John L. Warren III | Skilled and Diligent Attorney

John L. Warren III

Attorney John L. Warren III joined the Law Office of Bill Nettles in August 2021, focusing his practice on Whistleblower/False Claims Act cases, criminal defense, personal injury, and appellate litigation.

John began his legal career clerking for Justice John W. Kittredge of the Supreme Court of South Carolina. For many lawyers, a judicial clerkship is a capstone achievement, as it provides a unique perspective into how Judges think. But one was not enough for John, as he realized that his clients would need a lawyer experienced in State and Federal trial and appellate courts.

After spending several years at a boutique litigation firm in Columbia, South Carolina, John had the opportunity to clerk for newly confirmed United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins, Jr. John promptly packed his bags and moved across the state to Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he worked for Judge Coggins for two-and-a-half years.

John then moved to Greenville, South Carolina, where he spent a year clerking for Judge A. Marvin Quattlebaum, Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. All told, John spent nearly six years clerking, which provided an invaluable perspective on how to effectively advocate on behalf of his clients.

John’s approach to the practice of law is tethered to one fundamental truth: Most people only need a lawyer on the worst day of their life. For some, that might mean they are facing criminal charges or professional licensing proceedings. But many people simply find themselves in a difficult situation and just need help.

John is also an Adjunct Professor and Co-Director of the Moot Court Program at the University of South Carolina School of Law. When he is not teaching or practicing law, John enjoys hunting, travelling to concerts with his wife, Kaylynn, and spending time outdoors with his black labs, Brandeis and Wilson.

Admissions:

South Carolina

U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Supreme Court of the United States

Publications:

Holding the Bench Accountable: Judges Qua Representatives, 6 WASH. U. JUR. REV. 299 (2014).

Note, Tale of Two Andersons: Anderson v. South Carolina Election Commission and Anderson v. Celebrezze—An Examination of the Constitutionality of Section 8-13-1356 of the South Carolina Code of Laws Following the 2012 Primary Ballot Access Controversy, 5 ELON L. REV. 223 (2013).

Neal Cassady: A Life in Literature (University of South Carolina Honors College Thesis)

In The News:

Lawsuit Accuses Columbia’s First Baptist Church of History of Covering Up Child Sex Abuse, The State (October 13, 2017), https://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article178786171.html

How Trump’s “Buy American” Order May Shape Fraud Cases, Bloomberg Law (July 27, 2017), https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/how-trumps-buy-american-order-may-shape-fraud-cases

Lawsuit Against Turbeville’s Alleged Speed Trap Gains Momentum, The State (June 27, 2016), https://www.thestate.com/news/state/article86349882.html

South Carolina’s “Speed Trap”: Turbeville Committing Highway Robbery Suit Alleges, The State (June 25, 2016), https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article86010642.html

If you find yourself in need of an experienced lawyer in South Carolina and you want to speak with us about your case, please call the Law Office of Bill Nettles at 803-814-2826 for a free consultation.

Representative Matters

Numerous successful whistleblower settlements.

Represented an accountant charged with Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud. Argued for a downward variance from the Sentencing Guidelines range of 63 to 78 months. The court granted the motion and sentenced the client to time served.

Represented an attorney who was the subject of a federal investigation into alleged financial crimes. No charges were filed.

Represented a physician who was the target of a federal civil fraud investigation. The United States Attorneys’ Office fully declined the case.

Represented an individual charged with Trafficking 400+ Grams of Methamphetamine by the South Carolina State Grand Jury. Charge dismissed.

Successfully briefed and argued a motion to dismiss eight felony counts of a federal indictment on First Amendment grounds.
Represented the spouse of a servicemember in a federal drug prosecution. Charge dismissed.
Represented the owner of two durable medical equipment companies in a federal prosecution alleging healthcare kickbacks. Probation initially assessed a 60-month Sentencing Guidelines range, which was subsequently revised to 30 to 37 months after objections were filed. At sentencing, the court granted a downward variance to 12 months and 1 day.
Represented a young woman in a seven-count federal sex trafficking case. The client was facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years. After extensive negotiations with the United States Attorneys’ Office, the government acknowledged that the client was also a victim of sex trafficking. All charges were dismissed, and the client pled guilty to Misprision of a Felony. At sentencing, the court granted a downward variance to 16 months.
Represented a tax preparer charged with Wire Fraud and Aiding in a False Tax Return. The court granted a downward variance to 24 months.

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.