Attorney Thomas Charles Salane
Thomas “Thom” Charles Salane passed from this world on May 1, 2026, but the beauty of Thom’s life was in the way he lived.
Born in Washington, D.C. on August 13, 1947, Thom entered the world alongside his twin brother, Robert “Bob” Salane, who narrowly elbowed him out the way to claim the role of eldest child to Thomas Joseph Salane and Marjorie Creed Salane.
In other words, right from the very start Thom was born to share his life. He shared his birthday with Bob. Then he shared his life with his younger brothers, Rick and Bill, as well as with his younger sister, Debbie. And if you were lucky enough to have known Thom in any way, he most certainly shared his life with you.
Thom was educated at A.C. Flora (where everyone called him “Tommy”) before attending the University of South Carolina. There, he graduated as a member of Phi Beta Kappa and was recognized in 1969 with the Algernon Sidney Sullivan Award, given to the most outstanding graduate. But perhaps more importantly to Thom, he ran for and won Student Body President, which was how he met the love of his life, Linda Burton Salane.
Thom and Linda were married on August 16, 1969, a few months after graduating college and a few months before Thom was drafted into the military to serve in Vietnam.
When Thom returned home, law school at South Carolina followed, where he continued to be recognized with the “Cy Young Award” for best student, the Claude Sapp Award, and he clerked for the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit .
Thom’s professional career as an attorney spanned over fifty years, all of it spent practicing with his firm Turner, Padget, Graham & Laney in Columbia, where he remained in active practice.
During his career, Thom became known as one of the preeminent attorneys and lobbyists for the insurance industry in the state of South Carolina. Thom used his expertise to help write and rewrite laws in South Carolina and served as general counsel to the state’s automobile insurance residual market mechanisms for many years.
In addition, Thom’s profession took him into the courtroom often, where he was a noted litigator, vigorously representing clients across South Carolina while also maintaining a strong collegiality with friends and opponents alike.
For decades, Thom was recognized as a leader in his profession, earning accolades from a number of different groups over the years. Thom’s trial acumen was noted when he was invited to join the American Board of Trial Advocates thirty years ago. These ongoing recognitions by his peers highlighted the importance of Thom’s view that you could disagree with the other side, without being disagreeable.
Whether in the halls of the statehouse or the courtrooms of the courthouse, Thom was impactful to all whose paths he crossed.
But Thom was more than a lawyer. He was an incredible father to Jeffrey Burton Salane and Matthew Thomas Salane, teaching them to share their lives as well, whether through a smile, a kind word, or helping hand. He was always quick with a joke and if you were lucky enough to make him laugh, you could feel true joy in your soul.
Thom was the world’s best golfer…depending on the day, but he was always the world’s best golfing partner, rain or shine. He cheered for all Gamecock sports, which as Gamecock fans know, can really test your steel. But he cheered loudest for the women’s basketball team and will most likely still attend all home games.
“Bend, don’t break” was one of his favorite things to say while watching the Gamecocks, which is maybe the best way to think about life, too.
Thom was involved in a number of pro bono and community activities, including serving for the South Carolina bar and chairing the board of the Free Medical Clinic, as well as volunteering for Homeless No More, Able SC, and Sandhills School.
Thom was preceded in death by both his parents, Thomas and Marjorie Salane, as well as his twin brother, Bob Salane, and his younger brother, Rick Salane.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Salane, his sons Jeff and Matt, his amazing grandchildren Wren, Desmond, and Sterling (to whom he was known as Pops), and his siblings Bill Salane (Alison) and Debbie Salane Skipper (Robin), his sisters-in-law, Teri and Diane, his daughters-in-law, Adrienne and Ashley, as well as a motley crew of nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved dearly.
There will be a Celebration of Life on September 20, 2026, as Thom requested his friends and family have the proper amount of time to pen their stories and make them unforgettable.
Finally, Thom would have wanted everyone to take a moment to hug the ones you love, consider building bridges instead of castles, and remember to share your wonderful lives with each other.
