Samuel C. Waters

Mr. Waters has been focusing on the areas of consumer litigation, bankruptcy, and creditors’ rights since 1986. He previously worked in various positions in the public and private sectors, including for C&S National Bank as a Trust Officer from 1974 to 1976, for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs as Counsel from 1976 to 1984, as Special Assistant U.S. Attorney from 1981 to 1984, and at the firms Woodward Leventis Unger Herndon & Ormand (1984-1986) and Rogers Townsend & Thomas (1986-2014). Mr. Waters joined the Finkel Law firm LLC as Of Counsel in 2014.

Mr. Waters’ previous and current positions include as board member of Rogers Townsend & Thomas PC, the Mortgage Bankers of the Carolinas (MBAC), the American Legal and Financial Network, the Committee on the Actual Real Estate Solutions, and the Legal League 100. He has authored many publications on mortgage lending and for client training programs.

Mr. Waters is a retired Colonel, Judge Advocate Genreals Corps, USAR, and has served as Commander for the 12^th JAG Det (1993-1996).

Education

• J.D., University of South Carolina (1974)
• University of South Carolina, Master's Program in History (1986)
• B.A., Presbyterian College, cum laude (1966)
• U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (1984)
• U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, (1981, 1983)
• U.S. Army Adjutant Generals Corps Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, (1969, 1973)

Bar Admissions

• U.S. Court of Military Appeals (1986)
• U.S. District Court of South Carolina (1976)
• South Carolina Bar (1974)

Professional Affiliations

• South Carolina Bar
  • Real Estate Section, Senior Lawyers, and Military Law Section,
• Lexington County Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Richland County Bar Association
  • Former Chairman, Master in Equity Committee
• American Legal and Financial Network (ALFN)
  • Former Director
• Committee for Actual Real Estate Solutions (CARES)
  • Former Director
• Mortgage Bankers of the Carolinas (MBAC)
  • Board Member (3 Terms)
• Law Practice Management Section
• Legal League 100 (DS News, a Division of Five Star Institute)
  • Director, Advisory Board
• South Carolina Legislative Committee
  • Chairman
• Lender Processing Services Steering Committee
• Loan Administrative Committee
• Mortgage Bankers of America (MBA)
• South Carolina Bankruptcy Law Association
• Mortgage Lenders Association of Greater Columbia (MLAGC)
• Giants of the Industry (Housing Wire)
• Palmetto Land Title Association

Awards & Honors

• AV® Rating by Martindale-Hubbell® (Peer Reviewed)
• Best Lawyers® in America (2014, 2015)
• Best Lawyers® Columbia
• "Lawyer of the Year" (2015)
• SC Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law Leadership in Law Recipient (2014)
• Fannie Mae Retained Counsel Program (SC)
• Lender Processing Services Summit Award (2010)
• Lender Processing Services Excellence Award (2006-2009)
• Freddie Mac Designated Counsel (SC)
• Legion of Merit, US Army
• Bronze Star, US Army

Title Agent

• Investors Title
• Fidelity Title
• First American Title
• Stewart Guaranty Title

Military

• Active duty: US Army Personnel Center, Fort Lewis, WA;
  • 159 ^th Engineer Group, USARV, Long Bien, Republic of Vietnam
  • 79 ^th Engineer Group, US Army Vietnam (USARV), Plantation, Republic of Vietnam
• Second Lieutenant, Adjutant Generals Corps, U.S. Army (1968)
• Second Lieutenant, Transportation Corps, U.S. Army (1966)
• Major, Judge Advocate Generals Corps, U.S. Army (1983)
• Former Commander, 815th Personnel Service Company, (USAR)
• Former Commander, 12th JAG Military Law Center, (USAR)
• Colonel (ret.), Judge Advocate Generals Corps