At the Pritchard Law Group on Broad Street, a life-sized portrait of Edward K. Pritchard, Sr., greets you as you walk through the door. It serves as Thomas Pritchard’s homage to a man who started an exceptional family tradition. Edward was known as one of the finest attorneys in all the Lowcountry, and a model to those who now carry his name. Old family memorabilia hangs on the wall, signs of success and history. Edward K. Pritchard, Sr., a second generation Porter Military Academy alumnus, started his law firm in the 1930’s. His son, Edward K. “Boopa” Pritchard, Jr., joined his father and took over the firm upon his father’s death. There has been a Pritchard practicing law in Charleston since 1928. They have built quite a legacy.
most promising young attorneys in Charleston, and went on to run one of the most successful law firms in South Carolina. Beyond his success professionally, he got the most pride as a father and sought to teach his five children leadership, philanthropy, responsibility, and the enjoyment of life. He also valued education. His son, Edward, Jr. (Boopa), attended the Watt School and Gaud School, excelling academically. His four girls attended Charleston Day and Ashley Hall. He served as a member of the Development Committee in 1964 that raised the money to complete our current campus.
Boopa followed his father’s path to Episcopal, Thomas, Jr., Thomas, Sr. and where he was an exceptional student. After the rigors of Gaud School, he could have skipped a Beyond their familial and professional Boopa Pritchard grade but chose to stay with his class. connection, these men have an educational link Interestingly, he was a wrestling teammate and to Porter-Gaud. That heritage dates back to the late 1800s friend of Senator and former Presidential Candidate John when W.R. Pritchard attended Porter Military Academy. W.R. McCain. Boopa later attended Law School at the University was an academic and athletic standout, earning Valedictorian of South Carolina and joined his father’s firm in 1964, after for the class of 1898. He was known as a hard worker, driven completing a post-graduate year at the New York University to succeed. He came by it honestly. His family had a long School of Law. He began a family in Charleston and carried history of success in the Lowcountry. The family came over the Pritchard tradition of the importance of family. He was a from Ireland in the mid 1700s on a ship they built very involved father, despite his busy career and success. themselves. The Pritchard Family seems to be connected with He was driven to give his three boys and his two everyone between Charleston and Bluffton. Their family has stepdaughters the best education possible. Two of his sons towns (Pritchardville), roads, and even islands (Pritchards attended Christ School for high school, while Thomas and Island) named after them. They have had a large impact on his step-sisters, Claire Kramer MacKinnon ’90 and Rebecca both the city of Charleston and the State of South Carolina. Kramer ’92, decided to stay in the Lowcountry and attend W.R.’s great grandfather “Hobcaw Bill” was one of the finest Porter-Gaud. ship builders in Charleston. His grandfather was a successful physician. After W.R. earned his degree from Union College Boopa was a member of Mr. Berkeley Grimball’s first class in Schenectady, NY, he moved back south to open a very at Gaud School, so he knew Mr. Grimball very well when successful mercantile store and rice brokerage firm on East he served as Headmaster at Porter-Gaud during Thomas’ Bay Street in Charleston, but also had various other interests tenure. Thomas was also excellent academically, played around the Lowcountry. varsity football, and served on the Vestry each year. Upon W.R. was also known for his love of fun. He and his wife Elizabeth were known to graciously host some of the finest parties in Charleston. He was known to indulge in friendly card games over the years, losing a lot of hard-earned money. Fortunately for him and his family, his business acumen supported his fondness for card playing. W.R.‘s son, Edward K. Pritchard, Sr., was elected to the SC Legislature before he even finished law school, becoming one of the youngest legislators in South Carolina history. In the book Bubbling Spring, commissioned by Julia Myers Pritchard, wife of Edward, Sr., you see a story of a family with a rich history of hard work, dedication to family, and considerable professional success. Edward, Sr., followed in his father’s footsteps, attending PMA from 1911 to 1918, before heading off to boarding school at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA. He attended Union College, as his father did, but pursued a law degree from the University of South Carolina, deciding to set out on his own instead of entering the family mercantile business. He was considered one of the
graduation, he went to USC for his Bachelor’s and his Juris Doctorate. Boopa continued his connection with PorterGaud after Thomas’ graduation, serving on the Board of Trustees from 1993 to 2001, further strengthening his relationship with the School. Thomas, Sr., is currently an attorney with the Pritchard Law Group, specializing in cases involving insurance, construction defect, and property liability. He continues strong friendships with many of the Porter-Gaud classmates, and is a proud Porter-Gaud parent, joining his father and grandfather in that respect. They all loved seeing their children enjoy the generational connection with PorterGaud. Thomas, Jr., entered this year in the 9th grade, and is already making his mark. He is a member of the Cyclone lacrosse team and made Honor Roll in his first semester. Thomas, Jr., appears to have picked up where his forefathers left off.
W.R. Pritchard
Edward K. Pritchard, Sr.
Edward K. Pritchard, Jr.
Thomas B. Pritchard, Sr.
Thomas B. Pritchard, Jr.
1894-1898 PMA
1911-1918 PMA
1944-1952 Watt and Gaud
1983-1985 Porter-Gaud
2012-2016 Porter-Gaud