Legal Elite is the only regional awards program that gives every active attorney the opportunity to participate. Attorneys are allowed to nominate members of their own firm. However, for each in-firm nomination there has to be an out-of-firm nomination as well. The lists are determined solely by lawyers' votes from our Legal Elite nomination form online; places on the list are not for sale. Attorneys are not allowed to vote for themselves.

We appreciate the participation from the attorneys across the state. Your votes count! Thank you for your support of Legal Elite 2020. 

The Legal Elite selections for 2020 are presented on the following pages, and we are pleased to honor them.

Agribusiness

Upstate

Chris King 

Chris King Law Firm

King practices in his hometown of Greenville, S.C., where he resides with his wife, Silvia, and their two daughters. His broad-based industry experience in manufacturing, agriculture and finance provides him with a unique perspective and business network, together with a value-focused approach to the practice of law.

Primarily focused in the areas of commercial transactions and corporate counsel, King regularly represents institutional and individual clients in a variety of contexts and strives to guide each one toward simple, practical solutions to their business needs. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Clemson University and an MBA from Loyola University, and he earned his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

King says he's been blessed with many wonderful mentors over the years, both inside and outside the practice of law. When asked to name the most influential, he was quick to identify "the old man, Bob King, a lifelong union buster, father and trusted counsel." In his free time, he loves to be outdoors and listen to music. Recently, he's taken up Fortnite with his daughters and friends.

Midlands

Julian "Jay" Hennig III 

Nexsen Pruet

Hennig has more than three decades of experience in the securities, corporate, limited liability company, nonprofit, partnership, and mergers and acquisitions areas. He assists clients in a wide range of business transactions, including entity formations, securities offerings, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, as well as financings of all sizes. He forms and advises private entities, joint ventures, partnerships, nonprofits, and limited liability companies. 

As the leader of the firm's public securities practice area, he also advises and serves as outside general and securities counsel to a number of public entities. Hennig aids private companies in raising capital in securities offerings that are either registered or exempt from the registration requirements. He also advises banks and associations in the Farm Credit System and is a frequent speaker on various corporate, limited liability company and securities topics.

Hennig has a bachelor's degree from Washington and Lee University and a law degree from UofSC, and says his father, Julian Hennig Jr., is his most influential mentor. He enjoys travel and college athletics, and is reading"John Adams" by David McCullough.

Also Recognized:

Upstate

David Gossett | Nexsen Pruet

Jack Griffeth | Collins and Lacy

Larry Hunter | Hunter Law Firm

Antitrust

Upstate

Natalma McKnew 

Fox Rothschild LLP

McKnew focuses her practice on franchising, dealerships, antitrust and intellectual property. Most of her forty-plus years of litigation has been in federal court. She speaks and writes frequently on franchise law and less frequently on intellectual property law.

In addition to litigation, she advises clients on issues that arise in these areas of law. The most rewarding part of her practice, and the reason she continues to practice, is the relationships McKnew develops with her clients and their businesses.

McKnew earned a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a master's in linguistics and literature before earning a law degree at Northeastern University. She enjoys cooking, reading and travel, and says her most influential mentor is her father, Teck A. Wilson. She primarily reads history, and is currently reading "Gettysburg" and "Southern Storm," both by Noah Andre Trudeau. 

Midlands

Manton Grier

Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Grier's practice focuses on business and commercial litigation with an emphasis on cases involving antitrust and trade regulation, including price fixing, price discrimination, unfair competition and theft of intellectual property. He represents plaintiffs and defendants in all phases of litigation, including jury and bench trials, arbitrations, mediations and appeals. He has argued more than 20 appeals in the state and federal appellate courts.

Manton also represents clients in complex patent actions, many of which involve multiple patents and jurisdictional issues. He has served as counsel for more than 12 patent litigation cases. 

Grier is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned his law degree from UofSC, magna cum laude. He says H. Simmons Tate, a former shareholder at Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, was a valuable mentor. He enjoys running and reading, and is currently tackling "Omnipotent Government'' by Ludwig von Mises. 

Also Recognized:

Upstate

Rachael Anna | Wyche, P.A.

Bryan Hickey | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Henry Parr | Wyche, P.A.

Kirsten Small | Nexsen Pruet

Margerite Willis | Nexsen Pruet

Midlands

Travis Wheeler | Nexsen Pruet

Banking & Finance

Upstate

Chris King 

Chris King Law Firm

King practices in his hometown of Greenville, S.C., where he resides with his wife, Silvia, and their two daughters. His broad-based industry experience in manufacturing, agriculture and finance provides him with a unique perspective and business network, together with a value-focused approach to the practice of law.

Primarily focused in the areas of commercial transactions and corporate counsel, King regularly represents institutional and individual clients in a variety of contexts and strives to guide each one toward simple, practical solutions to their business needs. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Clemson University and an MBA from Loyola University, and he earned his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

King says he's been blessed with many wonderful mentors over the years, both inside and outside the practice of law. When asked to name the most influential, he was quick to identify "the old man, Bob King, a lifelong union buster, father and trusted counsel." In his free time, he loves to be outdoors and listen to music. Recently, he's taken up Fortnite with his daughters and friends.

Midlands

John Moore

Nelson Mullins

John Moore represents financial institutions and creditors in product development, compliance, regulatory issues, loan closings, dispute resolutions, bankruptcy, workouts and collateral recovery/collections. He has also assisted for-profit and nonprofit entities as general counsel, focusing on planning, governance and contract matters. He has served as general counsel for the S.C. Bankers Association since 1989. 

Moore is a graduate of Erskine College, and earned an MBA and J.D. from UofSC. He has been named to The Best Lawyers in America and Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business. In 1975, he was hired by Donald H. Stubbs, giving him a mentor and leader to follow. His No. 1 hobby is his grandchildren, and he is reading"1776" by David McCullough.

Lowcountry

William T. Dawson III

Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Dawson focuses his practice on banking and finance and commercial real estate transactions. His banking and finance practice includes representing lenders in the documentation, negotiation and closing of large commercial real estate secured loans, construction loans, loan modifications, loan workouts and forbearance and foreclosure matters. He also regularly represents clients in commercial real estate finance and development, acquisition and disposition transactions, and he represents tenants and landlords in commercial lease transactions.

In addition to his transactional practice, Dawson represents taxpayers in the manufacturing, hospitality, multifamily, retail and office sectors in real and personal property tax appeals throughout South Carolina. He has a significant background in complex secured loans and construction loans, along with the acquisition and disposition of multifamily projects and hotel projects.

An alumnus of Davidson College and the University of South Carolina School of Law, Dawson is from Mount Pleasant, S.C. He is a runner, a golfer and a fisherman and loves spending time with his kids.

Also Recognized:

Upstate

Eric Amstutz | Wyche, P.A.

Ben Barnhill | Nelson Mullins

Marian Bowers | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP 

George Campbell | Campbell Teague

Lindsay Carrington | Bell, Carrington, Price & Gregg, LLC

Weyman Carter | Burr Forman McNair

Jim Cassidy | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price

Matthew Couvillion | Wyche, P.A.

Amber Glidewell | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price, P.A.

David Gossett | Nexsen Pruet

Brad Gower | Nelson & Galbreath

Eric Graben | Wyche, P.A.

Neil Grayson | Nelson Mullins

Meliah Bowers Jefferson | Wyche, P.A.

John Jennings | Nelson Mullins

Michael Kozlarek | Kozlarek Law

Dana Lahey | The Geheren Firm PC

Sterling Laney | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP 

Jeff Larson | Wyche, P.A.

Charles D. LeGrand | LeGrand Law Firm, LLC

Kevin McCarrell | Fox Rothschild LLP

Brandon Norris | Burr Forman McNair

James Parham | Wyche, P.A.

Gary Pope | Pope Flynn Group

David Price | Roe Cassidy

R. O'Neil Rabon, Jr. | Ashmore Leaphart, & Rabon, LLC

Pete Roe | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price, PA

Jason Rosen | Kim & Lahey Law Firm

Dowse "Brad" Rustin | Nelson Mullins

Meg Scoopmire | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Lindsay Smith | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP 

E. Tyler Smith | Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP

Seth Swan | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

John Walker | Fox Rothschild LLP

Harriet Wallace | Fox Rothschild LLP

Midlands

Matt Abee | Nelson Mullins

Joe Clark | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Reginald Corley | Scott & Corley, P.A.

Craig Garner | Burr Forman McNair

Kara Hamilton | Wyche, P.A.

Todd Haynie | Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP

Matt Hill | Adams and Reese LLP

Amy Hill | Gallivan White Boyd

Ray Jones | Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP

Lanny Lambert | Turner Padget

John Lansche | Graybill, Lansche & Vinzani, LLC

Stuart Lee | Rogers Townsend

Alan Lipsitz | Nexsen Pruet

Bill McElveen | Adams and Reese LLP

Stan McGuffin | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Ian McVey | Turner Padget

Kathleen Muthig | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Michael Tighe | Callison Tighe & Robinson, LLC

Lowcountry

Jennifer Blumenthal | Burr Forman McNair

Hal Cobb | Cobb Dill & Hammett Law Firm

Mark Sharpe | Burr Forman McNair

James Wilson | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Bankruptcy & Creditor's Rights

Upstate

M. Kevin McCarrell

Fox Rothschild LLP

Certified by the Supreme Court of South Carolina as a Specialist in Bankruptcy and Debtor-Creditor Law, McCarrell is member of the firm's Financial Restructuring Group, focusing on business, commercial and real estate litigation with an emphasis on creditors' rights and bankruptcy. He primarily represents banks, trade creditors and landlords in bankruptcy court, state court and federal court.

A native of Greenville, S.C., McCarrell is a "double Gamecock," having graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law where he served as research editor for the South Carolina Law Review and the University of South Carolina Honors College's Darla Moore School of Business. In his free time, he likes hiking, biking and other outdoor activities with his family — and of course —Gamecock football.

An active member of the Greenville community, McCarrell is a member of Leadership Greenville Class 43. He was selected as an honoree for Greenville Business Magazine's 2016 Best & Brightest, as well as South Carolina Lawyers Weekly's 2017 Leadership in Law. In 2018, he was invited to serve as an associate member of the inaugural group of the J. Bratton Davis Bankruptcy American Inn of Court.

Midlands

Mary Caskey 

Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Caskey, a member of Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd's management committee, is a certified bankruptcy and debtor-creditor law specialist and leads Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd's recovery practice group. She is an experienced litigator who concentrates her practice on disputes involving financial service providers and creditors' rights for consumer and commercial debts.

Caskey represents national and regional banks, loan servicers and other financial service providers in a variety of issues including foreclosures, collections, adversary proceedings, workouts and loss mitigation, judgment collection and alleged violations of state and federal consumer law. She also represents motor vehicle dealers and other industries regulated by the Department of Consumer Affairs and defends businesses in class actions. 

A graduate of the College of William & Mary, she earned a law degree from Valparaiso University and says she has been blessed to have many experienced lawyers who patiently guided her in her career. She loves travel, reading, cooking and party planning, and is currently reading "Euphoria" by Lily King. 

Lowcountry

John Hagerty 

Nelson Mullins

Hagerty practices in corporate, finance, mergers and acquisitions as well as commercial real estate. He earned his B.A. from Harvard University, an MBA from the University of Chicago and his J.D. from the UofSC School of Law. He regularly counsels clients on corporate management as well as contract development and drafting.

He has represented start-up companies and innovators at every stage, from establishing a corporation to developing employment agreements and establishing employee stock option plans. He has been named to Best Lawyers in America for corporate law and was Lawyer of the Year in 2016.

Currently reading "Talking to Strangers'' by Malcolm Gladwell, Hagerty values the mentorship of Rufus Barkley and Luke Simons, and finds time for hobbies including international travel and golf.

Also Recognized:

Upstate

Craig Allen | Craig Allen Law Firm

Aaron Angell | Angell Molony Judgment Attorneys

Samuel Carrington | Bell Carrington Price & Gregg, LLC

Weyman Carter | Burr Forman McNair

James H. "Jim" Cassidy | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price, PA

Sarah Clemmons | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Matthew Couvillion | Wyche, P.A.

Jay Duvall | Law Office of Jay W. Duvall

Chris Edwards | Edwards Law Firm

Brook Fowler | Carter, Smith, Merriam, Rogers & Traxler, P.A.

Josh Hudson | Smith Hudson Law

David Kershaw | Fox Rothschild LLP

Dana Lahey | The Geheren Firm, PC

Hannah Metcalfe | Metcalfe & Atkinson

Courtney Plyler | Whelehan Law Firm, LLC

Duffie Powers | Gallivan, White & Boyd

Jim Sarratt | Sarratt & Clarke

Randy Skinner | Skinner Law Firm

Jordan Teague | Campbell Teague

Harriett Wallace | Fox Rothschild LLP

Jason Ward | Kinlaw Cunningham

Rory Whelehan | Whelehan Law Firm, LLC

Sidney Wike | Law Office of Sidney Wike

Bill Wilson | Wyche, P.A.

Marshall Winn | Wyche, P.A.

Jason Wyman | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP 

Midlands

Matt Abee | Nelson Mullins

Michael Beal | Beal Law Firm

Jody A. Bedenbaugh | Nelson Mullins

Barbara Brunson | The Law Office of Barbara Brunson

Molly Campolong | Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC

George Cauthen | Nelson Mullins

Reginald Corley | Scott & Corley, P.A.

Phil Creel | South Carolina Legal Services

Jane Downey | Moore Taylor Law Firm

Suzanne Grigg | Nexsen Pruet

Janet Haigler | Haigler Law Firm

Louise Johnson | Scott & Corley, P.A.

Frank Knowlton | Nelson Mullins

Ian McVey | Turner Padget

Rick Mendoza | Nexsen Pruet

Bill Metzger | Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC

John Moore | Nelson Mullins

Kathleen Muthig | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Taylor Peace | Harrell, Martin & Peace, PA

Harrison Penn | McCarthy Reynolds & Penn

Keith Poston | Nelson Mullins

John Tamasitis | Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP

Theodore von Keller | Crawford & von Keller, LLC

Andrew "Drew" Walker | Rogers Lewis 

Michael Weaver | Burr Foreman McNair

Nelson Weston | Richardson Plowden & Robinson, P.A.

Lowcountry

Jake Barker | Graybill, Lansche & Vinzani, LLC

Stan McGuffin | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Charles Summerall | Walker Gressette Freeman & Linton

Business Litigation

Upstate

John R. Devlin, Jr.  

Devlin & Parkinson, P.A.

Devlin began practicing law in Greenville with Love Thornton Arnold & Thomason in 1983. In 1997, he started his solo practice, which became Devlin & Parkinson in 2001. From the beginning of his career, Devlin has handled commercial disputes, and over the last several years, he has often focused on the area of business dissolution. These emotionally charged cases often involve family members or longstanding business partners, Devlin says, and the professional challenge is to look for a solution instead of simply launching into a war. Many of his cases are handled in arbitration venues, and he also acts as arbitrator or mediator in commercial matters. 

In addition to handling business dissolution matters, he also handles construction litigation, commercial landlord/tenant disputes and governmental liability matters. He practices law with his college roommate Brown Parkinson, who handles medical malpractice cases, and with Chris Antley, who also handles business litigation. 

