Of all the valuable assets that defense industry contractors have, their reputation and credibility with government customers and regulators rank among the highest. That's especially true as it relates to Law of War compliance. In an atmosphere of increasingly pervasive regulation, heightened scrutiny, and aggressive enforcement directed at government contractors, members of the defense industry need to prioritize legal and regulatory compliance and risk mitigation. To do so, it is proactive and strategic to work with a defense contractor attorney Near Florence, SC for tailored guidance.
U.S.-RECOGNIZED COUNTRIES in 2024
ONGOING ARMED CONFLICTS as of 2024
DEATHS FROM ARMED CONFLICT in 2024
If you're a defense contractor using Google to search for a defense contractor compliance attorney, you're probably well-versed in the Laws of War. But if you're unaware of these laws or you're starting a business geared towards DoD contracting, it's crucial that you understand IHL and the compliance standards you must meet. Otherwise, you could face serious consequences and lose your ability to provide goods and services across the domains of land, sea, air, space, and cyber.
The Law of War, often referred to as International Humanitarian Law (IHL) or the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC), comprises a set of international treaties and customary laws that establish guidelines for conduct during armed conflicts. Its primary aim is to minimize unnecessary suffering for the wounded and sick, prisoners of war (POWs), and civilians caught up in hostilities. In a nutshell, the primary goal of the Laws of War is to help save lives and promote some degree of humanity during armed conflicts.
To achieve this, IHL governs the conduct of wars, striking a balance between weakening the opponent and minimizing suffering. The principles of warfare are global. The Geneva Conventions, which form the foundation of IHL, have been ratified by all 196 states. Very few international agreements enjoy such widespread support.
All parties involved in a conflict must adhere to IHL, including both state forces and nonState armed groups. If the Law of War is violated, there are repercussions. War crimes are recorded and examined by nations and international tribunals, and individuals may face prosecution for war crimes.
The Law of War also applies to defense contractors, who must uphold strict compliance standards in order to sell their services. Sometimes, DoD contractors are unaware of or unprepared to meet these compliance standards. That is why they should consult with a government contractor attorney Near Florence, SC, like Richard Waring, who focuses on Law of War compliance matters.
Some examples of Law of War compliance as it relates to defense contractors include:
Defense contractors, especially private military and security companies (PMSCs), are obligated to follow international humanitarian law (IHL) concerning the safeguarding of civilians and civilian objects. They must promote that they do not engage directly in hostilities if those involved are considered to be civilians.
Both people employed by defense contractors and the companies they work for may face legal accountability for breaches of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). This encompasses possible criminal charges for serious violations of the Geneva Conventions and assigning blame to superiors for the actions of their subordinates.
Although defense contractors are typically not permitted to engage in offensive use of force, they may be granted permission to utilize force in situations of self-defense or to safeguard other civilians or their property.
Four of the most basic rules of IHL include the following:
Parties involved in a conflict must always make a clear distinction between civilians and combatants to protect the civilian population and their property. No attacks should be directed at the civilian population as a whole or at individual civilians. Instead, military actions should be aimed solely at military targets.
Individuals who are unable or unwilling to engage in combat have the right to life and to be treated with care for their physical and mental health. They should always be safeguarded and treated humanely, without any discrimination. It is prohibited to kill or injure an adversary who has surrendered or who is no longer able to participate in the fighting.
Neither the conflicting parties nor their military personnel possess an unrestricted right to select their methods and means of warfare. The use of weapons or warfare methods that may result in unnecessary casualties or excessive suffering is prohibited.
Those who are injured or ill should be gathered and provided care by the party in control of them. Medical staff, health facilities, and transport vehicles are to be protected from attack. Individuals displaying the recognized symbol of the Red Cross, Red Crescent, or Red Crystal on a white background, as well as facilities and vehicles marked with these symbols, must be treated with respect.
Understanding DoD and international Law of War is about more than memorizing complex legal terms. Let's look at a real-life scenario where it applies.
Consider a drone strike aimed at a suspected terrorist hideout nestled within a crowded village. While the strike may be seen as a necessary military action, the risk of civilian casualties raises serious questions about proportionality. In this context, here's how the principles of the Law of War come into play:
Is the expected military benefit greater than the possible harm to civilians? Are there safer alternatives that could accomplish the same goal?
Is it possible for intelligence to verify if the hideout contains solely combatants, or might there be civilians unknowingly present as well?
