Ellis, Lawhorne & Sims, P.A.: Shaun Blake

Shaun C. Blake

Associate

Shaun advocates for a range of business clients across the Carolinas, and he focuses his legal practice on providing efficient litigation, arbitration and administrative dispute resolution services to businesses with connections to South Carolina. Shaun’s recent case engagements include:

Contract Litigation: Shaun regularly handles sales disputes, representing both purchasers and sellers, particularly within the steel and manufacturing industries. Shaun is experienced in resolving breach of warranty claims, covenants not to compete, and a wide arrange of contractual disputes in both private disputes and in public procurement.
Corporate & LLC Litigation: Shaun is experienced litigating shareholder and member rights and the fiduciary obligations arising in commercial entities and joint ventures formed in the Carolinas and Delaware. Shaun has navigated his clients through litigation occurring in very contested corporate divorces.
Trade Practices Litigation: Shaun is skilled in litigating trade practice disputes under federal and state statutes that prohibit unfair, uncompetitive, and deceptive trade practices. Shaun advises clients and handles cases where competitors commit business torts and improperly acquire and use valuable trade secrets and confidential business methods. Shaun has experience in federal antitrust litigation.
Appellate Practice: Shaun has performed appellate arguments and has obtained successful appellate decisions in both South Carolina and North Carolina. Mr. Blake has experience practicing before the South Carolina Supreme Court and the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Shaun invests his time to see the South Carolina economy develop and thrive. Shaun has performed board service seeking to benefit the business community of the Midlands. Shaun currently serves as a Director and legal advisor to Main Street Crit, Inc., which is launching the nation’s first nighttime running criterium race on Columbia’s revitalizing Main Street.

While in law school, Shaun was recognized as a member of the Order of the Coif and the Order of the Wig and Robe, and he served as a member of the South Carolina Law Review. Shaun is licensed to practice law in both North Carolina and South Carolina, and he has litigated in other jurisdictions pro hac vice. Shaun is an experienced speaker outside of the courtroom as well, having prepared and presented seminars to employers and their insurers on statutory compliance and case law developments.

Legal Publications

Effects of Recent U.S. Supreme Court Decisions on Arbitrations and Class Action Litigation in South Carolina. (South Carolina Lawyer, May 2011)

Shady Grove and CAFA: Opening the Federal Door for Class Actions Barred By States. (IADC Business Litigation, June 2010)

Selecting and Vetting Your Client’s Expert Witness. (The Defense Line, Spring 2009)

The Recent Success of “Silent Tort Reform” (IADC Product Liability, May 2008)

South Carolina Business Law Blog

Representative Cases

Crystal Pines Home Owners Association, Inc. v. Don E. Phillips, et al., 716 S.E.2d. 682 (May 4, 2011)

Details: Represented developer on appeal of decision holding him contractually liable for maintaining road system
Outcome: Obtained successful reversal in favor of client.

Edward M. Sun, M.D. v. Jackson & Coker Locum Tenens, LLC, 2010 WL 1962674 (May 14, 2010)

Details: Represented defendant in a breach of commercial contract lawsuit. The contract contained a Georgia arbitration provision.
Outcome: successfully obtained stay of action and enforcement of arbitration agreement.

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC v. Jim Hudson Superstore, Inc., 693 S.E.2d 33 (Mar. 31, 2010)

Details:Represented automotive dealer in appeal of action for declaratory judgment, seeking determination that proposed three mile relocation of motor vehicle dealership was exempt from protest.
Outcome:successfully obtained reversal of lower court decision for client.

Medical Protective Co. of Fort Wayne, Indiana v. S.C. Medical Liability Ins. Joint Underwriting Ass'n, 648 F.Supp.2d 753 (Aug. 17, 2009)

Details: Represented company seeking a declaration of its contractual obligations to indemnify its customer.
Outcome: Obtained favorable declaratory judgment for client.

Bobbie and Minnie Walsh, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated v. Lugoff-Elgin Water District, 2009 WL 1044631 (Apr. 20, 2009)

Details: Represented rural water district against Plaintiffs who sought to establish class action regarding billing practices.
Outcome: Obtained favorable summary judgment disposing of all claims.