Rivers S. Stilwell

Rivers Stilwell practices business and commercial litigation, public procurement, water and sewer utilities, zoning, land use, and development, and construction. He has trial, appellate, and arbitration experience involving business disputes, financial institutions, computer software, special purpose districts, product liability, and construction.  

Representing clients throughout the Southeast, Rivers also handles procurement, government contracting, FOIA, corporate governance, and litigation. He has administrative law experience in bid protests and contract disputes and regulatory experience before the South Carolina Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation and the South Carolina Public Service Commission. 

In addition to his legal work, Rivers is the former President of Project Care, a HUD-funded program serving the chronically unhoused, and a Founding Member of The Haynsworth-Perry American Inn of Court. He is an original member of the City of Greenville’s Design and Preservation Committee.  

Rivers has been recognized by Greenville Business Magazine as “Legal Elite of the Upstate” in categories including Business Litigation, Construction, Government Relations, and Product Liability. He has been named to both South Carolina Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America. In 2021, he earned the distinction of Lawyer of the Year in Greenville for Construction Litigation.  

Rivers graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law and the University of Virginia. He was a member of the Virginia Tax Review in law school and an Echols Scholar as an undergraduate student.  

A former U.S. Marine Corps infantry officer, Rivers was called to active duty for service in Operation Desert Storm during law school.  

Rivers is a shareholder in Maynard Nexsen’s Greenville, South Carolina office.  

Experience

• Rivers has represented water districts throughout South Carolina on water and sewer development projects, enabling legislation, bylaws, and internal procedures, territorial and service disputes, and in litigation matters. 
• Rivers presents and writes about electronic discovery, trade secrets, public procurement, water rights, and FOIA. He is an annual lecturer for the Special Purpose District and the Rural Waters Associations.  

Recognition

• Recognized by TALK Greenville Magazine, Top Lawyers, 2023
• Greenville Business Magazine “Legal Elite of the Upstate,” Business Litigation (2013-2023), Construction (2020), Insurance (2020), Energy and Utilities (2021-2023), Government Relations (2021-2023), Product Liability Defendant (2022-2023) 
• South Carolina Super Lawyers, Business Litigation (2009, 2010) 
• The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation (2011-20230, Litigation – Construction (2011-2023) 
• Lawyer of the Year in Greenville, SC, for Litigation – Construction (2021) 
• South Carolina Supreme Court Pro Bono Honor Roll (2021)