CHARLIE M. “BRU” PENDER
Charlie M. “Bru” Pender grew up wanting to play football for the University of South Carolina and attended his first game with his father, a graduate of the University of South Carolina, in 1979. After receiving a wristband from Gordon Beckham, Bru wrote to Mr. Beckham in 1982 that one day he would play football for the University of South Carolina. That DREAM came true in 1989 and although Bru’s original plan was to either be a professional football player or a professional baseball player, Bru decided to pursue a career as an attorney. Bru’s exposure to the legal profession originates from his growing up in Barnwell, South Carolina where his mother, Sandy Pender, worked at Blatt & Fales which later became Ness, Motley, Loadholt, Richardson and Poole (now Motley Rice, LLC). Bru worked for his father-in-law, Jim Craig, beginning in 1996 as a law clerk and he became an associate of Craig Law Firm, P.C. upon his admission to the South Carolina Bar in November, 1999. Bru served as partner and shareholder in the firm and in 2008, Bru and his brother-in-law, Kevin Craig, took over the reins as the owners of the firm and kept the Craig Law Firm at the top of the list for closings with real estate agents, lenders and builders. They continued to grow the firm until the Craig Law Firm joined with Blair Cato in January 2022.
Bru grew up in Barnwell, South Carolina where he was a multi-sport athlete for the Barnwell Warhorses from 1985-1989. Upon graduation, Bru accepted an athletic football scholarship to the University of South Carolina with an opportunity to also play baseball. Bru ultimately focused on playing just football and he was a four-year letterman (1990-1993) as a defensive back. During Bru’s final football season, he met his wife, Ashley, who was attending the University of South Carolina for her Master of Public Administration after graduating from Clemson University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management. Bru and Ashley were married on May 20, 1995 creating the ultimate “House Divided.”
Bru and his wife have 2 children, son Drew and daughter Caroline. When Bru is not at the office, he enjoys spending time with his wife and kids and traveling with his family and friends. As you might imagine, Bru is a BIG Gamecock fan, but he and wife spend most of his fall weekends watching Caroline’s volleyball matches at College of Charleston. Bru is an avid outdoorsman and loves being on his boat with family and friends, and he especially enjoys hunting and fishing with his son Drew. Although not as good as he would like, Bru also enjoys being out on the golf course with his buddies.
Professional Accomplishments
Education
- University of South Carolina, J.D., 2000
- University of South Carolina, Master of Human Resources, 1996
- University of South Carolina, Bachelor of Science (Marketing), 1993
Title Agent
- Chicago Title Insurance Company
- Fidelity National Title Insurance Company
- First American National Title Insurance Company
- Old Republic National Title Insurance Company
- Stewart Title Guaranty Insurance Company
- WFG National Title Insurance Company
Admissions
- South Carolina Bar 1999
- United States District Court for South Carolina 2002
- 4th Circuit Court of Appeals
Associations & Memberships
- South Carolina Bar
- Richland County Bar Association
- Palmetto Land Title Association
- American Land Title Association
- Central Carolina Association of Realtors
- Building Industry Association of Central South Carolina
Community Involvement
- Member of Mt. Horeb Methodist Church-Lexington, SC
- University of South Carolina Alumni Association
- University of South Carolina Letterman’s Association
- Past President, Vice President and Treasurer of the River Bluff High School Booster Club
Get In Touch
700 Huger Street, Suite 102
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 400-8600
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406-A East Butler Road
Mauldin, SC 29662
(864) 999-2030
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925 E. Main St., Unit A
Lexington, SC 29072-4202
(803) 808-0100
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708 Lafayette Avenue, Suite 3
Camden, SC 29020
(803) 310-3957
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189 S. Converse Street
Spartanburg, SC 29306
(864) 597-0300
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485 Chapin Road, Suite B
Chapin, SC 29036
(803) 932-6003
info@blaircato.com