As Practice Group Leader of the firm’s Economic Development Practice Group and a key member of its Real Estate Practice Group, Tushar Chikhliker has represented a diverse group of companies, both domestic and international, in connection with numerous economic development projects in the US in the Southeast region including some of the largest economic development projects in the region’s history.

Tushar has represented companies across a wide array of industries including heavy and light manufacturing, pharmaceutical, medical technology, and other life sciences, data centers, warehouse and distribution, agribusiness, headquarters and office, IT, research and development, alternative energy, and real estate development.

Tushar’s representation of his clients regularly extends to a myriad of incentive arrangements including local property tax abatement agreements. State job tax, development, and retraining credits, retail and textile revitalization credits, state and local grant programs, income tax, property tax, and sales tax exemptions, state and federal energy grant programs, state worker training incentives, port incentive agreements, utility-based incentive agreements and other arrangements aimed at sparking  new success, or bolstering established success, for his clients in communities where they choose to invest.

Tushar has also assisted with the drafting of legislation providing for new economic development incentives or modifications to those already existing in the advancement of his client's interests. He has also counseled clients in working through freedom of information/public records act issues affecting economic development projects.

Tushar embraces the uniqueness of each company he represents and understands that in constructing and closing deals with his clients, there is no “one-size-fits-all” path to success. Whether working with in-house attorneys, financial or tax officers, outside consultants, or other company representatives, Tushar prides himself in explaining what can often be complicated legal and financial arrangements to his clients in practical terms which allow them to make prudent business decisions.

A key player in South Carolina’s business and legal communities, Tushar has previously served as a long-time Board member of the Board of Directors, as well as a three-time former Legislative Chair, of the South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association (SCEDA), the State's largest economic development trade group. Tushar also serves on the Board of Directors, and is a former Executive Committee member, of SCBIO, a statewide, not-for-profit, public/private life sciences industry association and economic development organization formed to actively promote, build, support, expand, and convene South Carolina’s life sciences industry.

Additionally, Tushar serves on the Board of Directors of the Central SC Alliance as well as the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, both of which are regional economic development alliances pushing the economic development initiatives of the regions they serve.

Within the firm, Tushar is a former chair, and current member, of the Firm’s MPACT Committee and is a past Chair of Recruiting and Retention.

A native of South Carolina, Tushar attended the University of South Carolina where he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science with honors from the South Carolina Honors College. During his time at USC, Tushar earned multiple awards and recognitions including the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award – the most prestigious honor that can be given to a UoSC student, and awarded as a recognition of excellence in leadership, academics, and community service. Upon graduating from USC, Tushar earned his Juris Doctor from the Wake Forest University School of Law, where he served as Student Solicitor of the Law School Honor Council.

Community & Professional

  • South Carolina Ports Authority, Port Ambassador, 2021
  • S.C. Economic Developers' Association, Member - Past Board of Directors, Legislative Committee, Prior Legislative Committee Chair
  • SCBIO, Board of Directors
  • Central SC Alliance, Board of Directors
  • Charleston Regional Development Authority – Board of Directors
  • Central Carolina Community Foundation, Board of Trustees
  • Committee of 100
  • Partnership Board, University of South Carolina - Department of Political Science, Past Member
  • University Associates, University of South Carolina
  • South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, Past Board of Trustees Member
  • Harvest Hope Food Bank, Past Board Member
  • John Belton O'Neall Inn of Court, Past Member
  • Richland County Bar Association
  • North Carolina State Bar
  • Workshop Theatre of South Carolina, Past Board of Trustees Member
  • Columbia Opportunity Resource, Past Board Member
  • Leadership Columbia, Class of 2008
  • Leadership Columbia Planning Committee, Past Member
  • Leadership Columbia  Alumni Association
  • Shandon Neighborhood Council, Past Member
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Admissions

  • State Bar: North Carolina, South Carolina
  • U.S. District Court: North Carolina (Western), South Carolina
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