Austin and Pethick Law Firm provides a wide variety of residential and commercial real estate services. We can assist you with buying or selling your home, refinancing your home, equity lines of credit, negotiating and drafting agreements, and various title transactions.
Whether you are an individual closing on a home, a business looking to lease its property, or a team of investors building a multi-million-dollar development, we can help!
South Carolina Residential Real Estate Attorney
Purchasing a home can be a complicated process. It is a significant investment, and one of the largest ones a person can make. At Austin and Pethick Law Firm, will walk you through the entire process, ensuring compliance with all laws and regulations. Our team works closely with your agent, lenders, and all stakeholders to meet and exceed your real estate needs.
South Carolina Commercial Real Estate Attorney
Real Estate counsel from the ground up.
When you consider all the factors and potential consequences, it is important to have a trusted and experienced commercial real estate attorney on your side. From general homeowner to larger developments, we provide advice on the variety of property interests held by our clients. During a property closing, time is money. We make clients a priority to close deals quickly and accurately. We have assisted clients in
- Commercial and residential buyers and sellers
- Builders and developers
- Lenders and investors
- Brokers and agents
- Zoning
- Leasing
Why you need a real estate attorney
Real estate attorneys know how to and are authorized to prepare and review documents and contracts related to the sale and purchase of a home. In the state of South Carolina, you are required to have a licensed real estate attorney conduct your closing.
Real estate attorneys have a fiduciary responsibility to their clients best interests throughout the closing process. An attorney will review documents such as title searches, mortgages, judgement, liens, and work with clients and agents to deliver a clean title property without issue.
An attorney will give you peace of mind when it comes to tricky legal talk. You want to make sure you are coved and having an attorney on your side can be very beneficial to make sure you understand the full process and to watch out for your best interests.
Meet your Real Estate Attorneys
Kevin Pethick is the lead for our commercial real estate division. He has more than two decades of commercial real estate experience in development; acquisitions; permitting and entitlements; zoning and subdivision; closings; leasing; property management; and construction. Having managed all aspects of real estate development projects directly has provided Kevin with unique perspective and insight. Kevin, unlike many real estate attorneys in private practice, has a combination of legal training and applied experience which makes him a valuable asset to his clients.
Let our professional attorneys take you step by step through the closing process. Call our office at 803-226-0453 or submit a request below!
Aiken, South Carolina – May 15, 2023 – Esteemed attorney Christopher Austin has achieved the prestigious designation of Super Lawyer, solidifying his position as a leading legal professional in Aiken, South Carolina. The Super Lawyer status is a testament to Christopher’s exceptional skills, unwavering dedication, and outstanding legal acumen.
Super Lawyers is a nationally recognized rating service that identifies outstanding attorneys who have attained a high degree of professional achievement and peer recognition in their respective practice areas. Each year, the rigorous selection process scrutinizes attorneys from all over the country, assessing their professional accomplishments, reputation, and notable contributions to the legal field.
Christopher has consistently demonstrated a commitment to delivering unparalleled legal representation to clients, earning widespread respect and recognition among peers and clients alike. With an unwavering focus on his clients’ best interests, Christopher has consistently obtained favorable outcomes in complex legal matters, garnering a reputation as a formidable advocate.
Christopher’s Super Lawyer designation serves as a validation of his dedication and professional excellence. This accolade further exemplifies the commitment Christopher has made to providing exceptional legal services and securing favorable outcomes for his clients.
As Christopher joins the elite ranks of Super Lawyers, he remains committed to delivering the highest caliber legal representation to clients, while continuously striving for excellence and upholding the highest ethical standards.
Christopher’s exceptional legal skills and promising career trajectory have been recognized through the attainment of dual distinctions as a Super Lawyer and Rising Star. The Rising Star designation is reserved for attorneys who display exceptional talent and potential early in their careers, further highlights Christopher’s remarkable abilities and dedication to excellence. This simultaneous recognition reinforces his standing as a highly accomplished legal professional, ready to make a lasting impact in the legal field. Christopher’s commitment to delivering exceptional representation and achieving outstanding results positions him as an invaluable asset to clients and a rising star within the legal community
For more information about Attorney Christopher Austin and Austin and Pethick Law Firm, please visit AustinPethick.com.
