Christopher D. Scalzo
Of CounselChris Scalzo has more than 20 years of experience successfully representing individuals and businesses in civil and criminal matters.
He has tried more than 100 cases before juries in magistrate and municipal courts, Common Pleas and General Sessions. He has argued appeals before the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court in South Carolina.
Chris is the former Chief Public Defender in South Carolina’s 10th and 13th Judicial Circuits, where he represented clients in criminal matters ranging from traffic violations to capital murder and managed the business operations of those organizations and their multiple offices.
Chris understands the financial and business concerns of his clients, himself having been the chief executive of two different organizations. He also understands the impact legislation can have on organizations, having worked for over a decade on many different legislative matters at the South Carolina legislature.
Chris believes in representing every client with excellence and efficiency in every case, every time.
- Lead counsel in 100+ trials in magistrate, municipal, family, and circuit courts.
- Defended multiple appeals in the South Carolina Court of Appeals and the South Carolina Supreme Court, including matters involving violations of the S.C. Wiretap Act and challenges to the constitutionality of statutes.
- Defended 2,000+ clients accused of crimes in trials, negotiated resolutions, and dismissals for alleged criminal charges ranging from traffic tickets to capital murder.
- Rutgers University School of Law, J.D., 2002
- Rutgers University, B.A., 1997
- South Carolina, 2002
- Supreme Court of the United States, 2013
- U.S. District for South Carolina, 2022
- Haynsworth Perry Inn of Court, Barrister, 2011- present
- South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, Member, 2008- present
- South Carolina Public Defender Association, President, 2008 - 2014
- Best Lawyers in America, Criminal Defense: General Practice (2024)
- “Lawyer of the Year”, S.C. Public Defender Association (2007)
- Distinguished Service Award, S.C. Commission on Indigent Defense (2013)
Presentations & Speaking Engagements
- National Institute for Trial Advocacy, Trial Skills Trainer, 2013 – 2019
- SC Commission on Indigent Defense, Trial Skills Trainer, 2015 – 2021
- SC Bar Criminal Practice CLE, Significant Appellate Cases, 2012 – 2014, 2016 – 2019
- SC Bar Appellate Practice CLE, Group Leader, 2013, 2017, 2019
- SC Insurance Defense Trial Lawyers Association, Trial Advocacy Trainer, 2015
