Richard A. “Dick” Harpootlian
Defense attorney · Former prosecutor
Maggie and Paul Murdaugh
Who They Are
Richard A. Harpootlian, known as Dick, is a South Carolina lawyer whose career has included prosecution, criminal defense and civil cases. The state legislature’s biography records his Clemson degree in 1971 and University of South Carolina law degree in 1974.
He served as a deputy solicitor and later as the elected solicitor for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. He also served on Richland County Council and in the state Senate. Those public roles are distinct from his work representing a client in court.
Why This Face Matters
The May 2026 Supreme Court opinion identifies Harpootlian as one of Alex Murdaugh’s lawyers in the appeals that led to a new trial.
Defense counsel test the state’s evidence and protect the client’s legal rights. A lawyer’s argument is not a court finding. His participation helps readers follow who made a request, what the state opposed and what the judge actually decided.
Role
Defense attorney · Former prosecutor
Connection
Counsel for Alex Murdaugh
Key event
Counsel in the 2026 new-trial appeal
Footnotes
South Carolina Legislature: professional and public-service biography
Photograph by Muttnick, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Display framing is offered under the same license.
