Kessler, Norris A.

Rett leads the firm’s Construction Defect team, representing general contractors, trades, material suppliers and manufacturers in large and small matters.  In general, Rett concentrates on business and probate litigation involving complex factual and legal issues.  To provide excellent and efficient service to his clients, he has built a strong team, combining staff, consultants, and technology to vigorously pursue the client’s objectives. Rett has tried numerous cases to jury verdict in the federal and state court systems.  Reported appellate cases include:

• Grazia v. South Carolina State Plastering, 390 S.C. 562, 703 S.E.2d 192 (2011)
• Lane v. Gilbert Construction, 383 S.C. 590, 681 S.E.2d 879 (2009)
• Straight v. Goss, 383 S.C. 180, 678 S.E.2d 443 (Ct. App. 2009)

Rett joined the firm after graduating from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1996.  While in law school, he participated in the dual degree program and also obtained a Master of Business Administration.  Rett is a 1990 graduate of Furman University with a B.A. in Business Administration.

Rett is an active member of local and national organizations, both legal and civic.  He is a former member of the steering committee of the Construction Section of U.S. Law, a select group of law firms throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.  Other memberships and activities include:

• Construction Section of the Defense Research Institute
• Constuction Section of South Carolina Bar Association
• South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association
• Bethany Christian Services of Columbia (former Board Member)
• Heartworks Ministry (former Board Chairman)
• Chairman, Ben Lippen School Partnering for Excellence Council
• Past President, Furman Singers Alumni Association

In law school, Rett served as the Associate Editor-in-Chief of the South Carolina Law Review and authored The South Carolina Limited Liability Act of 1994, 47 S.C.L. Rev. 181 (1995).  In addition, Rett participated as a member of the National Trial Advocacy team and was a member of the Moot Court Bar, competing on the National First Amendment Competition team.  He was also active with the U.S.C. chapter of the Christian Legal Society, serving as its president.

Rett is a native of Simpsonville, South Carolina.  He is married to Nancy Meier Kendall, formerly of Birmingham, Alabama; they have three children.  Rett and his wife are active members of Shandon Baptist Church where Rett serves as a Deacon and teaches Sunday School.  Among his hobbies are swimming, hiking and wood working.