Graham L. Newman

Class Actions | Contractual Litigation | Insurance Disputes | Product Liability

Graham Newman’s work focuses on complex litigation, including products liability and class actions. He is currently involved in many different areas of multidistrict litigation (MDL), including MDL 2738 (IN RE: Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Products Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation), MDL 2741 (IN RE: Roundup Products Liability Litigation), and MDL 2885 (IN RE: 3M Combat Arms Earplug Products Liability Litigation). Presently, he is also litigating a class action regarding the unlawful sale of cryptocurrency.

Graham joined Chappell Smith & Arden, P.A. in June of 2014, having previously focused on commercial class actions, contractual litigation, insurance bad faith, and products liability in both state and federal court. His trial court victories have included a $14.5 million insurance bad faith verdict, an $8 million class action judgment, and a $4.75 million products liability verdict. Recently, Graham also served as one of the leading attorneys in Parler v. SCANA Corporation, et al., a derivative and securities class action that resulted in a $63 million settlement.

Graham has briefed numerous appeals before the South Carolina Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and United States Supreme Court. He has also argued four cases before the South Carolina Court of Appeals and two cases before the South Carolina Supreme Court. Notable appellate court victories include the following: Bovain v. Canal Insurance Company, 383 S.C. 100, 678 S.E.2d 422 (S.C. 2009); Ward v. Dixie Nat. Life Ins. Co., 595 F.3d 164 (4th Cir. 2010); Stevens & Wilkinson of S.C., Inc. v. City of Columbia, 409 S.C. 563, 762 S.E.2d 693 (2014); Kirven v. Cent. States Health & Life Co., of Omaha, 409 S.C. 30, 760 S.E.2d 794 (2014); and State v. Samuel, 411 S.C. 602, 769 S.E.2d 662 (2015).

In addition to practicing law, Graham teaches an undergraduate legal course through the University of South Carolina Honors College and serves on several boards and committees dedicated to the improvement of the judicial system. Graham is married to Jenny Honeycutt Newman, who is also an attorney. The couple have a nine year-old son, a ten year-old Portuguese Water Dog, and a five year-old King Charles Cavalier Spaniel. The Newman family enjoys spending time on Lake Murray and attending as many South Carolina Gamecock sporting events as possible.

Professional Awards and Accomplishments:

• Chair, Consumer & Securities Law Section, South Carolina Association of Justice (2019 to present)
• Alumni Advisor, Blockchain Law Society, University of South Carolina School of Law (2022 to present)
• Rising Star (Super Lawyers): 2013-2019
• 2019-2020 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© (Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs)
• Enjuris Million Dollar Advocate (2022-2023)