Going way back I attended THE OPEN Championship in 1995 at The Royal & Ancient Club of St. Andrews where John Daly took home the prize. I attended again in 1997 with my son Patrick and then law partner and watched Justin Leornard, a Texan take the most coveted prize. Do not get me wrong, I am a big fan of the Master’s Golf Tournament right here in our own neighborhood as well as the US Open and the PGA, but like Buc-ee’s there is something about it that you just have to go and experience it in person. I love golf – PGA and LIV, DP World Tour, and a thirty Handicap like me playing at home with my own club at WildeWood in Northeast Columbia, but I repeat THE OPEN is mystically special and I will be watching every moment of it I can get up for this weekend. For a mediocre golfer at best, I don’t know why I love it so much, but I do. Hmmm…maybe I should have taken up bowling.

We’re here for the people of South Carolina!

The July 4th holiday weekend (which I usually spend at the beach) is full of one of America’s favorite pastimes being played to sold out crowds across the nation – Baseball! Whether it be the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Columbia Fireflies or the Major League teams, every baseball team in America will be playing on July 4th. You can bet I will catch at least one game sitting in front of the television in my bathing suit! Baseball can be somewhat boring, with bursts of excitement, so for me attending a game in person is the absolute best. I enjoy eating the stadium food and watching the entertainment of the crowd. July 4th is a special time where we can rejoice and celebrate this country and enjoy it with our loved ones.

I hope you all enjoy your July 4th weekend wherever you are and in whatever you may be doing. For me, I am going to be hearing those famous words “Play Ball!”

We’re here for the people of South Carolina!

Over the course of my four and a half decades of being an attorney, I have never wavered about my feeling of satisfaction for my chosen career path. Performing my job duties is quite simply a gift from God. Most people who come through my doors in Columbia and Myrtle Beach are seldom having a good day. Instead, they are sick, injured, disabled, or being taken advantage of by the insurance industry. Recently I worked on a case where a prominent radio and TV broadcaster fell ill with carcinoma in his vocal cords and endured multiple surgeries. The illness sadly left him unemployed and as you can imagine, the Social Security Administration did not think he qualified for benefits; however, we felt otherwise. I have known him and his family for many years and never thought I would have to represent him on an issue like this. Along with my family and children, a key reason I get up in the morning is to help people such as him. It is an important aspect of my job, and I am always obliged to help those in need where I can.

I want to say thank you for the privilege of representing many of you over the years and I look forward to continuing to do so in the future.

We’re here for the people of South Carolina!

On this Father’s Day weekend, Saturday June 15th at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds between 12:00pm and 4:00pm, the South Carolina non-profit, Project Unity USA is holding The Exclusive Car, Truck and Jeep Show, along with a Toy Drive. The event is headed up by my good friend Bruce Trezevant. Bruce has done remarkable things as Founder and CEO of Project Unity USA. As a former Los Angeles Police Officer and Richland County Deputy Sheriff, Bruce has seen his fair share of violent crimes committed throughout communities. He has committed himself through this non-profit organization to promoting unity within communities. The goal is to bring law enforcement, churches, businesses, and the media together to advocate for the reduction of crime and to promote the betterment of people’s lives.

Admission to this event is either two toys or two articles of clothing for underprivileged children, size infant to age 15 years old. All the items collected will be given at a future event, Christmas in July. Not only will there be an incredible line up of cars, trucks, and jeeps but there will also be vendors, food, games, and music that will make it a fun-filled event for the entire family. Please consider going out to this wonderful event and supporting this organization as it helps in unifying our communities.

We’re here for the people of South Carolina!

This weekend culminates with Monday being Memorial Day, which honors the sacrifices made by all our military heroes and their families. Memorial Day started as an event honoring Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War and it was originally known as Decoration Day. Now we proudly celebrate and honor the contributions of all those who have served in the United States armed forces.

This weekend millions of Americans will pay their respects to honor their loved ones who have died in military service. Whether that be by visiting a cemetery or spending quality time with friends and family, it is so important to commemorate our fallen soldiers.

American Flags will be placed on graves in national, as well as many church and community cemeteries. We are very fortunate to have a national military cemetery right here at the base of Fort Jackson, which is the largest basic training facility in the United States Army.

Please enjoy your holiday by celebrating with your family and friends but take the time to do some inner reflection of this day and what it means.

We’re here for the people of South Carolina!

The Mike Kelly Law Group is a proud supporter of our hometown baseball team, the Columbia Fireflies. It is always such a fun experience to attend their games at Segra Park and cheer them on. The Fireflies also host theme nights that coincide with the games. Tonight, they have a Bobblehead giveaway, Saturday will be Star Wars Jedi Training and next Tuesday will be Arts Night with Karaoke. I truly love watching baseball but the most fun part about attending a Fireflies game is all the events, enjoying the endless activities, and eating all sorts of comfort food.

