Joseph D. Dickey, Jr. is a shareholder in Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd’s Columbia office, where he represents businesses, governmental entities, individuals, and nonprofit organizations in labor and employment matters and litigation. Joseph serves as outside counsel to clients, advising on corporate matters including contract review and negotiation, governance, and corporate structuring. In addition, he is a certified circuit court mediator.
An advocate for the community, Joseph is serving in his second term as District Four Councilman of the City of West Columbia, where he was first elected in 2019.
Before attending law school, Joseph worked in Fukuoka, Japan, for an economic development firm, where he conducted market research to assist in recruiting foreign investment. This experience provided him with valuable insights into Japanese culture, including business practices and conversational language skills.
EDUCATION
- University of South Carolina, J.D., 2009
- Clemson University, B.S. and B.A., 2006
ADMISSIONS
- South Carolina, 2011
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 2013
- U.S. District Court, South Carolina, 2012
HONORS AND AWARDS
The Best Lawyers in America©
- Education Law (2021–2024)
- Employment Law – Individuals (2021–2024)
- Best Lawyers® 2022 “Lawyer of the Year,” Employment Law – Individuals (Columbia)
- South Carolina Super Lawyers®
- Employment & Labor, Schools & Education (2020–2024)
- Columbia Business Monthly
- “Legal Elite of the Midlands – Top Attorney Vote,” Employment Law (2023)
- International Law (2023)
- “Legal Elite of the Midlands,” Labor & Employment and Education Law (2018–2023)
- International Law (2022–2023)
- Columbia Regional Business Journal Icons & Phenoms, 2021 Honoree
- South Carolina Lawyers Weekly 2021 Leadership in Law Award
- The National Black Lawyers
- Top 40 Under 40 in South Carolina (2016–2023) Top 100 NBL
PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC ACTIVITIES
- South Carolina Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section
- Cayce-West Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors (2024–Present)
- University of South Carolina Joseph P. Rice School of Law, Adjunct Professor, Civil Litigation Capstone
- Lexington County Bar Association
- Richland County Bar Association
- Autumn’s Way, Co-Founder
- American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section
- Japan America Association of South Carolina, Board of Directors
- Congaree Park Homeowners’ Association, Board of Directors
- S.C. Appleseed Legal Justice Center, Former Board Member
- City of Cayce Public Safety Foundation, Former Chairman
- City of Columbia Economic Development Advisory Group, Former Member
- Columbia Clemson Black Alumni Council, Former President
- Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina, Inc., Former Board Member
- Midlands Education and Business Alliance, Former Board Member
- Salvation Army of the Midlands, Former Board Member
- MASC Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government, 2021 Graduate
- Leadership South Carolina, Class of 2015
