Albert “A.J.” Bilbrey, Jr.

A.J. was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 2018 after working with the firm as a law clerk for a little over 2 years and was promoted to partner in 2019. He has extensive experience as a litigation attorney in the areas of admiralty and maritime law, construction law, personal injury, business law, and other civil matters.  Specifically, A.J. has worked on cases involving injury to maritime workers, such as seamen, longshoremen, vessel passengers, and other. He has also work on cases involving:

• Enforcement of maritime lien rights through vessel arrest

• U.S. Coast Guard Suspension & Revocation Proceedings

• Boating accidents, including wake injuries, collisions, and allisions

• Vessel lightning strikes

• Maintenance and cure

• Seamen’s wages

• Salvage

• Construction defect litigation

• HOA disputes

• Contract disputes

• Business formation

• Contract drafting

A.J. has successfully litigated many U.S. Coast Guard Suspension & Revocation Proceedings assisting captains and other licensed mariners in keeping their merchant mariner credential.  He is fearless in negotiations with the USCG and will litigate your case all the way through the USCG S&R administrative hearing (trial) if necessary.

A.J. is an Adjunct Professor at the Charleston School of Law teaching maritime classes and has been recognized multiple years by the South Carolina Supreme Court for providing pro bono services to the citizens of South Carolina/ He also serves on the Board of Directors for the nonprofit organization Clap Your Hands which provides therapeutic products to special needs children throughout the state free of charge.

In addition, he continues to serve on the Board of the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute (“SEALI”) as Chair of the Membership Committee and has served multiple years as the Charleston Port Director and as a member of the Long Range Planning Committee.

Before becoming a lawyer, A.J. worked in residential construction for over ten years before joining the U.S. Coast Guard where he was awarded the Coast Guard Achievement Medal for superior performance in providing service to those in need through search and rescue, law enforcement, and anti-terrorism missions. He strives to continue his devotion to the task at hand in his determination in providing knowledgeable and excellent service to clients.             

Presently, A.J. maintains a Captain’s license and also serves the public as a member of the Charleston County Rescue Squad when he isn’t practicing law or underway on his personal boat.

Areas of Practice:

Maritime Law focusing on Vessel Arrests, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Construction Defects Litigation, and USCG Suspension & Revocation Proceedings

Bar Admissions:

South Carolina, admitted in 2018

U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina, admitted in 2019

U.S. Court of Federal Claims, admitted in 2019

Education:

Charleston School of Law, Charleston, South Carolina, J.D. Cum Laude, 2018

Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN, B.S. Business Administration, 2010

Professional Associations and Memberships:

Charleston School of Law, Adjunct Professor (2024-present)

Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute (SEALI), Membership Committee Chair (2025), Port Director (2021-2024)

Charleston County Bar and South Carolina Bar Associations, Member

American Association for Justice and South Carolina Association for Justice, Member

Charleston County Rescue Squad – Battalion Chief (2025), Member since 2023

Maritime Association of South Carolina, Member

Master’s License – Merchant Mariner Credential with 100 Ton and Towing Endorsements

The Cottages on Johns Island, HOA President

Publications:

Breaking Waves of Accountability: Navigating USCG S&R SASH Proceedings (2024); Recent Maritime Law Developments: U.S. Supreme Court and the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Circuits, SEALI Annual Seminar (2020)