About this episode

The episode features an interview with trial lawyers discussing a significant Fair Housing Act case involving a $10M settlement.

Hosts Steve Lowery and Yvonne Godfrey interview trial lawyers Taylor Powell and Whitney Harrison about DHD Jessamine LLC v. Florence County, a Fair Housing Act case over a proposed 60-unit LIHTC affordable housing community in an unzoned “donut hole” parcel in Florence County. CASE SUMMARY: After county officials initially supported the development, neighborhood opposition and a country club meeting preceded withdrawal of support, shifting objections (traffic, drainage, sidewalks), a special meeting to fast-track a development moratorium that was enforced before becoming law, and later rezoning to R-1 to bar multifamily housing. Plaintiffs pursued disparate treatment and disparate impact claims; the court granted summary judgment on the prima facie disparate impact prong. A jury trial featured streamlined exhibits, visual timelines, and expert testimony on disparate impact. On Nov. 5, 2025, the jury awarded $8.219M compensatory and $4M punitive damages; the case later settled for $10M. GUEST BIOS Taylor Powell: Originally from Charlotte, N.C., Taylor Powell brings more than a decade of legal experience to the Lesemann & Associates team. After graduating from The Citadel in…

People in this episode

Hosts: Steve Lowery, Yvonne Godfrey

Guests: Taylor Powell, Whitney Harrison

Topics covered

• Fair Housing Act
• affordable housing
• legal trial
• disparate treatment
• disparate impact
• settlement

Keywords

• DHD Jessamine LLC
• Florence County
• affordable housing community
• jury trial
• compensatory damages
• punitive damages
• legal experience
• disparate impact claims

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: DHD Jessamine LLC, Florence County, Lesemann & Associates

Books & works: Fair Housing Act

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