Devlin, a graduate of Duke University and the UofSC School of Law, cites Andy Goldsmith and Sonny Graves as influential mentors. He is reading "Churchill: Walking with Destiny," and finds time for swimming, snow skiing and Atlanta Braves baseball.

Midlands

Tommy Lydon 

McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Lydon's practice primarily involves commercial litigation, debtor-creditor disputes and probate matters. A certified mediator, he frequently mediates disputes involving those areas of the law, along with consumer protection cases.

Hailing from Columbia, S.C., Lydon is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law. He enjoys scuba diving, golf and other outdoor activities, and the book he was reading as of press time was "Dream Big" by Bob Goff.

Lowcountry

Danielle F. Payne 

McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Handling everything from personal injury law to construction defect litigation, Payne represents both businesses and individuals in varying stages of litigation. Her practice focuses on general litigation and includes insurance defense, general liability, construction litigation, product liability, dram shop, wrongful death, personal injury, appellate court, automobile wrecks, declaratory judgment actions and insurance defense coverage opinions.

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Payne attended the University of South Carolina where she received a bachelor of science degree in finance and marketing with a minor in French. She went on to attend Florida State University College of Law and graduated in 2005.

Prior to joining McAngus Goudelock & Courie, she practiced insurance defense in Columbia.

Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, going to the pool and the beach and watching Gamecock football. The last book she read was "White Fragility" by Robin DiAngelo.

Also Recognized:

Upstate

JJ Andrighetti | Culbertson Andrighetti, LLC

Rachael Anna | Wyche, P.A.

Jay Anthony | Anthony Law, LLC

W. Andrew Arnold | Horton Law Firm, P.A.

Courtney Atkinson | Metcalfe & Atkinson

Keith Babcock | Lewis Babcock

Adam Bach | Eller Tonnsen Bach

Bruce Bannister | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC

Jim Bannister | Bannister Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC

Stacey Bazzle | Nexsen Pruet

Howard Boyd | Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A.

William Brown | Nelson Mullins

Steven Buckingham | The Law Office of Steven Edward Buckingham, LLC

Luke Burke | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC.

George Campbell | Campbell Teague

Bobby Campbell | Horton Law Firm

Jim Cassidy | Roe Cassidy

Tom Coker | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Rob Corney | Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A.

James Cox | Wyche, P.A.

Ric Davis | Davis Law Firm

Lane Davis | Nelson Mullins

Jim Dedman | Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A.

David Dill | Nelson Mullins

Bernie Ellis | Burr Forman McNair

Greg English | Wyche, P.A.

Steve Farrar | Fox Rothschild LLP

Batten Farrar | Galivan, White & Boyd, P.A.

Wes Few | Wesley D. Few, LLC

Stephanie Flynn | Fox Rothschild LLP

William Freeman | Freeman & Freeman, LLC

Hunter Freeman | Burr Forman McNair

Mills Gallivan | Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A.

Brad Gower | Nelson & Galbreath

Charles Groves | Law Offices of Charles M. Groves

Stokely Holder | Holder Padgett Littlejohn Prickett

McKinley Hyman | Wyche, P.A.

Wilson Jackson | Moseley Marcinak Law Group, LLP

Alan G. Jones | Elmore Goldsmith Kelley & deHoll, P.A.

Lindsay Joyner | Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A.

Wade Kolb | Wyche, P.A.

Seann Lahey | Kim & Lahey Law Firm

Philip Land | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Paul Landis | Fayssoux and Landis

Sam Mabry | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Chris Major | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Carter Massingill | Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A. 

Andrew Mathias | Nexsen Pruet

Jay Matthews | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Kevin McCarrell | Fox Rothschild LLP

Brian McCoy | McCoy Law Firm

Tami McKnew | Fox Rothschild

Beth McMillan | McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Ty McTier | Redding Jones, PLLC

Hannah Metcalfe | Metcalfe & Atkinson

D. Randale Moody, II | Jackson Lewis P.C.

Keith Munson | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Emily O'Brian | Campbell Teague

Sam Outten | Nelson Mullins

James Parham | Wyche, P.A.

Henry Parr | Wyche P.A.

John Perkins | Perkins Law Firm

Lee Plumblee | Epps and Plumblee

Ross Plyler | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price

Derrick Quattlebaum | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

David Rheney | Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A.

Jason Rosen | Kim & Lahey Law Firm

Wilson Sheldon | Willson Jones Carter & Baxley P.A.

Josh Smith | Smith Hudson Law

R. Taylor Speer | Turner Padget

Tom Stevenson | Stephenson and Murphy

Rivers Stillwell | Nelson Mullins

Trey Suggs | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price, P.A.

Jacob Taylor | Nelson Mullins

Eric Tonnsen | Eller Tonnsen Bach

Tom Traxler | Carter, Smith, Merriam, Rogers & Traxler, P.A

Breon Walker | Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A.

Davis Ward | Horton, Drawdy, Ward & Jenkins, P.A.

Zach Weaver | Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A., P.A.

Daniel White | Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A.

Burl Williams | Burl F. Williams, P.A.

Margerite Willis | Nexsen Pruet

David Wilson | Wilson & Englebardt

Marshall Winn | Wyche, P.A.

David Wyatt | Wyatt Law Firm

Midlands

Matthew Abee | Nelson Mullins

John Beach | Adams and Reese LLP

Elizabeth Black | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

David Black | Nexsen Pruet

Shaun Blake | Rogers Lewis 

Eric Bland | Bland Richter, LLP

Creston Brown | Nexsen Pruet

John Bruton | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Lyndey Bryant | Adams and Reese LLP

Todd Carroll | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP 

Ron Cox | Proffitt & Cox Attorneys at Law

Fred Crawford | Richardson Plowden & Robinson, P.A.

Bess DuRant | Sowell & DuRant, LLC

Mary Cothonneau Eldridge | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Matthew G. Gerrald | Barnes, Alford, Stork & Johnson, LLP

Mark Goddard | Turner Padget

Ben Gooding | Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC

Betsy Gray | Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC

Tracey Green | Willoughby & Hoefer, P.A

Dan Guiney | LawyerLisa, LLC

Skip Hardin | The McKay Firm

Lawrence Hershon | Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP

Amy Hill | Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A.

William Hubbard | Nelson Mullins

Derrick Jackson | Tobias G. Ward, Jr., P.A.

Celeste Jones | Burr Forman McNair

Lindsay Joyner | Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A.

John Lay | Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A.

Wallace Lightsey | Wyche, P.A.

James Long | Nexsen Pruet

Dennis Lynch | Nexsen Pruet

Cory Manning | Nelson Mullins

Kathleen McDaniel | Burnette Shutt & McDaniel PA

Julius W. "Jay" McKay | The McKay Firm

Susan McWilliams | Nexsen Pruet

Tem Miles | The Miles Firm, LLC

Charlie Moore | Turner Padget

Guyton Murrell | Scott & Corley, P.A.

Ned Nicholson | Burr Forman McNair

Joseph Pellington | Redding Jones

Tucker Player | Player Law Firm, LLC

Mike Polk | Belser & Belser

Paul Porter | Cromer Babb Porter & Hicks, LLC

Peter Protopapas | Rikard & Protopapas

Ronald Scott | Scott & Corley, P.A.

Thornwell "Biff" Sowell | Sowell & DuRant LLC

Taylor Stanley | Turner Padget

Bobby Stepp | Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC

Robert T. Strickland | Barnes, Alford, Stork & Johnson LLP

La'Jessica Stringfellow | Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC

Childs Thrasher | The Law Office of Childs Cantey Thrasher, LLC

Ted von Keller | Crawford & von Keller, LLC

Robert Wood | Rogers Townsend

Lowcountry

Jake Barker | Graybill, Lansche & Vinzani, LLC

Bobby Byrd | Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP

Hal Cobb | Cobb Dill & Hammett Law Firm

Bart Daniel | Nelson Mullins

Brian Duffy | Duffy & Young

Thomas Gressette | Walker Gressette Freeman & Linton, LLC

David K. Haller | Haller Law Firm, PC

Molly Hamilton Cawley | MHC Law, LLC

John Hawk | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP 

Ashley Kutz Kelley | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Doug MacKelcan | Copeland Stair Kingma & Lovell

Matthew Orville | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Ainsley Tillman | Ford Wallace Thomson

Matthew Tillman | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Trenholm Walker | Walker Gressette Freeman Linton

Commercial Real Estate

Upstate (TIE)

Josh Lonon 

Wyche, P.A. 

Lonon practices in the areas of commercial real estate law and economic development, leading the firm's Commercial Real Estate Practice Group as chair, the Economic Development and Tax Incentives Practice Group as co-chair and the firm's Spartanburg office. He represents developers and companies in the acquisition, financing, development, leasing and sale of a broad range of commercial properties, along with application and approval of tax incentives for their development.

Lonon also has extensive experience with title insurance companies both as outside and inside counsel. He has held several leadership positions with the South Carolina Bar, including chair of the Real Estate Practices Section, and he's an executive committee member of the Upstate South Carolina chapter of the Urban Land Institute.

In his hometown of Spartanburg, Lonon has served as chair of the city's Board of Zoning and Appeals and as a member of the Board of Architectural Design and Historic Review. He is a graduate of the South Carolina Bar Leadership Academy and Leadership Spartanburg and is a Regional Fellow of the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System. Both his undergraduate and his law degree are from the University of South Carolina. In his spare time, he is learning to sail.

William Swent 

Fox Rothschild LLP

Swent's practice focus is commercial real estate transactional work, commercial finance and general corporate representation. He has significant experience representing borrowers and lenders, tenants and landlords, purchasers and sellers, and developers in a wide variety of circumstances. On the commercial finance side, he regularly prepares loan documents for institutional and private lenders in sophisticated, real estate-secured contexts. For borrowers, Swent is capable of assisting with broader development challenges, including appearances before municipal governing bodies in pursuit of zoning, permitting and incentives.

A skilled draftsman and negotiator with particular strengths in resolving the documentary challenges of retail, industrial, office, mixed use and condominium projects, Swent has a litigation background and remains active in the courts through representation of clients with advanced real property disputes, such as lease disputes, partitions, trespass, nuisance, evictions and quiet title actions.

He has a B.S. from the U.S. Naval Academy and a J.D. from UofSC School of Law. An avid fisherman, he is at peace drifting in a kayak in pursuit of smallmouth bass, and is reading Bruce Ingram's "New River Guide." He values the mentorship of his grandfather, Col. Rae A. Donaldson.

Midlands

David G. Wolff 

Barnes, Alford, Stork & Johnson LLP

David Wolff is a founding member of the firm and co-managing partner. His primary practice area is commercial real estate, with an emphasis on shopping centers, mixed-use centers, apartments, offices, warehouses, and land development.

He focuses on property acquisitions and sales, development issues, construction and permanent financing, title matters, environmental issues, opinion letters, contracts and leases. He also serves as local counsel for borrowers and lenders in connection with multi-state real estate transactions. Additionally, he handles corporate and banking matters for clients, primarily on real estate matters.

Wolff has a B.A. from Ohio University and a law degree from UofSC, and says the founder of his firm, Rudolph C. Barnes Sr., was his most important teacher, mentor and role model. He enjoys tennis and listening to classic rock, and most recently read "My Losing Season" by Pat Conroy.

Lowcountry

Daniel Q. Orvin 

Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Orvin's practice includes commercial transactions, real estate development and real estate and business litigation. With extensive experience developing commercial, industrial and mixed-use properties, handling zoning matters, drafting and negotiating commercial leases and guiding companies in the acquisition, development and sale of apartment and multifamily portfolios, he represents clients in the development and establishment of condominium regimes and other common interest ownership developments.

Orvin leads a team of attorneys in multiple states and has litigated numerous cases in state and federal court. He has also acted as outside counsel for several title insurance companies. Additionally, he has represented developers, lenders and loan servicers in complex business litigation matters.

A Fellow in the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL) and the American College of Mortgage Attorneys (ACMA), Orvin is recognized by Best Lawyers in America for real estate. His most significant mentor has been his father, Thomas Clifton Orvin, who demonstrated that success is achieved through hard work, an honest approach and balance between work and family. Orvin achieves that balance by fishing and boating with his family, coaching youth sports and writing fiction. The last book he read was "Cities of the Plain" by Cormac McCarthy. 

Also Recognized:

Upstate

Adam Artigliere | Burr Forman McNair

William Bannister | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC

Marian Bowers | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Kevin Brady | Guest & Brady

Adam Breaux | Breaux Callahan

Luke Burke | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC

Daniel Callahan | Breaux & Callahan, PA

Amy Clayton | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Daniel Crotchett | The McCord Law Firm, LLC

Erin Culbertson | Culbertson & Andrighetti

Bryan De Bruin | De Bruin Law Firm

Sean Faulkner | Nelson Mullins

Nathan Galbreath | Nelson Galbreath

Will Glenn | Nelson Galbreath

Amber Glidewell | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price PA

Brad Gower | Nelson and Galbreath

Pat Grayson | Nelson Mullins

Stokely Holder | Holder Padgett Littlejohn & Prickett

Hayes Holliday | Holliday Ingram Law Firm

Trey Ingram | Holliday Ingram Law Firm

John Kehl | Horton Law Firm

Chris King | Chris King Law Firm

Kate LaFitte | Fox Rothschild LLP

Aimee Leary | Fox Rothschild LLP

Michele Lyerly | Fox Rothschild LLP

Bud McDonald | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Jack McDonald | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC

Stanley McLeod 

     Brown, Massey, Evans, McLeod & Haynsworth

Tyler McLeod

    Brown, Massey, Evans, McLeod & Haynsworth

Cecil Nelson | Nelson Galbreath

Brandon Norris | Burr Forman McNair

Megan O'Neill | Wyche, P.A.

Brian Price | Bell, Carrington, Price & Gregg, LLC

Jim Price | Nexsen Pruet

Brad Richardson | Bradley K. Richardson PC

Pete Roe | Roe Cassidy

Meg Scoopmire | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Lindsay Smith | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

S. Blakely Smith | Parham Smith & Archenhold, LLC

Henry Sullivan | Mckinney Sullivan, LLC

Seth Swan | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

John Walker | Fox Rothschild

Matt Whitehead | The Carolina Law Group

Midlands

Robert Ashley | Ashley & Gibbons

Butch Barnhill | Callison Tighe & Robinson, LLC

Bryan Caskey | Caskey & Imgrund

Albert John Dooley, Jr. | The Dooley Law Firm

Andrew English | Callison Tighe & Robinson, LLC

Simpson Fant | Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP

Jason Gainey | Gainey and Gainey, LLP

Kevin Garrison | Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC

Foster Girard | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Kara Hamilton | Wyche, P.A.

