Meet Our Partners
F.M. Nick M. Cotten, Jr.
SC Certified Circuit Court Mediator
Critical Injury & Brain Injury Cases
Auto Accidents and Workers’ Comp
Wrongful Death/Survivor Actions
Complex Multi-Vehicle Auto Accidents. Estate Planning
Brian T. Grier
Family Law
Social Security Disability
Personal Injury
Criminal Defense
F. Greg Delleney, Jr.
Workers' Compensation
Social Security Disability
Criminal Defense
Milton E. Hamilton
Real Estate
Probate and Estate Matters
Wills and End of Life Documents
F.M. Nick M. Cotten, Jr.
Nick M. Cotten, Jr. is a native Carolinian, having spent his youth in Charleston, South Carolina. His professional career began in Columba, South Carolina, at Allstate as a Claims Adjuster after earning his Bachelor of Science from Winthrop University. During his ten years at Allstate, Mr. Cotten received claims training in Chicago, worked catastrophe claims, and achieved multiple promotions, including working in the Charlotte Regional Office. Additionally, Nick Cotten gained licensure in all lines of casualty, property, surety, and marine in both South Carolina and North Carolina. Nick resigned from Allstate after having achieved a ten-year vested status.
During the period following his work with Allstate, Nick Cotten attended Harvard Law School’s Project of Negotiation and completed both South Carolina Civil Court Arbitration and Mediation training. In addition to being a small business owner, Mr. Cotten became a private consultant working with attorneys to provide consultative services regarding strategic negotiation, claims consulting, as well as civil court arbitration and mediation strategies. In 2009, Nick Cotten once again returned to school and earned his Juris Doctor from Charlotte School of Law. in combination with his degree Nick Cotten has accumulated more than 100 combined hours of ADR training exclusively in the area of negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. Nick has guest lectured on the topics of effective negotiation and settlement tools in mediation, negotiation in contracts, and on the topic of automobile claims.
Now, as an attorney and partner with Hamilton, Delleney, Grier, and Cotten LLC, Nick Cotten utilizes his combined 25 plus years of in-depth experience and education in the insurance claims industry, negotiation/mediation, and legal field to help his clients in matters involving serious bodily injury. He has experience in seven-figure settlements and complex multi-policy settlements. Additionally, Nick Cotten offers risk analysis to small business owners, representation to selective criminal matters, and civil court mediation.
Areas of Practice
- Insurance Law
- Wrongful Death/Survival Actions
- Accidents and Injuries
- Tractor Trailer
- Motorcycle
- Automobile
- Multiple Vehicle Accidents
- Premise Liability
- Property Damage
- Permanent Injury
- Under and Uninsured Motorist Claims
- Multiple Policy Issues
- First and Third Party Insurance Claims
- Civil Court Mediation
- Negotiation
- Structured Settlements and Special Needs Trust Small Business Law
- Small Business Consulting
- Risk Analysis
- LLC Formations
- Criminal Matters
- Guest lecturer – Insurance, Negotiation, Mediation, and Arbitration
Admitted To Practice
- South Carolina
Professional Associations and Memberships
- South Carolina Bar
- York County Bar
- Chester County Bar
- National Trial Lawyers Association — Motor Vehicles
- South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association
- York County Chamber of Commerce
- Christian Legal Society
Community Involvement (Past and Present)
- Annual Breakfast with Santa for Children
- Ronald McDonald House
- Renew Our Community
- Rolling in Rock Hill
- Volunteer with Kiwanis Club
- Salvation Army Volunteer Kettle Bell
- American Red Cross Volunteer
- Corporate Liaison for Blood Drives
- Reedy Creek Reading Program for Children
- Trinity Christian School School Board Member — Parent Liaison
- Pro Bono Legal Representation
Education and Training
- Winthrop University (B.S. in Business Administration, emphasis in Finance 1997)
- Charlotte School of Law (J.D. 2012)
- Harvard Law Project of Negotiation Workshop, Boston (2001)
- Arbitration Training, South Carolina (2001)
- Circuit Court Civil Mediation Training, South Carolina (1998)
- North Carolina Adjuster License, North Carolina (1995)
- South Carolina Adjuster License, South Carolina (1988)
- Allstate Tech-Core, Chicago (1987)
Brian T. Grier
Brian T. Grier concentrates his practice on assisting clients in the areas of family law, personal injury, criminal law, municipal law, traffic violations, as well as general and civil litigation.
