Our founder, Mr. Dalton Buford Floyd, Jr. was the guiding force behind the firm we know today. We remain committed to honoring his extraordinary legacy.
A Celebration of Life was held in his honor on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Belin Memorial United Methodist Church in Murrells Inlet.
Dalton B. Floyd, Jr. established The Floyd Law Firm in 1973 after earning both his B.S. in Business Administration and his J.D. (cum laude) from the University of South Carolina. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force JAG Corps in Ankara, Turkey, earning certification as Trial and Defense Counsel. His passion for justice led him from the courtroom to corporate matters—venturing into commercial real estate, estate planning, and even golf industry law, where he represented the PGA’s Carolina Section and led seminars nationwide.
Beyond his legal prowess, Mr. Floyd and his wife, Linda, were pillars of community service. From pioneering an endowment at Coastal Carolina University for the Dalton and Linda Floyd Family Mentoring Program, to championing campus safety forums across South Carolina universities, their impact has touched hundreds of students and families. In recognition of his service, Mr. Floyd received the state’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto, and countless tributes from institutions like Winthrop University and the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.
Mr. Floyd’s kindness, leadership, and unwavering commitment to both clients and community will continue, as reflected in the ongoing work of our law firm. We look forward to serving your legal needs with the same integrity and dedication that Dalton Floyd Jr. instilled in us.
Mr. Floyd was deeply committed to higher education: his leadership helped shape policy and strengthen access to higher education for countless South Carolinians. He was also a strong advocate for campus safety, and he and his wife Linda were key forces behind the successful Linda B. Floyd Campus Safety Conference series, which continued for more than a decade.
Dalton impressed fellow board members with his tireless efforts to strengthen the university. He helped guide Winthrop to accomplish its institutional goals and to fulfill its educational mission of providing outstanding service to Winthrop students and the state of South Carolina.
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Dalton Buford Floyd Jr. of Murrells Inlet and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.
Dalton B. Floyd Jr., the founder of The Floyd Law Firm PC, established his legal practice in 1973 as a comprehensive source for a wide range of legal services. A visionary leader and dedicated attorney, Mr. Floyd shaped the foundation and values of the firm that continue to guide us today.
Born in Lake City, South Carolina, Mr. Floyd was the first in his immediate family to graduate from college. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina, followed by a Juris Doctor and L.L.B., cum laude, from the University of South Carolina School of Law. While at USC, he lettered in swimming during 1957–58, competing in the Breaststroke and Butterfly events.
From 1963 to 1966, Mr. Floyd served as a Captain in the United States Air Force in Ankara, Turkey, and was certified as Trial and Defense Counsel of the Judge Advocate General Corps. His distinguished service in both the military and legal professions reflected a lifelong commitment to leadership and integrity.
Mr. Floyd had a passion not only for law but also for education and golf. He taught at the Charleston School of Law for ten years as an Adjunct Professor, offering courses in Golf Law, Negotiation 101, and Rainmaking 101. He was also the founder and President of Golf Rx Associates, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in golf industry matters. He organized three financial institutions and advised clients extensively in the areas of real estate development, finance, and golf facility operations.
For more than 15 years, Mr. Floyd served as legal counsel to the Carolinas Section of the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA). He also contributed to the education programs of the PGA and the National Golf Course Superintendents Association, and he frequently spoke on legal topics related to the golf industry.
In addition to his legal and academic work, Mr. Floyd served as Assistant Solicitor for Florence County and held leadership roles within the South Carolina Bar. He was general counsel for Waccamaw State Bank, Patriot Federal Savings and Loan, and SunBank.
In 2005, he was honored with the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian award, recognizing his service as Chairman of the South Carolina Higher Education Commission. His commitment to education continued through service on numerous boards, including the Board of Trustees at Winthrop University, the South Carolina Higher Education Foundation, Brookgreen Gardens, and Coastal Carolina University.
Mr. Floyd was married to the former Linda Barrineau and was the proud father of four children. Beyond his professional accomplishments, he will be remembered for his deep love for family, his mentorship, and his enduring impact on South Carolina’s legal, educational, and civic communities.
His legacy lives on through the firm he founded and the many lives he touched.
South Carolina, 1963
University of South Carolina School of Law, Columbia, South Carolina
LL.B.
University of South Carolina School of Law, Columbia, South Carolina
J.D. cum laude
Law Journal: South Carolina Law Review, Associate Editor, 1962 – 1963
University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
B.S.