About Christopher Austin: Christopher is the Chief Executive Officer of Austin and Pethick Law Firm, PC. He is a life-long resident of Aiken County. Chris graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Business Administration. Chris obtained his Juris Doctorate from Charlotte School of Law in 2010 and received his LLM (Master of Law) in taxation from the University of Alabama in July 2021.
Chris leads Austin and Pethick’s Estate Planning, Probate, and Tax practice. He has been practicing for over ten years and focuses on assisting clients with various estate matters, probate administration, asset protection, business succession planning, and tax planning. He is licensed in SC, GA, and TN and is fluent in Spanish.
About Super Lawyers: Super Lawyers employs a unique, patented multiphase selection process to meticulously identify exceptional attorneys. This rigorous procedure combines peer nominations, evaluations, and independent research, ensuring a comprehensive and credible assessment of each candidate. Evaluations are based on 12 key indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process is conducted annually on a state-by-state basis, aiming to curate a diverse and comprehensive listing of outstanding attorneys. The primary objective of Super Lawyers is to serve as a valuable resource for attorneys and consumers seeking legal counsel.
About Rising Stars: The Rising Stars selection process aligns closely with that of Super Lawyers, with a single distinction: candidates must meet specific age or experience criteria. To be eligible for inclusion in the Rising Stars list, attorneys must be either 40 years old or younger or have practiced for 10 years or less. Initially, all attorneys undergo the rigorous Super Lawyers selection process. Those who do not secure a spot on the Super Lawyers list but meet either of the Rising Stars eligibility requirements proceed to the specialized Rising Stars selection process. While up to five percent of lawyers in the state earn the esteemed Super Lawyers recognition, the Rising Stars list features no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys. This ensures a highly exclusive roster of exceptional emerging talent within the legal community.
The Hartz Group, LLC closes successful sale of three CSRA area Dunkin’ Donut stores.
(AIKEN, SC, March 15, 2023) – Austin & Pethick, a leading law firm in South Carolina, located in Aiken, is pleased to announce the sale of its client’s Dunkin’ Donuts franchises.
After several months of strategic planning and negotiations, The Hartz Group, LLC has successfully closed the sale of three Dunkin’ Donuts stores located in Aiken and North Augusta, SC. Charlie Hartz of The Hartz Group, LLC brought the Dunkin’ Donuts brand to the CSRA in February of 2009 when it opened its first store at 3526 Richland Ave. W in Aiken.
“Navigating a transaction of this scale is a very complex process with countless moving parts involved, but our team proved that we are well equipped to lead our clients across the finish line, ensuring a smooth and seamless transaction from start to finish. Our team worked tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of the transaction was handled professionally and efficiently, and we are thrilled with the result,” said Kevin Pethick, lead business transactions and commercial real estate attorney at Austin & Pethick Law Firm.
“Austin & Pethick was honored to work alongside Charlie Hartz throughout the long and arduous process. It’s always a pleasure to work with clients like Mr. Hartz, whose diligence and cooperation made that process both easy and enjoyable.”
“I’m really pleased with the outcome of the transaction and the outstanding legal services provided by the entire legal team at Austin & Pethick,” said Mr. Hartz. “They provided exceptional expertise and guidance throughout the entire process and went above and beyond to ensure a successful outcome.”
Added Curt Hanna, commercial real estate paralegal/strategic business advisor at Austin & Pethick, “We pride ourselves on our exceptional team of legal professionals with the experience necessary to provide our clients with unparalleled guidance at every stage of their transaction. Our unwavering commitment to delivering the value of a big city law firm with the personal touch of a small one has enabled us to earn the admiration and trust of clients like Mr. Hartz.”
The new owner of the Aiken and North Augusta Dunkin’ Donuts stores is a seasoned franchise owner and operator who maintains a fantastic reputation for his restaurant operations and management skills. “While I will certainly miss serving the loyal Dunkin’ Donuts customers in Aiken and North Augusta, I am very happy to know that they will remain in good hands,” stated the former Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owner, Charlie Hartz.
