Episode 3 – Getting to Know You

In this special episode of the Direct Examination podcast, co-hosts Dayne Phillips, Amber Fulmer, and Joseph Bias take center stage to introduce themselves, share their personal backgrounds, and explain the driving mission behind the show. Designed to bridge the gap between South Carolina lawyers and the general public, the podcast blends legal education with entertainment, offering listeners an authentic, behind-the-scenes look at how the state’s legal system operates.

The hosts highlight their distinct areas of legal practice—covering the three core pillars of law: Civil Defense (Joseph Bias), Family Law (Amber Fulmer), and Criminal Defense (Dayne Phillips). From high school mock trial origins to clerkships, public defender roles, and private practice, each attorney shares their unique journey to the bar and outlines their vision for future guest interviews, current event discussions, and community engagement.

Key Topics Covered

  • Podcast Origin & Mission: How the co-hosts joined forces to create an entertaining and educational space focused on South Carolina lawyers and public advocacy.

  • Joseph Bias (Civil Defense): From middle-school mock trial to judicial clerkships, public defense, and leading civil litigation defense at Vernis & Bowling.

  • Amber Fulmer (Family Law): Growing up in Lexington County, her transition from public relations to law, and her passion for domestic litigation and serving as a guardian ad litem.

  • Dayne Phillips (Criminal Defense): Transferring law schools, interning at Bluestein & Nichols under legendary defense attorneys, working in appellate and public defense, and building a criminal defense practice at Price Benowitz.

  • The Three Pillars of Law: How combining civil, family, and criminal defense perspectives provides a well-rounded foundation for discussing South Carolina legal issues.

  • Listener Engagement & Social Media: Connecting with the audience via social media, soliciting episode ideas, and planning interactive community events.

Transcript

Amber Fulmer: I’m Amber Fulmer, and this is the Direct Examination podcast. This special podcast is going to be getting to know the attorneys who have developed the podcast, with Dayne Phillips and Joseph Bias.

Dayne Phillips: Hello, welcome. The purpose for why we started this podcast was not only to focus on South Carolina lawyers and the law, but also to educate the public on what we do as lawyers, interview interesting people on interesting topics, talk about case law, and try to make this educational and entertainment—not just a full-on educational bar review podcast. And that’s Joseph Bias’s cornerstone—he’s here to keep the laughs coming.

Joseph Bias: Yeah. I mean, if this was an educational podcast, I’d be woefully unqualified, especially if it was a bar review podcast. But we all kind of got together. We will give Dayne the credit: this was his baby and his idea first. He brought me and Amber along.

Amber Fulmer: I’m here to fill the estrogen requirement.

Joseph Bias: That’s right. The point is for us to entertain and educate you. We want to introduce you to some amazing lawyers in the state, and selfishly, so that we can also learn from these individuals who have varied backgrounds, from politicians to private practice to everything in between. Our goal when you hit play is that by the time it’s over, you learn something about the legal profession, maybe learn something about us, and have a good time as well.

Dayne Phillips: Absolutely. Lawyers in South Carolina—a very small state—kind of have their fingers on the pulse of what’s going on culturally and politically, which affects everyday life. Hopefully, through the people we interview, you’ll see that these are people making decisions that affect lives, and you’ll get to know them better and see the hard work being done to serve others. With that being said, let’s start with Joseph Bias. Joseph, give us a little bit of your background and your lawyer bio.

Joseph Bias: I’m from Columbia, South Carolina. I was a kid who talked a lot in class, and in eighth grade, a teacher gave me two options: in-school suspension or mock trial. If you’ve ever met my mother, you know there was only one choice. That was my first introduction to the legal profession, and I loved it.

I went to Richland Northeast High School, Wofford College, and then back to Columbia for law school at USC. I started off as a judicial law clerk for Judge Lee, was a public defender for a bit, and then went into private practice. My practice now is civil defense and insurance defense, representing individuals and businesses who have been sued, currently serving as litigation management attorney at Vernis & Bowling.

Dayne and I were in the same class at USC. Amber is younger than us, but she’s probably smarter than both of us, so it works out well. Amber, what about you?

Amber Fulmer: I’m just going to agree to disagree! Like Joseph, I am a local girl. I grew up in Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina. I grew up in a household with two public school teachers in Lexington District 3.

In high school, I clerked for a law firm during the week in addition to working at a vet’s office on weekends. By the time I went to undergrad at USC, I majored in public relations, loved my media law classes, and then went to USC Law School where I met Joseph and Dayne. I participated in mock trial and clerked at different firms throughout law school.

During my 3L year, I landed at Moore Taylor Law Firm in West Columbia. They are one of the oldest firms in Lexington County with a wide variety of practices. I joined the domestic law team and do family law every day—divorce, child custody, child support, and serving as a guardian ad litem for children. That’s my story. Dayne?

Dayne Phillips: Born and raised in Lexington County, West Columbia native. Went to USC for undergrad, started law school at Charleston School of Law, and transferred up to USC.

Similar to Joseph, in middle school we had a mini mock trial project in class where I was chosen as the defense attorney. My fake client was acquitted, and I was hooked on the profession from that moment forward.

In 2005, I responded to an ad to be a runner at Bluestein & Nichols. I worked with Marty Bluestein, John Nichols, Stacy Thompson, Allison Sullivan, and John Delgado. As a runner and law clerk, I worked on several murder trials with Delgado, got infected with the criminal defense bug, and learned zealous advocacy.

After law school, I worked at Appellate Defense arguing before the SC Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, served as a public defender in Lexington County, and then went into private practice. I’m currently with Price Benowitz, holding down the fort for the firm in South Carolina.

Joseph Bias: So that’s us. We have three different types of law covered: Dayne for criminal, Amber for family law, and me for civil law. Our goal is to help all of us learn about these fields and talk to fascinating guests.

You can email us topics or guest suggestions at directexaminationpodcast@gmail.com and follow us @SCLAWPOD on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Dayne Phillips: We want to bring guest interviews at least three times a month, plus a monthly episode with just the three of us doing Q&A, covering current events, or hosting local meetup “Pinecasts” where listeners can join in.

We also want to thank our producer, Brendy, for keeping us on track.

Amber Fulmer: How can listeners follow us individually on social media?

Dayne Phillips: You can follow me on Twitter @SCCrimLawyer or @DanePhillipsSC.

Amber Fulmer: You can follow my new Twitter page @actredjudicata!

Joseph Bias: My Twitter is @JosephPBias. Thanks, everyone, for listening. Let us hear from you, and we will talk to you next week!