Partner
Rick Bybee
Through his 40+ years of experience and significant trials, Rick Bybee has established himself as one of the state's preeminent condemnation attorneys handling cases for private and public entities.
Overview
Rick has tried over thirty-five trials to verdict in condemnation and complex cases for landowners and public entities, including SCDOT, the City of North Charleston, and Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.
He began his legal career in 1977 at the South Carolina Attorney General's Office, then served six years as Deputy Chief Counsel for the South Carolina Department of Highways and Public Transportation, handling condemnation and contract litigation across the state — including major road projects such as I-526, the Isle of Palms Connector, and the James Island Expressway.
In 1989 Rick joined Smith and Bundy, which evolved into Smith, Bundy, Bybee and Barnett. He handled civil litigation, construction, and condemnation cases for private and public entities until 2016, when he founded his own firm, continuing his representation of landowners and government entities in eminent domain, zoning, land use, and general civil trial work.
Representative Matters
- Frampton v. SCDOT, 406 S.C. 377, 752 S.E.2d 269 (S.C. Ct. App. 2013)
- Hilton Head Auto., LLC v. S.C. Dep't of Transp., 394 S.C. 27, 714 S.E.2d 308 (2011)
- S.C. Dep't of Transp. v. M & T Enterprises of Mt. Pleasant, LLC, 379 S.C. 645, 667 S.E.2d 7 (Ct. App. 2008)
- Georgia Dep't of Transp. v. Jasper County, 586 S.E.2d 853 (S.C. 2003)
- S.C. Dep't of Highways v. E.S.I. Investments, 505 S.E.2d 593 (S.C. 1998)
- $5.4M verdict for landowners in advanced taking of entitled property for I-526 by SCDOT
Recognitions & Honors
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent, Peer Review Rated (1990–2024)
- Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year — Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Charleston, SC (2023)