About Austin & Pethick Law Firm
Austin & Pethick is a transactional law firm based in Aiken, SC, dedicated to serving the legal needs of individuals, businesses, investors, and families. With attorneys licensed in South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Indiana, and California, the firm handles matters in a wide range of practice areas, including business law, mergers and acquisitions, government contracts, commercial and residential real estate, tax law, estate planning, wills, and probate.
by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils on March 30, 2023.
Aiken, South Carolina – Christopher A. Austin has been certified as an Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) designee by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC).
Christopher Austin is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Austin & Pethick Law Firm, PC. He is a life-long resident of Aiken County. He graduated college from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Business Administration. Chris obtained his Juris Doctorate from Charlotte School of Law in 2010 and received his LLM (Master of Laws) in taxation from the University of Alabama in July 2021.
Chris has previously run for state office as a candidate for State House Representative for District 81. He is also a former board member of the SRP Federal Credit Union Advisory Board, Aiken Steeple Chase Association, and Boys and Girls Club of Aiken Advisory Board. He is currently a candidate to serve on the Board of Trustees at Aiken Technical College.
Chris leads Austin & Pethick’s Estate Planning, Probate, and Tax practice. He has been practicing for over ten years. Chris has experience and focuses on assisting clients with various estate planning matters ranging from simple to the more advanced and complex estate planning (estates above the unified credit, currently $12.92 million, domestic and international), asset protection, estate and trust administration (domestic and international), business succession planning, and tax planning, involving structuring of business organizations and corporate transactions. He is licensed in SC, GA, and TN, fluent in Spanish and certified to practice before the United States Tax Court. He and his firm partner are taking steps towards establishing a Christian Legal Services to benefit those in need in our community.
The Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) designation is a graduate level, multi-disciplinary specialization in estate planning, obtained in addition to already recognized professional credentials within the various disciplines of estate planning. The AEP® designation is available to actively practicing attorneys, accountants, insurance professionals and financial planners, philanthropic advisors, and trust officers who hold one of more of the following credentials in active status and good standing: JD, CPA, CLU®, ChFC®, CFP®, CFA, CPWA, CAP®, CSPG, CTFA, MSFS, or MST.
It is awarded by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils to recognized estate planning professionals who meet stringent requirements of experience, knowledge, education, professional reputation, and character. An AEP® designee must embrace the team concept of estate planning and adhere to the NAEPC Code of Ethics, as well as participate in an annual renewal and recertification process.
NAEPC is a national organization of professional estate planners and affiliated local estate planning councils dedicated to the cultivation of excellence in estate planning. NAEPC fosters the multi-disciplinary approach to estate planning by serving estate planning councils and their credentialed members and delivering exceptional resources and unsurpassed education.
For more information or to schedule a consultation with Christopher A. Austin, J.D., LL.M., AEP®, please contact Austin and Pethick Law Firm at 803-226-0453.
January 18, 2024
Aiken, South Carolina – Austin and Pethick Law Firm, a leading real estate and business firm, is pleased to announce the successful sale and ownership transfer of Midland Valley Golf Club, a distinguished haven of leisure and community engagement, located in the heart of Aiken County. Navigating this complex legal transaction over the last few months gave our team a unique insight into the personalities, passions, character, and plans of the new ownership team. We are pleased to have the opportunity to introduce this remarkable team to our community.
A High Bar: The Midland Valley Golf Club has a rich legacy and storied past, including 20 years under the tutelage of Mr. J. Russell Flanders, Sr., who was a professional golf instructor, a 50-year PGA member, and a friend and mentor to many. In addition to being one of the original owners at North Augusta Country Club and the PGA pro there for 25 years, Russ was a former owner and golf director at MVGC for twenty years until his passing in 2014, when the ownership and operations were assumed by his son Rusty Flanders, daughter Melonia Cameron and Danny Williams. Rusty, Melonia, and Danny recently decided to retire from the day-to-day operations of the Club and place it for sale. When they began to entertain offers for the club, many offers were received, but not many were considered. Rusty and Melonia had higher offers for the Club from developers who had other intentions for the land, but their sole focus was finding a new ownership group who would continue the operations of MVGC as a golf club. They sought new owners who would help build upon the legacy that their family was so instrumental in creating.
