Groves, Sr.

Stephen is a member of Butler Snow’s Tort, Transportation and Specialized Litigation Group.

• Tort, Transportation & Specialized Litigation
• Appellate & Written Advocacy
• Insurance
• Commercial Litigation

• Stephen has a broad range of experience in civil, criminal and administrative appellate litigation, insurance coverage litigation for insurers and insured, and general business litigation.
• Appellate Decisions:
  • Sierra Club v. South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control, 2019 WL 1372346, March 27, 2019.
  • Gordon v. Lancaster, 425 S.C. 386 823 S.E.2d 173, 2018.
  • Long Grove at Seaside Farm, LLC v. Long Grove POA, 2018 WL 344313, S.C. 2018.
  • Bruning v. South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control, 418 S.C. 537, 795 S.E.2d 290, Ct. App. 2016.
  • Deerfield Plantation Phase II B POA v. South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control, 414 S.C. 1770, 777 S.E.2d 817, 2015.
  • Hall v. Green Tree Servicing, LLC, 413 S.C. 267, 776 S.E.2d 91, Ct. App. 2015.
  • ACJ Holdings, LLC v. Dunn, 410 S.C. 346, 764 S.E.2d 912, 2015.
  • Trask v. Beaufort County, 405 S.C. 619, 748 S.E.2d 774, 2013.
  • Regions Bank v. Owens, 402 S.C. 642, 741 S.E.2d 41, Ct. App. 2013.
  • Wise v. South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control, 2013 WL 8482365, S.C. App., February 13, 2013.
  • Deerfield Plantation Phase II B POA v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District, 501 Fed. Appx. 268, 4th, 2012.
  • McKenzie v. Norfolk Southern Ry. Co., 497 Fed. Appx. 305, 4th, 2012.
  • Woodward v. Norfolk Southern Corp., 2012 WL 10864190, S.C. App., December 5, 2012.
  • Too Tacky Partnership v. South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control, 400 S.C. 469, 735 S.E.2d 240, 2012.
  • Trask v. South Carolina Dept. of Public Safety, 2012 WL 10864175, S.C. App, November 21, 2012.
  • Wyndham Enterprises, LLC v. City of North Augusta, 401 S.C. 144, 735 S.E.2d 659, Ct. App., 2012.
  • Jessco, Inc. v. Builders Mutual Ins. Co., 472 Fed. Appx. 225, 4th, 2012.
  • Crossmann Communities of North Carolina, Inc. v. Harleysville Mut. Ins. , 395 S.C. 40, 717 S.E.2d 589, 2011.
  • Friends of the Earth, Inc. Gaston Copper Recycling Corp., 629 F.3d 387, 4th Cir., 2011.
  • Tobaccoville USA, Inc. v. McMaster, 387 S.C. 287, 692 S.E.2d 526, 2010.
  • Auto-Owners Ins. Co. v. Newman, 385 S.C. 187, 684 S.E.2d 541, 2009.
  • Beachfront Entertainment, Inc. v. Town of Sullivan’s Island, 379 S.C. 602, 666 S.E.2d 912, 2008.
  • Silver Bay Seafood Restaurants, Inc. v. Mann, 2008 WL 9844660, S.C. App., July 31, 2008.
  • Wise v. South Fenwick, LLC, 2008 WL 9843962, S.C. App. June 25, 2008.
  • Charleston Trident Home Builders, Inc. v. Town Council of Town of Summerville, 369 S.C. 498, 632 S.E.2d 864, 2006.
  • Auto-Owners Ins. Co. v. Essex Homes Southeast, Inc., 136 Fed. Appx., 590, 4th 2005.
  • Schramm, Inc. v. Shipco Transport, Inc., 364 F.3d 560, 4th 2004.
  • Robertson v. First Union Nat. Bank, 357 S.C. 191, 592 S.E.2d 625, 2004.
  • Charleston Dry Cleaners & Laundry, Inc. v. Zurich American Ins. Co., 355 S.C. 614, 586 S.E.2d 586, 2003.
  • Huggins v. Citibank, N.A., 355 S.C. 329, 585 S.E.2d 275, 2003.
  • Dawkins v. Fields, 354 S.C. 58 580 S.E.2d 433, 2003.
  • Sabb v. South Carolina State University, 350 S.C. 416 567 S.E.2d 231, 2002.
  • Ness v. Eckerd Corp., 350 S.C. 399 566 S.E.2d 193, Ct. App., 2002.
  • Jackson v. Doe, 342 S.C. 552, 537 S.E.2d 567, Ct. App., 2000.
  • Welch v. Epstein, 342 S.C. 279, 536 S.E.2d 408, Ct. App., 2000.
  • I’On, L.L.C. v. Town of Mt. Pleasant, 338 S.C. 406, 526 S.E.2d 716, 2000.
  • Holmes v. McKay, 334 S.C. 433, 513 S.E.2d 851, Ct. App., 1999.
  • State v. Aldret, 333 S.C. 307, 509 S.E.2d 811, 1999.
  • State v. Price, 333 S.C. 598, 510 S.E.2d 722, 1998.
  • Henggeler v. Hanson, 333 S.C. 598, 510 S.E.2d 722, 1998.
  • James v. Lister, 331 S.C. 277. 500 S.E.2d 198, Ct. App., 1998.