William Higgins | Graybill, Lansche & Vinzani, LLC

Matthew Hill | Adams and Reese LLP

James Hindersman

    Law Offices of James B. Hindersman, LLC

Lisa Hostetler Brown | LawyerLisa, LLC

Ashtin Kilpatrick | Turner Padget

Lanny Lambert | Turner Padget

Stuart Lee | Rogers Townsend

Robert Lewis | Rogers Lewis 

Leighton Lord | Nexsen Pruet

John McArthur | Haynesworth, Sinkler & Boyd

Bill McElveen | Adams and Reese LLP

Ian McVey | Turner Padget

Ryan Newton | Graybill, Lansche & Vinzani, LLC

Priti M. Patel | LawyerLisa, LLC

Taylor Peace | Harrell, Martin & Peace, PA

Louis T. (Tom) Runge | Lott & Searcy

Matthew Rupert | Scott & Corley, P.A.

Stephen (Steve) D. Searcy | Lott & Searcy

Tricia Wharton | Turner Padget

Benton Williamson | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Lowcountry

Brett Budlong | Graybill, Lansche & Vinzani, LLC

George Bullwinkel | Nexsen Pruet

Amanda Callender | Santee Cooper

Hal Cobb | Cobb Dill & Hammett Law Firm

Will Dawson | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Morris Ellison | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

J. Tindal Hart | Hart Norvell

John Lansche | Graybill, Lansche & Vinzani, LLC

Cynthia Spieth Morton | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Mark Sharpe | Burr Forman McNair

Paul Van Wagenen | Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP

Jeff Vinzani | Graybill, Lansche & Vinzani, LLC

James Wilson | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Construction

Upstate

William Duffie Powers 

Gallivan White & Boyd, P.A.

Powers centers his practice on design and construction and creditors' rights in the Greenville, S.C. offices. Having worked in the construction industry, he applies insight to the challenges facing contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, equipment rental companies, architects, engineers and other design professionals.

He has represented clients on commercial and residential construction projects of all sizes, handling matters related to the litigation of construction and design defects, zoning and land use planning issues, contracts and payment disputes. Powers also drafts construction agreements for developers, owners, general contractors and subcontractors and has a robust construction collections practice that includes filing and prosecuting actions related to mechanics' liens, bond claims and construction collections litigation for contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers and design professionals. He provides a general business advisory service on all aspects of construction and maintains a significant practice in the creditors' rights field, representing banks, government entities, non-traditional lending institutions and other commercial lenders in a wide variety of matters.

A graduate of Clemson University and the University of South Carolina School of Law, he enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors and cooking.

Midlands

Trippett Boineau

McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Practicing in the area of construction litigation, Boineau represents both general contractors and subcontractors. He also works in the areas of general litigation, premise and products liability, transportation and trucking and insurance defense, and his awards include recognition in the 2020 edition of "The Best Lawyers in America."

Prior to joining MGC, Boineau served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable James R. Barber, III, whom he identifies as the person who's impacted him most outside of his family. Originally from Orangeburg, S.C., he says he is fortunate to have had a number of great mentors in the legal field — some of whom work with him on a daily basis.

Upstate

Beattie B. Ashmore

Beattie B. Ashmore, PA

Ashmore has a diversified practice that frequently keeps him in court. As a former federal prosecutor, he's known primarily for work in federal criminal cases, but he frequently works on civil litigation as well. 

Ashmore's trial experience ranges from DUI to murder in state court and includes white collar crimes in federal court. Civil trial experience includes securities fraud and significant personal injury cases, business litigation and contract disputes. If there is any civil or criminal situation that may end up in a courtroom, he loves to be involved.

A graduate of the College of Charleston and the UofSC School of Law, Ashmore says his father, Dr. J.D. Ashmore, Jr., has been his most influential mentor. In his spare time, he spends time at the farm he co-owns"with two other lawyers and a rock star." He enjoys hunting, golf and riding his bike on the Swamp Rabbit Trail. A recent book he read was "Undaunted Courage" by Stephen Ambrose.

Lowcountry

Christopher A. Skipper

Skipper Law Firm LLC

Since April of 2004, Christopher A. Skipper has been the sole practitioner of the Skipper Law Firm LLC. He practices criminal defense in federal, state, magistrate and municipal courts. He represents injured workers before the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission and has experience in personal injury law. 

Born and raised in Georgetown and Horry Counties, Skipper began to work in the Charleston legal community while a student at the College of Charleston in 1990. After graduating from the UofSC School of Law in 1996, Chris returned to the Lowcountry and went to work as an assistant solicitor in the Berkeley County Solicitor's Office. He prosecuted cases for an additional four years in the Charleston County Solicitor's Office, and during his six years as prosecutor, handled hundreds of cases involving crimes from driving under suspension to murder. 

Prior to opening Skipper Law Firm, he spent time practicing in the area of workers' compensation insurance defense. He serves as a judge for the City of Folly Beach Municipal Court and the City Prosecutor for the City of Isle of Palms, and enjoys spending time with his family and being on the water.

Also Recognized:

Upstate

Mills Arial | Mills Arial Law Firm

James Bannister | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC

Bruce Bannister | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC

Jenny Barwick | Clawson and Staubes

John Bateman | The Bateman Law Firm

Ryan Beasley | Beasley Law Firm

Charles Bondurant | Bondurant Legal

Bill Bouton | Mitchell Law Firm

David Braghirol | The Law Office of David Braghirol

Joe Brewer | The Law Office of D. Josev Brewer

Burl Williams | Burl Williams PA

Jennings Byford | Byford & Scalzo

Randy Chambers | Chambers Law Firm

William "Bill" Coates | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price, PA

Andrew Culbreath | Solicitor's Office

Aaron DeBruin | DeBruin Law Firm

Steve Denton | Harrison White, PC

Monty Desai | The Carolina Law Group

Zach Ellis | Ellis Law Firm

Frank Eppes | Eppes and Plumblee

Jake Erwin | Jake Erwin - Attorney at Law

Daniel Farnsworth, Jr. | Farnsworth Law Firm

Wally Fayssoux | Fayssoux & Landis

Mark Foster | Mark Foster, Attorney at Law

William Grove | Public Defender

Sarah Henry | Sarah Henry Law

Brad Hutto | Williams & Williams Attorneys at Law, LLC

Ryan M. James | Law Office of Ryan M. James

Brian Johnson | The Law Office of Brian P. Johnson, LLC

Chris Jones | Christopher L. Jones, Attorney at Law, LLC

Tim Kulp | Kulp & Elliot

Lucas Marchant | Marchant Law Firm

Michael Martinez | Greenville County Public Defender's Office

William McKellar | Aiken Public Defender

Jeff Meriam | Carter, Smith, Merriam, Rogers & Traxler, P.A.

Jonathan Milling | Milling Law Firm

Sidney Mitchell | Mitchell Ramseur LLC

Mark Moore | Nexsen Pruet

Andrew Moorman | Moorman Law Firm

Anne Marie Haynsworth Odom | Ryan Beasley Law

Nihar Patel | Carolina Law Group

Dayne Phillips | Price Benowitz LLP

Powers Price | Price Law Firm

Lauren Price | Tenth Circuit Solicitor's Office

James Price | Price Law Firm

Todd Rutherford | The Rutherford Law Firm

Stuart Sarratt | Greenville County Public Defender's Office

Ryan Schwartz | Schwartz Law Firm, LLC

Steve Sumner | Steve Sumner

Mary Hunter Tomlinson | Ryan Beasley Law

Marcelo Torricos | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC

Neal Truslow | Truslow & Truslow

Asher Watson | Watson Law, LLC

Joe Watson | Watson Law

William (Billy) Wilkins | Nexsen Pruet

Midlands

Matthew Richardson | Wyche, P.A.

Deborah Barbier | Deborah B. Barbier, Attorney at Law

Scott Bischoff | Adams & Bischoff, P.C.

Matt Bodman | Matt Bodman, P.A.

Derek Bush | Aiken Public Defender

James Cox | Saleeby & Cox, P.A.

John Delgado | Law Office of Bill Nettles

Richard Harpootlian | Harpootloan Attorneys At Law

Alex Imgrund | Caskey & Imgrund

Wes Kirkland | Wes Kirkland Law

Alex Kornfeld | Alex Kornfeld Attorney at Law

Chris Leonard | Kendrick Leonard

Leigh Leventis | Leventis Law Firm, LLC

Will Lewis | Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman

Neal Lourie | Lourie Law Firm, LLC

Victor Li | Li Law Firm

Andrew Mackenzie | Barrett Mackenzie

Andrew Mathias | Nexsen Pruet

Joseph McCulloch | McCulloch & Schillaci

Marion Moise Moses | The Law Offices of Marion M. Moses, LLC

Lori Murray | Law Offices of Lori S. Murray

Stanley Myers | Moore Taylor Law Firm

Bill Nettles | Nettles Law Firm

Clarke Newton | Bluestein Attorneys

Susan Porter | Murphy & Grantland

Nick Riley | Moore Taylor Law Firm

Jack Riordan | Fox Rothschild

James Snell | Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr.

Alex Stalvey | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC

Brianne Steiner | Aiken Public Defender

Jack Swerling | Swerling Law Firm

Heath Taylor | Taylor Law Firm, LLC

Sam Tooker | David R. Price, Jr., P.A.

Brady Vannoy | Vannoy Murphy, Attorneys at Law

Judah Van Syckel | Saluda Law, LLC

Grant Varner | Varner Segura

Aimee Zmroczek | A.J.Z. Law Firm, LLC

Lowcountry

Chris Adams | Adams & Bischoff, P.C.

Michael Dill | Cobb Dill & Hammett, LLC

Joe Good, III | Helmly & Good, LLC

Benjamin Lafond | Lafond Law Firm, PA

Micah Leddy | Leddy Law Firm

Jay Slocum | Cobb Dill & Hammett, LLC

Susan Williams | Law Office of Susan E. Williams, LLC

Charlie Williams | Williams & Williams Attorney at Law, LLC

Education

Upstate 

Jack D. Griffeth 

Roe Cassidy

Griffeth focuses on defense trial work, representing employers in employee-related litigation, and representing colleges and universities. He's a certified mediator and has more than 26 years of experience. He currently serves as general counsel to Wofford College and Spartanburg Methodist College, and particular areas of inquiry in education law include student disciplinary action, faculty cases, and contracts with vendors and entertainers in accordance with regulatory acts including FERPA, HIPPA, Title VII, Title IX and the Clery Act.

A graduate of Wofford College with a law degree from Duke, Griffeth has been recognized as one of the state's pre-eminent attorneys by Martindale-Hubbell with an AV Distinguished Rating. He has been named a S.C. Super Lawyer and a Best Lawyer in America, and is a member of the American Board of Trial Associates and the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals. 

Griffeth values the mentorship of B.O. (Tommy) Thompson Jr., who guided him in his first job as an attorney and over 17 years of civic and professional endeavors. Currently reading "The Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes," he is an avid college basketball and football fan and enjoys teaching youth Sunday School. 

Midlands

Wade S. Kolb, III 

Wyche, P.A.

Since joining Wyche in the fall of 2011, Kolb has had extensive experience in high-stakes commercial litigation, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal court and handling cases for major national and international corporations involved in antitrust, breach of contract and trade secrets disputes. Serving on the firm's Executive Committee, he focuses his practice on litigation, appellate advocacy, education, internal investigations and governmental representation.

Additionally, Kolb serves as outside general counsel to a number of educational institutions; his work in education law has included numerous internal investigations, policy and handbook reviews and student discipline and honor code matters, along with Title IX compliance and vendor contracts. Prior to joining Wyche, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Ed Carnes on the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.

Wade is a member of numerous boards and nonprofit organizations including the Palmetto Project, the Rotary Club of Greenville, and the Carolina Youth Symphony, of which he is the president. A graduate of the University of South Carolina Honors College and Duke School of Law, he names the late Professor James Cutsinger of the Department of Religious Studies at USC Columbia as his most significant mentor.

Also Recognized:

Upstate

Bill Bannister | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC

Ted Gentry | Wyche, P.A.

Megan Goodwin | Law office of Megan Goodwin

Andrew Potter | Potter Law

John G. Reckenbeil | John G. Reckenbeil Attorney at Law

Chelsea Rikard | A Business Law Firm, LLC

Dick Riley | Nelson Mullins

Heather Scalzo | Byford and Scalzo

Wilson Sheldon | Willson Jones Carter & Baxley P.A.

Alex Stalvey | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey

Tom Stephenson | Murphy and Stephenson

Doug Webb | The School District of Greenville County

Robert Wilkins | Wilkins & Bouton, LLC

Midlands

Samantha Albrecht | Cromer Babb Porter & Hicks, LLC

Joseph Bias | Midlands Technical College

Charles Boykin | Boykin & Davis LLC

Joseph D. Dickey Jr. | Dickey Law Group

David Duff | Duff Freeman Lyon, L.L.C.

William Freeman | Duff Freeman Lyon, L.L.C.

Allison Aiken Hanna | Halligan Mahoney & Williams, P.A.

Elizabeth Hyatt | Hyatt Law

Kathy Mahoney | Halligan Mahoney & Williams

Jennifer Rainville | South Carolina Legal Services

Ashley Story | White & Story, LLC

Energy & Utilities

Upstate

Luke A. Burke 

Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC

As a partner at Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, Burke's main area of practice is civil litigation with a primary focus on eminent domain and right-of-way acquisition, business litigation and family law. He practices in federal and state court and has participated in published opinions in both eminent domain and family law cases.

Originally from Downers Grove, Ill., Burke is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law. He relocated to Greenville in 2006 after observing the dynamic revitalization occurring in the Upstate and is excited to be involved in community growth as he assists clients ranging from utility companies and developers to small business and individual landowners.

When he's not working, Burke can often be found cooking, playing chess or playing his guitar.

Midlands

Jamey Goldin 

Nelson Mullins

At Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, Goldin's practice focuses on representing various regulated interests and industries, particularly independent power producers and energy customers, before state and federal courts, regulatory agencies and the legislative and executive branch. He served as counsel to the South Carolina House of Representatives Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee from 2011 to 2017 prior to going into private practice.

An alumnus of the University of South Carolina School of Law with an undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia, he recently read James Dickey's "Deliverance" for what he guessed may have been the 50th time, saying he learns something new about the book or himself each time.

Goldin's hometown is Rockmart, Ga., and in his spare time, he can be found doing "anything outdoors" such as hunting or fishing. His mentor who had the most influence on him is also an attorney — and his dad.

Lowcountry

J. Ashley Cooper

Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP

As chair of Parker Poe's Energy Industry Team and leader of its Charleston office, Cooper is charged with managing and growing the firm in Charleston while anticipating market changes and shifts in demand. He represents companies before regulators and administrative agencies on contract disputes and litigation, government investigations and audits and regulated transactions. He also works on transactional matters from project development to sales and purchases of regulated assets and companies.

Locally, Cooper has worked with his colleagues on the sale of both a telecommunications company and an e-commerce business. He practices nationally before federal and state commissions on contested proceedings and advises clients on regulations. As a former chief compliance officer for a Fortune 500 energy company, he works with companies to design, implement and manage their compliance programs.

Cooper's community involvement includes serving on the MUSC Children's Hospital Fund Advisory Board. With degrees from the University of South Carolina (J.D.) and Clemson (B.A.), he's a Charleston native and considers the late Senator Fritz Hollings his most influential mentor. His hobbies include golfing and pursuing breakfast spots with his wife, Kristen, and kids, Caroline and John.

