Inside Mullins McLeod’s Journey to Governor 2025
Introduction
William “Mullins” McLeod, Jr. is a distinguished South Carolina trial lawyer and a 2025 gubernatorial candidate, known for his fearless advocacy and multigenerational legacy of public service. Combining legal expertise with a commitment to integrity, transparency, and reform, McLeod has built a career challenging powerful interests while championing justice for ordinary citizens. His campaign emphasizes education, government accountability, economic fairness, and accessible healthcare, making him a compelling figure for voters and observers seeking principled leadership in South Carolina’s evolving political landscape.
Early Life and Family Legacy
William “Mullins” McLeod, Jr. comes from a deeply rooted tradition of public service in South Carolina. Mullins McLeod (William Mullins McLeod, Jr.) was born on March 4, 1972 in Lexington and raised in Walterboro, he is part of a multigenerational legacy of civic engagement and legal advocacy.
His grandfather, Walton “Stumpy” McLeod, served as an educator, city attorney, and state legislator, while other family members held significant roles in South Carolina’s legal and political spheres. This background instilled in McLeod not just a sense of duty, but a clear vision of public service as a calling.
On a personal note, McLeod is married with ashley and a father of four children. He enjoys spending time outdoors, fishing, boating, working on his farm, or just relaxing with his family.
Education and Legal Career
Mullins McLeod is one of South Carolina’s most respected trial lawyers, with a career built on discipline and excellence. He graduated from Woodberry Forest School (1990), earned a bachelor’s degree from Wofford College (1994), and completed his Juris Doctor at the University of South Carolina School of Law (1997). Early in his career, he clerked for Judge Costa M. Pleicones, later Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court, shaping his understanding of judicial processes and legal strategy.
| Year | Degree | Institution |
| 1990 | High School Diploma | Woodberry Forest School |
| 1994 | Bachelor’s Degree | Wofford College |
| 1997 | Juris Doctor (J.D.) | University of South Carolina School of Law |
He was admitted to the South Carolina Bar, the U.S. District Court (SC), and the U.S. Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit, and in 2014, gained admission to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, reflecting his professional skill and recognition.
Soon after, he clerked for Judge Costa M. Pleicones, who later became Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court. Over time, McLeod built a reputation as a fearless trial lawyer. He is admitted to practice before:
- The South Carolina Bar.
- The U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
- The U.S. Supreme Court (admitted in 2014).
As the founder of McLeod Law Group in Charleston, he has championed clients in high-stakes litigation, ranging from toxic torts and civil rights violations to wrongful death, nursing home abuse, and major commercial negligence cases.
He has achieved multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements, not just in South Carolina, but also in states like North Carolina, Virginia, and New Jersey.
Legal Achievements and Impact
McLeod is widely respected in the legal community. He’s a member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, which honors high-performing trial attorneys.
Some highlights of his legal career:
He served as co-class counsel in In re Graniteville, a major chemical spill case affecting over 3,000 people.
He was lead trial counsel for 100 victims in a catastrophic chemical spill in Hartsville, SC.
According to a resolution from the South Carolina House of Representatives, McLeod won the second-largest wrongful death verdict in SC in 2013, and then the largest in 2014.
He also secured a notable breach-of-employment-contract verdict in 2016.
One of his courtroom victories made the National Law Journal’s Top 100 Verdicts of the Year (2014), involving a $97.5 million verdict in a civil-rights case.
Political Ambitions: Running for Governor of South Carolina
In August 2025, McLeod officially entered the race for Governor of South Carolina, positioning himself as a reform-minded, faith-driven servant leader.
He frames his campaign as a fight against corruption, asserting that for too long the political establishment in Columbia has catered to big corporate interests at the expense of ordinary citizens.
Some of the key pillars of his political platform:
Education Reform & Literacy: He emphasizes early-grade literacy and improving public education statewide.
Government Accountability: Calls for transparency, stronger ethics laws, and reducing the influence of money in politics.
Economic Fairness: He advocates for a tax structure where corporations pay their fair share rather than shifting the burden to individuals and small businesses.
Healthcare & Childcare: He wants to make healthcare more accessible and childcare more affordable for working families.
Integrity in Leadership: McLeod emphasizes “servant leadership” grounded in faith and public service.
Interestingly, his first fundraising quarter raised $1.4 million, and most of that came from his own personal commitment, not from large donors. He frames this as a moral stance: by investing in his own campaign, he signals that he’s not beholden to special interests.
Mullins McLeod Net Worth
While Mullins McLeod’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, his professional accomplishments provide a clear picture of his financial influence and career success. Over the course of his legal career, McLeod Law Group has secured more than $400 million in verdicts and settlements for clients, reflecting both the scale and complexity of the cases he handles.
Further emphasizing his legal prowess, the National Association of Distinguished Counsel reports that he has personally helped clients recover over $150 million, a testament to his skill in high-stakes civil litigation.
