Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC

05/18/2026

The South Carolina Supreme Court's unanimous decision to overturn Alex Murdaugh's murder convictions isn't just a headline. It's a reminder of something English common law recognized centuries before the American legal system existed.

Once a juror hears something, they cannot unknow it.

When a court official suggested to jurors they couldn't trust Murdaugh's testimony, the damage was already done. All five justices agreed the verdict couldn't stand.

We broke down what triggered the ruling, why it was legally justified, and what could happen next.

Read More: https://bannisterandwyatt.com/alex-murdaugh-conviction-overturned/

The SC Supreme Court unanimously overturned Alex Murdaugh's murder convictions. We break down why it happened, and what comes next.

05/15/2026

Yesterday, alongside Strom Law Firm and Bannister Wyatt & Stalvey, our firm filed a federal lawsuit against OpenAI on behalf of Vandana Joshi, the widow of Tiru Chabba, one of two people killed in the April 2025 mass shooting at Florida State University. The suit alleges that ChatGPT served as an unwitting co-conspirator.

The gunman had more than 16,000 interactions with the chatbot over 18 months, discussing fi****ms, his fixation on N***s and mass shootings, how many casualties it would take to make national news, and the busiest times at the FSU student union. ChatGPT engaged with all of it. It never flagged the threat. It never alerted authorities.

We believe this case will help define what responsibility looks like in the age of AI.

Key legal arguments:
- OpenAI is not entitled to Section 230 immunity because ChatGPT is a product that generates content, not a passive platform
- The chatbot's design, optimized for engagement over safety, constitutes a foreseeable defect
- OpenAI had the capability to flag dangerous interactions and chose not to

Joshi is represented by J. Robert Bell III and Gregorio A. Francis of Osborne Francis & Pettis, Bakari T. Sellers of Strom Law Firm, LLC, and Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC. This case was featured on the TODAY Show and FOX News nationally.

Our thoughts remain with the Chabba family and everyone affected by this tragedy. This is what we mean by Real Tough Cases.

*Image by WTXL Tallahassee.

05/01/2026

Today Is Law Day!

Law Day is an annual commemoration held on May 1st to celebrate the rule of law and cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal system.

Learn more🔗
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/law-day/
Source: American Bar Association

04/22/2026

Community Matters. Happy Earth Day from the BWS Team🌏

04/15/2026

Greenville's own! We are so proud to share that Jim Bannister, Greenville Water Commissioner has been inducted as a Fellow into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. Jim and his wife Krista celebrated the honor at the Academy's 2026 Annual Meeting in Charleston, SC.

This one is well deserved, Jim! And a big congratulations to fellow Greenville attorney Wally Fayssoux on his induction too.

🔗 Learn More About The Academy https://bannisterandwyatt.com/jim-bannister-international-academy-of-trial-lawyers/

03/31/2026

The hands-free law is designed to encourage safer driving and reduce preventable accidents. But when someone ignores the rules and causes harm, the law also helps create clearer accountability.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a distracted driving accident, understanding how these laws apply can make a meaningful difference in how responsibility is determined. Need help? Click here to speak with one of our attorneys. https://bit.ly/BWSContactUs

03/24/2026

Many drivers still aren’t clear on what the new hands-free law actually allows. We're here to help with a pop quiz. 🔠

Under this new law, can a driver legally hold a phone while driving?

A. Yes, if you’re stopped at a red light
B. Yes, as long as it’s for navigation
C. No, drivers cannot hold a phone while operating a vehicle
D. Yes, if you are using your voice to send a brief text

Answer
C. No, drivers cannot hold a phone while operating a vehicle.

The law requires drivers to keep their phones hands-free. That means holding a phone to text, scroll, or search the internet while driving (or at a red light) is prohibited. In most situations, the law still treats you as “operating the vehicle” while stopped in traffic.

03/23/2026

For us, client service is more than just providing legal services.

It means being available, communicating proactively, and offering genuine support that our clients can count on.

Do you need a legal advocate in your corner that truly understands your unique needs? https://bit.ly/BWSContact

03/11/2026

It's e-bike season.

As they grow in popularity, they are also reshaping how personal injury law applies in accidents. With that comes confusion about how to classify them and assign responsibility when someone is injured.

This is what you need to know before you ride ▶ https://bit.ly/PIatBWS11625

03/10/2026

Under proportional liability, insurance companies are only required to pay the share of damages tied to their policyholder’s percentage of fault. This gives insurers more control over how much they pay out.

But serious accidents are expensive. Medical care, lost income, and long-term recovery often cost far more than insurance coverage provides. When that happens, the unpaid portion doesn’t disappear.

Attorneys, business owners, and accident victims are adapting to a legal environment shaped by new boundaries and revised responsibilities. This is what's new in South Carolina -- > https://bit.ly/PIatBWS21326.