Also Recognized:

Upstate

Bruce Bannister | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC

Rita Barker | Wyche, P.A.

Tom Coker | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Jim Cox | Wyche, P.A.

Rebecca Dulin | Duke Energy

Stinson Ferguson | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Ryan McCarty | Harrison White, P.C.

Brandon Norris | Burr Forman McNair

Josh Spencer | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Alex Stalvey | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey

John Walker | Fox Rothschild

Midlands

Weston Adams | Nelson Mullins

Frank Ellerbe | Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC

Scott Elliott | Elliott & Elliott, PA

Chad Johnston | Willoughby & Hoefer, P.A.

Sam Moses | Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP

Jack Pringle | Adams and Reese LLP

Cody Smith | Rogers Lewis 

Mitch Willoughby | Willoughby & Hoefer, P.A.

Belton Zeigler | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP 

Environmental

Upstate

Rita Bolt Barker 

Wyche, P.A.

Rita Bolt Barker is a veteran litigator and counselor with experience in environmental, commercial litigation, and insurance coverage matters. She has broad experience helping clients navigate the wide range of laws that protect our natural resources, and is a trusted, reliable partner for businesses and individuals who need a steady guide through the ins and outs of environmental compliance and litigation.

Barker delivers results for clients who need assistance in investigating and responding to permitting challenges, as well as in responding to requests for information and enforcement actions before administrative agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. She advises clients on assessing environmental risks and incentives associated with corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and real estate deals. 

The chair of the firm's recruiting committee, Barker has also taught administrative law at Clemson University and environmental law at Furman University.  She serves as the chair of the firm's Recruiting Committee. She is a graduate of Clemson University and Harvard Law School, and is grateful for the mentorship of the Hon. Beverly B. Martin and Patricia Barmeyer.

Midlands

W. Thomas (Tommy) Lavender Jr.  

Nexsen Pruet

Lavender joined the Columbia office of Nexsen Pruet LLC in 1994 and now leads its environmental practice. He earned a mechanical engineering degree from Clemson University and a law degree from the University of South Carolina before beginning his career as an environmental engineer at DHEC. He later became assistant general counsel there and then became in-house counsel for several local corporations before entering private practice in 1983.

Lavender is a Fellow in the American College of Environmental Lawyers and has been named by Best Lawyers® since 1995. He chairs the S.C. Chamber's Environmental Technical Committee and serves on the Chamber Board and its executive committee. 

Influential mentors include a high school science teacher who led him to engineering school, his engineering advisor who led him to law school, and the late Mike Jarrett, former DHEC commissioner, who led him to DHEC. When he isn't working, Lavender enjoys family, food and spending time in the mountains. 

Lowcountry

Wendy Parker 

Nelson Mullins

Parker has practiced environmental and energy law for 22 years, and her practice includes providing clients with litigation, transaction and regulatory advice and assistance relating to environmental and energy matters. She also represents clients on safety and health matters, including OSHA claims. 

She has been named to The Best Lawyers in America since 2013, and is past chair and member of the environmental and natural resources section of the S.C. Bar Association. 

A graduate of College of Charleston and the UofSC School of Law, Parker enjoys playing tennis and is reading "Quiet" by Susan Cain. She cites Ben A. Hagood Jr. as an influential mentor. 

Also Recognized:

Upstate

Michael Bogle | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Bill Coates | Roe Cassidy

Michael Corley | SCELP

Greg English | Wyche, P.A.

Stinson Ferguson | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Frank Holleman | Southern Environmental Defense

Kelly D.H. Lowry | Law Firm of Lowry and Associates, LLC

Gene McCall | McCall Environmental

Mott McDonald | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Brian Murphy | Murphy and Stephenson

Gary Poliakoff | Poliakoff Law Firm

Josh Smith | Smith Hudson Law

Midlands

Weston Adams | Nelson Mullins

Pam Baker | Burr Forman McNair

John Boyd | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Karen Crawford | Nelson Mullins

Joan Hartley | Nexsen Pruet

Chad Johnston | Willoughby & Hoefer, P.A.

Jessica King | Williams Mullen

Kathleen McDaniel | Burnette Shutt & McDaniel PA

Beth Partlow | Law Offices of Elizabeth B. Partlow, LLC

Alexander Shissias | The Shissias Law Firm, LLC

Ryan Trail | Williams Mullen

Ethan Ware | Williams Mullen

Family

Upstate

Reid Sherard 

Nelson Mullins

Sherard practices family law, including divorce, separation, contested custody, complex financial issues, interstate and international jurisdictional disputes, and premarital and postnuptial agreements. He has deep litigation and appellate experience, and his peers have recognized him as the top attorney vote-getter for Legal Elite for five consecutive years. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America® and South Carolina Super Lawyers and earned the AV Preeminent® Rating by Martindale-Hubbell. 

Sherard is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and received both the Distinguished Honors Alumni Award from the USC Honors College and the USC School of Law's Compleat Lawyer Award (Silver). He currently serves as secretary of the Greenville County Bar Association and is a member of the bar's Family Law Section Council and House of Delegates.

A certified family court mediator, he dedicates significant time to pro bono matters and previously served as president of the board of directors of A Child's Haven. He is grateful to mentors David H. Wilkins, G. Ross Anderson Jr. and Timothy E. Madden, enjoys barbecuing and says the last book he read was "The Little Engine That Could," to his children. 

Midlands

Peter Currence 

McDougall, Self, Currence & McLeod, LLP

A partner at McDougall, Self, Currence & McLeod, Currence holds a degree in economics and business management from North Carolina State University, and he earned his J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law. He practices exclusively in family court, primarily handling property and support issues and custody/visitation cases. He also enjoys mediating cases when asked to do so. 

Originally from Gastonia, N.C., Currence enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, hunting and fly fishing, and he recently read "My Exaggerated Life," a collaboration between author Pat Conroy and oral biographer Katherine Clark.

Currence is a member of the American Bar Association Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute, the family law section of the South Carolina Bar Association and the Richland County Bar. He received a distinguished honor in 2017, as he was peer-rated for High Professional Achievement by Martindale-Hubbell. He calls his firm's founding partner, John McDougall, his most influential mentor.

Lowcountry

Shannon Anderson 

Chillico & Associates LLC

Anderson practices almost exclusively in family court. She is trained as a mediator and serves as a guardian ad litem in both domestic cases and probate matters. In all cases, she works diligently to advocate for the people she serves as they make their way through the most difficult times in life, including divorce, custody, spousal support, child support and orders for protection from domestic abuse.

Anderson earned bachelor's degrees in both biology and psychology from UofSC before earning a law degree at the Charleston School of Law. Her mentors include Carrie Randall, Ph.D.; Suzanne Thomas, Ph.D., and Sarah Book, M.D. 

In her spare time, she enjoys making jewelry, writing and painting, and is reading "The Egyptian" by Mika Waltari. 

Also Recognized:

Upstate

Kenneth Anthony | Anthony Law Firm, PA

Courtney Atkinson | Metcalf & Atkinson

Bruce Bannister | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC

Bill Bannister | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC

Lynn Barrett | Barrett Mackenzie

Jenny Barwick | Clawson & Staubes LLC

Luke Burke | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC

Megan Burke | Law Office of Megan Burke

Jenn Byford | Byford & Scalzo, LLC

Amie Carpenter | Anderson and Carpenter

Jessica Christophillis | Christophillis & Gallivan

Stephen L. Chryst, Jr. | Cordell & Cordell

David Collins | Collins Law Firm, P.C.

Daniel Crotchett | The McCord Law Firm, LLC

Dustin Davis | Davis Law

Richard Davis | Davis and Davis

Steve Denton | Harrison White, PC

Sarah Drawdy | Byrholdt Drawdy Law LLC

Jason Elliott | Elliott Law Firm

Angela Frazier | Elliott Frazier Law Firm, LLC

Amanda Gallivan | Christophillis & Gallivan

Sarah Henry | Sarah Henry Law Firm

Milford O. ("Chip") Howard III | Howard Law Firm

John Howard III | John W. Howard III, Attorney at Law

Cory Hughes | The Law Office of W. Cory Hughes, LLC

Brian Johnson | The Law Office of Brian P. Johnson, LLC

Alex Kinlaw | Kinlaw Cunningham

Vanessa Kormylo | Vanessa Hartman Kormylo, PA

Alex Kornfeld | Alex Kornfeld, Attorney at Law, LLC

Kathryn Martin | Cordell & Cordell

Elizabeth McCool | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC

Danielle Mitchell | Mitchell Ramseur LLC

Sidney Mitchell | Mitchell Ramseur LLC

Samantha Nelson | Nelson Law Firm, PLLC

Travis Olmert | Carter, Smith, Merriam, Rogers & Traxler, P.A

Powers Price | Price Law Firm

Joe Ramseur | Mitchell Ramseur LLC

Bobby Rosenfeld | Rosenfeld Law Firm

Alex Stalvey | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey

Carlyle Steele | Carlyle Steele, PA

J. Benjamin Stevens | The Stevens Firm, PA

Lauren Taylor | Lauren Taylor Law

Nancy Jo Thomason | Thomason & Pracht LLP

James C. Todd, IV | Cordell & Cordell

Thomas Traxler | Carter, Smith, Merriam, Rogers & Traxler, P.A

Bess Tunstall | Tunstall Law

Grant Varner | Varner & Segura

Druanne White | White Davis & White

Amos Workman | Wyche, P.A.

Midlands

Almand Barron | Law Offices of Shea and Barron

Jessica Boylan | The Sullivan Firm, LLC

Bryan Caskey | Caskey & Imgrund

Rebecca Creel | Creel Family Law, LLC

Jewitte Dooley | Jewitte Dooley Law

Brian Dumas | Brian Dumas, Attorney LLC

Victoria Eslinger | Nexsen Pruet

Amber Cary Fulmer | Jewitte Dooley Law

Jason Hall | McDougall, Self, Currence & McLeod, LLP

Creighton Hayes | Hayes and Hayes

Catherine Hendrix | Catherine Hendrix, Attorney at Law

Lynn Hensel | Lyn Hensel Law

Ashby Jones | Kinard & Jones

Olivia Jones | Olivia Jones Law

Ryan Lane | Lane Law Firm

John McDougall | McDougall, Self, Currence & McLeod, LLP

James T. McLaren | McLaren & Lee

Robin McLean | McCutchen McLean, LLC

Amanda Mueller | Burnette Shutt & McDaniel PA

Sandra Parise | Parise Law Firm

Ashlin Potterfield | Taylor Potterfield

Kana Rahman | Law Offices of Kana Rahman

Alyssa Richardson | McDougall, Self, Currence & McLeod, LLP

Nick Riley | Moore Taylor Law Firm

Sheila Robinson | Moore Taylor Law Firm

Cy Rush | The Rush Law Firm

Stephen Smoak | Savage, Royall & Sheheen, L.L.P.

Susan Strom | Strom Family Law, LLC

Katherine Swancy | Law Office of April D. Porter, P.C.

J. Michael Taylor | Taylor Potterfield

Melinda Taylor | South Carolina Legal Services

Douglas Truslow | Truslow and Truslow

Rebecca West | Harling & West, LLC

Lowcountry

Natalie Bluestein | Bluestein & Douglas

Carolyn M. Bone | The Law Office of Carolyn M. Bone, LLC

Stuart Feldman | Stuart A. Feldman Law Offices

Sabrina R. Grogan | Sabrina R. Grogan Attorney at Law

Elisabeth Hoover | Mandy W. Kimmons, Attorney at Law, LLC

Mandy Kimmons | Kimmons Law

Stephanie Richardson | Cobb, Dill, and Hammett

Vanessa Richardson | Lauren Taylor Law

Tom Smith | Peck Law Firm

Jerry Theos | Theos Law Firm

Government

Upstate

William W. (Billy) Wilkins 

Nexsen Pruet

Former Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit and former Chair of the United States Sentencing Commission, Wilkins leads Nexsen Pruet's Appellate Advocacy and Shareholder Litigation/Corporate Compliance practice, co-chairs the White-Collar Criminal Defense practice and is active in the Business Litigation Group. In the Appellate Advocacy Group, he leads attorneys concentrating their practices on defending or seeking reversal of lower court decisions. As head of the Shareholder Litigation/Corporate Compliance Group, he works with companies, officers and directors in lawsuits for claims made by shareholders, and in the Civil Litigation Group, he represents clients involved in litigation in state and federal courts.

Wilkins also assists clients in developing and implementing programs to ensure total compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. He and the team conduct internal investigations for companies, review existing policies and design processes and procedures to reduce the possibility of misconduct.

A Greenville, S.C. native, Wilkins graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law and Davidson College. His most significant mentor was his grandmother, GiGi, who taught him to set his sights high; she also taught him to swim and ride a bike although GiGi herself could do neither of those things.

Midlands

Theodore D. Riley 

Riley Pope & Laney

Riley's firm, Pope & Laney, LLC, provides strategic counsel and legislative representation for clients before the South Carolina General Assembly, governor's office, state agencies and local governments. Along with his business partners, lifelong friends Lowndes Pope and Roy Laney, he founded the firm in 2001 and has been representing clients ranging from nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies for more than 20 years.

Riley served as an international affairs analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C., before returning to his home state to earn his J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law. He began his legal career with the government law team of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP and also served as a special prosecutor for the 5th Circuit Solicitor's office. From 1997 until 2001, he was an associate with Haynsworth Marion McKay & Guerard, LLP and its successor, Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, PA. He and his associates at RPL track legislation daily and maintain direct and immediate contact with clients regarding action on key bills and regulations. 

Riley's hometown is South Carolina's capital city, and his most influential mentor was his father, former S.C. Governor and U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley.

Lowcountry

Newman Jackson Smith Jr. 

Nelson Mullins

Smith's practice includes providing environmental and regulatory advice to developers, businesses and property owners on how to achieve business goals in compliance with environmental laws including those related to endangered species, stormwater management, discharges of wastewater, wetlands impacts and marine construction, mitigation banking and contaminated property cleanups.

He works with government agencies and boards to achieve permits and approvals for clients, and works with engineers and architects to entitle and build real estate developments and redevelop brownfield properties. He also advises on environmental liabilities and risk from environmental conditions on real property, or on natural resources conditions and restraints on development.

Smith earned undergraduate and law degrees at UofSC, and cites Sen. Ernest F. Hollings as his most influential mentor. His hobbies include cycling, the beach and reading, most recently "Language and Mind" by Noam Chomsky and "Darwin's Children" by Greg Bear. 

Also Recognized:

Upstate

Bruce Bannister | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC

Michael Burns | Burr Forman McNair

James Carpenter | Carpenter Law Firm

Anne Ross Culbreath | Willson Jones Carter & Baxley P.A.

Todd Darwin | Holcombe Bomar

Frank Eppes | Eppes and Plumblee

Trey Gowdy | Nelson Mullins

Mark Holmes | Fox Rothschild LLP

Michael Kozlarek | Kozlarek Law

Philip Land | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Brad Love | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

John Moylan | Wyche, P.A.

