Attorney Profiles

Susan Trout Kinard

Susan comes from a large family that moved to the Isle of Palms in 1965 when her father, a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy, was stationed in Charleston. Susan has remained in the Charleston area, living most of her life on the Isle of Palms. She is now married to her law partner, Bobby Kinard, and they have three children.

After graduating with honors with her BS in accounting, Susan had planned to sit for the CPA exam. While interning prior to sitting for the CPA exam, Susan came to work for the Kinard Law Firm in 1982 and discovered not only that she enjoyed the practice of law but that she was good at it. With a firm push from her husband, Susan entered law school. Susan attended the University of South Carolina School of Law and excelled in her studies, having been inducted as a member of the honors organization, the Order of Wig and Robe. Susan was licensed to practice law in 1993.

Initially, Susan practiced domestic law, along with elder and probate law. She has had success in appellate litigation and enjoys her practice before the South Carolina Court of Appeals. An appellate practice makes for a better lawyer because an attorney must read many cases and other law to brief a case, which ensures that the attorney's knowledge of the law is current. To practice domestic law well, one must devote a great deal of time not only to your cases, but to keeping up with new law and changes in procedure. Because of the benefits of an appellate practice and the demands of a domestic practice, Susan has chosen to practice only domestic and appellate law.