Joel Hamilton (2006) graduated from Winthrop in 2006 with a degree in Political Science
with a Business Administration minor. During his time at Winthrop, he served as President
of the Pre-Law Society and the College Republicans. After graduating from Winthrop,
Joel attended Case Western Reserve School of Law and served both as a student ambassador
and student representative to the Cleveland Bar Association, receiving his JD in 2009
with a concentration in Business Law. While in Cleveland, Joel co-founded the Cleveland
Chapter of Minds Matter, serving for two years as the Vice President of Operations
and a Minds Matter board member. As a result of these efforts, Joel received the President's
Volunteer Service Award from President Barack Obama. In 2009, he was admitted to the
South Carolina Bar and began working as an associate at The Schiller Law Firm, where
he became a partner in 201l and a name partner in 2012.
Schiller & Hamilton currently has offices in Rock Hill, Indian Land, Lancaster, Beaufort and Bluffton, SC where they offer services in the areas of Personal Injury, Worker's Comp., Medical Malpractice, Family Law, Criminal Law, Wills and Estates. Joel has been honored with a Top 40 Under 40 Award by the National Trial Lawyers' Association and was recognized as a Top 10 Personal Injury Attorney under 40 in South Carolina. Joel has also won the Herald's "Buzzie" award for Best Lawyer in York County twice (2015 and 2016). Since 2009, Joel has secured over $18,000,000.00 in settlements for his clients. He currently serves on the Christmasville Board, the FIRE Leadership Board, and the Rotary Club of Rock Hill. Joel has also been Chairman of the York County Republican Party.
"I will always feel that I owe a debt of gratitude to Winthrop University for the education I received and the way the University prepared me for and presented me with opportunities that have turned into a rewarding career. The challenging and engaging Political Science program trained me to think and analyze critically and prepared me for the rigors of law school. Many of my peers at case were not as fortunate and struggled with the work load and the Socratic Method favored by law school professors. In contrast, throughout my time at Winthrop I was expected to come to class prepared to engage in classroom discussions and then defend a position from energetic challenge. Without this training I doubt I would have been able to successfully work my way through law school."