Nick Nicholson | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Mike S. Pitts | City of Greenville Government

Matthew Richardson | Wyche, P.A.

Wilson Sheldon | Willson Jones Carter & Baxley P.A.

Amy Snyder | Clawson and Staubes

Sarah Timmons | Timmons Law Firm

Logan Wells | Assistant Greenville City Attorney

Kyle White | White Davis & White

David Wilkins | Nelson Mullins

Robert "Bert" Wilkins | Wilkins & Bouton

Robert Wilkins | Clemson

Midlands

Bob Coble | Nexsen Pruet

Dwight Drake | Nelson Mullins

Cassidy Evans | South Carolina Farm Bureau

James "Jamey" Goldin | Nelson Mullins

Kevin Hall | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP 

Frannie Heizer | Burr Forman McNair

Alexander Imgrund | Caskey & Imgrund

Ray Jones | Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP

Makenzie Polston | The McKay Firm

Sally Rogers | Nexsen Pruet

Thom Salane | Turner Padget

Ed Schafer | Turner Padget

Ronald Scott | Scott & Corley, P.A.

Jeff Thordahl | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Brad Wright | Burr Forman McNair

Lowcountry

Stephanie Few | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Healthcare

Upstate

Sandra Louise Weikel Miller 

Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Miller became an attorney after years of practice as a registered nurse and Director of Nursing. Her litigation experience includes qui tam litigation and healthcare fraud and abuse. She has worked along with the Department of Justice and Office of Inspector General representing whistleblowers and has defended hospitals and other healthcare providers in qui tam cases. She represented the physician qui tam relator in the landmark U.S. ex rel. Drakeford v. Tuomey Healthcare System case and recently represented two large hospital systems in securing the dismissal of qui tam claims against them and the affirmation of those dismissals before the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Miller is admitted to practice before state and federal courts in South Carolina, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. She has served as an arbitrator in healthcare related disputes and regularly speaks at national conferences before healthcare and compliance associations. 

As chair of her firm's U.S. healthcare team, Miller has helped clients navigate the healthcare law and litigation landscape for 30 years. She is a graduate of East Tennessee State University where she earned her BSN, the University of South Carolina (MN) and the University of South Carolina School of Law. Originally from Elizabethton, Tenn., she enjoys traveling, reading and gardening.

Midlands

David B. Summer Jr. 

Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP

In the late 1980s, Summer began helping clients in the healthcare industry address their legal needs. Nearly three decades later, he is proud of the relationships he has built with hospital executives and other providers across the country. He believes that developing trust with clients is essential for a true counselor.

As a former business owner and hospital board member, Summer has firsthand knowledge of the challenges hospital executives and other providers face, running their operations while following complex federal and state regulations. That experience, combined with his legal career, enables him to serve as a trusted advisor on the navigation of day-to-day compliance as he leads Parker Poe's multi-state healthcare practice. 

Summer was born in Charleston and grew up in rural Newberry County. He holds degrees from the University of South Carolina School of Law and The Citadel and says he's blessed to have worked with a number of mentors who emphasized that law is a profession — not just a job. 

When he has the luxury of free time, he spends most of it cooking, hosting friends and family for dinner and parties, gardening and collecting wine.

Lowcountry

Merritt Abney 

Nelson Mullins

Abney focuses on complex commercial litigation, including business disputes, shareholder and partnership disputes, and disputes involving healthcare, financial institutions, real property and real estate development. He has broad experience with state and federal jury and non-jury trials and arbitration, and has argued numerous cases in state and federal appellate courts.

A graduate of Davidson College and the Vanderbilt University Law School, Abney is grateful for the mentorship of Richard Farrier. His hobbies include Atlanta Braves baseball, hiking and reading, and he's currently reading "The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money & Power," a Pulitzer Prize-winning history by Daniel Yergin.

Also Recognized:

Upstate

Ben Alexander | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Chris Antley | Parkinson Law Firm

Perry Boulier | Holcombe Bomar

Jennifer Spragins Burnett | Harbin & Burnett, LLP

Cindy Cambron | Prisma Health

Sarah Clemmons | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Harvey Cleveland | Bon Secours St. Francis Health System

Richard Davis | Davis and Davis

Ashby Davis | Davis & Snyder, PA

Anne Ellefson | Prisma Health

Robin Foster | Foster & Foster

Rachel Gilbert | Burr Forman McNair

Jon Hammond | ChartSpan

Matthew Henrikson | Henrikson Law Firm

Jennifer Johnsen | Gallivan, White, & Boyd

Cameo Joseph | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Bill Kehl | Wyche, P.A.

Trip Lehn | Williford Lehn, LLC

Leila Louzri | Foster Law Firm

Stuart Mauney | Gallivan, White & Boyd

Madison McKissick | Prisma Health

Henry Parr | Wyche, P.A.

Howard Paschal | Howard W. Paschal, Jr., Attorney at Law

Clark Price | Roe Cassidy

Dan Pruitt | Pruitt Law Firm

Sally Purnell | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Meghan Riordan | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Ken Shaw | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Blake Smith | Parham Smith & Archenhold

Steven Snyder | Davis & Snyder, P.A.

Charles Sprinkle | Prisma Health

Trey Suggs | Roe Cassidy

Matt Utecht | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Catherine Wrenn | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP 

Midlands

Stuart Andrews | Nelson Mullins

Jones Andrews | McGowan, Hood & Felder, LLC

George Beighley | Richardson Plowden & Robinson, P.A.

Darra Coleman | Nexsen Pruet

Liz Crum | Burr Forman McNair

Julie Cude | Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP

Craig Garner | Burr Forman McNair

Charles Henshaw | Furr and Henshaw

Jennifer Hollingsworth | Nexsen Pruet

Wes Jackson | Rogers Lewis 

Weldon R. Johnson | Barnes, Alford, Stork & Johnson, LLP

Ryan Judd | Turner Padget

Julius W. "Jay" McKay | The McKay Firm

John Moylan | Wyche, P.A.

E. Wade Mullins, III | Bruner, Powell, Wall & Mullins, LLC

Matthew Roberts | Nexsen Pruet

Will Thomas | Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP

Ruth Thompson | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP 

Lowcountry

Spencer Craig | Hall Booth Smith

Alissa Fleming | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Charles Jordan | Moore & Van Allen

Ariail Kirk | Jolley Law Group LLC

Tom Moran | Nelson Mullins

Eli Poliakoff | Nelson Mullins

Hospitality & Tourism

Upstate

Thomas L. Stephenson 

Stephenson & Murphy LLC

Stephenson has been practicing law since 1979.  For the first 25 years he handled mostly labor and employment matters on the management side. Then, he began to handle various types of civil litigation. For the last 20 years his practice has primarily focused on mediation, and he has mediated about 3,000 cases. He also handles a limited number of cases, including employment matters and shareholder disputes.

A graduate of the University of South Carolina and the UofSC School of Law, Stephenson says it is difficult to narrow down one influential mentor after working with so many excellent attorneys. However, Billy Wilkins, former solicitor, district court judge and Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, stands out.

In his off hours, Stephenson enjoys golf, biking and fishing. He recently read "The Last Days of Night" by Graham Moore, which he says is an interesting historical novel about Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse and Paul Cravath, a lawyer who founded the Cravath Firm. 

Midlands

Christian Stegmaier 

Collins & Lacy PC

Entering his third decade of practice, Christian Stegmaier is a member of Collins & Lacy's management committee and chair of the firm's retail and hospitality practice group. He defends national and regional leaders in the retail, hospitality, and entertainment sectors doing business in South Carolina in claims involving premises liability, loss prevention, food adulteration, third party torts, and alcohol liability. 

He is national vice chair of the DRI retail and hospitality committee and is a member of the Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys and the International Amusement and Leisure Defense Association. Stegmaier, who earned law and public health degrees from UofSC, is also an active appellate advocate, having appeared in more than 40 appeals before various state and federal appellate tribunals. Additionally, he serves in the South Carolina State Guard as a major in the Guard's JAG Detachment. 

He appreciates the mentorship of Ralph King Anderson Jr., judge of the S.C. Court of Appeals (retired), and Joel Collins, cofounder of his firm. Stegmaier enjoys F3 workouts and competing in endurance and relay race events.

Lowcountry

James Wilson 

Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Wilson focuses his practice on real estate development, zoning, land use and finance. He has represented both lenders and borrowers in complex secured loans and in loan workout, forbearance and modification arrangements. He also has extensive experience in the acquisition and development of hotel projects and the development of renewable energy products. 

A graduate of Washington and Lee University and the University of Virginia School of Law, Wilson has served as chair of the mortgage lending committee of the American Bar Association section of Real Property Trust and Estate Law. He cites Foster Gaillard as a mentor, enjoys playing tennis and is reading "The Narrow Road to the Deep North" by Richard Flanagan.

Also Recognized:

Upstate

Rob Corney | Gallivan, White & Boyd

James Dedman | Gallivan, White & Boyd

Alex Stalvey | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey

Lowcountry

Jeff Vinzani | Greybill, Lansche & Vinzani, LLC

Insurance

Upstate

Phillip E. Reeves 

Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A.

A partner in the Greenville, S.C. office, Reeves has tried approximately 200 cases and handled numerous appeals in state and federal courts. He has focused his litigation and trial work on insurance, product liability and transportation. With particular emphasis on first party claims, he has handled various coverage issues, along with extra-contractual and bad faith cases for more than 33 years. These issues involve several different policy types including commercial general liability, garage keeper's liability, professional liability and commercial property.

Reeves has extensive experience defending product liability claims and is known for his creative approach to problem-solving. He often represents clients who are involved in the manufacture or distribution of a wide range of commodities such as chemicals, industrial equipment and building materials and products. Additionally, he has a vigorous transportation and trucking law practice. He has represented clients in matters that included catastrophic injury cases, hazardous materials transportation, cargo claims and more.

A graduate of Furman University and Emory University School of Law (Order of the Coif), Reeves says he enjoys reading, watching Clemson football and basketball and playing golf badly. His most influential mentor has been his father.

Midlands

John "Adam" Ribock 

McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Ribock graduated from the University of South Carolina's Darla Moore School of Business before attending the University of Mississippi School of Law and is a member of both the South Carolina and Georgia Bar Association. He served as a law clerk for Judge Michael P. Mills in the Northern District of Mississippi and Judge L. Casey Manning, whom he names as his most notable mentor, in South Carolina Circuit Court. Manning provided him with his first opportunity out of law school. Ribock says his year-long clerkship was an invaluable experience, and Manning's guidance, which continues to this day, was exemplary preparation for his legal career.

After his clerkships, Ribock began his career at MGC Real Estate where he conducted residential and commercial closings. His practice now is primarily general civil litigation defense, including motor vehicle collisions, professional negligence, premises liability and construction defects. Additionally, his real estate experience allows him to handle lawsuits against homeowners' associations and landlord-tenant disputes.

Away from the office, Ribock can be found in the great outdoors, walking or playing sports with his wife, his dog and two —soon to be three — children. The book he is currently reading is The Bible.

Lowcountry

Allison Molony Carter 

Willson Jones Carter & Baxley, P.A.

Carter has been practicing insurance defense for 30 years and currently focuses mainly in the area of workers' compensation defense. She also spends a significant portion of her time serving as a mediator in workers' compensation claims.

Originally from Charleston, S.C., Carter holds a bachelor's degree from Clemson University and earned her juris doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law where she was a member of the South Carolina Law Review" and the Order of the Wig and Robe. A certified mediator, she has been named to U.S. News Best Lawyers every year since 2013.

The mentor who has impacted her most is her colleague, Johnnie Baxley. Her hobbies include boating, reading and watching college football. The most recent book added to her shelf was "Talking to Strangers" by Malcolm Gladwell.

Also Recognized:

Upstate

Mark Allison | McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Jay Anthony | Anthony Law, LLC

Christopher R. Antley, Jr. | Devlin & Parkinson

Adam Bach | Eller Tonnsen Bach

Rita Barker | Wyche, P.A.

Howard Boyd | Gallivan White & Boyd, P.A.

William Brown | Nelson Mullins

Langdon Cheves | Turner Padget

Rob Corney | Gallivan White & Boyd, P.A.

Anne Ross Culbreath | Wilson Jones Carter and Baxley, P.A.

Clay Custer | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Natalie Ecker | Gallivan White & Boyd, P.A.

Jennifer Eubanks | Gallivan White & Boyd, P.A.

Nick Farr | Gallivan White & Boyd, P.A.

Batten Farrar | Gallivan White & Boyd, P.A.

Steve Farrar | Fox Rothschild LLP

Stephanie Flynn | Fox Rothschild LLP

Mills Gallivan | Gallivan White & Boyd, P.A.

Ted Gentry | Wyche, P.A.

Geoff Gibbon | McAngus Goudelock and Courie

Justin Hamrick | Hamrick Firm

Jennifer Johnsen | Gallivan White & Boyd, P.A.

Zandra Johnson | The Z Firm

Alan Jones | McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Trip Lehn | Williford Lehn, LLC

Leila Louzri | Foster Law Firm

Allison Mabbs | Willson Jones Carter & Baxley P.A.

Denny Major | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Frankie Marion | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Beth McMillan | McAngus Goudelock & Courie

David Moore | Turner Padget

Doc Morgan | McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Nihar Patel | The Carolina Law Group

Ross Plyler | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price, PA

Derrick Quattlebaum | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Jack Riordan | Fox Rothschild LLP

Rocky Rogers | Moseley Marcinak Law Group

Wilson Sheldon | Willson Jones Carter & Baxley P.A.

Amy Snyder | Clawson and Staubes

Frank Stern | Turner Padget

Trey Still | Clawson and Staubes

Rivers Stilwell | Nelson Mullins

Jeanmarie Tankersley | Clawson and Staubes

M. Kyle Thompson | Willson Jones Carter & Baxley P.A.

Eric Tonnsen | Eller Tonnsen Bach

Chuck Turner | Willson Jones Carter & Baxley P.A.

Charles Williams | McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Midlands

Mark Barrow | Sweeny, Wingate & Barrow, P.A.

Brett Bayne | McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Joshua Bennett | Rogers Townsend

Johnston Cox | Gallivan White & Boyd, P.A.

Andy Delaney | Williams & Williams Attorneys at Law, LLC

Curtis W. Dowling | Barnes, Alford, Stork & Johnson, LLP

Jessica Gooding | Goings Law Firm

Catharine Griffin | Baker Ravenel Bender

George Hanna | Howser, Newman & Beasly, LLC

Rogers Harrell | Murphy and Grantland

Ryan Holt | Sweeny, Wingate & Barrow, P.A.

Austin Hood | Clawson & Staubes

John Hudson | McLeod Law Group LLC

Brandon Jones | The McKay Firm

Lindsay Joyner | Gallivan White & Boyd, P.A.

Becky Laffitte | Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC

Jack McKenzie | McDonald, McKenzie, Rubin, Miller & Lybrand

Shelley Montague | Gallivan White & Boyd, P.A.

