History

Thomas Buist began his practice in 1958 as an associate of his family’s long-standing law firm Buist and Buist, with a focus from the outset on real estate law. Over the course of more than 45 years of practice, Buist handled some of the state’s largest real estate transactions, including the sale of Kiawah Island in 1974 and certifying the title for the $105-millon re-sale of the island in 1993.

The firm that is now Buist Byars & Taylor, LLC began in 1998 with the partnership of Buist and his son-in-law, Custis Byars. Their goal was to expand upon Buist’s extensive experience in real estate law and to maintain Buist’s tradition of ethical service. Originally located on East Bay Street in downtown Charleston, the firm has expanded and evolved to keep pace with the explosive growth of the area, adding offices, attorneys and related practice areas.

In January 2001, to handle the large number of transactions taking place in and around Mount Pleasant the firm opened an office in the area. Several months later, in April 2001, Gray B. Taylor, Esq., joined as a partner to head the firm’s commercial real estate and development practice. He served as managing partner until his untimely passing in June 2019.

Buist Byars & Taylor continued to grow and expand, while maintaining its focus on real estate and related practice areas. By 2002, Buist’s strong reputation at Kiawah and Byars’ corresponding success there had earned the firm a large client base on the island. In January 2002, the firm moved its downtown offices to Johns Island to better serve Kiawah, Seabrook Island and Johns Island. Today, this office handles a majority of the transactions that take place on Kiawah and Seabrook Islands.

Today, Buist Byars & Taylor continues to maintain the solid roots that Buist developed in the Charleston community, while always moving forward with a continued focus on real estate matters, with the most up-to-date technology, a dedicated and experienced staff and a focus on client satisfaction.