William O. Kneece, Criminal Defense Attorney in Columbia, South Carolina
Over 63 years of legal practice · focused on Criminal Defense, Litigation, and Personal Injury · 4.4/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Columbia, SC
Practicing criminal defense in Columbia since 1963.
- 63+
- Years practicing
- 4.4 ★
- 1 client review
- 5
- Bar admissions
Practices in
Are you William O. Kneece?
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Quick answer
William O. Kneece is an attorney based in Columbia, SC. The practice focuses on Criminal Defense, Litigation, and Personal Injury. William has over 63 years of legal experience. Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 1 client review.
- Based in
- Columbia, SC
- Experience
- over 63 years
- Known for
- Criminal Defense · Litigation · Personal Injury
- Handles Criminal Defense, Litigation, and Personal Injury matters from Columbia, SC.
- Over 63 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with BV Distinguished.
About William O. Kneece: William O. Kneece is an attorney based in Columbia, SC. The practice focuses on Criminal Defense, Litigation, and Personal Injury. William has over 63 years of legal experience. Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Areas of practice
William's practice areas in Columbia
William concentrates on criminal defense, litigation, and personal injury. Each area below outlines the kind of case William handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Criminal Defense
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Litigation
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Personal Injury
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Criminal Defense cases in Columbia, South Carolina
William takes criminal defense 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 William agrees to represent you.
Litigation cases in Columbia, South Carolina
William 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 William agrees to represent you.
Personal Injury cases in Columbia, South Carolina
William takes personal injury 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 William agrees to represent you.
Biography
William O. Kneece, criminal defense attorney serving Columbia
William O. Kneece is an attorney based in Columbia, SC. The practice focuses on Criminal Defense, Litigation, and Personal Injury. William has over 63 years of legal experience. Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 1 client review. William works from Columbia, South Carolina and takes on criminal defense matters across the region.
William O. Kneece is a lawyer practicing criminal law, civil practice, personal injury. William O. received a B.A. degree from University of South Carolina in 1957, and has been licensed for 63 years. William O. practices in Columbia, SC.
How William handles criminal defense matters
William O. Kneece is a lawyer practicing criminal law, civil practice, personal injury. William O. received a B.A. degree from University of South Carolina in 1957, and has been licensed for 63 years. William O. practices in Columbia, SC.
The kind of cases William takes
William reviews new inquiries case-by-case for criminal defense, litigation, and personal injury matters in Columbia and the surrounding South Carolina area.
Credentials
Credentials — where William studied and practices
University of South Carolina
LL.B. · 1963
University of South Carolina
B.A. · 1957
Jurisdictions
William's state bar admissions
U.S. Supreme Court
1989 · ACTIVE
U.S. Court of Appeal
1974 · ACTIVE
U.S. Tax Court
1970 · ACTIVE
South Carolina
1963 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court,
1963 · ACTIVE
William studied at LL.B. in University of South Carolina and B.A. in University of South Carolina.
Law school and academic background
William completed LL.B. in University of South Carolina and B.A. in University of South Carolina. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice William runs in South Carolina is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
William's legal honors and published work
William has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
BV Distinguished
Legal awards and honors
BV Distinguished.
Locations
William O. Kneece's office in Columbia
William's primary office is at 6707 Lake Arcadia Ln., Columbia, SC, 29206. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of William O. Kneece — 4.4/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Every review below is from a verified client of William. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing criminal defense attorneys in Columbia.
4.4
1 client review
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once William O. Kneece claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire William O. Kneece — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new criminal defense attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with William usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
William charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain William'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; William will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a criminal defense attorney in Columbia, South Carolina
A short list to run through before you commit: How many criminal defense 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 William
William discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in criminal defense practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every criminal defense 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. William confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
William's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many criminal defense practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about William O. Kneece
How much does it cost to hire William for a criminal defense case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. William walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does William offer a free consultation?
William charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain William's office. Some criminal defense attorneys offer free consults — check William's current terms during booking.
How long do criminal defense cases in South Carolina typically take?
Simple criminal defense 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. William gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can William take my case if I'm outside Columbia?
William 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 — William 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 William?
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. William will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is William accepting new criminal defense clients right now?
William's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Criminal Defense attorneys serving Columbia, Charleston and Greenville in South Carolina
William handles criminal defense matters throughout South Carolina. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified criminal defense 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
More counsel
Other top-rated criminal defense attorneys in South Carolina
If William's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these criminal defense attorneys in Columbia handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.