  • Burke v. City of Charleston, 139 F.3d 401, 4th, 1998.
  • Ex parte First Charleston Corp., 329 S.C. 36, 495 S.E.2d 425, 1998 and 329 S.C. 31, 495 S.E.2d 423, 1998.
  • South Carolina Ins. Co. v. Fidelity and Guar. Ins. Underwriters, Inc., 327 S.C. 207,489 S.E.2d 200, 1997.
  • Henry v. Lewis, 327 S.C. 336, 489 S.E.2d 639, Ct. App., 1997.
  • Silverman v. Campbell, 326 S.C. 208, 486 S.E.2d 1, 1997.
  • Evans v. Rite Aid Corp., 324 S.C. 269, 478 S.E.2d 846, 1996.
  • Georgetown Steel Corp. v. Law Engineering Testing Co., 100 F.3d 950, 1996 WL 656866, 4th, 1996.
  • Taylor v. Medenica, 324 S.C. 200, 479 S.E.2d 35, 1996.
  • Peoples Program for Endangered Species v. Sexton, 323 S.C. 526, 476 S.E.2d 477, 1996.
  • Carolina Chemical Equipment Co., Inc. v. Muckenfuss, 322 S.C. 289, 471 S.E.2d 721, 1996.
  • Roberts v. American General Property Ins. Co., 81 F.3d 151, 1996 WL 1577344, 4th, 1996.
  • Utilities Const. Co., Inc. v. Wilson, 321 S.C. 244, 468 S.E.2d 1, Ct. App., 1996.
  • Lybrand v. Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc., 321 S.C. 70, 467 S.E.2d 745, Ct. App., 1996.
  • Unisun Ins. Co. v. First Southern Ins. Co., 319 S.C. 419, 462 S.E.2d 260, 1995.
  • Coburg Dairy, Inc. v. Lesser, 318 S.C. 510, 458 S.E.2d 547, 1995.
  • Newington Plantation Estates Ass’n v. Newington Plantation Estates, 318 S.C. 362, 458 S.E.2d 36, 1995.
  • Botchie v. O’Dowd, 318 S.C. 130, 456 S.E.2d 403, 1995.
  • Cheney Bros., Inc. v. Batesville Casket Co., Inc., 47 F.3d 111, 1995 WL 55668, 4th, 1995. 316 S.C. 5, 446 S.E.2d 417, 1994.
  • Vermont Mut. Ins. Co. v. Singleton By and Through Singleton; 316 S.C. 5, 446 S.E.2d 417, 1994.
  • First General Services of Charleston, Inc. v. Miller, 314 S.C. 439, 445 S.E.2d 446, 1994.
  • Day v. Kilgore, 314 S.C. 365, 444 S.E.2d 515, 1994.
  • Lazerson v. Hilton Head Hospital, 312 S.C. 211, 439 S.E.2d 836, 1994.
  • Roe v. Doe, 28 F.3d 404, 1994 WL 284593, 4th, 1994.
  • P. Chemicals, Inc. V. Exide Corp., Inc., 14 F.3d 594, 1993 WL 535277, 4th Cir., 1993.
  • Palmetto Ford, Inc. v. First Southern Ins. Co., 7 F.3d 225, 1993 WL 369248, 4th, 1993.
  • Charleston County School Dist. v. State Budget and Control Bd., 313 S.C. 1 437 S.E.2d 6, 1993.
  • Black v. Roche Biomedical Laboratories, a Div. of Hoffman-LaRoche, Inc., 315 S.C. 223, 433 S.E.2d 21, Ct. App., 1993.
  • Cantu v. John Hancock Mut. Life Ins. Co., 991 F.2d 787, 1993 WL 118086, 4th, 1993.
  • Foran v. USAA Cas. Ins. Co., 311 S.C. 189, 427 S.E.2d 918, Ct. App., 1993.
  • Prudential LMI Commercial v. Colleton Enterprises, Inc., 976 F.2d 727, 1992 WL 252507, 4th, 1992.
  • John Hancock Mut. Life Ins. Co. v. Anderson, 935 F.2d 267, 1991 WL 99073, 4th, 1991.
  • Blizzard v. Miller, 306 S.C. 373, 412 S.E.2d 406, 1991.
  • SSI Medical Services, Inc. v. Cox, 301 S.C. 493, 392 S.E.2d 789, 1990.
• U.S. District Court Decisions:
  • Selective Ins. Co. of America v. Hester Drywall, LLC, 2019 WL 367899, USDC January 30, 2019.
  • Roberts v. Discover Home Loans, 2017 WL 3316047, USDC, August 3, 2017.
  • American Southern Home Ins. Co. v. Goodale, 2016 WL 4379553, USDC August 17, 2016.
  • Builders Mutual Ins. Co. v. Carolina Custom Homes of Charleston, 2015 WL 12844443, USDC March 26, 2015.
  • Henzler v. S.C. Farm Bureau Mut. Ins. Co., 2014 WL 3889106, USDC August 8, 2014.
  • GS2 Engineering & Environmental Consultants, Inc. v. Zurich American Ins. Co., 956 F.Supp.2d 686, D.S.C., 2013.
  • Cincinnati Ins. Co. v. Crossmann Cmtys. Of N.C., Inc., 2013 WL 12833871 and 2013 WL 1282017, USDC March 27, 2013.
  • Builders Mutual Ins. v. New Tradition Builders, Inc., No. 2:11-cv-00104-RMG, Summary Judgment – March 14, 2013.
  • Builders Mut. Ins. Co. v. Wingard Properties, Inc., 2010 WL 3893701, USDC, September 28, 2010.
  • Builders Mut. Ins. Co. v. R. Design Construction Co., LLC, 2010 WL 2079741, USDC, May 24, 2010.
  • Builders Mut. Ins. Co. v. Kalman, 2009 WL 4807003, USDC, December 8, 2009.