The Fireflies Management staff do a great job of entertaining guests from the time the park opens until it closes and a bonus on Saturday nights includes a wonderful firework display to conclude the evening!

We are currently in a 12 game homestand so go secure your tickets and check out our local heroes. Go Fireflies!

We’re here for the people of South Carolina!

As we progress as a society, it is becoming increasingly important to be mindful about the health of our planet and to recognize our impact on the environment. I was never known to be an environmentalist until two well-meaning church ladies confronted me in the naïve of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church and asked me to join the Gills Creek Watershed Association Board. Since I almost never say no, I signed on and boy was I in for a valuable education! I quickly learned that the Gills Creek Watershed services 200,000 South Carolinians, from Spring Valley all the way to the Congaree River. I also learned just how important it is to keep our waterways healthy regardless of where they may be located! I have since been enlightened about Earth Day, its origin, and its importance. It is a bipartisan effort to salute our planet and make positive changes for the benefit of our environment. On behalf of my children and grandchildren this is very important to me in creating a better future for them.

Planet versus Plastics is the theme this year for World Earth Day. It aims to bring attention to the serious threat of plastic pollution on our planet. Please consider protecting the environment in everything you do because it affects our lives, health, and society as we know it!

We are blessed to be on planet Earth so let’s honor it!

We’re here for the people of South Carolina!

In today’s world, it is so important that employees know their rights and employers know their responsibilities. MKLG is very proud to have our very own employment law attorney, Janet E. Rhodes. Janet has represented both employees and employers for over 15 years. She is detail-oriented and always works so hard for the people she represents.

Janet represents clients in matters involving wrongful termination, discrimination, wage disputes, and equal pay. She also represents those who have been involved in employment contract disputes, including non-compete agreements. Janet has litigated matters involving the Family Medical Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

She has extensive experience drafting employment agreements, non-compete agreements, independent contractor agreements, and severance agreements. For employers, Janet offers an in-depth employment practices audit, ensuring employers are following the law regarding matters such as statutorily mandated terms of employment and postings. She also drafts handbooks which serve as a first line of defense for employers regarding potential employee disputes.

If you feel like your employer hasn’t treated you right, whether it be pay (overtime, minimum wage, vacation, bonuses/commissions), working conditions, discrimination, wrongful termination, or in any other way, Janet is the one to provide you with answers. Please feel free to contact her directly. Janet’s direct dial is 803-461-2160 and her email address is jrhodes@mklawgroup.com.

We’re here for the people of South Carolina!

How about that incredible performance from the University of South Carolina’s Lady Gamecocks Basketball team! It is a privilege to have such a talented and hardworking women’s basketball team, right here in our back yard. Five to ten years ago I rarely watched women’s basketball, but now I look forward to cheering them on with every single game. I think the growth and popularity of women’s basketball has been astronomical in recent years and I find myself being interested in other well-known women’s teams as well. I proudly know the names of all the players on the key teams and I am not alone. This past weekend’s Women’s National Championship featured the women’s game having more TV viewers than the Men’s game! I certainly give the rise in the interest in women’s basketball to superstars like Caitlin Clark, but I think most of the heightened interest comes from our Gamecocks Head Coach, Dawn Staley and her magnificent 2023-2024 team. I was so excited to see the Gamecocks win the National title and regret that I will be unable to celebrate with the team this coming Sunday when my beloved Columbia has a parade down Main Street in their honor.

Next year looks exceedingly bright with the incoming players, including this past year’s freshman, Tessa Johnson and MiLaysia Fulwiley, and I am ready for the upcoming season to start right now! Go Gamecocks!

We’re here for the people of South Carolina!

Seventeen years ago, I was blessed when Lisa Cotten came to work at the Mike Kelly Law Group. She is the only human being that ever worked for me (including myself) that earned the high honor of being a Phi Beta Kappa college graduate. She graduated from “The” University of South Carolina, which happens to be my favorite college in the world! Lisa is an outstanding attorney, wife, and mother. She is also an avid sports fan in her own right, as well as following all sports activities involving her very athletic son, college student Myles. Lisa has received yet another well-deserved honor that deserves recognition. Lisa was recently named Assistant United States Attorney, for the District of South Carolina, and she will be excellent in this position. As with all the other lawyers who have come through my doors during the last four decades, she is family, and I am immensely proud of all her continued accomplishments!

The US Attorney’s Office is incredibly lucky to have you, Lisa! Congratulations and good luck in your new endeavor!

We’re here for the people of South Carolina!