Major: Business Administration
Who’s Who Publishing Group – South Carolina Legal Legend, 2023
John S. Rainey Philanthropy Award by The Huntington Society of Brookgreen Gardens, 2022
AV Preeminent Lawyers, 1982 – 2024
Judicial & Peer AV Rating Martindale Hubbell, 2019 – 2025
America’s Most Honored Lawyers, 2021 – 2024
Top Rated Lawyer for AVVO, 2019 – 2024
The Marquis Who’s Who Publications Board, 2020, 2021
The Bar Register of AV Preeminent Lawyers, 2019 – 2023
Lawyers of Distinction, 2019
Order of the Palmetto, 2005
Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, 1962
Member, University of South Carolina School of Law National Moot Court Team, 1962 – 1963
Society of Wig & Robe, 1962 – 1963
Certified as Trial and Defense Counsel of the Judge Advocate General Corp for the United States Air Force
Awarded the Order of Palmetto by Governor Mark Sanford for his contribution and service to the State of South Carolina, 2005
Trustee, Coastal Carolina University Board of Trustees, 2018 – 2025
Member of the Adjunct Faculty of the Charleston School of Law, 2010 – 2020
Member, Board of Visitors of CCU Business School, 2013 – 2014
Instructor for Low Country Real Estate Institute, 2005 – 2014
Trustee of Winthrop University, 2007 – 2013, Chairman 2011 – 2013
Trustee of the South Carolina Higher Education Foundation 2005 – 2014, Chairman 2005 – 2010
President of The Huntington Society, 2006 – 2008
Trustee of Brookgreen Gardens, 2003 – 2025
Member, Board of Visitors of Medical University of South Carolina, 2000 – 2002
Member, Board of South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, 2000 – 2005
Admitted to Florence School District No. 3 Hall of Fame, 1999
Director of the Horry County Early College High School Advisory Board, 2005 – 2007
Member, Board of Trustees of the South Carolina Research Authority, 2000 – 2005
Member, South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, Vice-Chairman 1996 – 2000, Chairman 2000 – 2005
Lecturer and Instructor for The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, 1997 – 2025
Carolina’s Section of PGA and PGA of America, Lecturer and Instructor, 1990 – 2025
Officer and Director of Golf Rx Associates, Inc., consultants to the golf industry; Lecturer and Instructor for Education Department of the PGA of America, Inc., 1991 – 2025
Attorney for Carolinas PGA Section, 1985 – 1999 & 2006 – 2016
Member, Board of Directors of South Carolina Bank and Trust, 2005 – 2010
Chairman of The Board, Sun Bancshares, Inc., 1999 – 2005
Chairman of The Board and General Counsel of SunBank, N.A., 1999 – 2005
Member, Advisory Board of First National South Bank, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, 1996 – 1998
Director, Horry County Business Coalition, 1994 – 1996
Treasurer Wachesaw Plantation Club, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, 1993 – 1994
Member, Board of Directors of Wachesaw Plantation Club, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, 1993 – 1995
Founding officer, Director, and General Counsel, Waccamaw State Bank of Surfside Beach, South Carolina, 1980 – 1987
Vice-Chairman, Real Estate Committee, General Practice Section of American Bar Association, 1990 – 1991
Surfside Area Rotary Club, Director/Charter Member, 1980 – 1987
Chairman, Economics and Law Office Management Committee, South Carolina Bar, 1985 – 1986
Chairman, General Practice Section, South Carolina Bar Association, 1984 – 1985
Member, Advisory Board of Palmetto State Savings & Loan Association, Lake City, South Carolina, 1982 – 1984
Founding officer, Director and General Counsel, Patriot Federal Savings and Loan Association, 1978 – 1982
South Carolina Bar Association, Chairman, Insurance Committee, Economics of Law Practice Section, 1982 – 1984
Leadership South Carolina, Member, 1982 – 1983
American Bar Association, Insurance, Committee, Economics Section, Chairman, 1983
South Carolina Bar Association, House of Delegates, 1982 – 1984
Member, House of Delegates of South Carolina Bar Association, representing the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, 1982 – 1984 & 1986 – 1988
Speaker and Lecturer for South Carolina Bar Association, American Bar Association and Southern Title Insurance Company
Instructor, Healy Real Estate Institute, Myrtle Beach, SC, 1977 – 1980
Florence County Building Commission, Member, 1966 – 1968
Captain, United States Air Force, stationed in Ankara, Turkey, 1963 – 1966
Certified as Trial and Defense Counsel Judge Advocate General, United States Air Force
Instructor, University of Maryland in Ankara, Turkey, 1964 – 1965
JAG – U.S. Air Force, Captain, 1963 – 1965
Associate Editor, S.C. Law Review, 1962 – 1963
Founder of The Dalton and Linda Floyd Family Mentoring Program, Coastal Carolina University
Founder of The Dalton and Linda Floyd College Readiness Program, Winthrop University
Member, Coastal Planned Giving Advisory Council, 2010 – 2018
Trustee of Coastal Education Foundation, 2006 – 2018
Coastal Carolina University Wall Fellows Board of Directors
Coastal Carolina University Legacy Advisory Council
Coastal Carolina University Coastal Educational Foundation
Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Winthrop University
Organizer & Chairman of The South Carolina Higher Education Foundation
Member of Brookgreen Gardens’ Board of Trustees
Chairman of the South Carolina Higher Education Commission
Officer and Director, Lake City Country Club, Inc.
Director and Charter Member, Surfside Area Rotary Club
Vestryman, Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Surfside Beach, South Carolina, 1982 – 1984
Author: “An Analysis of Delegation of Legislative Power in South Carolina,” 145 South Carolina Law Review 510, 1962
Heritage Federal S & L v. Eagle Lake & Golf, 318 S.C. 535 (Ct. App. 1995)
Peoples Federal v. Myrtle Beach Golf, 314 S.C. 53 (Ct. App. 1994)
Smith v. Ocean Lakes Family Campground, 315 S.C. 379 (Ct. App. 1993)
RTC v. Eagle Lake & Golf Condominiums, 310 S.C. 473 (1993)
Peoples Federal S & L v. Myrtle Beach Golf Club, 310 S.C. 132 (Ct. App. 1992)
Newsome v. Town of Surfside Beach, 300 S.C. 14 (Ct.App. 1989)
Piedmont Aviation, Inc. v. Quinn, 294 S.C. 502 (Ct. App. 1988)
Southeastern PVC Pipe v. Rothrock Constr. Co., 280 S.C. 498 (Ct.App. 1984)
Hartman v. Jensen’s, Inc., 277 S.C. 501 (1982)
Wilson v. Wilson, 274 S.C. 516 (1980)
Daniels v. Bernard, 270 S.C. 51 (1978)
U.S.F. and G. Co. v. Security F. and I. Co., 248 S.C. 307 (1966)