Jonathan G. Roquemore
Jonathan Roquemore began his legal career in 2000 when he came to Turner Padget directly from law school. He was looking to try cases because he had always thought that was what lawyers did. As a young associate, he learned to navigate a courtroom, trying over 50 cases to verdict in his first three years of practice. After handling auto and premises liability cases of all shapes and sizes, Jonathan expanded his practice to include other general liability claims that businesses face. As he expanded his horizons, he learned that a lawyer does much more than simply try cases, and he has worked hard to master the effective use of discovery and alternative dispute resolution. Over the years, he has learned about the impact of litigation on his clients, and the stress that accompanies lawsuits. With that in mind, Jonathan strives to develop a litigation plan with his clients early in the process so that together they can work towards a common goal.
Jonathan now spends the majority of his time defending construction defect cases, for product manufacturers and contractors, asbestos personal injury cases for product manufacturers, and general liability matters for businesses of all types throughout the state. He has handled a number of cases for nightclubs and bars, including liquor liability cases, and assault and battery cases. Due to his varied litigation experience, Jonathan understands the complexities of handling a case with numerous parties, thousands of documents and complicated legal issues. Jonathan has handled cases in numerous counties throughout South Carolina, and he has a keen knowledge of local venues that greatly assists his clients in evaluating potential exposure.
Jonathan has lived in South Carolina his entire life. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, participating in civic and philanthropic activities, and watching sports, particularly if the Gamecocks or Red Sox are involved. He is very proud of his involvement with the Columbia Family Shelter, a local emergency shelter facility for the homeless, where he serves as a board member.
“When I was a little boy, my grandfather, who has been a lawyer for 60 years, shared his secret of success with me: ‘He who is better prepared, wins.’ My formula for success? It is simple: out prepare the opponent.”
Representative Matters
Construction
Served as lead counsel for a product manufacturer in a multi-defendant construction defect case in which the plaintiff homeowner association alleged damages in excess of $50 million. The case involved thousands of construction documents and over 100 witnesses. Primarily through effective cross-examination of numerous opposing experts, Jonathan put his client in a position to negotiate a very favorable settlement.
Product Liability
Represented the manufacturer of a conveyor system in a leg amputation case arising years after the system was manufactured and installed. With a focused discovery plan, Jonathan was able to uncover numerous post-installation modifications to the system that his client was able to rely on in reaching a positive pretrial settlement.
As trial counsel, Jonathan obtained a defense verdict for an amusement park company that was sued when a patron claimed he was injured on one of its rides. The plaintiff claimed that the company negligently operated the ride and asked the jury for $500,000 during the closing argument. Jonathan was able to discredit the plaintiff and his liability expert during the cross-examination, which undermined the plaintiff’s theory of the case.
Defended a convenience store in a case where the plaintiff claimed that he was permanently and totally disabled as the result of being injured while using the convenience store’s self-serve car wash. The plaintiff claimed the car wash assembly fell from the ceiling and hit him in the head, worsening a pre-existing tremor condition to the point where he could no longer work. Through the effective use of discovery, Jonathan was able to uncover key information in the plaintiff’s medical records and valuable admissions from treating physicians and experts in depositions that led to a very favorable pre-trial settlement for his client.
Premises Liability
As lead counsel for the owner of an auction house, Jonathan achieved a successful result in a case where the plaintiff claimed she was injured when she tripped and fell outside of the auction house. The plaintiff alleged numerous injuries and several hundred thousand dollars in treatment. Jonathan and his client agreed on a plan that involved the relentless pursuit of the plaintiff’s pre-accident medical records. Thousands of pages of records were uncovered and numerous doctors were deposed, resulting in a settlement that cost Jonathan’s client far less than the originally claimed damages.