When Jim Griffin retweeted an article that was published in The Washington Post on Feb 17, 2023, he never imagined that the judge in his trial would later scold him in court. But to his dismay, Judge Clifton Newman called him out whilst also eliciting a laugh from the gallery.
This Jim Griffin Bio explores everything you need to know about the lawyer.
Meet Jim Griffin, Alex Murdaugh Defense Attorney
On Feb 17, 2023, Jim Griffin retweeted an article titled “Alex Murdaugh trial reveals a sloppy investigation” by The Washington Post without any comment. Days later, at the start of day 19 of the disgraced legal scion’s trial in the Colleton County Courthouse, Judge Clifton Newman then questioned Jim (Alex Murdaugh’s attorney at the time) before jurors entered the courtroom.
“I’ve been receiving over the past two to three days emails concerning a social media post by Mr. Griffin commenting on witness testimony and the quality of the investigation by the state,” the judge started. He then asked Jim, “if this part of your defense strategy,” with the gallery bursting out in laughter while Jim took an awkward pause.
Finally, the lawyer then came out with a defense stating all he did was retweet an article that was published and didn’t put any comment or make any statement.
But Judge Clifton was quick to compare his actions with that of NBA star Kyrie Irving who was suspended from the Brooklyn Nets last year for retweeting an antisemitic post. “We had a professional basketball player who retweeted an article that resulted in him being suspended from the NBA for about 10 days and cost him about $10m in salary, so retweeting is the same as – to some – as if [it’s] your tweet,” he said.
For those who don’t know, Kyrie tweeted a link to Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America, a documentary, which sparked an instant backlash, and eventually, he was suspended without pay from the Nets.
So, after the comparison, the judge then said he was “not a Twitter friend” of Jim but had still come across the post. This made him feel like Jim’s actions went “against the spirit of the law and does not pass the feel test.”
Naturally, Jim conceded and promised not to retweet anything or tweet anything until the trial is over.
Did you know: No rule specifically states that the lawyers after prohibited from criticizing witnesses during the course of a trial.
Jim Griffin Age
Jim Griffin was 60 years of age when he was scolded by Judge Clifton Newman in 2023.
Judge Clifton Newman is 11 years older than Jim.
Jim Griffin Family
Jim Griffin didn’t reveal his family.
Well, given the profession he is in it’s only natural that he’d like to keep his close ones away from the media.
Is Jim Griffin Married?
No, Jim Griffin is no longer married to his former wife Catharine Garbee Griffin. However, there were rumors that the lawyer remarried and had a new partner in his life.
His ex-wife, Catharine is a Montclair, New Jersey native who was born in September 1962. She was also a lawyer who received her JD in 1987 from the University of South Carolina School of Law. There, she made it to the dean’s list and won the order of Wig and Robe. Also, Catharine has a B.A. in English from the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee.
So far, Catharine has worked for the Richland County Bar Association, John Belton O’Neal Inn of Court (Past President), the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorney’s Association, and the Defense Research Institute. Also, she’s been the support staff for Chrystal Carter and Teresa Kowalewski.
Her achievements have also gained her the awards like 2017 Bar Register Preeminent Attorney – Listed Lawyer, 2017 Top Attorneys in the Midlands, and 2017 AV Preeminent Attorney.
As for their kids, Jim and Catharine share three daughters named Mary Lewis Griffin (born: Feb 1992, a Clinical Pharmacist at UVA Health), Hope Griffin (Corps Member at Teach For America), and Cate Griffin (Corps Member at Teach For America and a Former Counselor at The Tyler Place Family Resort).
How Much Is Jim Griffin Net Worth?
Jim Griffin flaunted a net worth of over $1 million in 2023.
An accomplished trial and healthcare lawyer, Jim started his career as an assistant attorney at the United States Attorneys’ Office in 1992. Three years later, he then partnered with Lewis Babcock and founded Lewis Babcock & Griffin L.L.P. Another 4 years later, he then joined hands with Clarence Davis and founded Griffin & Davis LLC — which was still in practice in 2023.
Overall, Jim has more than 30 years of experience representing clients in civil and criminal courts at the federal and state level and representing healthcare providers in some of the most challenging of legal matters.
To honor him, the South Carolina Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates awarded him with the 2018 “Trial Lawyer of the Year.”
Jim Griffin Education
Jim Griffin got his Bachelor of Arts in economics from Wake Forest University in 1984 and later got his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1987.
Related FAQs
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Where Is Jim Griffin From?
Jim hails from Columbia, SC.
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When Is Jim Griffin Birthday?
Jim receives his birthday in June.
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Is Jim Griffin On Instagram And Facebook?
Find him on Facebook @jim.griffin.5030 and on Twitter @lawyergriffin.
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