Nettles confirmed as U.S. attorney

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate on Thursday unanimously confirmed Columbia lawyer Bill Nettles as U.S. attorney for South Carolina, making him the state's top federal prosecutor.

Reached on a surfing vacation in the Bahamas, Nettles said he was "thrilled" to have won Senate approval on a bipartisan voice vote.

"I really appreciate the support of both parties," Nettles said. "I promise that I will represent all the people of South Carolina."

Nettles, 48, is a Columbia defense lawyer. His new post will put him in charge of 60 attorneys charged with prosecuting federal crimes in South Carolina.

House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., hailed Nettles' Senate confirmation.

"Highly regarded by his peers, Bill is well-qualified and has led a distinguished legal career," Clyburn said. "His wide-ranging and extensive background in both criminal and civil law will serve him well."

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., also praised Nettles.

"Bill will do an outstanding job," Graham said. "I appreciate the bipartisan support which led to his nomination and look forward to working with him to ensure that South Carolina remains safe and secure."

Nettles was an early supporter of President Barack Obama, who scored a key victory in January 2008 in the S.C. Democratic primary. He provided legal advice to Obama's campaign in the state.

Nettles' wife, Zoe, is a corporate defense attorney in Columbia with Nelson Mullins Riley and Scarborough.

Zoe Nettles is the daughter of Alex Sanders, Bill Nettles' law partner and the 2002 Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate. Sanders also is former chief judge of the S.C. Court of Appeals and former president of College of Charleston.

Nettles succeeds Walt Wilkins, appointed to the post in 2008 by President George W. Bush, a Republican.

Wilkins resigned in January. Kevin McDonald, a federal prosecutor in South Carolina for 10 years, has been acting U.S. attorney.

Nettles said he hoped to have his formal swearing-in by the end of next week. "I would hope to begin work as fast as I could walk from the judge's chambers where I get sworn in."

He said he didn't anticipate having any problems making the transition from defending to prosecuting those accused of crimes. "All either side wants is fairness," Nettles said.

"I've watched Bill Nettles' career," said former S.C. Democratic Party chairman Dick Harpootlian, a former state prosecutor who now is a defense lawyer. "He's a talented, well-rounded lawyer. He is an extraordinary catch for the people of South Carolina to have as their U.S. attorney. They're lucky he's willing to give up a lucrative private practice for public service."

Nettles' job as U.S. attorney pays an annual salary of $155,400, half the amount private practice lawyers of his experience earn.

Among his most well-known cases, Nettles represented Olympic gold-medal swimmer Michael Phelps last year in a criminal probe sparked by publication of a photo showing him holding a bong at a Columbia party.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott concluded that investigation by saying there wasn't enough evidence to convict Phelps, who drew a three-month suspension from competitive swimming.

This story was originally published April 23, 2010 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Nettles confirmed as U.S. attorney."