In law, consulting, and governmental affairs, bad strategy and knee-jerk decisions, early on, can chart an unchangeable course for certain disaster. Jon’s pledge to his clients is to abide by the same principle that he applied to every position of public service and leadership that he has occupied: integrity always, no matter the cost. Here is how one of Jon’s clients summarizes Jon’s approach: “Jon will tell you the truth, even if it is not what you want to hear. If you want to pay someone to tickle your ears, hire someone else. If you want good judgment, honest assessment and hard work to achieve the best results possible, retain Jon.”

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Most importantly, Jon brings his judgement and discernment to bear for his clients. In our society, involvement with any level or branch of government is either a crisis or a crisis waiting to happen. From life and death hostage negotiations, to front page, above-the-fold political disputes and disasters, to long term political and policy battles, Jon has successfully managed crises. And, Jon has done so from the same position as his clients: as a principal with ‘skin in the game,’ not simply as a lawyer or advisor.

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Ozmint is the former director of the South Carolina Department of Corrections, former Deputy Attorney General and Chief Prosecutor of the State Grand Jury,  former General Counsel for the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, and  a former Assistant Solicitor. He is a veteran and retired as a Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. His final military billet was as Reserve Legislative Counsel, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Readiness and Logistics. He has served as chairman of the Staff Safety Committee for the American Correctional Association and of the Legal, Legislative and Policy Committee of the Correctional Leaders Association (CLA). He led CLA's national fight for cell phone interdiction technology and was instrumental in representing the association in negotiations on and public and policy responses to the Prison Rape Elimination Act.

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Jon has testified numerous times in the South Carolina State House, on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., and in other state legislatures across the nation. He has served on various boards and commissions, including the South Carolina Sentencing Reform Commission, the South Carolina Sentencing Reform Oversight Commission, the Oliver Gospel Mission Board of Directors, Persevere, and Jumpstart, a national leader in successful re-entry for inmates. Jon was the first associate member to serve on the board of the CLA. Jon is licensed to practice in South Carolina and Alabama and in federal courts at every level.

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In 2011, Jon received the state’s highest honor, the Order of the Palmetto, which recognized his achievements and contributions to the state of South Carolina. Greater Columbia Business Monthly also recognized Jon as one of the 2012 Midlands Legal Elite in governmental affairs and SC Lawyers Weekly awarded Jon the 2013 Leadership in Law Award. Jon served as lead counsel in Powell v. Keel, 433 S.C. 457 (2021), convincing the South Carolina Supreme Court to rule that lifetime registration for all levels of sex offenders, without a path off the registry, was unconstitutional and forcing the legislature to re-write the law. In 2021, Jon received the Louie Wainwright Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to the field of corrections by a former corrections director.  

 

Jon and his wife, Luanne, have four children and one grandchild, with more on the way. They live in Greenville and attend Brushy Creek Baptist Church. Jon is an average hunter, a dedicated yard man, and an occasional runner, having completed six marathons.