Is this the only way to tackle the threat, or are there less harmful alternatives that can be considered?
Situations like those outlined above are complicated issues. There are no easy solutions to them. Commanders often face heart-wrenching decisions, weighed down by the potential consequences of their actions. Meanwhile, defense contractors must take significant strides to promote that their products and services comply with DoD and international Law of War mandates.
That's why open and clear communication among military leaders, military companies, legal advisors, and the public is essential. By sharing their thought processes, the factors they consider, and the efforts made to reduce civilian harm, they can promote understanding and foster accountability. If you own a company that supplies the military or DoD, working with a lawyer who specializes in defense contractor compliance could save your business and your reputation.
In 2010, the global market for private military companies (PMC) was estimated to be worth $200 billion and to employ around one million individuals. Today, the PMC sector provides a diverse array of services, with some firms having more than ten thousand employees. In Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. Army has depended on private military firms and defense contractors for many reasons, including:
In March 2011, the U.S. Department of Defense cited more defense contractor personnel in Afghanistan and Iraq at 155,000 than active military members, 145,000. In those two regions alone, defense contractors accounted for 52% of the U.S. workforce. With those figures in mind and with increasingly volatile and dangerous attacks in areas like Israel and Iran, military companies are in high demand.
If you're a defense contractor - whether large or small - now is the time to promote compliance with both international and DoD Law of War rules and provide appropriate training to key personnel. Here are just a few ways that defense contractor compliance law firms like Conflict Orbit can help your defense company uphold IHL laws.
Conflict Orbit provides in-depth compliance readiness and policy development support to help your business meet Law of War requirements with confidence. Richard Waring helps create a framework that supports operational integrity and contract security. With the rising scrutiny in federal procurement, now is the time to get your business audit-ready and fully aligned with government expectations.
This service can also include pre-design or post-design legal reviews for organizations designing weapons platforms with the goal of marketing them to the government. The government will require these systems to comply with the Law of War, and performing a front-end compliance review may help ensure alignment with government expectations and mitigate potential legal risks.
For defense contractors, comprehensive risk assessments and mitigation services can mean the difference between being in business and bankruptcy. When tailored to the unique challenges of private military organizations, this service evaluates potential legal, operational, and compliance risks related to Law of War obligations, identifying vulnerabilities and recommending targeted strategies to address them.
Whether assessing technology, weapons systems, or operational practices, experienced attorneys like Richard Waring are needed for many reasons, including:
In-depth Law of War audits are very important for assessing and strengthening an organization's compliance with international and Department of Defense (DoD) Law of War obligations. These audits can carefully evaluate an organization's policies, procedures, training programs, and operational practices to help them better align with Law of War standards. When you hire a defense contractor attorney Near Florence, SC to perform an audit, you're taking proactive steps to promote your operations adhere to Law of War principles. Just as important, you're demonstrating a commitment to lawful conduct in conflict scenarios.
Comprehensive partner due diligence and screening services, help organizations evaluate potential collaborators, contractors, or third parties for Law of War compliance and applicable regulatory standards. Due diligence and screening services may include the following:
By performing thorough due diligence, organizations can reduce the risk of partnering with non-compliant or unreliable entities, ensuring smoother and more lawful operations in conflict-affected environments.
Custom training and education programs from defense contract lawyers help your organization better understand Law of War obligations. Since training is often a necessity for defense contractors, it should always be taken seriously. IHL sessions go over a variety of topics, from following the Geneva and Hague Conventions to navigating ethical conduct in conflict zones, all tailored to fit your specific needs. Whether it's for senior leaders or frontline staff, this type of education and training gives you the knowledge needed to tackle legal challenges and keep practices lawful in highrisk situations.
These Law of War compliance services include in-depth research, detailed report writing, and professional presentations on IHL topics tailored to your defense organization's needs. Whether analyzing complex legal issues, drafting compliance reports, or delivering briefings to leadership, these options provide you with wellsupported insights to inform decision-making. Be sure to ask your government contractor attorney about how they can turn legal and regulatory frameworks into actionable guidance so that your team can stay informed and prepared when it matters most.
Around the globe, conflict is evolving. If you're a defense contractor and you're not making adjustments to secure your operations, you could violate the Law of War. However, with compliance counsel from Conflict Orbit, you can focus on doing what you're best at while lead attorney Richard Waring protects your legal interests.
