Paula M. Burlison
Associate
Phone: 803.726.7488
Fax: 803.726.7421
Our Attorneys

Paula M. Burlison

Biography

Paula Burlison is an Associate at Bowman and Brooke who focuses her product liability litigation practice by primarily defending automotive and recreational vehicle manufacturers. She has advised clients regarding compliance with consumer product safety laws and has experience with product liability matters involving various consumer products.

Paula has extensive experience defending major automotive manufacturers in cases involving claims of rollovers, seat backs and catastrophic injuries. She also has experience representing some of the nation's largest off-road and recreational vehicle companies in various product liability cases.

Prior to practicing law, Paula worked as a management analyst and veterans service representative for the Department of Veterans Affairs and as Executive Assistant to the Provost of Columbia College. During law school, she worked as a research assistant to Professor John Montgomery and served as a legal writing clinic assistant.

Paula earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of South Carolina School of Law. She was named to the Order of the Coif, was a member of the Order of the Wig and Robe, and earned a CALI award for Advanced Legal Research. She earned a B.A. in English and a minor in business administration, summa cum laude, cum honore, from Columbia College.

Education

  • University of South Carolina School of Law, J.D., 2008
    cum laude
    Order of the Coif
    CALI Award for Advanced Legal Research
  • Columbia College, B.A., 2000
    summa cum laude

Bar Admissions

  • South Carolina, 2008

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court District of South Carolina, 2008

Memberships and Affiliations

South Carolina Bar Association

Richland County Bar Association

South Carolina Women Lawyers Association

American Bar Association

Defense Research Institute

Published Works

"Will Congress Amend the CPSIA?," Law360.com, May 4, 2010

"CPSIA - The Challenge for Smaller Businesses," Law360.com, March 15, 2010

"The 'Wooden Approach' to Consumer Product Safety: How to Maximize Risk Prevention," In-House Defense Quarterly, Spring 2010

"Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act: Recent Developments, Guidance, and Rulemaking," For the Defense, December 2009

"EPA Attempts to Increase Recycling by Redefining Solid Waste," The Environmental Litigator, Spring 2009

"The Economic Loss Rule Survives Colleton Prep," South Carolina Lawyer, March 2009