Jack Leader, a Rock Hill native, graduated from Rock Hill High School before attending college at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. After receiving his undergraduate degree in 1967, Jack attended law school at the University of South Carolina School of Law and received his Law Degree in 1970. Jack has been practicing law in York County since 1971, making him one of the most experienced injury attorneys in the Upstate.
Jack has practiced many different types of law and has served on both the plaintiff and defense side of cases over the course of his career. By working for the same insurance companies early in his career that he now goes against, Jack was able learn how they operate, and this experience provided him with unique perspective and insight that he has used to greatly benefit his clients throughout his career.
Jack previously prosecuted cases for the City of Rock Hill, and he also served as the Assistant Solicitor for York County for nearly a decade under Former Solicitor William L. “Red” Ferguson. Jack has tried hundreds of cases to verdict throughout his career, ranging from criminal matters to personal injury accident cases, as well as a number of Medical Malpractice cases.
In 1989, a year after his son, Ben, was born, Jack partnered with the late Luther “Luke” Elrod and joined the Elrod Law Firm, which later became Elrod, Jones, Leader & Benson before becoming Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys. For the last thirty-five years, Jack has exclusively represented people who have been injured due to the negligence of others. Jack has also handled hundreds of Social Security Disability cases during his time at Elrod Pope. Jack is now Of-Counsel with the firm, and he practices law alongside his son, Ben, who is now one of the firm’s Managing Partners.
Jack has made it his personal mission to try to help people even when he could not personally represent them on a particular matter. If someone calls Jack Leader for help, he is going to find a way to help them. For matters outside of Elrod Pope’s practice areas, Jack has always taken great pride in referring clients to the best attorney equipped to handle their needs. He leans into his extensive network to make certain that anyone who asks him for help is able to receive the best representation possible, even when he is not able to personally take their case.
Jack was a founding member of Hospice and Community Care in Rock Hill, where he has also served as the Former Director and Past-President. Jack has also been actively involved in many community activities by serving on numerous city and county boards. He has always taken great pride in giving back to the Rock Hill community that has given so much to him throughout his life. Jack has helped thousands of people during his career, and has also mentored countless young attorneys, paralegals, and students interested in pursuing legal careers.
When not helping injured people, Jack can often be found on the golf course with friends or enjoying time with family, most notably with his two grandsons who affectionately refer to him as “Poppy”.
Education:
B.A., University of North Carolina, 1967
J.D., University of South Carolina School of Law, 1970
Honors:
National Trial Lawyers Top 100, 2014-Present
South Carolina Lawyer’s Weekly Leadership in Law Award, 2015
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Rating
South Carolina Association for Justice – Matthew J. Perry Award Recipient, 2023
Admissions:
South Carolina Bar
United States District Court for the District of South Carolina
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
United States Supreme Court
Memberships & Involvement:
York County Bar Association
South Carolina Bar
National Trial Lawyers
South Carolina Association for Justice
American Association of Justice
Temple Beth El
Hospice and Community Care