Rachel Ferguson Bailey

Attorney in Charleston, South Carolina

Rachel Ferguson Bailey practices in the firm’s Charleston office.  She focuses her practice on appellate litigation, bankruptcy, civil litigation, contested foreclosures, estate planning, probate administration, and property disputes. 

She is admitted to the South Carolina Bar, District of Columbia Bar, United States District Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Rachel grew up in Clover, South Carolina.  She graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.  She graduated cum laude from the Charleston School of Law.  While in law school Rachel served as a Teaching Fellow in the Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing Program.  During law school, she also clerked with Finkel Law Firm until she graduated law school. 

Rachel comes to the Finkel Law Firm from Washington, D.C., where she served as Special Counsel to Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals from January 2020 to October 2023.  Prior to taking the Special Counsel position, Rachel served that same court for nine years as a Staff Attorney.  During this time, Rachel worked on over 2,500 cases in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals involving issues including administrative law, contract disputes, civil law, criminal law, employment law and discrimination, family law, the Home Rule Act, torts, workers’ compensation, and zoning. She also worked as a Staff Attorney from 2007 to 2010 for the South Carolina Court of Appeals.  From working with numerous judicial officers, Rachel gained a deep understanding of effective case management and court procedure and protocol.  In addition, she came to truly understand and appreciate effective communication (written and oral), creative problem-solving, and the importance of analyzing both the facts and law to construct sound arguments for any court. 

When not in the office, Rachel enjoys spending time with her husband, Russ. In addition to spending time with her husband, Rachel enjoys cooking, watching Braves baseball, and spending time on Fripp Island. 

Areas of Practice

• Appellate Litigation
• Bankruptcy — Creditor Representation 
• Business Disputes
• Complex Civil Litigation 
• Contested Foreclosures
• Easement and right-of-way issues
• Estate Planning
• General Litigation
• Local Government Law 
• Probate Administration and Litigation 
• Property Disputes

Bar Admissions

• South Carolina, 2007
• District of Columbia, 2011
• United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, 2024
• United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, 2024

Education

• Charleston School of Law, 2007
  • Juris Doctor
  • Honors: Cum Laude
• University of South Carolina, 2003
  • Political Science, B.A.
  • Honors: Dean’s List

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Charleston County Bar Association
• District of Columbia Bar 
• South Carolina Bar