Brian Grier has been a partner of Hamilton, Delleney, Grier, and Cotten since 2008, after serving as an Assistant Solicitor in the Sixth Circuit Solicitor's Office. Brian's clients benefit from his strong work ethic and his determination to see that his clients' legal concerns are resolved in the most beneficial way.
Brian and his wife, Beth, live in Chester, SC with their four children. They attend Chester ARP Church. Brian enjoys spending time with his family and friends and attending Gamecock football games.
Areas of Practice
- Family Law
- Personal Injury
- Criminal Law
- Municipal Law
- Traffic Violations
- General Litigation
- Civil Litigation
Admitted To Practice
- South Carolina (2003)
- United States District Court of South Carolina (2004)
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Chester County Bar Association
- South Carolina Bar
- South Carolina Association for Justice
Community Involvement
- Member of the Chester Rotary Club 2008-Present
- YMCA of Chester County Board Member 2014-present
Education
- University of South Carolina (B.A., Political Science, 1998)
- University of South Carolina Law School (J.D., 2003)
F. Greg Delleney, Jr.
Greg Delleney, Jr. assists his clients with a variety of legal matters concerning criminal law, personal injury, Worker’s Compensation, Social Security, and traffic violations. Greg graduated from The Citadel in 1974. After serving in the Navy from 1974-1977, Greg retired from the US Naval Reserves as a CDR in 1995. After serving in the active Navy, Greg pursued his Juris Doctorate at The Cumberland School of Law — Samford University and graduated in 1981.
Greg has served as a partner of Hamilton, Delleney, Grier, and Cotten since 1988. Greg was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1991, and he currently serves as the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.
Areas of Practice
- Personal Injury
- Workers’ Compensation
- Criminal Law
- Social Security
- Traffic Violations
Admitted To Practice
- South Carolina (1981)
- S. District Court (1982)
- District of South Carolina and U.S. Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Chester County Bar Association
- South Carolina Bar
- South Carolina Association for Justice
- South Carolina House of Representatives, Member (1991-present)
Awards and Achievements
- Past President, Chester Sertoma Club
- The Terry Haskins Legislative Leadership Award (2007)
- Palmetto Family Council South Carolina Legislator of the Year (2007)
- South Carolina Citizens for Life Pro-Life Legislator of the Year (2008)
Community Involvement
- Elder, Chester Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
- Member, Gideons International
- Shrine Club
- Masonic Lodge
Education
- The Citadel (B.A., 1974)
- Cumberland School of Law — Samford University (J.D., 1981)
Milton E. Hamilton
Milton Hamilton is the grandson of David “Mr. Dave” Hamilton, founder of Hamilton, Hamilton, Delleney, Grier, and Cotten, LLC. David Hamilton began the firm in 1907, and Milton Hamilton joined the firm in 1978 after graduating from the University of South Carolina Law School. Milton is the third generation of Hamiltons to serve this firm and follows the legacy of his father, grandfather, and uncle in his pursuit of serving his clients with dedication and excellence.
Milton concentrates his efforts on serving his clients regarding real estate law, health care law, business law, probate, and estate law, estate planning, elder law, as well as timber and logging law. As a senior partner of Hamilton, Delleney, Grier, and Cotten, LLC, Milton’s clients benefit from his years of experience and dedication to finding the best resolution for his clients’ legal issues.
Areas of Practice
- Real Estate
- Health Care
- Business Law
- Probate and Estates
- Estate Planning
- Elder Law
- Timber and Logging Law
Admitted To Practice
- South Carolina
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Chester County Bar Association
- South Carolina Bar
- South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association
Community Involvement
- Finance Council, Parish Council, Lector – Joseph’s Catholic Church
- Past President – Chester County Heart Association
- Past President – Six Circuit Public Defenders Corporation
- Former Attorney for Chester County
- Former Attorney for Chester County Hospital
- Former Little League Baseball Coach
Education
- The Citadel (B.A. Political Science, 1975)
- University of South Carolina (J.D., 1978)