South Carolina Bankruptcy Lawyer Blog

About: Showell Blades IV

Website

http://www.ShowellBlades.com

Profile

You can call me Showell. I'm a bankruptcy lawyer in Rock Hill, South Carolina. I've practiced law since 1986, when I filed my 1st bankruptcy. Since then I've filed about 4000 cases for people and businesses. I don’t represent or have much sympathy for creditors, as most of my clients sought help from creditors already and the creditors either were not helpful, or downright rude.

My philosophy, as a third generation lawyer and former Boy Scout, is based on my having been taught to be honest, helpful, respectful, courteous and kind, because you never know the problems people have from looking at them. Most folks are honest and good, but have hit brick walls and the cards definitely are stacked against the “little guy.” I’ll tell you your options at a free consultation and take fee payments for as long as you need.

I also try to get folks to relax about their problems, as life is just too short to let worrying about finances ruin it. You come up with a plan and work through it; then you move on.

I’ve lived in Rock Hill since 1989 and file bankruptcies in the District of South Carolina and the Western District of North Carolina (Charlotte) where bankruptcy has been 95% of my practice since 1993 and 100% since 2000.

I was educated mostly in the North Carolina public schools, although I did go to boarding school at Virginia Episcopal School for 11th and 12th grade because my father went there in 12th grade and because, well, I enjoyed an active social life in 10th grade. In 1982 I got a BS in Industrial Relations from UNC- Chapel Hill, focusing on economics and psychology. I also cooked in restaurants, and I still believe it was the best job I’ve ever had.

In 1986 I graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law and practiced in Rocky Mount, NC for 3 years in a three-man firm doing wills, real estate, incorporations, bankruptcies, criminal matters, and divorces.

In 1989 I moved to Rock Hill to work for W. Ryan Hovis, a chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee. There I started regularly handling debtor bankruptcies, and reviewing files and handling litigation and meetings of creditors for the trustee. Since 1993 I’ve had my own law firm doing mostly bankruptcy.

My professional involvement includes: teaching bankruptcy at South Carolina Bar’s Law School for NonLawyers (see website: ShowellBlades.com); testifying at South Carolina Senate Judiciary Committee and working to change South Carolina exemptions law; lobbying U.S. Congress for favorable bankruptcy laws; working on South Carolina Bankruptcy Law Association board and seminar committee; and as National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys’ South Carolina Chair. I also draw cartoons for an SC Bar magazine.

On the civic side, I am a deacon at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church, and was chair of the Fellowship Committee. I was Chair of the Ann Barron Child Development Center Board, PTO President at my daughters’ school, on the Board of the Catawba Regional Mental Health Center, and Treasurer of the Jaycees. I have been on two medical mission trips to Honduras.

My lovely daughters are 22 and 17, and I have one small black pug, two aquariums and two cats. Just because my aquarium at work needs cleaning does not mean I will neglect your file. It’s quite the opposite: the dirtier the aquarium, the busier I am. Hopefully, the dog will not bark at the office. The cats stay home. It's their domain.

Feel free to contact me with questions or to make a free appointment:

Phone: 803-329-6115
Email: showell@showellblades.com
Website: ShowellBlades.com

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