• Fellow, American Academy of Appellate Lawyers (AAAL)
• Fellow, American College of Coverage Counsel (ACCC)
• Martindale-Hubbell®
  • AV® – Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated, 2008 – Present
• Best Lawyers in America®
  • Insurance Law – Lawyer of the Year, Charleston, S.C., 2019
  • Appellate Practice – Lawyer of the Year, Charleston, S.C., 2015, 2021
  • Appellate Practice, 2010-2025
  • Insurance Law, 2010-2025
• Charleston Business Magazine
  • Legal Elite, 2024

• South Carolina, 1986
• U.S. District Courts
• South Carolina: District of South Carolina
• U.S. Court of Appeals
• 4th Circuit
• 5th Circuit
• 6th Circuit
• 7th Circuit
• 9th Circuit
• 10th Circuit
• 11th Circuit
• Federal Circuit
• U.S. Supreme Court

• University of South Carolina, J.D., 1986
  • Phi Alpha Delta
• College of Charleston, B.A., Political Science, 1979
  • Omicron Delta Kappa
  • Sigma Nu

• American Bar Association
• Council of Appellate Lawyers
• Charleston County Bar Association
• Defense Research Institute (DRI)
• Federal Bar Association
• International Bar Association
• South Carolina Bar Association

• Contributing Editor, CGL Reporter, IRMI Publication, 2008 – Present. 
• Co-Author, "Lessons and Recommendations from the COVID-19 Era," ACC South Carolina, 2nd Quarter Newsletter.
• Author, “Misrepresentations in the Life, Health and Disability Insurance Application Process”, ABA Publishing, South Carolina Chapter.
• Author, “Superseding and Staying Judgments – A National Compendium”, Chapter 43 – South Carolina, ABA Publishing.
• Panel Moderator, “Damages and Costs in International Arbitration,” International Chamber of Commerce, ICC International Commercial Dispute Resolution – Understanding the ICC System.
• Author, “Examinations and Statements Under Oath,” Law and Practice of Insurance Coverage Litigation, West 2000.
• Author, “Fiduciary Duties in Common Commercial Relationships: The Plaintiff’s Perspective,” The Brief, 47, Vol. 29, No. 3.
• Contributing Editor, South Carolina Civil Procedure.
• Contributing Editor, The Law of Domestic Relations in South Carolina.
• Contributor, “Annotations to the Standard Fire and Homeowners Insurance Policy,” ABA Publication. 
• Contributor, “Property Insurance Issues in Catastrophe Losses,” ABA Publication.
• Speaker, “Legal Aspects Of Doing Business In North America,” South Carolina Chapter, Center for International Legal Studies, Salzburg, Austria.
• Author, “So You’ve Just Suffered A *!$%+&+^ Catastrophe – Does Your Insurance Cover Anything? – Insurance Issues For Your Homes, Automobiles, Personal Property, And Businesses.”
• Author, “Appellate Ethics: What To Do, What Not To Do, And The Consequences Of Crossing The Line.”
• Author, “The Internet Lawyer: Virtual Legality – Technological Acrobatics and Balancing Acts While Using The Net.”
• Author, “Ethical Issues In Property Insurance Law: What You Can Do, What You Cannot Do, And The Consequences Of Crossing The Line.”
• Author, “Dollars and Sense: I’m Going to Have to Pay What – A Discussion of the Standard Mortgage Clause.”
• Author, “’Concurrent Causation’ In Catastrophe Cases.”
• Presentation, “Privacy and Identity Theft: Where Are We Now And Where Are We Going In The Future…” South Carolina Bankers Association Attorney and Senior Management Clinic.