Charlie Moore | Turner Padget

J.R. Murphy | Murphy & Grantland

Makenzie Polston | The McKay Firm

Laura Robinson | Vernis & Bowling

Thom Salane | Turner Padget

Wesley Sawyer | Murphy & Grantland

Daniel Settana | The McKay Firm

Thornwell "Biff" Sowell | Sowell & DuRant LLC

Kelli Sullivan | Turner Padget

Monica Towle | McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Michael Trask | McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Breon Walker | Gallivan White & Boyd, P.A.

Lowcountry

Michael Ferri | Grimball and Cabaniss

Henry Grimball | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Elizabeth Morrison | Hall Booth Smith

Sarah Rand-McDaniel | Walker, Allen, Grice, Ammons, Foy & Klick, LLP

Megan C. White | Richardson Plowden & Robinson, P.A.

Intellectual Property & Innovation

Upstate

Tom Vanderbloemen

Vanderbloemen Law Firm P.A.

Vanderbloemen Law Firm helps clients with trademark, copyright and patent matters, with an emphasis on growing and protecting brands. The firm also works with clients to set up, get into, and get out of franchise systems, and provides outsourced corporate counsel services for emerging and established businesses that do not have in-house legal departments or that have existing departments that need additional support.  

Vanderbloemen began the firm in 2017 after practicing for over 15 years with large firms in Atlanta and Greenville. The firm's work has involved matters and colleagues in numerous states and foreign countries in a wide range of sectors, including fitness, hospitality, technology, transportation, construction, higher education, entertainment, jewelry design and artwork, and apparel. 

Vanderbloemen, a graduate of Davidson College and Duke Law School, is grateful to live in Greenville and for the support of so many wonderful clients and colleagues. He particularly values the mentorship of his former colleague Art Howson, who knew how to be an effective lawyer, good listener and great person, all without taking himself too seriously. Currently reading "The Checklist Manifesto" by Atul Gawande, Vanderbloemen finds time for music, golf, cooking and travel. 

Midlands

Thomas Moses 

Southeast IP Group, LLC

Moses and his associates handle intellectual property matters involving patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, license agreements and related litigation. They have represented clients ranging from individual inventors and small businesses to Fortune 500 corporations across the globe before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Copyright Office, state and federal courts and the South Carolina Supreme Court.

Hailing from Chapin, S.C., Moses holds a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Wofford College and is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law. His most significant mentor has been his father, Al Moses, retired attorney, adjunct professor at the UofSC School of Law and original co-author of the "South Carolina Probate Practice Manual."

His hobbies include snowboarding/skiing, scuba diving, traveling, backpacking, kayaking, cooking, reading, camping and other outdoor adventures. The last book he read was an installment of the "Horatio Hornblower" series by C.S. Forester.

Lowcountry

David S. Cox 

Barnwell Whaley Patterson & Helms, LLC

 

Serving as counsel for a variety of major product manufacturers in product liability litigation, Cox's cases have included the defense of industrial equipment, tires, vehicles, boats, tools, consumer appliances and recreational products. He represents local, national and international companies for general business advising, intellectual property, risk management and litigation of commercial disputes, both as plaintiff and defendant.

In addition, Cox's practice includes intellectual property and trade practices litigation. He obtains trademarks and copyrights for business clients and litigates infringement and trade practice cases. Cox also helps clients implement strategies for protecting their intellectual property and for addressing infringement issues and other threats to that intellectual property. With over 25 years of experience, he has tried numerous cases to verdict in state and federal courts.

A graduate of Duke University School of Law and Tulane University (cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa), Cox believes his litigation experience helps him to be a better business lawyer and that his business experience makes him a better litigator. He works to understand his clients' perspectives and goals, and he understands the need to balance risks and costs.

His hometown is Bay St. Louis, Miss., and he spends his recreational time boating and playing tennis.

Also Recognized:

Upstate

Neil Batavia | Dority & Manning, P.A.

Tom Epting | Fox Rothschild

Hunter Freeman | Burr Forman McNair

John Hardaway | Nexsen Pruet

Nichole Hayden | Nelson Mullins

Amy Allen Hinson | Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP

Heidi Hood | Dority & Manning, P.A.

Meliah Bowers Jefferson | Wyche, P.A.

Seth Jones | Dority & Manning, P.A.

Connie Jones | Altus IP, LLC

Sara Kanos | Nexsen Pruet

Douglas Kim | Kim & Lahey Law Firm

Seann Lahey | Kim & Lahey Law Firm

Steve LeBlanc | Steve LeBlanc, LLC

Wallace Lightsey | Wyche, P.A.

Douglas Lineberry | Burr Forman McNair

Alan Marshall | Dority & Manning, P.A.

Rachel McConoughey | McConoughey Law Firm

Ben Mullinax | J. Bennet Mullinax, LLC

John Perkins | Perkins Law Firm

Allison Richmond | Dority & Manning, P.A.

Eric Sivertson | Dority & Manning, P.A.

Tim St. Clair | Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP

Matthew Sutch | Dority & Manning, P.A.

Rhoades White | Dority & Manning, P.A.

Tim Williams | Dority & Manning, P.A.

Parks Workman | Dority & Manning, P.A.

Midlands

Mike Mann | Nexsen Pruet

Steve Matthews | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Jason Pittman | Dority & Manning, P.A.

Sam Priddy | Turner Padget

Todd Serbin | Nexsen Pruet

Calhoun "Reb" Thomas, III | The Thomas Law Firm

Lowcountry

Edward Fenno | Fenno Law Firm, LLC

International

Upstate

Joseph Rohe 

Fox Rothschild LLP

A licensed U.S. Customs broker and Certified Customs Specialist, Rohe is a logistics and international trade attorney who advises and counsels clients on various matters pertaining to customs and trade, representing both domestic and foreign importers and exporters in multiple aspects of international trade transactions. He frequently works with clients on import classification and valuation issues aimed at reducing tariff obligations and maximizing landed cost savings.

Rohe has significant experience in highly regulated and technical articles, including defense articles, hemp and hemp-derived products, chemicals, electronics, and automotive parts. He also frequently represents clients in matters involving customs fines, penalties and forfeitures (FP&F), free trade agreements, regulatory audit and internal audit programs, customs violations and the filing of prior disclosures. 

Rohe has a B.S. degree from the Citadel and an LLB degree from the University of Durham in the U.K. He is thankful for the mentorship of Stephen Brown of YCR Law. In his spare time, he enjoys travel, mountain climbing and diving, and is reading "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston.

Midlands (TIE)

Wolfgang Buchmaier 

Buchmaier Law Firm LLC

Since 2004, Buchmaier Law Firm has focused its foreign direct investment international business practice on U.S. subsidiaries of German companies and their general business, corporate, immigration, international employee transfer and international tax issues. The firm also acts as their general outside counsel, maintains an application-based immigration practice for individuals and assists German-American trans-border estates during probate. 

Buchmaier has German and American law degrees, and has practiced international business and corporate law and immigration law since 1997 and international probate law since 2007. He is a fully admitted member of the bars of South Carolina, Louisiana and Germany. 

He appreciates the mentorship of John Foster, enjoys whitewater kayaking and recently read "John Lennon vs. The U.S.A." by Leon Wildes.

David E. Dubberly

Nexsen Pruet

Dubberly chairs Nexsen Pruet's Employment and Labor Law Group and co-chairs the firm's International Law Team. He helps companies from other countries comply with applicable laws and resolve disputes while doing business in the United States and conversely, assists domestic companies doing business in other countries. In a career of over three decades, he has become a go-to attorney for companies seeking legal counsel in compliance matters, defense of government investigations, litigation and mediation and arbitration.

Certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court as a Specialist in Employment and Labor Law, Dubberly is well-versed in such matters as trade secrets, non-compete agreements, whistleblowers and Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigations. He has experience negotiating sales, supply, manufacturing, joint venture, distribution, agency, licensing and other related agreements and handles disputes related to international commercial agreements.

A graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law and Bob Jones University, Dubberly says he has been most influenced by his teachers, professors, pastors and colleagues. Originally from Mercedes, Uruguay, he enjoys an active lifestyle of traveling, swimming, running and cycling.

Also Recognized:

Upstate

Henry "Buzz" Burwell | Nelson Mullins

Brent Clinkscale | Independent International Arbitrations (AAA and ICDR)

Frank Davis | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Jim Denning | Burr Forman McNair

Thomas Epting | Fox Rothschild

Philip Land | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Henry Parr | Wyche, PA

Bill Pitman | Pitman Law Firm

Jay Rogers | Nelson Mullins

Tim St. Clair | Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP

Garrett Steck | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Knox White | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Marshall Winn | Wyche, P.A. 

Midlands

Sam Moses | Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein

Labor & Employment

Upstate

Amy Jenkins 

McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Jenkins represents employers in all aspects of employment law. A South Carolina Supreme Court Certified Specialist in Labor & Employment Law, as well as a certified mediator, she chairs the firm's employment law practice group.

With extensive experience in drafting and evaluating policies, handbooks and contracts, Jenkins regularly conducts training for clients, including anti-harassment training, and represents employers in federal and state litigation and government agency matters. She also helps employers conduct internal compliance audits and routinely counsels clients on issues related to hiring, terminations, wages, non-compete agreements, trade secrets and more.

A graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and the University of New Hampshire Honors College, Jenkins is originally from Mount Pleasant, S.C. For rest and relaxation, she travels, works out and spends time on the water. She is the author of the chapter "Fair Labor Standards Act" included in "Labor and Employment Law for South Carolina Lawyers," published by the South Carolina Bar Association.

Midlands

Stephen Savitz 

Gignilliat, Savitz & Bettis, LLP

For over 40 years, Savitz's goal has been to help employers provide workplaces where employees want to be and where they feel safe. Gignilliat, Savitz & Bettis is a labor and employment law firm, representing management only. Calling his advice both practical and legal, Savitz says he likes to prevent problems on the front end. When issues arise, he and his colleagues seek resolution with civility, engaging in all forms of alternative dispute resolution, but are vigorous advocates for their clients in any administrative or judicial forum.

Savitz is a certified specialist in employment and labor law as well as a mediator and arbitrator certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court. He often reviews and prepares employment agreements, and his firm advises in areas including best fair employment practices (anti-discrimination and anti-harassment), handbooks, wage and hour laws, affirmative action and traditional labor law and regularly presents seminars on these issues.

The late Dan McLeod, former S.C. attorney general, served as a significant mentor for Savitz, who was educated at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of South Carolina School of Law. Originally from Columbia, he enjoys music, golf, reading and eating in his free time.

Also Recognized:

Upstate

Andy Arnold | Horton Law Firm, P.A.

Lucas Asper | Ogletree Deakins

Lee Ellen Bagley | Crowe LaFave, LLC

Elizabeth Bowen | Cromer Babb Porter & Hicks, LLC

Emily Bridges | Fox Rothschild LLP

Tom Bright | Ogletree Deakins

Olivia Broderick | Ogletree Deakins

Debbie Brown | Gallivan White Boyd

Kris Cato | Blair Cato

Caroline Cleveland | Cleveland & Conley

Jennifer Cluverius | Nexsen Pruet

Ashley Cuttino | Ogletree Deakins

Benjamin Dudek | Fisher Phillips

Bill Foster | Littler Mendelson P.C.

Andrew Frederick | The Frederick Law Firm, LLC

Amy Gaffney | Gaffney Lewis LLC

Chris Gantt-Sorenson | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Jim Gilliam | Burr Forman McNair

Jack Griffeth | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price, PA

Russell Guest | Guest & Brady

Jamie Hedgepath | Nexsen Pruet

Ryan Hicks | Cromer Babb Porter & Hicks, LLC

Kelly Jolley | Jolley Law Group LLC

Laura Jordan | Gallivan White Boyd

Phillip Kilgore | Ogletree Deakins

Wade Kolb | Wyche, P.A.

Stephanie Lewis | Jackson Lewis P.C.

Regina Lewis | Gaffney Lewis LLC

Angus Macaulay | Nexsen Pruet

Denny Major | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Casey Martens | Kim & Lahey Law Firm

Camden Massingill | Wyche, P.A.

Ellison McCoy | Jackson Lewis P.C.

Charles McDonald | Ogletree Deakins

John Merrell | Ogletree Deakins

Stephen Mitchell | Fisher Phillips

David Moore | Turner Padget

Brian Murphy | Stephenson and Murphy

Michael Nail | Ogletree Deakins

Cashida Okeke | Jackson Lewis P.C.

Alex Paterra | Alex Paterra Attorney at Law

John Perkins | Perkins Law Firm

Al Phinney | Ogletree Deakins

Paul Porter | Cromer Babb Porter & Hicks, LLC

Demetrius Pyburn | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Christy Rogers | Nexsen Pruet

David Rothstein | Rothstein Law Firm

Lucy Sanders | Bloodgood & Sanders

Bryn Sarvis | Sarvis Law, LLC

Andreas Satterfield | Jackson Lewis P.C.

Giles Schanen | Nelson Mullins

Creighton Segars | Cromer Babb Porter & Hicks, LLC

Frank Shuler | Turner Padget

Josh Smith | Smith Hudson Law

Tom Stephenson | Stephenson & Murphy

Ashley Story | White & Story

Fred W. Suggs Jr. | Ogletree Deakins

Jeremy Summerlin | Horton Law Firm

Zach Weaver | Gallivan White & Boyd, P.A.

Sheila Willis | Fisher Phillips

Sandi Wilson | Jackson Lewis

Stephen Woods | Ogletree Deakins

Baker Wyche | Ogletree Deakins

Midlands

Samantha Albrecht | Cromer Babb Porter & Hicks, LLC

Courtney Atkinson | Metcalfe & Atkinson

Julius Babb | Cromer Babb Porter & Hicks, LLC

Darrious Baker | Darrious L. Baker PA

Sarah Batson | Nexsen Pruet

Reggie Belcher | Turner Padget

Vance Bettis | Gignilliat, Savitz & Bettis, LLP

Malissa Burnette | Burnette Shutt & McDaniel PA

Jack Cohoon | Burnette Shutt & McDaniel PA

Kiosha Dickey | Ogletree Deakins

Joseph D. Dickey Jr. | Dickey Law Group

David Dubberly | Nexsen Pruet

Jeffrey Dunlaevy | Dunlaevy Law Firm

Linda Edwards | Gignilliat, Savitz & Bettis, LLP

Ted Gentry | Wyche, P.A.

William Robert Gignilliat, IV | Jackson Lewis P.C.

Casey Gonyea | Gallivan White & Boyd, P.A.

Sue Erwin "Corky" Harper | Nelson Mullins

Katherine Helms | Ogletree Deakins

Janet Brooks Holmes | The McKay Firm

Matt Johnson | Ogletree Deakins

Christopher Johnson | Gignilliat, Savitz & Bettis, LLP

Ariail Kirk | Jolley Law Group, LLC

Charles McDonald | Belser & Belser, P.A.