Throughout Richard's professional career, he has seen a lack of private legal services for companies who need guidance on maintaining federally and internationally mandated compliance with the Law of War. He also observed that many contractors are unaware of these requirements.
As a former Intelligence Officer with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and a current U.S. Army JAG Officer (National Guard), Richard has had real-life exposure to the Law of War. He is a creative and relentless attorney who also has a background in criminal justice (prosecution, defense, and investigations) and education in drone and space law.
DISCLAIMER: Conflict Orbit, LLC is a private law firm and Richard Waring is not affiliated with or endorsed by the DoD.
Richard investigated and prosecuted 1000s of criminal cases with relentlessness, including the most serious violent crimes. As a prolific trial attorney, he held countless criminals accountable for their actions while refining the skills of communication, attention to detail, and persistence in the face of challenging legal scenarios.
Having defended numerous clients accused of wrongdoing, Richard has the ability to view legal scenarios from all sides. He utilized creativity, persuasion, and a strong work ethic to obtain positive results.
Former Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) intelligence officer in the Intelligence Community's Prisoner of War (POW)/Missing in Action (MIA) Analytic Cell. The Cell provides intelligence support to military personnel recovery efforts for POW/MIAs, hostages, and kidnapped individuals worldwide. The Cell also currently supports unresolved U.S. and allied kidnapping cases by politically motivated anti-U.S. groups around the world.
As a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army (National Guard) Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG Corps), Richard received formal Law of War military legal training. He currently faithfully serves both his country and state of South Carolina as a Judge Advocate, and Richard feels privileged to be able to serve in this capacity.
DISCLAIMER: Conflict Orbit, LLC is a private law firm and Richard Waring is not affiliated with or endorsed by the DoD.
On a personal level, Richard is committed to reducing the amount of harm to the wounded and sick, POWs, and civilians in armed conflict. He has reorganized his law firm to be an innovative option for organizations needing guidance on Law of War compliance. Above all, Richard finds duty to country and service to others the highest callings, and it inspires him to know that his work potentially saves lives.
Is your defense organization ready to withstand what the future holds? If you're unsure, now is the time to act. Contact Conflict Orbit today and protect yourself from an uncertain tomorrow.
DISCLAIMER: This information, which includes non-client endorsements and testimonials from paying clients, should not be construed as a guarantee of any result in your matter. Past results do not necessarily indicate similar results can be obtained for other clients.
FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — A man has been arrested in the ongoing investigation of a missing woman in Brunswick County, according to Florence County Sheriff T.J. Joye.According to a release from the Florence County Sheriff's Office, a missing persons report from Brunswick County led Florence County Sheriff's Office investigators to charge a Lake City man with desecration of human remains.Relatives reported Christy Thomas Ward and Charles Edward Antwine Jr. missing from their home in Brunswick County last week.O...
FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — A man has been arrested in the ongoing investigation of a missing woman in Brunswick County, according to Florence County Sheriff T.J. Joye.
According to a release from the Florence County Sheriff's Office, a missing persons report from Brunswick County led Florence County Sheriff's Office investigators to charge a Lake City man with desecration of human remains.
Relatives reported Christy Thomas Ward and Charles Edward Antwine Jr. missing from their home in Brunswick County last week.
On Saturday, a Florence County Sheriff's Office patrol deputy was checking the Lynches River boat landing at Riverside Cemetery and saw what appeared to be the roof of a submerged vehicle.
Multiple agencies, including fire, EMS and South Carolina DNR, responded to the scene and recovered the unoccupied vehicle, according to the release.
The license plate from South Carolina was registered to Charles Edward Antwine Jr., with an address near Lake City. Deputies went for a property check of the location and detected an "unusual smell" from the residence.
The release states that when there was no response to knocks on the door, a search warrant was obtained, and Antwine was found sitting on the couch. Investigators then found human remains in "plastic containers" which had been taped shut.
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Antwine was taken into custody at the scene and charged with desecration of human remains. An autopsy on the human remains has been ordered, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Antwine is being held at the Florence County Detention Center and was denied bond on Monday afternoon.
ABC15 has reached out to the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office to learn more information on the missing woman and if she had any ties to Florence County.
FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) – Florence County deputies made a gruesome discovery during an investigation near Lake City.The sheriff’s office said what began as a missing persons case out of Brunswick County, N.C., turned into a death investigation.“It’s something like out of a horror movie. Very horrific,” Florence County Sheriff TJ Joye said.Loved ones reported Christy Ward and Charles Antwine Jr. missing from the home in Brunswick County last week.A Florence County deputy was check...
FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) – Florence County deputies made a gruesome discovery during an investigation near Lake City.
The sheriff’s office said what began as a missing persons case out of Brunswick County, N.C., turned into a death investigation.
“It’s something like out of a horror movie. Very horrific,” Florence County Sheriff TJ Joye said.
Loved ones reported Christy Ward and Charles Antwine Jr. missing from the home in Brunswick County last week.
A Florence County deputy was checking the Lynches River boat landing at Riverside Cemetery on Saturday when he saw the roof of a mostly submerged car.
Fire, EMS, and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources recovered the car, but no one was inside.
The South Carolina license plate was registered to Antwine, who has an address on Stillwater Road near Lake City.
Deputies went to the home to conduct a property check, where they detected an unusual smell coming from the house, and no one was answering.
They obtained a search warrant, and upon entering the home, they found Antwine sitting on the couch.
That’s when investigators made an alarming find.
“We found some containers with body parts in them where they appeared to be cut up,” the sheriff said.
According to Joye, those body parts were found in three plastic totes that were taped shut.
Police arrested Antwine and charged him with desecration of human remains.
He appeared before a judge on Monday in a bond hearing.
He was in a wheelchair, and the Sheriff explained he had a broken leg.
Ward’s son was in the hearing as well and gave an emotional plea for justice.
“Now she’s gone and I’ll never get to see her again and she’ll never get to see any accomplishments I have in life,” the son said.
The Florence County coroner ordered an autopsy on the human remains.
Joye said the remains are most likely those of Ward, but the sheriff’s office is waiting for an official confirmation from the autopsy.
The judge denied bond, deferring that decision to a Circuit Court.
We are working to learn when that hearing could take place.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are expected.
His first appearance is scheduled for Aug. 19, 2025.
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FLORENCE — When AESC first announced it would bring an electric vehicle battery plant to Florence, the plan was for an $810 million investment that would bring 1,170 jobs....
FLORENCE — When AESC first announced it would bring an electric vehicle battery plant to Florence, the plan was for an $810 million investment that would bring 1,170 jobs.
For years afterward, the investment only grew. Most recently, the project’s investment was valued at $1.6 billion with 1,620 total jobs.
Now, that plan is on a temporary pause while Florence moves forward with millions of dollars worth of infrastructure work.
The pause came because of federal policy concerns, a company spokesperson said June 5.
“AESC has informed the state of South Carolina and our local partners that due to policy and market uncertainty, we are pausing construction at our South Carolina facility at this time," Brad Grantham, a spokesperson with AESC, said in a statement.
The company said it anticipates construction will resume "once circumstances stabilize."
"AESC fully intends to meet our commitments to invest $1.6 billion and create 1,600 jobs in the coming years," Grantham said.
To prepare for AESC’s arrival, the city and county made plans for infrastructure improvements. Those plans include fast-tracking upgrades to the city’s water and sewer systems and adding a road to AESC’s site at the Florence Global Technology Park.
The latest pause isn’t the first time AESC has changed its plans in Florence.
The company announced Facility 2, or phase 3, in March 2024. It brought the total investment up to $3.12 billion and the total number of jobs to 2,700.
Facility 2, or phase 3, was halted in February 2025 because the company determined it could meet production goals with just one facility. That brought the investment back down to $1.6 billion and cut the number of jobs to 1,620.
That halt was viewed by city and county leaders as a chance to catch up with the growth Florence has seen even before the completion of the plant, according to previous reporting from The Post and Courier.
Despite the latest construction pause, Florence still plans to move forward with its infrastructure changes.
“State and county infrastructure and construction is still 100 percent moving forward,” said Gregg Robinson, CEO of the Florence County Economic Development Partnership. “We're not slowing down.”
The S.C. State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education is using state funding to build a $22 million training facility for AESC, which Robinson said is already about 70 percent complete.
Outside of the training facility, the county agreed to use state funding to build a new road at the technology park.
The fact that the project is expected to resume is part of why Florence is moving forward with plans, Robinson said. On top of that, AESC is just a piece of the puzzle that is the technology park, he said.
