminars and corporate training events and makes presentations for numerous professional organizations. He also has taught employment and labor law as an adjunct faculty member at Anderson University in Anderson, South Carolina.
Working with D. on a employment matter
D. Michael Henthorne focuses his practice on representing clients in employment litigation. He has significant trial experience and has successfully appeared before both the South Carolina Court of Appeals and the South Carolina Supreme Court. He also appears regularly in federal and state courts in South Carolina and before various regulatory and administrative tribunals, such as: The Equal…
Clients D. works with
D. reviews new inquiries case-by-case for employment and litigation matters in Columbia and the surrounding South Carolina area.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
The University of South Carolina School of Law
J.D. · 1994
Furman University
BS
Jurisdictions
D.'s state bar admissions
South Carolina, Sout
ACTIVE
D. studied at J.D. in The University of South Carolina School of Law and BS in Furman University.
Law school and academic background
D. completed J.D. in The University of South Carolina School of Law and BS in Furman University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice D. runs in South Carolina is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Recognition and thought leadership
D. has received 11 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
Lawyer of the Year — Employment Law - Management, Columbia (SC)
2024
Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Labor Law - Management
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — COVID-19
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Employment
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Management
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Named, America's Leading Lawyers for Business - Chambers USA, 2013
2026
Legal awards and honors
Lawyer of the Year — Employment Law - Management, Columbia (SC) (2024). Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Labor Law - Management (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus: (2026).
Locations
D. Michael "Michael" Henthorne's office in Columbia
D.'s primary office is at 2142 Boyce Street, Columbia, South Carolina, 29201. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of D. Michael "Michael" Henthorne
D. has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.
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Schedule your consultationHiring guide
How to hire D. Michael "Michael" Henthorne — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new employment attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with D. usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
D. charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain D.'s office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; D. will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a employment attorney in Columbia, South Carolina
A short list to run through before you commit: How many employment matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for D.
D. discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in employment practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every employment matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. D. confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
D.'s office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many employment practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about D. Michael "Michael" Henthorne
How much does it cost to hire D. for a employment case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. D. walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does D. offer a free consultation?
D. charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain D.'s office. Some employment attorneys offer free consults — check D.'s current terms during booking.
How long do employment cases in South Carolina typically take?
Simple employment matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. D. gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can D. take my case if I'm outside Columbia?
D. is licensed in South Carolina. Matters governed by South Carolina law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — D. will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with D.?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. D. will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is D. accepting new employment clients right now?
D.'s intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Employment attorneys serving Columbia, Charleston and Greenville in South Carolina
D. handles employment matters throughout South Carolina. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified employment attorneys in that community.
- Columbia4,189 attorneys
- Charleston2,702 attorneys
- Greenville2,449 attorneys
- Mount Pleasant1,100 attorneys
- Spartanburg583 attorneys
- Myrtle Beach506 attorneys
- North Charleston476 attorneys
- Lexington379 attorneys
- Rock Hill372 attorneys
- Hilton Head Island347 attorneys
- Florence335 attorneys
- Summerville299 attorneys
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