Robin McLean | McCutchen McLean, LLC

Nikole Mergo | Nexsen Pruet

Marshall Newton | Gignilliat, Savitz & Bettis, LLP

Janet Rhodes | Burnette Shutt & McDaniel PA

Jim Rourke | Nexsen Pruet

T. Chase Samples | Jackson Lewis P.C.

Michael Shetterly | Ogletree Deakins

Nekki Shutt | Burnette Shutt & McDaniel PA

Hannah Stetson | Turner Padget

Lowcountry

Brett Ehman | Ehman Law Firm

Molly Hamilton Cawley | MHC Law, LLC

Greg Horton | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Ashley Kutz Kelley | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP 

Perry MacLennan | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Personal Injury

Upstate

J. Matthew Whitehead 

The Carolina Law Group, LLC

Whitehead is an experienced civil litigator and trial attorney who has represented people of diverse backgrounds, as well as local and national businesses, in state and federal court. He joined The Carolina Law Group nearly 10 years ago to focus almost exclusively on personal injury and complex litigation matters and often handles catastrophic loss and wrongful death cases.

As a young attorney, Whitehead worked for Howard Boyd, whose reverence and profound respect for the trial attorney, the bench and fellow members of the S.C. Bar continue to influence his approach to the law and his practice. He is honored to have been selected one of Greenville Business Magazine's Legal Elite in personal injury for the past five years and is especially appreciative of the time he received the most votes from his peers.

A native of Hartsville, S.C., Whitehead served on the Law Review at the University of South Carolina School of Law and earned a business management degree from the Honors College at the University of South Carolina. Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, he has been spending lots of quality time with his kids and playing golf. He looks forward to traveling, coaching youth ball again and watching Gamecock sports.

Midlands

Mark B. Stanley

The Stanley Law Group P.A.

After practicing law in Orlando, Mark B. Stanley joined The Stanley Law Group in 2016 to work alongside his father, H. Ronald Stanley, as lead personal injury attorney. He has taken on serious and catastrophic injury cases, making him a top player in the Columbia market and statewide. 

The firm was founded in 1990 to help people navigate the legal system and to help restore the quality of life to those who sustained a significant loss. Based in Columbia, the firm specializes in personal injury law and injuries resulting from car accidents, truck and tractor trailer accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and falls and wrongful death. With more than 60 years of experience, the firm provides creative legal solutions to meet the needs of clients.

Stanley has master's degrees in business administration and information science in addition to his law degree, and lists as his mentor his father, H. Ronald Stanley. A former USC baseball player, he went to three straight College World Series, and now enjoys working out and spending time with his wife and daughter. 

Lowcountry

Richard V. Davis 

Davis Law Group, LLC

For more than 35 years, Davis has been an advocate for injury victims and the disabled in his hometown of Greenville, S.C. He asserts that violation of safety rules in the workplace, on the roadways or on property needlessly endangers, often resulting in catastrophic consequences. His firm's mission is to hold wrongdoers responsible and help clients find a path forward — making the world a safer place along the way. 

Davis holds an undergraduate degree in political science from Clemson University and earned his juris doctor at the University of South Carolina School of Law. He credits many people for influencing his professional journey, including judges, his pastor Stephen Clyborne and fellow attorneys such as Carl Muller, however; the most influential person in his life is his wife Dodie Davis. He says he is eternally grateful for her guidance and wisdom.

Whether he's teaching his granddaughter a new word — or simply answering a question or providing some legal guidance for an acquaintance — Davis says he derives the most satisfaction from trying to recognize opportunities to help others that God brings his way.

The last book he read was "Wait, What? And Life's Other Essential Questions" by James E. Ryan.

Also Recognized:

Upstate

Scott Anderson | Grimes Teich Anderson, LLP

Brooke Archenhold | Parham Smith & Archenhold, LLC

W. Andrew Arnold | Horton Law Firm, P.A.

Charles Bondurant | Bondurant Law Firm

Cameron G. Boozie | Boggs Law Firm

Scott J. Bradley | Joel Bieber Firm

Zach Brown | McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Mitchell Byrd | Carolina Law Group

George Campbell | Campbell Teague

Andrew Carson | The Clardy Law Firm, PA

Matt Christian | Christian & Christian Attorneys At Law

Doug Churdar | Churdar Law 

Allen Clardy | Clardy Law Firm

Audria Claxton | De Bruin Law Firm

Rob Corney | Gallivan, White & Boyd

Gene Covington | Eugene Covington PA

Jim Cox | Wyche, P.A.

Clayton Custer | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Will Davis | Davis Law Group

Perry Deloach | The Law Offices of Perry B. Deloach, Jr., LLC

Jamie DeMint | DeMint Law Firm

Scott Dover | Law Offices of R. Scott Dover

Daniel Draisen | Krause Moorehead & Draisen, P.A.

Meghan M. Early-Soppa | Moseley Marcinak Law Group LLP

Dan Farnsworth | Farnsworth Law Firm

Nicholas Farr | Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A.

Batten Farrar | Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A.

Wally Fayssoux | Fayssoux & Landis

Stephanie Flynn | Fox Rothschild LLP

Paul Hammack | Hammack Law Firm

Knox Haynsworth, III | Brown Massey Evans McLeod & Haynsworth, LLC

Bobby Jones | Parham Smith and Archenhold

Keith Knowlton | Davis & Snyder, P.A.

Paul Landis | Fayssoux & Landis

Ryan Langley | Hodge & Langley

Will Maxey | HawkLaw PA

Michael Melonakos | The Melonakos Law Firm

Ryan Montgomery | Ryan Montgomery Attorney at Law

Joe Mooneyham | Mooneyham & Berry

Kirk Moorhead | Moorhead LeFevre, P.A.

John Moylan | Wyche, P.A.

Tim Nowacki | Clardy Law Firm

Nihar Patel | Carolina Law Group

Doug Patrick | Covington and Patrick

Eric Philpot | Philpot Law Firm PA

Elizabeth Philpot | Philpot Law Firm

Rodney Pillsbury | Pillsbury Law Firm LLC

Christopher Pracht | Thomason & Pracht LLP

David Price | David R Price, Jr., P.A.

Dan Pruitt | Dan Pruitt Law Firm

Sally Purnell | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Hunter Reid | Howard Howard Francis & Reid

David Rheney | Gallivan, White & Boyd

Robert "Rocky" C. Rogers | Moseley Marcinak Law Group LLP

Kurt Rozelsky | Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell LLP

Meghan Early-Soppa | Moseley Marcinak Law Group LLP

James Segura | Varner & Segura

George Sink | George Sink Law Firm

Blake Smith | Parham Smith Archenhold

James Sproat | HawkLaw PA

Alex Stalvey | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey

Patrick Still | Clawson and Staubes

Kyle Thompson | Willson Jones Carter & Baxley P.A.

Sam Tooker | David R. Price, Jr., P.A.

Genevieve Mendes Weaver | Clardy Law Firm

James Whalen | Whalen Law

Kyle White | White Davis & White

Raymond Wooten | Smith Jordan

Joey Wright | McGowan, Hood & Felder, LLC

Midlands

Robin Alley | Isaacs & Alley

Jones Andrews | McGowan, Hood & Felder, LLC

Kenneth Berger | Law Office of Kenneth Berger, LLC

Marc Brown | Marc Brown Law Firm, LLC

Logan Cannon | Shaw Law Firm

Mark Chappell, Jr. | Chappell Smith and Arden

Johnston Cox | Gallivan, White & Boyd

Andy Delaney | McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Richard Detwiler | Callison Tighe & Robinson, LLC

Lucy Dinkins | Wyche, P.A.

Brian Dumas | Brian Dumas, Attorney LLC

Sherod H. Eadon Jr. | Lee Eadon Isgett Popwell & Owens

Johnny Felder | McGowan, Hood & Felder, LLC

Robert Goings | Goings Law Firm

Jessica Gooding | Goings Law Firm

Trey Jones | McGowan, Hood & Felder, LLC

John Kassel | Kassel McVey

Mike Kelly | Mike Kelly Law Group

Ryan Lane | Lane Law Firm

Brad Lanford | Law Office of Kenneth Berger, LLC

Micah Leddy | Leddy Law Firm

Kelley Leddy | Salley Law Firm

Tyler Lee | Lee Injury Law

Neal Lourie | Lourie Law Firm

Sydney Lynn | Joye Law Firm

Jenkins Mann | Rogers Lewis 

Hugh McAngus | Chappel Smith & Arden, P.A.

Theile McVey | Kassel McVey

Tem Miles | The Miles Firm, LLC

Charlie Moore | Turner Padget

S. Jahue Moore, Sr. | Moore Taylor Law Firm

Marion Moses | Moses Law

Pamela R. Mullis | Mullis Law Firm P.A.

Lori Murray | Law Offices of Lori S. Murray

Stanley Myers | Moore Taylor Law Firm

Clarke Newton | Bluestein Attorneys

J.C. Nicholson | The McKay Firm

Sam Priddy | Turner Padget

Andrew Radeker | Harrison Radeker and Smith. P.A.

Jason Reynolds | Samuels Reynolds Law Firm, LLC

Adam Ribock | McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Matthew Richardson | Wyche, P.A.

Jamie Rutkoski | Kassel McVey

Ramie Shalabi | Dayson & Shalabi Law Firm LLC

Nick Skorzewski | Cavanaugh & Thickens

Allison Sullivan | Bluestein Attorneys

Richard C. Thomas | Barnes, Alford, Stork & Johnson, LLP

Brady Thomas | Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman

Charlie Williams | Williams & Williams Attorneys at Law, LLC

Virginia Williams | Williams & Williams Attorneys at Law, LLC

Lowcountry

Beth Middleton Burke | Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman

Patrick Chisum | Gruenloh Law 

Gary Christmas | Christmas Injury Lawyers

Samuel Clawson, Jr. | Clawson Fargnoli, LLC

John Decker | Walter Hundley Law Firm

Michael Dill | Cobb, Dill, and Hammett

Christy Fargnoli | Clawson Fargnoli

Joel Hamilton | Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm

Randy Helmly | Helmly & Good Attorneys at Law

Russell D. Hilton | Russell D. Hilton Attorney at Law, LLC

Mark R. Peper, Sr. | Peper Law Firm

Bennett Schiller | Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm

Residential Real Estate

Upstate

Griffin Bell 

Bell Carrington Price & Gregg

Bell concentrates his practice in all phases of real estate transactions – specifically residential purchases, refinances, and home equity lines of credit. Griffin founded Bell Carrington Price & Gregg LLC in 2009 with Lindsay Carrington, and has since built a practice that prides itself on exceptional legal service with a personal touch.

Now a robust firm of 14 attorneys practicing in 10 areas within three states, they have created a brand that doesn't settle for less than excellence. Whether dealing with a first-time homebuyer or a savvy investor, Bell and his team have earned a reputation for top-notch closings that are both efficient and enjoyable for all involved. 

Bell is a graduate of Wake Forest University and the UofSC School of Law. He cites his father, Al Bell, as an influential mentor who has always supported him and given him advice in all facets of life, not just the practice of law. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and five children and playing golf. He is reading "Beach Music" by Pat Conroy. 

Midlands

David Ross 

McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Ross has been practicing real estate law since 2005 and represents clients in a variety of residential and commercial real estate transactions, as well as business formations. Since joining the MGC Real Estate Group in 2007, he's taken it from a small localized group to a full-servicing statewide practice.

Prior to MGC, Ross served as law clerk for the Honorable L. Casey Manning of the 5th Judicial Circuit and began his career with a real estate firm in Columbia. Hailing from Alexander City, Ala., he earned both his undergraduate degree and law degree in Columbia and served as captain of the men's basketball team for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. He names his former basketball coach, Eddie Fogler, as his most significant mentor.

Outside of the office, Ross can be found playing golf, coaching basketball or hanging out with his family. The last book he read was "Treatise on the Law of Easements in South Carolina" by Dick Unger.

Lowcountry

Jessica Dawson 

McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Dawson works in real estate law with a focus on residential real estate closings. She earned her bachelor's degree from Clemson University and her law degree from UofSC. Dawson represents buyers, sellers, buyers, developers and lenders in residential and commercial real property transactions and also has experience in estate planning. 

She has had several mentors over the years, including Johnny Linton. She served as his law clerk before taking the bar exam, and during that time, he taught her many law and life lessons, including the idea that"you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar," a concept that continues to shape her work and life. She loves traveling, design, and spending time with her husband, kids and dog Moose. She is reading" Shoe Dog" by Phil Knight. 

Also Recognized:

Upstate

JJ Andrighetti | Culbertson & Andrighetti

Adam Artigliere | Burr Forman McNair

Michael Bagwell | Bradley K. Richardson PC

Natalie Bialas | Guest & Brady

Jim Blakely | Blakely Law Firm

G.H. Bobotis | Bobotis Law Firm

Kevin Brady | Guest & Brady

Adam Breaux | Breaux Callahan

Courtney Camferdam | Camferdam Law Firm, LLC

Charlie Carpenter | Forward Law LLC

Lindsey Carrington | Bell Carrington

Molly Cash | Campbell Teague

JoAnna Cooper | Nelson & Galbreath

Daniel Craig | Johnson, Smith, Hibbard & Wildman Law Firm

Daniel Crotchett | The McCord Law Firm, LLC

Erin Culbertson | Culbertson Andrighetti, LLC

Bryan De Bruin | De Bruin Law Firm

Gary De Bruin | DeBruin Law Firm

Aaron DeBruin | DeBruin Law Firm

Patrick Dollar | Martin Law Firm

Phil Donnan | Donnan & Morton, PA

Perry Edwards | E. Perry Edwards Attorney at Law

Chris Edwards | Chris Edwards, PC

Doug Evans | Brown Massey Evans McLeod & Haynsworth, LLC

Sean Faulkner | Nelson Mullins

Jim Fayssoux | Fayssoux & Landis

Ellis Forest | McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Nathan Galbreath | Nelson & Galbreath

Will Glenn | Nelson & Galbreath

Amber Glidewell | Roe Cassidy

Terry Haskins | Haskins Law Firm

Hayes Holliday | Holliday Ingram Law Firm

Jan Horton | Horton & Horton

Danny Hoy | Bradley K. Richardson, PC

Trey Ingram | Holliday Ingram Law Firm

John Kehl | Horton Law Firm, PA

Paul Landis | Fayssoux & Landis

Jacqui Lanier | Lanier Law Firm

Aimee Leary | Fox Rothschild

Charles D. LeGrand | LeGrand Law Firm, LLC

Josh Lonon | Wyche, P.A.

Elizabeth McCool | Bannister, Wyatt and Stalvey, LLC

Matthew McCord | The McCord Law Firm

Jack McDonald | Bannister Wyatt and Stalvey

Bud McDonald | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Dale McKinney | McKinney & Sullivan PA

Tyler McLeod | Brown Massey Evans McLeod & Haynsworth, LLC

Stanley McLeod | Brown Massey Evans McLeod & Haynsworth, LLC

Bradley Richardson | Bradley K. Richardson, P.C.

Carroll Roe | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price, PA

Scott Sanders | E. Scott Sanders Attorney at Law

Brook Shuler | Bracknell Shuler, LLC

Henry Sullivan | McKinney & Sullivan, LLC

Austin Taylor | Salle Galloway Law Firm

Annah Toates | Bell Carrington Price & Gregg, LLC

John Walker | Fox Rothschild

Nathan Williams | Bradley K. Richardson, P.C.

