Oscar W. Bill Bannister,
Criminal Defense: General Practice
Criminal Defense: General Practice
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Oscar W. Bannister, Jr. (Bill) founded Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey along with John F. Wyatt in 2000. Mr. Bannister graduated from the Citadel in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. From 1962-1965, Mr. Bannister served as an officer in the U.S. Army. He attended law school at the University of South Carolina, where he received his J.D. in 1969. Mr. Bannister was admitted to the South Carolina bar, the U.S. District Court and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1969. Mr. Bannister served as an assistant U.S. Attorney from 1970-1974. With over 35 years of experience in the courtroom, Mr. Bannister provides counsel and advice in the areas of Criminal Law and Family Law. He has successfully tried cases throughout South Carolina, earning a listing in Best Lawyers of America for the past 24 years (1991-2014) for his work in DUI/DWI defense as well as white and non-white collar criminal defense. With a high degree of professionalism, Mr. Bannister has tried cases focusing on White Collar Crime, Criminal Taxation, Civil Practice, Divorce, Fire Loss, Litigation, RICO, Internet Crimes, Drugs and Narcotics, Tax Evasion, Tax Fraud and Criminal Tax Audits. Born in Union, S.C., Mr. Bannister is a member of the Greenville County and Federal Bar Associations, the South Carolina Bar, the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association, the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. He is also LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rated. Oscar W. Bannister, Jr. (Bill) founded Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey along with John F. Wyatt in 2000. Mr. Bannister graduated from the Citadel in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. From 1962-1965, Mr. Bannister served as an officer in the U.S. Mr. Bannister served as an assistant U.S. Attorney from 1970-1974. With over 35 years of experience in the courtroom, Mr. Bannister provides counsel and advice in the areas of Criminal Law and Family Law. He has successfully tried cases throughout South Carolina, earning a listing in Best Lawyers of America for the past 24 years (1991-2014) for his work in DUI/DWI defense as well as white and non-white collar criminal defense. With a high degree of professionalism, Mr. Bannister has tried cases focusing on White Collar Crime, Criminal Taxation, Civil Practice, Divorce, Fire Loss, Litigation, RICO, Internet Crimes, Drugs and Narcotics, Tax Evasion, Tax Fraud and Criminal Tax Audits. Born in Union, S.C., Mr. Bannister is a member of the Greenville County and Federal Bar Associations, the South Carolina Bar, the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association, the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. He is also LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rated.
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 1991
Sharon Roberts
When our family faced a complex property dispute intertwined with potential allegations of financial impropriety, we needed counsel who could navigate both the civil and potential criminal implications. Mr. Bannister’s profile, particularly his recognition in white-collar defense, gave us confidence. His 56 years of practice were immediately evident; he possesses a profound understanding of South Carolina law and the local court system that only comes from a career spanning decades. He was strategic, calm, and his advice was always rooted in deep experience rather than speculation. While his expertise is undeniable, initial response times to non-urgent emails could occasionally be slower than we hoped, likely due to his demanding caseload. That said, when it mattered, he was fully engaged. His foundational role at Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey speaks to his respected standing in the legal community. We felt thoroughly represented by a true professional who has seen virtually every scenario. For anyone in the Upstate needing a seasoned general practitioner who can handle multifaceted legal challenges, Bill Bannister is an excellent choice.