In addition to his legal career, McLeod has actively invested in his political ambitions. During his 2025 gubernatorial campaign, he contributed a substantial portion of his own funds, with his first fundraising quarter generating $1.4 million, much of which came directly from his personal commitment to the race.
Recognition and Public Service
McLeod’s contributions haven’t gone unnoticed. In May 2024, the South Carolina House of Representatives passed a resolution honoring him for his decades of legal service and his commitment to justice.
He has also held leadership roles outside the courtroom. He served two terms as Chairman of the Charleston County Democratic Party, and earlier in his political journey, he ran for governor in 2010 as a Democrat.
Mullins Mcleod Family Background
| Relation | Name | Information |
| Grandfather | Walton “Stumpy” McLeod | Attorney, state legislator, former SC Bar President |
| Grandmother | Rhoda Lane Brown McLeod | Wife of Walton “Stumpy” McLeod |
| Father | W. Mullins McLeod Sr. | Chairman of SC Public Railways Commission, Vietnam veteran |
| Wife | Ashley McLeod | Married to Mullins McLeod Jr. |
| Sister | Maxine Walker McLeod Miller | Mentioned in family resolution after father’s passing |
| Uncle | Peden B. McLeod | Former SC House and Senate member |
| Uncle | Walton “Walt” McLeod III | Long-serving SC House Representative (District 40) |
| Uncle | Thomas Gordon McLeod III | Son of Stumpy McLeod |
| Self | Mullins McLeod Jr. | Attorney, political figure in South Carolina |
Mullins McLeod comes from a long-established South Carolina family known for public service, law, and leadership. His grandfather, Walton “Stumpy” McLeod, was a respected attorney, state legislator, and former president of the South Carolina Bar. His father, W. Mullins McLeod Sr., served as Chairman of the South Carolina Public Railways Commission and was a Vietnam veteran. Mullins’ uncles, Peden B. McLeod and Walton McLeod III, also held seats in the South Carolina Legislature for many years. Today, Mullins McLeod carries forward this legacy while raising his own four children.
Social Media Presence
Mullins McLeod maintains an active presence across multiple social media platforms to engage voters and share his campaign vision.
Twitter / X: @McLeodSCGov and @mcleodforgov, updates on campaign events, policies, and government reform.
Instagram: @mcleodscgov, shares campaign reels, policy messaging, and personal insights highlighting his “servant leadership” values.
YouTube: “McLeod for South Carolina” hosts campaign launch videos and detailed responses to controversies.
Facebook: McLeod for South Carolina, posts updates, announcements, and video content for supporters.
Why Mullins McLeod Matters
Justice advocate: As a trial lawyer, McLeod has fought for vulnerable individuals against big institutions, showing he’s not afraid to take on systemic power.
Public service pedigree: His family’s history in law and politics roots him in South Carolina’s civic traditions.
Political reformer: Running for governor under a banner of integrity and transparency, McLeod offers a fresh alternative to entrenched political dynamics.
Relatable leader: He combines professional success with personal humility, portraying himself as someone who understands everyday people’s struggles.
Mullins McLeod Today
As of 2025, Mullins McLeod is a leading trial lawyer and gubernatorial candidate in South Carolina. He launched his campaign in August, raising $1.4 million in his first quarter, mostly from personal funds, highlighting his independent, ethics-focused approach. He continues to lead the McLeod Law Group in Charleston while pursuing office.
McLeod faces challenges, including a dash‑cam video from his May 2025 arrest and calls from the South Carolina Democratic Party to suspend his campaign. As a political outsider, he must also build statewide infrastructure, name recognition, and voter trust.
His legal record and reputation for taking on powerful interests provide credibility, but his campaign’s success will depend on managing public scrutiny and navigating the demands of a statewide race.
Conclusion
Mullins McLeod is more than just a high-powered attorney, he’s a symbol of what principled leadership can look like in the modern political landscape. His legal career has demonstrated his commitment to justice, and now, as a candidate for governor, he’s promising to bring that same commitment to public service. Whether he wins or not, his campaign is already shifting the conversation in South Carolina: about accountability, fairness, and what real leadership should be.
FAQs About Mullins McLeod
William “Mullins” McLeod, Jr. is a Charleston-based trial lawyer, founder of McLeod Law Group, and a 2025 gubernatorial candidate in South Carolina.
McLeod specializes in high-stakes litigation, including toxic torts, civil rights cases, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, nursing home abuse, and commercial negligence.
His platform focuses on education reform and literacy, government accountability, economic fairness, healthcare and childcare accessibility, and integrity-driven leadership.
In his first fundraising quarter for the 2025 race, McLeod raised $1.4 million, most of which came from his own personal contributions, emphasizing independence from special interests.
Mullins McLeod’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, but through his legal career and successful verdicts, he has amassed significant financial influence, with over $400 million recovered for clients in complex cases.
He combines a proven legal career with a multigenerational legacy of public service, positioning himself as a reform-minded candidate focused on ethics, transparency, and the welfare of ordinary citizens.