John Wyatt | Bannister Wyatt and Stalvey

David Wyatt | Wyatt Law Firm

Midlands

Robert Ashley | Ashley & Gibbons

Darrious Baker | Darrious L. Baker, PA

Michelle Carimi | Carimi Law Firm

Bryan Caskey | Caskey & Imgrund

Chad Dial | The Dial Firm

Albert John Dooley, III | The Dooley Law Firm

Phillip Ethridge | The Ethridge Law Firm

Grace Faulkenberry | Albertelli Law

Charles Foster | Foster Law Offices

Robert Grimm | Law Office of Robert J. Grimm

Allison Heffernan | Scott & Corley, PA

James Hindersman | Law Offices of James B. Hindersman, LLC

Lisa Hostetler Brown | LawyerLisa, LLC

Chris Jay | Merritt Webb

Ashtin Kilpatrick | Turner Padget

Jonathan Moore | Jonathan Moore, Attorney at Law

Chris Moran | Law Office of Christopher J. Moran

Priti M. Patel | LawyerLisa, LLC

Ryan Patterson | McCutchen Mumford Vaught and Geddie

Taylor Peace | Harrell, Martin & Peace, PA

Gary Pickren | Blair Cato

Lowndes Pope | Riley Pope & Laney

Matthew Rupert | Scott & Corley, P.A.

James Segars | Stuckey Fata & Segars, LLC

Jared Smith | The Law Offices of Jared Smith LLC

Xavier Starkes | Starkes Law Firm, LLC

Mark Thomas | The Thomas Law Firm

Tricia Wharton | Turner Padget

Gregory Williams | Gregory G. Williams, LLC

Lowcountry

Ashley Andrews | LaFond Law Group, PA

David Bevon | The Bevon Law Firm

Brian Collie | Buxton & Collie

David Crawford | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Morris Ellison | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Terra Futch | Terra Futch Law

Joseph L. Garcia III | Buist, Byars & Taylor, LLC

Amy Haines | Haines Law Firm

Billy Hennessy | Dodds & Hennessy

Catherine LaFond | LaFond Law Firm

David Santos | Burr Forman McNair

Sean Scapellato | Cobb Dill & Hammett Law Firm

Tax & Estate

Upstate

David A. Merline, Jr. 

Merline & Meacham, P.A.

David Merline has been serving clients since 1984 in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, business transactional law, succession planning, estate planning and estate administration, taxation, LLCs, partnerships, corporations, asset protection planning and ERISA law. He has a B.A. from Furman University, a J.D. from the UofSC School of Law and an LL.M degree in taxation from the University of Miami. 

Established in 1970, Merlin & Meacham, P.A., has offices in Greenville and Columbia. The three-generation firm, which focuses on tax, estate planning, trusts and estates, corporate and business law, recently celebrated 50 years in business. The firm has 10 attorneys, each with a Master of Laws degree in taxation, and several have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© and have been recognized as certified specialists in the fields of taxation law, estate planning and probate law by the Supreme Court of S.C.

Merline, a Greenville native who enjoys tennis, fishing and skiing, cites his father, David A. Merline, Sr., as his most influential mentor.

Midlands

Erin A. Cook 

Estate Planning of SC, LLC

Cook is the owner of Estate Planning of SC, LLC and is certified as a Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the S.C. Supreme Court. Prior to starting her own firm in 2008, she spent seven years as an associate with two highly respected firms in Columbia, S.C. Her practice concentrates on both taxable and nontaxable estate planning, along with probate and trust administration and prenuptial agreements.

A member of the South Carolina Bar Association, Columbia Estate Planning Council and Columbia Tax Study Group, Cook is a frequent lecturer on tax, estate planning and probate and trust administration issues. She received her B.A. in English from Winthrop University, her J.D. from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University and her Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Florida. 

Cook is a proud native of Columbia, S.C., and when she's not in the office, she takes palette knife oil painting classes and likes to create art. The last book she read was "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson.

Lowcountry

Jennifer Davis 

Nelson Mullins

Davis focuses on tax planning for high net-worth individuals as to estate, gift and income taxes, and represents companies negotiating state and local tax and economic incentives. She also handles settlement and negotiation of companies' property tax disputes and represents tax-exempt organizations as to tax-exempt status and tax compliance. 

A graduate of Wofford College, UofSC School of Law and the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where she earned an LLM in taxation, Davis cites John von Lehe Jr. as a mentor. She enjoys snow skiing, gardening and water sports, and is reading "The Lehman Trilogy" by Stefano Massini. 

Also Recognized:

Upstate

Robert August | Merline & Meacham, P.A

Ella Barbery | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price, PA

Charlie Carpenter | Forward Law

Dan Collins | Collins & Collins, P.A. Attorneys at Law

Matthew Couvillion | Wyche, P.A.

Aaron De Bruin | De Bruin Law Firm

Jim Denning | Burr Forman McNair

William Dennis | Fox Rothschild LLP

Matt Edwards | Thomas, Fisher, Sinclair & Edwards, P.A.

Randy Fisher | Thomas, Fisher, Sinclair & Edwards, P.A.

Thomas Fisher | Thomas, Fisher, Sinclair & Edwards, P.A.

Jeff Fisher | Fisher Law Firm

Cary Hall | Wyche, P.A.

Justin Hamrick | Hamrick Legal

John Hine | The Hine Law Firm

Zach Horton | Horton & Horton

Tod Hyche | Fox Rothschild

Richard Jones | Dobson Jones

Ben G. Leaphart | Ashmore Leaphart & Rabon, LLC

Phillip Martin | Merline & Meacham, P.A

David Massey | Brown Massey Evans McLeod & Haynsworth, LLC

Tyler McCloud | Brown Massey Evans McLeod & Haynsworth, LLC

Mac McLean | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Tyler McLeod | Brown Massey Evans McLeod & Haynsworth, LLC

Keith Meacham | Merline & Meacham, P.A

Andrew Merline | Merline & Meacham, P.A

Marie Monroe | Merline & Meacham, P.A

Lesley Moore | Freeman & Moore

Douglas O'Neal | Merline & Meacham, P.A

Suzanne Odom | Jackson Lewis P.C.

Michael Pack | Dennis, Shaw, Drennan & Pack

Hall Provence | Fox Rothschild

Jake Rea | Thomas, Fisher, Sinclair & Edwards, P.A.

Joseph Schillizzi | Burr Forman McNair

J. Kurt Schumacher, Jr. | Schumacher Law, LLC

Joel Stoudemire | Nexsen Pruet

Renee Tedrick | Collins & Collins, P.A. Attorneys at Law

Chuck Verdin | Nelson Mullins

C. John Wentzell, Jr. | Jackson Lewis P.C.

Midlands

Jeff Allen | Burr Forman McNair

Bert Brannon | Callison Tighe & Robinson, LLC

Lane K. Cook | LawyerLisa, LLC

Frank Cureton | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Donny Dial | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Brian Dumas | Brian Dumas, Attorney LLC

Randy Epting | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Jeffrey Haladay | Stratton & Reynolds, LLC

William "Bill" Higgins | Graybill, Lansche & Vinzani, LLC

Jeffrey D. Hopkins | Barnes, Alford, Stork & Johnson, LLP

Lisa Hostetler Brown | LawyerLisa, LLC

David Johnson | Turner Padget

Will Johnson | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Catherine H. Kennedy | Turner Padget

Thomas Kilpatrick | Murphy and Kilpatrick, PA

Freddie Kingsmore | Nexsen Pruet

Angela Kirby | Kirby Law, LLC

Johnny Kornegay | Todd & Johnson

Jonathan P. Lee | Sojourner, Caughman & Thomas

Jennifer MacLeod | Sojourner, Caughman & Thomas

James McCutchen | McCutchen McLean, LLC

Verne McGough | Merline & Meacham, P.A

Robin McLean | McCutchen McLean, LLC

Williams Newsome | Newsome Law 

Billy Newsome | Newsome Law Firm

Charles Prescott | The Prescott Law Firm

Rick Reames | Nexsen Pruet

Alan J. Reyner | Barnes, Alford, Stork & Johnson, LLP

Chris Rogers | Rogers Lewis 

David Siddons | Siddons Law Firm

David C. Sojourner, Jr. | Sojourner, Caughman & Thomas

Jonathan Spitz | Todd & Johnson

Karen Thomas | Sojourner, Caughman & Thomas

Ryan Wallace | Sojourner, Caughman & Thomas

Ken Wingate | Sweeny, Wingate & Barrow, P.A.

Lowcountry

Richard Allen | Fraser & Allen, LLC

Edward G. R. Bennett | Evans Carter Kunes Bennett

Brent Bullock | Taylor Foley

T. Heyward Carter | Evans Carter Kunes & Bennett

Kathryn Cockrill | Cockrill Estate Law

David Foley | Taylor Foley

John Jolley | Jolley Law Group LLC

Aaron Nelson | Merline & Meacham, P.A

Graeme Philp | Graybill, Lansche & Vinzani, LLC

Steve Slotchiver | Slotchiver & Slotchiver

Ken Smith | Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP Bond

Workers' Compensation

Upstate

Mitchell K. Byrd, Jr.

The Carolina Law Group

Byrd has focused his 15-year legal career on helping people who have been injured on the job. Whether he's dealing with a minor injury or a catastrophic life-changing event, he endeavors to be generous with his time to help clients get what they need within the scope of the workers' compensation system.

First within the criminal justice system and currently within the workers' compensation system, Byrd has always focused on litigation. He calls his law partners, Nihar Patel and Monty Desai, his key mentors and says he wouldn't be where he is today without their help in harnessing his natural talents and ambitions and focusing them in a way that would help their clients first and their business second. 

Byrd is a 2000 graduate of Wofford College and an alumnus of the University of South Carolina School of Law. Originally from Rock Hill, S.C., he has called Greenville, S.C., home for the last 15 years. Music and cooking are two of his passions; he also loves the outdoors and traveling and has been playing guitar for 25 years. 

Midlands

Jason Wendell Lockhart 

MGC Insurance Defense

Jason Lockhart has practiced workers' compensation law for more than 19 years, having tried hundreds of cases on behalf of employers and carriers. He strives to provide his clients with an honest assessment of their exposure while simultaneously formulating a realistic and systematic plan to best defend their interests in the most cost-effective manner. 

Lockhart has been instrumental in the creation of an evolving business model at MGC, designed to satisfy client needs for alternative fee arrangements. He also leads the MGC Shark Tank, an innovation incubator committed to creating new tools designed to harness the firm's data and artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, uniform file handling processes, machine learning, comprehensive knowledge management and pricing and tier-based legal services.

Lockhart received his bachelor's and law degrees from UofSC, and cites Rusty Goudelock, Buster Holland and Hugh McAngus as influential figures in his life. Outside of work, he enjoys watching sports and participating in F3 Columbia. 

Also Recognized:

Upstate

John Alfieris | Holder Padgett Littlejohn + Prickett

Mark Allison | McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Allan Clardy | Clardy Law Firm

Will Davis | Davis Law Firm

Rick Davis | Davis and Davis

Carole Dennison | The Dennison Law Firm, P.C

Monty Desai | The Carolina Law Group

Vernon Dunbar | McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Brad Easterling | McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Amity Edmonds | Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A.

Dan Eller | Eller Tonnsen Bach

Cory Ezell | Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A.

Patrick Fant | Fant & Fant

Mike Farry | Horton Law Firm, P.A.

Ashley Forbes | McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Joseph Francis | Howard, Howard, Francis & Reid, L.L.P

Wally Frye | Eller Tonnsen Bach

Johnnie Fulton | Fulton and Barr

Mills Gallivan | Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A.

Katie Grove | McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Franklin Guerrero | Willson Jones Carter & Baxley P.A.

Russell Guest | Guest & Brady

David Hartman | Clardy Law Firm

Erroll Anne Hodges | McAngus, Goudelock & Courie

Jeffrey Jones | Willson Jones Carter & Baxley, P.A.

Grady Jordan | Smith Jordan

Donald Kamb | Williams & Kamb

J. South Lewis, II | Willson Jones Carter & Baxley, PA

Jeff Martin | Grimes Teich Anderson

Al Martin | Martin & Martin Attorneys

Amanda Mellard | McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Dana Mitchell | Dana Mitchell Law, LLC

Ryan Montgomery | Montgomery Law Firm

Hunter Morris | Hunter Morris Law Firm

David Padgett | Holder Padgett Littlejohn + Prickett, LLC

Jared Petulak | Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A.

Irvin Philpot | Philpot Law Firm

Jason Porter | Jason Porter Law

David Price | David R. Price, Jr., P.A.

Ben Renfrow | Willson Jones Carter & Baxley P.A.

Robert ("Rocky") Moseley | Marcinak Law Group

Logan Rollins | HawkLaw PA

James Segura | Varner and Segura

William Shaughnessy | McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Wes Shull | Willson Jones Carter & Baxley P.A.

Zach Smith | Willson Jones Carter & Baxley P.A.

James Sproat | HawkLaw PA

Alex Stalvey | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC

Jeanmarie Tankersley | Clawson and Staubes

TJ Twehues | Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A.

Larry Welborn | Standeffer & Harbin

Kathryn Williams | Williams and Kamb

Hal Willson | Willson Jones Carter & Baxley P.A.

Michelle Yarborough | Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A.

Midlands

Holly Atkins | Holly Atkins Law Firm

Grady Beard | Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC

Kenneth Berger | Law Office of Kenneth Berger, LLC

M. Brooks Biediger | Holder Padgett Littlejohn and Prickett

Marti Bluestein | Bluestein Attorneys

Christian Boesl | Goings Law Firm

Andrew Brown | Brown Law Firm, P.A.

Mark Cauthen | The McKay Firm

Kay G. Crowe | Barnes, Alford, Stork & Johnson, LLP

Ashley Dixon | Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC

Mundi George | McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Robert Goings | Robert Goings Law

Jessica Goodings | Goings Law Firm

Will Harbison | Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A.

Candace Hindersman | Willson Jones Carter & Baxley P.A.

Rocky Hughey | McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Ashley Johnson | Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC

Gibbs Leaphart | Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC

Tyler Lee | Lee Injury Law

Pete Leventis | Chappel Smith and Arden

Stuart Moore | McAngus Goudelock & Currie

Matt Moser | McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Shannon Polvi | Cromer Babb Porter & Hicks, LLC

Laura Robinson | Vernis & Bowling

Andrea Roche | Mickle & Bass, LLC

Stephen Samuels | Samuels Reynolds Law Firm, LLC

Ramie Shalabi | Dayson & Shalabi Law Firm

Allison Sullivan | Bluestein Attorneys

George Taylor | Chapel Smith & Arden

Derrick Williams | Mickle & Bass, LLC

Lowcountry

Gary Christmas | Christmas Injury Lawyers

Mark Davis | McAngus Goudelock & Courie

Cynthia Dooley | Turner Padget

Adam Greene | Willson Jones Carter & Baxley P.A.

Roy A. Howell III | Trask & Howell

Vince Northcutt | Lueder, Larkin & Hunter, LLC