Mac Deford Counsel

Mac Deford is a seasoned attorney with a diverse background in corporate, state and local government, economic development, and land use law.

He began his legal career as in-house counsel for a publicly traded technology company headquartered in Charleston, where he managed complex commercial disputes, domestic and international contract negotiations, and regulatory matters. As a key member of the legal team, Mac successfully mitigated millions of dollars in potential losses on behalf of the company, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and a major cybersecurity incident. His leadership in dispute resolution and crisis management helped protect the company’s financial and reputational standing during critical periods.

Following his tenure in the private sector, Mac transitioned to government, serving as the Associate General Counsel for the Town of Mount Pleasant, where he provided legal guidance on land use, zoning, employment law, infrastructure projects, regulatory compliance, and represented the Town in litigation. Mac later became the General Counsel for the Town of Hilton Head Island, where he was the chief legal officer on staff, overseeing significant planning, development, and infrastructure projects for the town. His work included securing over $6 million in federal beach renourishment funds in arbitration against FEMA and spearheading a first-of-its kind municipal-led workforce housing project on the island.

After his service in local government, Mac entered private practice, where he represented the South Carolina Department of Transportation in eminent domain matters and major infrastructure projects, including the largest highway project in South Carolina history.

Mac is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and holds a law degree from the Charleston School of Law, an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and an undergraduate degree from The Citadel. He lives in Mount Pleasant with his wife, son, and their two yellow labs, Beau and Duke.