Nikki G. Setzler

Founding partner of Setzler & Scott, P.A.

Nikki G. Setzler

Nikki G. Setzler

Nikki G. Setzler was born in Asheville, North Carolina in 1945. He obtained a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Political Science and a Juris Doctorate at the University of South Carolina.

Upon graduation, he worked as an associate at the law firm of Berry, Lightsey & Gibbs, where he was mentored by Harry Lightsey, who was later dean of the University’s law school and President of the College of Charleston.

Mr. Setzler has served South Carolina in many ways. He has served in the South Carolina Senate since 1977, currently representing a portion of Lexington, Aiken, and Saluda Counties. He also chaired the Senate Education Committee from 1988–2000.

From 1974–1976, Nikki Setzler was a Cayce City Judge. He also served as attorney for the Town of Springdale from 1975–1977 and has served as attorney for West Columbia since 1992.

Martindale-Hubbell awarded Mr. Setzler an AV® Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rating, the highest possible.

Nikki G. Setzler joined with Danny Scott and Richard Chewning in 1977 to create a single law firm out of their three private practices.  Mr. Setzler is also elected to the State Senate, a position he executes from the nearby state capital.  He remains available during regular or extended business hours to serve the needs of his clients.

Setzler & Scott, P.A., has expanded and added additional attorneys since its inception, but still remains true to the core principles on which they founded their firm.

Awards

  • Honorary doctorate of Humane Letters, University of Charleston, 1992
  • Carl Perkins Humanitarian of the Year Award for SC, 1995
  • Honorary doctorate of Education, Columbia College, 1997
  • Honorary Degree of Doctors of Laws from The University of South Carolina, 2009  (Commencement Speaker)
  • Public Servant of the Year by SC Chamber of Commerce, 1998

Practice areas

  • General civil practice
  • Construction law
  • Corporate law
  • Family law
  • Mediation
  • Personal injury law
  • Administrative law
  • Municipal law
  • Business litigation
  • Arbitration

Admissions

  • 1971, South Carolina

Education

  • University of South Carolina School of Law, J.D., 1971
  • University of South Carolina, B.A., 1968

Memberships

  • Lexington County Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • South Carolina Bar
  • South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association
  • Phi Delta Phi
  • Southern Regional Education Board
  • Columbia YMCA
    • Board of Directors
  • Engenuity
    • Board of Directors
    • Executive Committee
  • Lexington Development Corporation
    • Board of Directors
  • Brookland Cayce High School Foundation
    • Board of Directors
    • Past President
  • Security Federal Bank
    • Advisory Board, 2002–present

Past board and commission work

  • Central Midlands Regional Planning Council
  • Southeast Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Commission
  • South Carolina General Assembly’s Joint Appropriations Review Committee
  • The Branch Banking and Trust Company
    • Advisory Board, 1987–2002