About Bess
Bess DuRant is a litigator engaged in complex business disputes on both the trial and appellate level. Her practice includes corporate governance issues, bet-the-company litigation, shareholder disputes, derivative actions, along with other business torts and contractual disputes. Bess' practice also includes trust and estate litigation. Additionally, Bess focuses on Constitutional issues, Freedom of Information Act matters, and election disputes. Bess’ practice includes appellate work across many areas of the law. In addition to appeals involving the firm’s clients, Bess also handles appeals that have been tried by other counsel. She also advises trial counsel in preparation for appeals. Bess is a Supreme Court of South Carolina Certified Mediator and Arbitrator.MEMBERSHIPSAmerican Bar AssociationSouth Carolina BarFederal Bar AssociationSouth Carolina Federal Bar AssociationRichland County Bar AssociationSouth Carolina Supreme Court Certified MediatorTrial and Appellate Advocacy Section Council Member for the SC BarCOMMUNITY + RECOGNITIONBest Lawyers in America- Commercial Litigation (2020-2023)America's Top 100 Bet-the-Company Litigators® (2020-2022)America's Top 100 High Stakes Litigators® (2021-2022)Listed in Premier Appellate Lawyers (2022)South Carolina “Super Lawyer”- Business Litigation (2022)South Carolina “Super Lawyer”- Rising Stars (2019, 2020)Columbia Business Monthly Legal Elite of the Midlands - Business Litigation (2020, 2021)University of South Carolina School of Law Adjust Professor, Spring 2021, Spring 2022Washington & Lee University, Palmetto Chapter Alumni Association- Executive Committee, Past PresidentWilson Hall Distinguished Alumna, 2012
Bess DuRant is a litigator engaged in complex business disputes on both the trial and appellate level. Her practice includes corporate governance issues, bet-the-company litigation, shareholder disputes, derivative actions, along with other business torts and contractual disputes. Bess' practice also includes trust and estate litigation. Additionally, Bess focuses on Constitutional issues, Freedom of Information Act matters, and election disputes. Bess’ practice includes appellate work across many areas of the law. In addition to appeals involving the firm’s clients, Bess also handles appeals that have been tried by other counsel. She also advises trial counsel in preparation for appeals. Bess is a Supreme Court of South Carolina Certified Mediator and Arbitrator.
MEMBERSHIPS
COMMUNITY + RECOGNITION
Practice Areas
Professional Affiliations
Awards & Recognition
- Recognized: Commercial Litigation
- Recognized: Litigation - Trusts and Estates
- Recognized: Corporate Governance Law
- Recognized: Appellate Practice
- Practice Area: Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Best Lawyers in America, Appellate (2025)
- Best Lawyers in America, Litigation- Trust and Estates (2024-2025)
- Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation (2020-2025)
- America's Top 100 Bet-The-Company Litigators (2020-2025)
- America's Top 100 High Stakes Litigators® (2021-2025)
- Listed in Premier Appellate Lawyers (2022-2025)
- South Carolina “Super Lawyer”- 2022-2025 South Carolina Super Lawyers for Business Litigation
- South Carolina "Super Lawyer" Rising Stars (2019, 2020)
- Columbia Business Monthly Legal Elite of the Midlands- Business Litigation (2020, 2021)
- Washington & Lee University, Palmetto Chapter Alumni AssociationExecutive Committee, Past President
- Executive Committee, Past President
- Wilson Hall Distinguished Alumna, 2012