For more than 33 years, Bert G. Utsey, III (“Skip”) has had the privilege of representing clients in a wide range of legal matters. As a skilled Charleston personal injury attorney and partner at Clawson Fargnoli Utsey, LLC, he focuses his practice on insurance coverage disputes and insurance bad faith litigation, medical malpractice, product liability, premises liability, truck accidents, motor vehicle collisions, serious personal injuries, contract, and commercial disputes, and appeals.
In his career, he has handled cases with legal, financial, and sometimes societal significance, while also interacting with highly capable and experienced attorneys. He has tried cases in one-room magistrates’ courts at the ends of dirt roads, argued cases in the South Carolina Supreme Court and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and worked on cases decided by the United States Supreme Court — in addition to judicial and administrative hearings, trials, and appeals at many levels in between. Through each of these experiences, Skip Utsey has developed powerful legal knowledge and skills, which he uses to the advantage of his clients.
As a dedicated personal injury lawyer, Skip Utsey takes his responsibility to his clients seriously. He believes that his role is one of trusted advisor and advocate. To that end, he works directly with his clients, meeting with them in person whenever possible and providing consistent communication so that they can feel confident in the process. As your attorney, he will respond personally to your calls and answer your questions promptly, as well as devote his skills, experience, and best efforts toward achieving positive results in your case. His experienced, professional staff – paralegals Hilda Davis and Sharon Bernard – have been working with Skip a total of 37 years and constantly assist his clients.
Skip Utsey grew up in Walterboro, South Carolina. He attended the College of Charleston, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in 1984. He received his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1987. He is a prominent and active member of the legal community, with professional memberships with the South Carolina Bar, the Charleston County Bar, the Colleton County Bar, the American Association for Justice, the American Board of Trial Advocates, the American College of Trial Lawyers, and the South Carolina Association for Justice, of which he is currently president-elect. He has authored several articles in law practice publications and frequently speaks at educational presentations to other attorneys.
When he is not working, Skip Utsey enjoys spending time with his wife and children, particularly at the beach. Skip is an avid baseball fan (particularly of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks) and enjoys jazz and other improvisational live music.