A LEGACY OF SERVICE, EXPERIENCE YOU CAN TRUST.
Protecting what matters most in Charleston.
Member, Federation of Regulatory Counsel (FORC)
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Recognized in Best Lawyers in America (since 2007)
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Senior Municipal Judge, decades of judicial service
U.S. Air Force Veteran & instrument-rated pilot
Member, Federation of Regulatory Counsel (FORC)
Recognized in Best Lawyers in America (since 2007)
Senior Municipal Judge, decades of judicial service
U.S. Air Force Veteran & instrument-rated pilot
Michael A. Molony provides senior counsel on complex business and regulatory matters, combining decades of legal experience with a relationships-first approach. A member of the Federation of Regulatory Counsel (FORC), he brings nationally recognized regulatory insight to contracts, acquisitions, aviation matters, and compliance, delivered with clarity, efficiency, and integrity.
Professional Leadership
Michael A. Molony brings over four decades of experience to the South Carolina legal community. He is Chair of Clement Rivers, LLP’s Administrative, Insurance and Regulatory Law, Captive Formations, Commercial Transactions, and Real Estate practice groups, and has been listed in Best Lawyers in America every year since 2007.
Michael is the only Charleston attorney recognized as a member of the Federation of Regulatory Counsel (FORC), an exclusive national network of elite regulatory lawyers. This distinction reflects his standing as one of the country’s most trusted voices in insurance and regulatory law.
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Judicial & Civic Service
Alongside his private practice, Michael has dedicated decades to public service. He serves as Senior Municipal Judge for Isle of Palms and helped establish Charleston’s Livability Court, which the city honored with a declaration recognizing his 40 years of judicial service.
His civic commitment has been honored at every level, from Charleston City Council’s Martin Luther King Jr. Picture Award to the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor.
Educator & Mentor
Michael earned both his Juris Doctor (1976) and Master of Business Administration (1978) from the University of South Carolina, grounding his career in both legal expertise and business acumen. He has served as an Adjunct Professor at the College of Charleston and a frequent lecturer at the Charleston School of Law and The Citadel. Michael regularly shares his expertise on captive insurance, administrative, and business law, and his work has been published in leading legal journals.
Military & Personal
A veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserves, Michael carries the values of discipline and service into every aspect of his legal practice. He is also a licensed, instrument-rated pilot, reflecting his precision and passion beyond the courtroom.
Legacy & Charleston Roots
While Michael is the first lawyer in the Molony family, the family’s legacy of service in Charleston stretches back more than a century. From the historic Molony House on Church Street to leadership across civic and cultural organizations, the Molony name has always been tied to the growth of Charleston.
Michael’s vision is forward-looking, combining this heritage with modern tools like AI-driven efficiency and a trusted professional network to deliver clarity and protection for every client.
