“… nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.” Fifth Amendment, United States Constitution

The government has the power to take the land of private property owners. Before that must happen a “just” amount of money must be paid for the taking of the property. Once paid the state or federal government can take possession. If you receive a notice of condemnation or seizure of a part of the property you own, let Meriwether Law know.

Often an assessment of the property value can be incorrect or incomplete in eminent domain cases. Let our experience with property litigation, assessors, and surveyors help you get the best value for your land.

​Sometimes government action results in injury to a person's rights as a citizen of this country. When the government abuses its power and harms your rights, Meriwether Law can help.

Taylor Smith has sued the government on behalf of persons falsely detained, arrested for protesting, and even for speaking at government meetings.

Sometimes a legal issue doesn't fit neatly into a defined practice area. If you need someone to represent you in court, Meriwether Law can help.

Taylor Smith has represented people who have been injured by the actions of others, those who have had to spend money to return to normalcy, and even people who made mistakes resulting in alleged harm to another.

The U.S. Constitution says that the religious worship, speech, and rights to assemble and petition of each citizen must be free from government intrusion. If the government is intruding into your rights guaranteed by the First Amendment, the Meriwether Law can help with legal issues that come up.

Taylor Smith hs experience representing protesters arrested for their speech, truth-seekers sued for their publishing information, and those held in contempt of court proceedings for statements made outside the courtroom. Meriwether Law also represents many of the state’s newspapers where he advises on the prepublication review of controversial articles or advertisements, advises newsgatherers on the state’s reporter shield law and constitutional rights, and has provided testimony before the S.C. General Assembly on proposed legislation that would impair citizen’s rights to freedom of speech.

​Democracies wither and may eventually die when the citizenry is unable to learn the activities of government officials. Citizens have rights to access public records and attend public meetings at the state and federal levels. Violations of these statutory rights not only impair government transparency for everyone but also give citizens the right to sue the government for redress.

​If you have submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to a governmental entity (including school boards, some utility providers, and convention-visitors bureaus) and that entity has ignored or refused to provide you information, Meriwether Law can sue them on your behalf to force the disclosure of information. If you have attended a public meeting of a governmental entity and that entity failed to notify the public of the meeting, failed to post an agenda prior, or went behind closed doors during the meeting for improper purposes, Meriwether Law can help.

​A court decision at trial is not necessarily the final adjudication of a citizen’s rights. In South Carolina, citizens have the right to an initial appeal of an adverse court decision. MERIWETHER LAW has experience handling appeals at numerous levels: circuit court, S.C. Court of Appeals, S.C. Supreme Court, and the federal Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Meriwether Law can assist with appealing an adverse court ruling or defending a court decision that another party is appealing. Please note: if you desire to appeal a court decision, you must contact MERIWETHER LAW quickly as there is a limited amount of time you have to file and serve your notice of appeal before the right is lost.

The internet has an unprecedented and increasingly important place in our daily lives; however, it poses a unique combination of legal issues. Internet law encompasses intellectual property law, privacy issues, contract law, First Amendment issues, and a wealth of other fields.

If you need assistance with legal issues arising from social media use, net neutrality, information gathering, or other internet use, Meriwether Law can help.

Ideas are integral to our society—so integral that our Constitution gave Congress the authority to protect them. Intellectual property law encompasses four areas: patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets.

Taylor Smith particular interest in defending alleged copyright infringement but can help with any other issues related to intellectual property that you may have.