Rhett Ricard

Rhett Ricard is known for his skills and experience in the courtroom. He brings a tenacious energy and commitment to ensuring the best possible outcome for clients to every matter. 

Rhett has worked on a number of complex litigation matters in a variety of fields, including business and commercial, legislative redistricting, labor and employment, land use and zoning, intellectual property, and antitrust. Rhett has handled complicated government investigations involving the False Claims Act, intricate constitutional issues arising from the First and Fourteenth Amendments and the Commerce Clause, as well as class actions under the Class Action Fairness Act. Rhett represents clients across the spectrum, from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and individuals.

Before joining the firm, Rhett built his legal career in the United States Marine Corps, serving as a prosecutor on board Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. Rhett prosecuted over 60 cases, conducted 10 contested trials, and accumulated over 300 hours of trial experience, with over half as lead counsel. He successfully prosecuted a variety of felony offenses, including rape and other sexual crimes, a theft of $1.5 million worth of property, as well as narcotics use and distribution. Rhett was recognized multiple times while on active duty, from graduating 6th out of over 275 officers in his class at The Basic School to receiving the Marine Corps Trial Counsel of the Year Award for 2019, given to the best first- or second-tour prosecutor. Additionally, Rhett was hand-selected to serve as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Marine Corps installations in Beaufort County. Rhett also served on a special assignment in Norfolk, Virginia, during which time he briefed a Four-Star Admiral on multiple occasions after conducting hundreds of hours of investigation into a high-profile corruption scandal involving numerous senior Naval officers that garnered national press attention.

He began his legal career as a judicial clerk for Senior United States District Court Judge Henry M. Herlong, Jr., in Greenville, South Carolina, as well as a summer associate at a national corporate law firm. While attending the University of Virginia School of Law, Rhett thoroughly enjoyed competing in the William M. Lile Moot Court Competition, a two-year long intramural moot court competition, in which Rhett was one of four finalists. In his undergraduate time, Rhett demonstrated outstanding and exceptional leadership and academic aptitude and was awarded the Norris Medal, considered the most prestigious award for a Clemson University undergraduate.

Community & Professional

• Leadership Charleston Class of 2023
• Ninth Circuit Delegate, South Carolina Bar House of Delegates, 2022 – present
• Class Manager, Class of 2015, University of Virginia Law School Foundation, 2015-present
• At-Large Member, Clemson University Young Alumni Council, 2017-2020

Recognition

• United States Marine Corps Trial Counsel of the Year Award for 2019
• Best Trial Advocate, 2019 Intermediate Trial Advocacy Course at The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School, Charlottesville, Virginia 
• Honor Roll Graduate and Meritorious Career Designation, The Basic School, Quantico, Virginia, 2017
• James M. Shoemaker, Jr., Award Recipient as a 2015 Finalist in the William M. Lile Moot Court Competition, University of Virginia School of Law
• Norris Medal, Clemson University, 2012