AESC is the anchor tenant at the Florence Global Technology Park that Robinson said includes space for additional industrial development. While AESC has spurred growth for the county, it’s not the only company investing in Florence, he said.
Having the additional infrastructure, such as the road improvements and utility upgrades, will help the county attract more investors, County Administrator Kevin Yokim said.
“Having all this infrastructure that was spurred by AESC helps us market those more quickly and more easily because the infrastructure is already in place,” Yokim said.
The city of Florence, which provides water to Florence County, fast-tracked its plans to upgrade the water and sewer systems in light of AESC’s arrival.
The city approved an $18 million bond in 2022 for water and sewer infrastructure. That’s on top of $20 million in its capital construction fund allocated for AESC. Of that $20 million, $15 million has been spent, which the S.C. Department of Commerce has reimbursed. The rest of that $20 million can also be reimbursed by the state, Davis said.
AESC’s expected water usage should give the city money to make upgrades to the system, Davis said. An influx of cash from the battery plant’s water usage would be used for long-term upgrades to the system in the next five years or so.
“We fully believe, based on all of the data that we have at our disposal, that, again, this is a pause, not a cancellation, and that they will be significant water users in the near future,” Davis said.
If AESC permanently halts the project, however, it will take the city much longer to financially benefit from improvements to the system, Davis said.
“We have significant investment there that would certainly take much longer to realize our return on investment,” Davis said.
With $1 billion already invested in Florence County, Robinson said he fully expects AESC to meet the rest of its commitments. Florence is working with other stakeholders in the project to ensure those commitments are realized.
“We are in a very unique environment at the federal level right now to say the least,” Robinson said. “So we’re working very closely with our state and very closely with our governor and Department of Commerce, and we hope that we can deliver a message that supports our manufacturing base, especially the green energy initiatives that we have in our state.”
FLORENCE — High Hill Creek Bike and Run Park Trail, the city’s longest mountain biking trail, is getting a 4-mile extension.Construction started in May to double the length of the trail. It’s expected to be complete by late July.The decision to extend the trail comes from Florence’s desire to add unique amenities and attractions, ac...
FLORENCE — High Hill Creek Bike and Run Park Trail, the city’s longest mountain biking trail, is getting a 4-mile extension.
Construction started in May to double the length of the trail. It’s expected to be complete by late July.
The decision to extend the trail comes from Florence’s desire to add unique amenities and attractions, according to City Planning Director Jerry Dudley.
“It's very important to the city because the mountain bike activities add diversified activities that we don't have in other parts of the city,” Dudley said.
With the extension, the trail will be 8 miles long. It's equipped to handle running, hiking, and mountain biking, the latter of which had a significant hand in motivating this trail to be extended. The original trails were “well-used” after the park’s completion in 2020, Dudley said.
There is significant mountain biking interest, Dudley said, which became a big part of the city’s reasoning for the extension. Enthusiast groups like Atomic Mountain Bikers and the youth mountain biking team Magic City Rollers use the trail.
“As Florence grows, so does the need for green infrastructure,” said Geoff Akins, a member of Atomic Mountain Bikers.
Before the trail was built five years ago, the closest established trails were in Columbia or the Upstate. Now, since it was built, trail usage has grown significantly, Akins said.
“You do feel transported when you’re out there. It doesn’t feel like you’re still in Florence. You get the feeling you’re in the mountains somewhere,” Akins said.
There is hope the trail could host competitive events for mountain biking, making it a regional attraction, Dudley said.
“(I) hope to see folks traveling from the Upstate and Columbia just to ride High Hill,” Akins said.
The project has been in the works for a few years, but funding stalled construction. The extension is happening thanks to a $100,000 grant from Recreational Trails Program, a federally funded program using taxes from non-highway recreational vehicles. The city applied for the grant multiple times and secured it last year, Dudley said.
The grant isn’t the only source of funding, however. The total cost of the trail extension amounts to around $125,000, with $15,000 being from city funding and $10,000 coming from donations from Naturally Outdoors, a local shop.
With it nearing completion, Dudley encourages anybody to come out and bike, hike or run the trail.
“It's beautiful out there, there's a part of it that overlooks the creek, the High Hill Creek. It's a very diverse environment that we want people to enjoy,” Dudley said.
Geoff Akins' last name was misspelled in an earlier version of this story.
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