F. Xavier Starkes, Esquire
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
- American Bar Association
- South Carolina Bar Association
- National Bar Association
- American Trial Lawyers Association
- American Association for Justice
- South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association
- South Carolina Association for Justice
- Richland County Bar Association
- South Carolina Black Lawyers Association
- Adjunct Professor USC School of Law
- The Citadel Board of Visitors
- The Citadel Foundation Board
- The Citadel Minority Alumni Association Steering Committee
- The Citadel Brigadier Foundation Board – President Elect
- SC Athletic Hall of Fame Board – Past President
- Palmetto Richland Hospital Board
- First Tee of Columbia Board of Advisors
- Richland – Lexington Airport District Commissioner
- Edventure Children’s Museum Board
Xavier is a 1980 graduate of Eau Claire High School in Columbia, South Carolina. While attending Eau Claire, he held numerous positions including Student Body President, Junior Class President, Captain of the Varsity Basketball Team and was an Honor Roll Student. Upon graduation from Eau Claire, Xavier attended The Citadel.
He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with honors in 1984. Xavier excelled academically and was a Dean’s List student. He was a member of the Basketball Team, Accounting Club and Economic Honor Society. Upon completion of his undergraduate studies, Xavier accepted a position with Arthur Andersen & Company as an Associate Accountant.
After a year at Arthur Andersen, he enrolled in the University of South Carolina School of Law. He was an active member of the Student Bar Association and the Black Law Students’ Association. Xavier graduated from law school in 1988 and was admitted to the South Carolina Bar that same year. Upon graduation, he worked in a litigation firm where he later became a partner. There, his primary areas of practice were wrongful death and injury cases along with real estate transactions. In 1992, United States Attorney General William P. Barr appointed Xavier to the position of Assistant United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina. In that capacity, Xavier prosecuted a number of cases including those involving white collar crimes.
Xavier is an experienced trial attorney. Xavier used his prior experience as a litigator in private practice and as an Assistant US Attorney to establish Starkes Law Firm, LLC in 2005. The Firm provides quality legal services in the areas of vehicle accidents, wrongful death cases, medical malpractice, worker’s compensation, and criminal defense. His practice included robust real estate, residential and commercial, closing transactions until 2018. In 2018, he established Starkes Realty, LLC. He now owns Starkes Realty, LLC, a full-service real estate brokerage firm where he assists buyers and sellers in buying and selling homes.
Attorney Starkes works diligently on behalf of his clients whether providing legal services or home buying services. He has a proven track record of providing the highest quality legal services and successful representation in numerous and varied cases on their behalf. Attorney Starkes is committed to providing superior service with dignity, honor, integrity and at a fair and reasonable price. His commitment is not only to his clients, but also to his community. Attorney Starkes conducts free seminars to various community groups on a variety of legal issues including injury claims, probate, and real estate matters.
EDUCATION & AWARDS:
- University of South Carolina School of Law Juris Doctor, Class of 1988
- The Citadel BS Degree, Business Administration Honor Graduate Class of 1984
- The Citadel Honorary Doctor of Laws, 2021