With deep sadness and abiding affection, we announce the passing of our law firm’s founding attorney, Thomas A. “Tom” McKinney.
Tom died June 22, 2026, at age 86 in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, leaving behind a legacy that spans six decades of skillful courtroom advocacy, civic leadership, and faithful service to his clients and the citizens of Rock Hill, York County, and surrounding communities.
A Passion for Civil Rights, Trial Work Developed at an Early Age
Born on July 16, 1940, Tom grew up in the small, rural community of Warrior Creek, South Carolina, where he received his early education in a one-room schoolhouse. The son of a minister, his family life was shaped by faith, learning, and conviction. He listened to his father preach three times a week, and he read everything he could about attorney Clarence Darrow, developing at an early age what would become a lifelong passion for trial work and civil rights.
Tom started his college education at Furman University, and he was elected the president of his class as a freshman and a sophomore. While working as a counselor at a church camp, he met Camille, the woman who would become his wife. He followed her to Missouri, attended Southeast Missouri State as a junior, and the two were married.
The couple later returned to South Carolina, where Tom earned his undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina and went on to the University of South Carolina School of Law, taking only two and a half years to earn his law degree.
A Lawyer Who Belonged in the Courtroom
Shortly after he was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1965, Tom discovered that, as a lawyer, he belonged in the courtroom, not an office. After a brief stint at a bank, he joined the Rock Hill law firm of Ridley, Simrill and Bryan, which later became Ridley, Simrill and McKinney.
After spending 18 years with the firm, Tom started his own practice in the 1970s, founding McKinney and Harrelson. In 1979, with friend Tom Givens, he bought the historic house at 303 Saluda Street in Rock Hill that would become home to generations of lawyers and clients.
From that house, and later from the firm’s current home at 215 Hampton Street in Rock Hill, Tom built one of York County’s most respected trial practices. He focused on criminal defense, represented plaintiffs and defendants in civil cases, and handled everything from high-profile trials to everyday legal matters that can have a major impact on people’s lives.
A Lawyer Widely Respected by Judges and Fellow Attorneys
Tom earned the respect and admiration of local judges and fellow attorneys, including the prosecutors he often went against in the courtroom. He was known for being meticulously prepared for court, fighting hard for his clients, and never forgetting their needs and goals.
Kevin Brackett, a longtime York County prosecutor and current 16th Circuit Solicitor, called Tom “the well-respected Dean of the York County criminal defense bar.”
Life of Service Outside of the Courtroom
Tom’s reach went beyond his law practice. He helped to establish the South Carolina Criminal Defense Association and served on its board for many years. He was also active in state and county bar associations and volunteered with the Jaycees, Sertoma, YMCA, Rock Hill Little Theater, and Rock Hill’s popular Come-See-Festival, which he chaired.
Dedicated to Carrying His Legacy Forward
Tom’s passion for trial work, commitment to his clients, and service to his community are woven into our fabric at McKinney, Tucker, & Lemel. His dedication to the people he represented, compassion for those from every walk of life, and belief in the legal profession continue to guide our firm in everything we do. We mourn Tom’s loss, celebrate his extraordinary life, and give thanks for the privilege of carrying his legacy forward for generations to come.
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