Pete Strom
Defending criminal charges including drug crimes, DUI, CDV, mail fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, computer crimes, money laundering, and juvenile crimes, Pete also handles Federal and State investigations.
Representing individuals in Civil Matters including Class Actions, Personal Injury, Qui Tam Actions, Defective Products, Nursing Home Neglect, and Professional Licensing Defense cases.
Joseph Preston “Pete” Strom, Jr., the managing partner at Strom Law Firm, L.L.C., has been fighting for justice since 1984.
Born in Columbia, South Carolina in 1959, Pete attended the University of South Carolina and graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts. While attending the University of South Carolina, Pete served as President of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. After graduating from the University of South Carolina, Pete attended the University of South Carolina School of Law where he graduated with a J.D. in 1984.
After graduating from law school, Pete served as law clerk to the Honorable Frank Eppes, a South Carolina State Trial Court Judge.
In 1985, Pete joined the Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, a key judicial circuit solicitor’s office in South Carolina, as an Assistant Solicitor. While serving as Assistant Solicitor, Pete handled over 200 drug cases, prosecuting the largest heroin trafficking case in South Carolina at that time, a case involving over 100 grams of heroin.
After a stint in private practice, practicing as a partner in three law firms, Pete was named United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina in 1993. At the time he was appointed by Attorney General Janet Reno, Pete was the youngest U.S. Attorney in the country.
As the U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina, Pete created the Violent Crimes Task Force in South Carolina, which Attorney General Reno referred to as “a national model for the country through a provocative violent crime initiative”. During his service as U.S. Attorney, Pete served on Justice Department committees relating to organized crime, white collar crime, sentencing guidelines, and juvenile justice. Pete also attended the Harvard University Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government.
Pete returned to private practice in 1996, founding the Strom Law Firm, L.L.C.. For over 15 years, Pete has dedicated his life to protecting the rights of individuals and small businesses.
Pete is recognized as an AV peer review rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating for very high to preeminent legal ability and ethical standards. He was named by the NACDA one of the Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys in the state of South Carolina and he was also named as one the Top 100 Trial Lawyers for Criminal Defense by the National Trial Lawyers Association. Pete routinely participates in roundtable ethical discussions for the South Carolina Bar Association. Pete is also routinely contacted by the Associated Press for guidance on legal topics in the media.
In addition to his trial practice, Joseph Preston “Pete” Strom, Jr. is actively involved in many community endeavors. Pete is a past president of the South Carolina Association for Justice and currently serves as a Member of the Board of Governors for the American Association for Justice, a Board Member for the South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center, a Board Member for the USC/Technology Incubator and a Member of the South Carolina Judicial Merit Selection Commission.
Introduction and Background
Joseph Preston “Pete” Strom, Jr. stands as a distinguished figure in the South Carolina legal community, serving as the managing partner of Strom Law Firm, L.L.C., one of the state’s most respected law firms. With a career spanning over 35 years, Pete has built a reputation for excellence in trial practice, particularly in criminal defense and civil litigation. A Columbia native, Pete’s journey began at the University of South Carolina, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts and demonstrated early leadership as President of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He continued his education at the University of South Carolina School of Law, graduating with his J.D. in 1984.
Pete’s legal career was launched with a prestigious clerkship under the Honorable Frank Eppes, a South Carolina State Trial Court Judge. He then joined the Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office as an Assistant Solicitor, where he prosecuted a wide array of cases, including over 200 drug cases and the largest heroin trafficking case in South Carolina at that time. His commitment to justice and his impressive prosecutorial record led to his appointment as United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina by Attorney General Janet Reno in 1993. As the youngest U.S. Attorney in the nation, Pete created the Violent Crimes Task Force, which Attorney General Reno praised as a “national model for the country through a provocative violent crime initiative.” During his tenure, Pete served on justice department committees relating to organized crime, white collar crime, sentencing guidelines, and juvenile justice, further solidifying his expertise in complex legal matters.
Pete’s extensive experience includes appearances in numerous federal courts, such as the Southern District, Northern District, and Middle District of South Carolina, as well as other federal courts and multi-district litigation. He has been admitted pro hac vice in several jurisdictions, reflecting his broad legal reach. Before founding Strom Law Firm, L.L.C., Pete practiced in three law firms, gaining invaluable experience that he now brings to his role as managing partner.
A dedicated member of the South Carolina Bar Association, Pete is also a past president of the South Carolina Association for Justice and serves as a board member of the American Association for Justice. His preeminent legal ability and ethical standards have earned him an AV peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Recognized by the National Trial Lawyers Association and the NACDA for his outstanding work in criminal defense, Pete routinely participates in roundtable ethical discussions for the South Carolina Bar Association and is frequently sought out by the Associated Press for his insights on legal topics. With his deep roots in South Carolina, commitment to justice, and leadership in the legal field, Joseph Preston “Pete” Strom, Jr. continues to set the standard for excellence at Strom Law Firm and throughout the region.
Honors and Awards:
AV Peer Review Rated from Martindale-Hubbell
Past President, South Carolina Association for Justice
Member, Board of Governors for the American Association for Justice
Board Member, USC/Columbia Technology Incubator
Board Member, South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center
Member, South Carolina Judicial Merit Selection Commission
NTLA Top 100 Trial Lawyers for Criminal Defense
NACDA Top 10 Attorney Award for the State of South Carolina
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society
Bar Admissions:
South Carolina, 1984
U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 1986
U.S. District Court District of South Carolina, 1986
Pete has also been admitted pro hac vice in numerous federal courts, including:
The Northern District of Florida
The Southern District of Florida
The Middle District of North Carolina
The District of Connecticut
The District of New Jersey
The Southern District of Iowa
The Southern District of California
The Central District of California, and
The Northern District of California.
Pete has also practiced in a number of other Federal Courts in Multi-district litigation.
Education:
University of South Carolina JD. 1984
University of South Carolina B.A. 1981
Professional Associations and Memberships:
South Carolina Bar Association
Richland County Bar Association
South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference
National Association of Former United States Attorneys
National Crime Victim Bar Association
Southern Trial Lawyers Association
South Carolina Association for Justice
American Association for Justice