In closing, one judge said it best during a court case Thom was presenting: “Mr. Salane, I think you’ve made your point.”
My sincere sympathy to Linda and her family along with the entire Salane family on Thom’s passing.
I grew up with Thom and Bob and we followed one another in grammer, high school as well as at USC. We learned how to play golf, ice skating and, believe it or not, we performed in many skating shows at Rockbridge Club. We were in each other’s weddings…in short, we were inseparable.
I will always be thankful for having Thom as my friend…he made me and many others better for having him as a friend. I am certain that his many amazing life accomplishments will endure for years to come. Thom was inspirational for me and I am certainly a better person because of our friendship.
I will be out the country during Thom’s celebration of life in September, but know that his many friends and associates will be a strength to Linda and the Salane family.
Becky joins in sending condolences. We admired Thom’s wit and wisdom, his brilliance and yet warmth and friendliness with everyone, his impact on so many lives through his career and volunteer work on boards, his sheer enjoyment of life that exuded from him, and his love and dedication to Linda, Matt, and Jeff. Thom and Linda were a true power couple for good. We pray that the Salane and Burton families find comfort, peace, and affirmation during this time of transition.
I’m very sorry to hear about Thom’s death. I did not know him very well, but I knew his name early in life when I was involved in Student Government at USC as Student Body President and reached out to former Student Body President’s, including Thom. When I became a member of the Bar, I would see him again in professional circles. He was a great lawyer, and he lived a rich life. I’m very sorry to hear of his passing, God bless.
I met Thom on a job interview with Turner, Padget in 1977. Even though I was not offered a job, the experience was delightful because Thom was friendly, funny and charming. Over the next several years when I practiced in Columbia, I had many pleasant encounters with him. Thom truly represented the best of the Bar. He was respected and beloved by colleagues. Please accept my sympathy and prayers.
Linda and Teri, I am so very sorry for your loss. He was truly a fine person and a great lawyer.
I’m am so sorry for your loss. Thom was my niece Adriennes father in law. The times I saw him , he was such a friendly man.
So very sorry to read the news of Thom’s passing. We send Linda our deepest sympathy. Such a wonderful couple! Jim and Sue Rex
Linda,
Your husband sounds like a remarkable man. My sincere condolences for his loss.
My condolences and prayers for Salane Family
Linda, my deepest condolences. May you one day be able to look back at the wonderful memories with a smile. You two enjoyed the kind of love that few are privileged to have.
I had the opportunity of working as the Court Reporter in many trials with Mr. Salane in Richland County. He was always a pleasure to work with. Sending prayers to the Family. R.I.P., Mr. Salane.
I was lucky to call Tommy a friend from our junior high days. He was the best at everything he undertook including friendship, humor, professionalism, loving his family, kindness, fun, travel and the legal profession to name a few. We have lost a giant too soon. RIP my friend.
My sincere sympathy and condolences and prayers.
Thom was a great friend and mentor to me. Although I was never in his firm, he went out of his way to be encouraging, helpful and generous with his time and advice. There was no way to be as smooth as Tom was in the courtroom or as quick on your feet. He was a brilliant lawyer. I was usually on his side, but on the rare occasions that I was not, he always managed to be kind, even as he was getting the best of me, both in court and on the golf course. I don’t know any lawyer more respected by his opponents and peers as Thom. A few weeks ago, I mediated a case for him and asked him how much longer he was going to do this, and he looked at me as if I was crazy for even thinking that a lawyer might want to take it easy. That just wasn’t who Thom was. I’m a better person for knowing Thom Salane. My heart goes out to his family, friends and law partners. He will be missed.
Thom was the most talented appellate advocate of his generation.I proudly take ownership of the “judge” comment which concludes his obituary. I made this observation after the sound of a thunderstorm’s loud bolt of lightening interrupted the impassioned conclusion to an oral argument Thom was presenting to the South Carolina Supreme Court. He could even bend the heavens to his bidding. Requiescant in Pace dear friend. Jean Toal, Chief Justice Ret’d, South Carolina Supreme Court