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Meet Pat Jennings

Attorney Patrick Jennings focuses his practice at Joye Law Firm on workers’ compensation law and helping injured workers receive the full benefits available by law.

The son of a teacher/coach and a nurse, he grew up seeing his parents helping others, and he brings that approach to his legal practice. He understands that the people coming through the door need his help and understanding.

Awards & Recognition
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"Pat and his staff were very professional and I truly appreciate their knowledge and assistance in making this process a smooth one. My family and I definitely would recommend this firm to our friends and colleagues."
-Diera, Actual Client

“When a client first comes into my office, the most important thing that I do is listen,” he says. “I let them talk about the problems and issues they are having. I let them know that I have heard them, and I am going to work to fix the problems they are having. I let them know that some of the issues we can take care of, and some we can’t. I’m honest right up front, and I set expectations.”

“As a lawyer, it’s very gratifying to use what my parents taught me in a completely different aspect of life,” he says.

Pat has worked at Joye Law Firm since 2007 and has represented hundreds of injured workers. Many of the clients he assists have jobs that involve physical labor. The consequences of an injury can be life-changing to a worker who relies on physical ability.

Pat suffered a serious knee injury as an adult playing sports and had to undergo three knee surgeries and a back surgery. These medical events have given him insight into the medical ordeals that many of his clients are experiencing.

“I’ve been able to understand a lot of the things my clients go through because I have also been through those surgeries and recoveries and therapy,” he says.

Having played sports much of his life and had a father who was a coach, Pat understands the importance of being part of a team and being a good teammate. He knows he has the resources and support of a strong team at Joye Law Firm to help him do the best job possible.

“I try to make all my clients understand that we are part of a team,” Pat says. “It’s not just me. There are paralegals and the law firm’s staff, and they are all super important. We have each other’s back. We are a team.”

What inspired you to become an attorney?

My grandfather went to law school after World War II, but he was never able to pass the Bar, so he was never a practicing attorney. It was one of the greatest moments of my life being able to tell him that I’d passed.

Tell us about your approach to meeting a client

When a client first comes into my office, the most important thing that I do is listen. I let them get out their story and talk about the problems and issues they are having. I let them know that a person is listening to them, has heard what they said and is going to work to fix the problems they are having. You obviously can’t fix everything. I let them know that some of these issues we can take care of, and some of these we can’t. I’m honest right up front, and I set expectations.

I always walk my clients to the front door of my office. I try to leave them with a smile or a laugh, so that they walk away feeling that they don’t have to be scared and worried. I don’t like wearing a suit and tie. People feel more comfortable when they’re relaxed, and they talk more when they are relaxed.

What is the most satisfying aspect of being a personal injury lawyer?

The genuine smile I sometimes get when the case is resolved goes a long way. It’s a satisfying feeling. Clients have taught me not to judge a book by its cover, to be patient and to be listening even more than I think I should be. I always try to dig a little deeper so that clients realize this is a person who cares. I take what I’ve learned from one client and use it on the next one. That can make a big difference.

Pat’s Background and Professional Activities and Honors

A native of Maryland, Pat Jennings attended Clemson University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in economics and a minor in legal studies in 2003. He received his Juris Doctorate in 2005 from the Florida Coastal School of Law. He won the Pro Bono Award from the law school for Community Legal Service.

Pat joined Joye Law Firm in 2007. He works in Joye Law Firm’s Workers’ Compensation Department, where he has represented hundreds of injured workers.

Pat is a member of the Injured Workers’ Advocates and has served on that group’s Executive Committee and the Continuing Legal Education Committee. Patrick is also a member of the American Bar Association, the Charleston County Bar Association, the South Carolina Bar Association and the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association.

Among his honors, Patrick has been recognized since 2018 by The Best Lawyers in America for Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs and Workers’ Compensation Law-Claimants. He has been recognized as a Super Lawyers’ Rising Star since 2016. He gained this recognition through professional achievement, peer recognition and other distinguishing criteria. Pat has enjoyed a 10.0 Avvo rating from 2017 to the present and was presented with the Avvo Client’s Choice Award in 2019.

  • Pro Bono Award for Community Legal Service, 2005
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America, 2017 – Present
  • Listed in Rising Star Super Lawyer, 2016
  • Avvo Client’s Choice Award – 2019
  • 10.0 Avvo Rating, 2017 – Present
  • Workers’ Compensation: Start to Finish, National Business Institute, 2015
  • Pro Bono Award for Community Legal Service, 2005
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers for Personal Injury and Workers’ Comp in Charleston, 2018 – Present
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, South Carolina Bar Association
  • Member, South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association
  • Member, Charleston County Bar Association
  • Clemson University, B.S.
  • Florida Coastal School of Law, J.D.
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Latest Blog Post
By: Ken Harrell

If you’ve suffered a work-related injury or illness, you may be wondering whether to file for workers’ compensation, disability insurance, or both. Workers’ compensation provides benefits for medical expenses and lost wages, while Social Security Disability (SSD) provides income replacement…

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