About Harold
Harold C — Staley, Jr. is a dedicated personal injury attorney based in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Since 1999, he has been practicing law in South Carolina and is also licensed to practice in North Carolina. Harold earned his Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School in 1999. Prior to that, he completed a Master of Science at Middle Tennessee State University in 1998 and obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Carolina in 1993. His academic background laid a strong foundation for his legal career. After graduating from law school, Harold returned to South Carolina to begin his legal journey.
He started at the law office of the now-Honorable Robert E. Watson in Moncks Corner. This early experience provided him with valuable insights into the legal system — From 1999 to 2000, he further developed his skills by clerking for the Honorable R. Markley Dennis. This clerkship allowed him to gain firsthand experience in the courtroom, shaping his understanding of judicial processes. Following his clerkship, Harold served as an Assistant Solicitor under former Solicitor Tommy Pope for the 16th Judicial Circuit of South Carolina. This role involved prosecuting criminal cases and deepened his commitment to justice.
In 2002, he joined Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys as an Associate Attorney. His dedication and expertise led him to become a Partner in 2007. Throughout his career, Harold has successfully tried numerous criminal and civil cases to verdict, with a primary focus on personal injury cases, including those involving civil rights violations. Beyond his legal practice, Harold has made significant contributions to legal education and community service. He coached the Fort Mill High School Mock Trial Team for several years, fostering the next generation of legal minds. His commitment to legal education earned him recognition as the South Carolina Bar’s Law Related Education (LRE) Lawyer of the Year in 2002. Additionally, he served as President of the York County Bar Association from 2005 to 2006 and was a local representative in the South Carolina Bar’s House of Delegates from 2004 to 2015.
His involvement in these organizations highlights his dedication to the legal community. Harold is also a member of the South Carolina Association for Justice and has been awarded a Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished Peer Rating, reflecting his professionalism and ethical standards. He resides in Fort Mill with his wife, Mindy, and their three children. In his free time, Harold enjoys offshore fishing and spending time in the Lowcountry, a region he continues to cherish as home. His multifaceted career and personal interests illustrate his commitment to both his profession and his community.
