Michael A. Molony is chair of Clement Rivers, LLP’s Administrative, Insurance and Regulatory Law, Captive Formations, Commercial Transactions and Real Estate practice groups. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America every year since 2007. He also serves on the firm’s management committee.
Mr. Molony’s Practice
Mr. Molony has a varied practice that includes handling administrative and commercial litigation, government and regulatory matters. He also focuses on captive formations and insurance securitizations.
Michael serves as an associate municipal judge for the City of Charleston and the City of Isle of Palms. He is also a certified Circuit Court mediator and arbitrator.
Michael serves as counsel for the First Insurance Securitization in South Carolina. He has also been selected as an arbitrator in a variety of cases, including matters involving Complex Business, Securities, and Aviation matters.
Earlier Career
- Adjunct Professor in Business Law for the College of Charleston, 1983-1984
- Staff Attorney for the State of South Carolina, 1976-1980
- Sole Practitioner in Charleston, 1980-1985
- Counsel to the South Carolina Housing Authority for the first Housing Authority Bond issue on December 6, 1978
- Veteran of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Air Force Reserves, 1969-1975
Beyond the Practice
Mr. Molony is a licensed, instrument rated, private pilot. He is also a frequent lecturer at the Charleston School of Law, and a frequent lecturer on captive insurance, administrative, and business law.
Michael is an inducted member of the Washington Light Infantry, the Oldest Organized Militia in South Carolina (1807) and one of the oldest in the United States, formed after the American Revolution to prevent further British insurrection.
To read about Michael’s family heritage click here.
Admitted to practice
- South Carolina, 1976
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, 1976
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 1991
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1993
Education
- University of South Carolina School of Law, J.D., 1976
- University of South Carolina, B.S., Finance, 1973; M.B.A., 1977
Awards
Memberships
- Federation of Regulatory Counsel (FORC)
- At Large Director , 2017-
- South Carolina Captive Insurance Association
- Board of Directors, 2000-2004
- Chairman, 2000-2002
- South Carolina Judicial Council, 2000-Present
- Current appointment Sept. 30, 2008 to June 30, 2012
- South Carolina Administrative and Regulatory Law Association (SCARLA)
- Insurance Committee Chairman, 1994-Present
- Charleston County Bar Association
- President, 2000-2001
- Executive Committee, 1996-1997
- South Carolina Bar Association
- Technology Committee, 1994
- Study Committee for Revision of Alcoholic Beverage Control Laws, 1995
- Study Committee for Revision of Municipal Incorporation Laws, 1990
- Roper St. Francis Foundation Board of Directors, 1998-2008
- Charles Towne Landing Foundation Board of Directors, 2003
- Charleston Symphony Board of Directors, 1990-1992
- Charleston County Procurement Review Panel, Chairman 1988-1990
- Historic Ansonborough Neighborhood Association, President 1996-1997
- Downtown Athletic Club, President 1996-1997
- Hibernian Society
- Committee on Letters, 1995
- Irish Cultural Affairs Committee, 2001
- Parish Council, St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 1996-1998
- University of South Carolina Alumni Association, Life Member
- South Carolina Historical Society
- Historic Charleston Foundation
- Widows and Orphans Society
- Federation of Regulatory Counsel
- Irish Historical Society
- Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, 1986-Present
- South Carolina Aviation Association
- Washington Light Infantry
Publications/lectures
- Success in a turbulent market, co-authored with T. Douglas Concannon and James T. H. Buxton, Captive Review, London, England, South Carolina 2008 Annual Report
- South Carolina and Securitization, FORC Quarterly Journal of Insurance Law and Regulation, FORC Federation of Regulatory Counsel, Inc., Vol. XVI, Edition I (March, 2005)
- Securitization New Option For Captives, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Business Journal, September 2004 issue
- Great Leap Forward, Captive Review, London, England, South Carolina 2004 Annual Report
- The Palmetto State, Let it Captivate You, FORC Quarterly Journal of Insurance Law and Regulation, FORC Federation of Regulatory Counsel, Inc., Vol. XIII, Edition I (March 24, 2001)
- SC Enacts Captive Insurance Legislation, Committee News, A.B.A., Tort and Insurance Practice Section, (Winter, 2001)
- Livability Court of the Charleston Municipal Court, Voice of America News Interview With Sean E. Liu, TV Production Specialist, Chinese Branch
- The Attorney’s Role in Securitizations, Society of Life Actuaries (Panel), Quebec City, Canada, June 16, 2008
- City of Charleston Ordinance Enforcement, College of Charleston, January 6, 2006
- Securitization, SCCIA Annual Meeting, Charleston South Carolina, December, 2005
Honors/awards
- Order of the Palmetto, the highest award in South Carolina for civic achievement, awarded in 1981 by Governor Richard Riley
- Recipient of the 2003 Three Sisters Award presented by The Committee to Save the City, Inc., Charleston, SC
- Recipient of 2004 Public Agency of the Year Awarded to City of Charleston Livability Court by Lowcountry Chapter, American Society for Public Administration
- Carolopolis Award by Historic Charleston Foundation for restoration of property at 46 Pinckney Street
- Recipient of Martin Luther King, Jr. Picture Award by members of Charleston City Council along with other Community Leaders
- Recipient of National Innovation Award by United States Conference of Mayors, 2004