Street-smart. Courtroom-ready. And maybe just a little obsessed with vintage synthesizers.
Born and raised in the Upstate of South Carolina, Jake Erwin has built a reputation as one of Greenville’s most dedicated and fearless trial attorneys. A proud graduate of Spartanburg High School (’03), Clemson University (’07), and the University of South Carolina School of Law (’10), Jake’s roots in the region run deep—and so does his commitment to justice.
Jake began his legal career on the front lines of public defense, serving in both Cherokee and Greenville counties from 2011 to 2016. These years shaped his courtroom instincts and sharpened his understanding of how the system works—and how to fight back when it doesn’t.
Since launching his private practice in 2016, Jake has taken on complex criminal and civil cases across state and federal courts, including matters involving personal injury, probate disputes, and high-profile government liability. His unflinching advocacy and knack for outmaneuvering the opposition have earned him recognition as a Legal Elite by Upstate Business Journal every year from 2017 through 2024. He was also inducted into the Million Dollar Advocates Forum in 2022—an honor reserved for attorneys who’ve won million-dollar verdicts or settlements.
Jake is licensed to practice in all South Carolina courts, both state and federal, and is an active member of:
- South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Greenville Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- South Carolina Association for Justice
You may have seen Jake’s name in the media, often in connection with high-stakes civil rights litigation, police misconduct cases, and wrongful arrest lawsuits. His work has been covered by The New York Times, Greenville News, ABC News, WYFF, and other major outlets. But ask Jake what he’s proudest of, and he’ll tell you it’s the trust his clients place in him—clients who still can’t believe he answered his own phone.
Outside the courtroom, Jake is a family man, a not-so-secret golf junkie, and an amateur musician with a particular love for vintage synthesizers (ask him about his Roland Juno if you’ve got an hour to spare).
If you’re looking for a straight-talking, battle-tested attorney who knows how to win cases without making empty promises—Jake Erwin is your guy.
