Douglas McKay, Jr.—In Memoriam
1917-2008
Douglas McKay, Jr., a person of extraordinary talent and commendable standards, was the son of our law firm's founder Douglas McKay, Sr. Douglas McKay, Jr. was highly regarded in the legal profession, both as a litigator and an individual.
In 1941, Mr. Douglas McKay, Jr., began practicing law with his father at the firm that we know today as The McKay Firm; at that time called McKay and Holmes. The firm later changed its name to McKay, Sherrill, Walker, & Townsend. In 1982, after his son Julius W. McKay II had joined the firm in 1977, the firm became McKay and McKay. Ultimately, while Douglas McKay, Jr. remained a practicing attorney with the law firm, the firm’s name became as it stands today: McKay, Cauthen, Settana, & Stubley, P.A. ("The McKay Firm"). In 2003, Douglas McKay Jr. "retired" and became Of Counsel to The McKay Firm. He was then 86 years old.
Douglas McKay, Jr. was licensed to practice before many courts, including the United States Supreme Court. He was a preeminent trial attorney and also was a mentor to numerous other successful attorneys in South Carolina, some who remain with The McKay Firm today. He was highly regarded for his talents and skills in the courtroom, particularly in medical malpractice defense, workers compensation, and products liability.
Douglas McKay, Jr. was the chairman of the Governors Advisory Committee on Improvement of Workmen's Compensation Laws for many years. He was instrumental in writing many changes to the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Act to modernize the Act into the current status of today’s laws of the State of South Carolina.
During his career, Douglas McKay, Jr. received many awards and honors. In January 2006, his peers rewarded Douglas McKay, Jr. by presenting him with the very first Worthy Adversary Award given by the American Trial Lawyers' Association. His other numerous awards include the Special Recognition Award from the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission for years of work with the Commission.
The lawyers and legal staff at The McKay Firm fondly knew him as “Mr. Doug.” He was never too busy to take time from his schedule to talk with any of us when we sought his counsel, wisdom, or needed him as a friend. Mr. Doug’s warm heart and joy for life left an impression on anyone fortunate to know him. Douglas McKay, Jr. exemplified character and integrity; his spirit will always be a part of The McKay Firm and continues to define us today.
