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Myrtle Beach City Council appoints William Bryan, Jr., to succeed Thomas Ellenburg as city attorney

During its April 23 meeting at the Ted C. Collins Law Enforcement Center, the Myrtle Beach City Council appointed William Bryan, Jr., to the position of city attorney.  Bryan is a current resident of Murrells Inlet, SC, with two decades of experience as an attorney.  The appointment is for a one-year term, beginning May 23, 2019.

Longtime Myrtle Beach City Attorney Thomas Ellenburg advised Council in January that he would retire in June 2019.  Ellenburg was appointed to his first one-year term in May 2000 and has served the City of Myrtle Beach as city attorney since then.  

The position was advertised in February 2019.  City Council received 10 applications for the post and interviewed four finalists, all residents of Horry County.  “This was a difficult decision.  We were fortunate to have qualified candidates to consider,” Mayor Brenda Bethune said. 

Bryan has represented the City of Myrtle Beach as outside counsel in both state and federal courts and has a proven record of success.  He is a 1996 graduate of Hampden-Sydney College with a Bachelor’s Degree in History.  He earned a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina in 1999.  In addition, Bryan:

  • Is a member of the South Carolina Bar with 20 years’ professional experience;
  • Is an Attorney/Shareholder in Collins & Lacy, P.C., since 2000;
  • Is the Partner-in-Charge of the firm’s Grand Strand office;
  • Is a participant in the firm’s Professional Liability, Retail/Hospitality and Transportation practice groups;
  • Practices in State and Federal Court;
  • Has an AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubble; and
  • Was recognized as a South Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Star (2013-2014).

“On behalf of the full City Council, we are excited to welcome Mr. Bryan as our next city attorney and very much look forward to working with him,” Mayor Bethune said.