New Ownership Team: When assessing the field of offerors, the new ownership group stood out amongst its competition. MVGC is now poised for a new era under the ownership of Midland Valley Partners, LLC, which owns the real estate, and Midland Valley Golf Club, LLC, which will manage the golf operations. Both entities have the same three principal owners, who include John Lovin, Steven Petersen, and Jeffrey Petersen. These three gentlemen are the epitome of character and class, and they balance each other very well in terms of the professional experience they bring to the table. John and Steven are avid golfers, who together own one of the CSRA’s leading Mechanical Engineering Firms called, ING Consulting, Inc., where they have built an amazing culture and earned a reputation for surpassing client expectations in every aspect of service. The creation of a customer-focused culture for their existing business was the topic of many discussions as we led them through the due diligence process, and they expressed a clear intent to bring that same customer-focused culture to the Midland Valley Golf Club.
While John and Steven know about building a customer-focused culture within a business, Jeffrey Petersen is their perfect complement as a partner, given his 35 plus years’ experience in the Landscape Maintenance and Golf Industry. Jeffrey’s impressive background includes not only owning a successful Landscape Maintenance business, but also working for Augusta University managing a Division One practice facility that produced the likes of Patrick Reed and Henrik Norlander. Jeffrey will take over the role of its Director of Golf Operations and MVGC is clearly in great hands under his leadership.
Local Flavor. The Midland Valley Golf Club Community and its surrounding neighbors have “won the lottery” with this new ownership group, but perhaps the biggest reason is the “local flavor” they bring. This is not a group of outsiders with no perspective on the Club’s history and no knowledge of the local membership. On the contrary, Steven and Jeffrey have been long-time members of the Club, with both having lived on the golf course for over twenty years. Steven is the outgoing President of the Midland Valley Estates Homeowners Association. Steven is familiar with the history of the Club, he knows the local members and neighbors, and he realizes how important a healthy, active golf community and a well-maintained golf course are to the surrounding homeowners and community.
Future Plans. Immediate plans are to improve course playing conditions and make necessary repairs to cart paths, bunker drainage, sand, and practice range upgrades. Inside the clubhouse, there will be some interior finishes and layout renovations beginning in the Pro Shop. New membership plans are also a priority as the existing annual memberships are set to expire at the end of March. Long term goals are to get restaurant operations running, hosting tournaments and events again and creating golf leagues. As noted above, the new owners have their own ideas for changes and improvements to be made, but they are also excited to receive input from friends and neighbors as well.
Austin and Pethick Law Firm was honored to help ensure a seamless transition of ownership for the Midland Valley Golf Club. The sale presented a unique set of challenges, and our dedicated team navigated these legal complexities to help ensure a smooth transaction between ownership groups that aligned with their goals and safeguarded their interests throughout the entire process. We are proud of this accomplishment and even more proud to introduce this excellent new ownership team to our community. Kevin Pethick, our supervising partner who led the transaction, had this to say, “It was an honor and privilege that our firm was selected to lead this sale and acquisition. Our clients entrusted us to handle a diverse and complex transaction that included entity formation, financial analysis, asset protection, tax strategies, title resolutions and much more. Engaging so intensely with John, Steven and Jeffrey over the last few months gave us a unique insight into their personalities and business acumen. These are high-character and community-minded individuals with big plans for the Midland Valley Golf Club. I cannot wait to see their future visions become a reality, and I know the Midland Valley Community will be blessed by their commitment to excellence.”
Stay connected and follow the club progress at PlayMidlandValley.com.
About Austin and Pethick Law Firm
Welcome to Austin and Pethick Law Firm, a distinguished legal institution dedicated to prioritizing our clients’ needs above all else. Our practice areas are concentrated in Real Estate, Business, Legacy & Estate Planning, Tax, and Government Contracts, our firm brings unparalleled proficiency to each practice area. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to a client-centric approach by building relationships based on trust, transparency, and outstanding results. At Austin and Pethick Law Firm, your success is our priority, and our passionate team of legal professionals are dedicated to delivering exceptional solutions that exceed expectations. Choose us as your legal partner and experience the difference that our knowledgeable and client-focused approach can make in achieving your legal goals.
For additional information about firm news and areas of practice, please visit AustinPethick.com or call
803-226-0453. It would be our privilege to serve your legal needs.
