Mark B. Goddard

Mark B. Goddard

Shareholder
Columbia
  • 803-227-4334

Mark is a partner on the firm's Business Team and currently serves on the firm's Executive Committee.

Mark's practice focuses on business litigation, LLC litigation, business divorces, probate and trust litigation, business planning, and catastrophic loss claims. He takes a personal approach with every client, investing the time to understand their goals and priorities before building a strategy tailored to achieve them. Mark is known for his practical, results-driven approach, working to secure quick, efficient, and favorable outcomes. While he prioritizes strong out-of-court resolutions whenever possible, Mark is an accomplished trial lawyer who has successfully tried many cases in both federal court and South Carolina state courts. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Mark is also a Certified Mediator, giving him added insight into how to position cases for successful resolution.

Mark's collaborative, client-first mindset makes him a true partner to the people and businesses he represents. A lifelong sports fan and athlete, he brings the same competitive drive and team-oriented mentality from sports into his legal practice, working closely with colleagues across the firm to deliver the best possible results for his clients.

Having lived and worked throughout South Carolina since childhood, Mark has deep ties across the state and a natural ability to connect with clients of all sizes, from entrepreneurs to established businesses. His strong bond with the small business community inspired him to found the firm's Palmetto Propeller initiative, which supports South Carolina's new and small businesses.

  • Successfully foreclosed on a member’s distributional interest in an LLC after obtaining a charging order.
  • Achieved a favorable result for a small business in a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against an international manufacturer and national dealer over the breach of the client’s dealer agreement.
  • Achieved a favorable result for a regional bank facing multimillion-dollar claims of wrongful foreclosure.
  • Obtained a multimillion-dollar reduction in estate taxes owed for a client relating to multiple pieces of commercial property.
  • Achieved a favorable result regarding the unlawful execution of transfer on death and change of beneficiary forms at a national bank.
  • Achieved favorable results for clients dealing with breaches of fiduciary duties of a family trust.
  • Obtained a favorable result for a volunteer homeowners association in a large coastal community dealing with alleged improper assessments.
  • Achieved favorable settlement for a property owners association related to numerous allegations of breaches of fiduciary duty by a member.
  • Obtained a favorable result for a client in a circuit court case dealing with the dissolution of a family real estate business. 
  • Obtained favorable results for a logistics client relating to alleged breaches of employment contracts and trade secrets violations. 

LLC Litigation

  • Represented two individuals in a dispute with an LLC as to their rights as a creditor of one of the LLC’s members and their rights as a transferee under the Company’s Operating Agreement. This litigation eventually went to the South Carolina Supreme Court where the Court found for his client.  This case established new South Carolina law regarding LLC’s members and creditors’ rights.
  • Levy v. Carolinian, LLC – 410 S. C. 140, 763 S.E.2d 594
  • Successfully foreclosed on a member’s distributional interest in an LLC after obtaining a charging order. 

BUSINESS/BANKING LITIGATION

  • Achieved a favorable result for a small business in a multimillion dollar lawsuit against an international manufacturer and national dealer over the breach of the client’s dealer agreement.
  • Achieved a favorable result for a regional bank facing multi-million dollars claims of a wrongful foreclosure.

PROBATE AND TRUST LITIGATION

  • Obtained a multi-million dollar reduction in estate taxes owed for a client relating to multiple pieces of commercial property.
  • Achieved a favorable result for a client relating to the unlawful execution of transfer on death and change of beneficiary forms at a national bank.
  • University of South Carolina, J.D., 2005
  • University of South Carolina - College, B.S. Finance and Management, 2002, Honors
  • South Carolina Bar, 2005
  • United States Tax Court, 2014
  • United States District Court, District of South Carolina, 2005
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, 2022
  • American Board of Trial Advocates – SC Chapter – (Member 2016-present)
  • PLAN – Professional Liability Attorney Network – (Member)
  • Business Counsel, Inc. (Member 2014-present)- a network of global law firms providing high quality legal services to the corporate business community.
  • Certified Mediator
  • South Carolina Bar Association – (Member 2005-present)
  • Richland County Bar Association – (Member 2005 – present)
  • Horry County Bar Association – (Member 2012-2015)
  • American Bar Association – Member
  • Best Lawyers in America, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants (2018-2026), Commercial Litigation 2026, Corporate Law 2026, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Trusts and Estates 2026
  • Best Lawyers in America “Lawyer of the Year” – Litigation - Trusts and Estates, 2024 & 2026
  • Columbia Business Monthly, Legal Elite, Business Litigation; Civil Litigation, 2026
  • South Carolina Lawyers Weekly Power List in Commercial & Consumer Litigation, 2024-2025
  • Columbia Business Monthly's 50 Most Influential, 2025
  • Business Monthly, 50 Most Influential People, 2025
  • SC Lawyers Weekly, Commercial & Consumer Litigation Power List, 2024
  • Columbia Business Magazine's "Legal Elite" in Business Litigation, 2024
  • Midlands Legal Elite, 2017-2022

Articles

  • "SBA Loans Approved for South Carolina," Business & Litigation Insights Blog- March 2020
  • "COVID-19: Response Tips for Small Businesses," Business & Litigation Insights Blog - March 2020
  • “Forming an LLC? Don’t Forget to Have ‘The Talk’” Business & Litigation Insights Blog – May 2016
  • “Creditors Rights Trump Ownership Restrictions in LLC Operating Agreements” Business & Litigation Insights Blog – February 2016
  • "LLC or Corporation? Which is Right for Your New Business?" Business & Litigation Insights Blog –April 2015

Presentations & Speaking Engagements

  • “Creditors, Debtors, and LLCs” Business Counsel Fall Meeting - 2015
  • “Palmetto Propeller – An Overview” Business Counsel Fall 2017
  • “Forming an LLC? Don’t Forget to Have “The Talk” Entercom Greenville Radio Spot June 2016

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Best Lawyers
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2024 & 2026

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In AmericaPersonal Injury Litigation-Defendants
2018-2026

Commercial Litigation
2026

Corporate Law
2026

Litigation - Banking & Finance, Trusts & Estates
2026

SC Lawyers WeeklyCommercial & Consumer
Litigation Power List
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2024-2025