2018 Legal Elite
Aug 02, 2018 01:08PM ● By Emily StevensonSince 2012, Greenville Business Magazine has honored Greenville attorneys by
publishing our Legal Elite feature. Winners are chosen by the votes of area
attorneys. Legal Elite is the only award program in the region that gives
every active attorney the opportunity to participate. We highlight the top
vote getters in 20 categories with their biographies and a Q&A. The
methodology is that while attorneys are allowed to nominate members of their
own firm, for each infirm nomination made, there had to be an out-of-firm
nomination. Attorneys are not allowed to vote for themselves. The selections
for Legal Elite for 2018 are presented within the following pages and we are
pleased to honor them.
Antitrust
Henry Parr
Wyche, P.A.
Henry Parr enjoys tackling major challenges and has done so successfully for almost 40 years at Wyche. He leads Wyche’s international and antitrust practice groups. He is also a leader in the firm’s complex litigation and arbitration practices.
While at Wyche, he has handled successful trials and arbitrations dealing with major disputes in health care, insurance, paving, bottling, bath tissue manufacturing, networking hardware, publishing, finance, missile wiring harnesses, and many other industries. He served as law clerk to Chief Justice Warren Burger of the United States Supreme Court and Chief Judge Clement Haynsworth Jr. of the United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. He recently served as an advisor to the Restatement of the Law of Liability Insurance. He serves as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association, the International Center for Dispute Resolution, Hong Kong International Arbitration Center, the Chartered Institute, and the London Court of International Arbitration.
What led you to select the particular type of law that you practice?
I enjoy working with businesses of all types to understand and address their opportunities and challenges. I enjoy playing to win. My teachers told me I should be an attorney because I enjoyed arguing.
Who has been your mentor in your legal career and why?
Several people: Charlie Wofford shared his incredibly successful and somewhat unconventional ways of winning and persuading. David Freeman and Tommy Wyche shared their extraordinary gifts.
What is your most memorable case?
Several: arguing to the U.S. Supreme Court in the Spencer case, winning for defendants in three criminal antitrust trials in paving and bottling industries, successfully protecting Woven Electronic’s trade secrets, obtaining permission for Loris Healthcare to build Seacoast Medical Center.
What do you like most about living and working in Greenville?
I love the mountains, lakes, parks, downtown, symphony, Peace Center, farmers markets, food scene, energy, international population, successful companies, and the good people of Greenville.
Rachael Anna | Nexsen Pruet
Wade Kolb | Wyche, P.A.
Tami McKnew | Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP
Kirsten Small | Nexsen Pruet
Marguerite Willis | Nexsen Pruet
Banking & Finance Law
Neil Grayson
Nelson Mullins
Neil Grayson is the head of the firm’s Financial Institutions Practice Group and has a national corporate and regulatory practice focused primarily on financial institutions and other financial services companies, as well as the formation of real estate and other investment funds. Grayson typically serves as outside general counsel or primary outside counsel for his clients, handling mergers, securities offerings, strategic planning, corporate governance, executive compensation, and regulatory matters.
What led you to select the particular type of law that you practice?
I chose corporate law over litigation because I enjoy helping clients complete projects or solve issues constructively rather than by litigating or being adversarial. I was drawn to securities and M&A law when I joined Cravath, Swaine & Moore right out of law school, and I began focusing on the financial institutions industry when I moved to Atlanta in 1991. Because financial institutions are so heavily regulated and subject to constant change, there is never a shortage of interesting issues to solve or projects to complete. I was very fortunate to be able to continue in this same practice when I moved to Greenville in 2003.
Who has been your mentor in your legal career and why?
I have had several mentors during my career, but the most important has been my father, Pat Grayson. I learned from my dad the importance of listening to others, thinking before I speak, being creative when necessary to solve a dispute or conflict, and treating everyone I work with—including opposing counsel—with respect.
What is your most memorable case?
Two of the more complicated projects I have handled were both local: The recapitalization of The Palmetto Bank during the Great Recession, which was one of the first transactions in the country in which bank regulators permitted private equity investors to acquire control of a bank, and the dissolution of Certus Bank, in which we handled the sale of substantially all of the bank’s assets and liabilities in almost 20 different transactions, as the bank was unable to find another bank that would acquire the entire bank through a merger.
What do you like most about living and working in Greenville?
I grew up in Greenville, so I was happy to return to my roots and to be able to live near my parents. I must say, however, that Greenville is a much different place than it was when I grew up here. I really enjoy bragging about Greenville when I travel.
Ben Barnhill | Nelson Mullins
Marian Bowers | Womble Bond Dickinson
Mike Burns | McNair Law Firm, P.A.
Lindsay Carrington | Bell Carrington Price & Gregg, LLC
David Gossett | Nexsen Pruet
Eric Graben | Wyche, P.A.
John Jennings | Nelson Mullins
Chris King | Chris King Law Firm
Sterling Laney | Womble Bond Dickinson
Charles LeGrand | LeGrand Law Firm
Brandon Norris | McNair Law Firm, P.A.
Gary T. Pope, Jr. | Pope Flynn
Pete Roe | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price, P.A.
Brad Rustin | Nelson Mullins
E. Tyler Smith | Parker Poe
Lindsay Smith | Womble Bond Dickinson
Bankruptcy
Kevin McCarrell
Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP
Kevin McCarrell is a certified specialist in bankruptcy and debtor-creditor law, as certified by the Supreme Court of South Carolina. He is member of Smith Moore Leatherwood’s Litigation group, focusing on business, commercial, and real estate litigation with an emphasis on creditors’ rights and bankruptcy.
McCarrell has experience representing banks, trade creditors (including in the health care, transportation, and agriculture industries), and other financial services companies in workouts, mortgage foreclosures, and debt collection matters in which creditors are seeking to recover on troubled assets or seeking to recover under conversion or fraud theories. He also represents creditors and others in defending lender liability actions and consumer suits.
In the bankruptcy realm, McCarrell assists in protecting creditors’ and others’ rights by pursuing relief from stay, defending rights in the context of a 363 sale, objecting to dischargeability of certain debts, defending preference or fraudulent transfer claims, or simply filing proofs of claim.
What led you to select the particular type of law that you practice?
I started practicing in 2008 on my firm’s Corporate M&A team. Obviously, with the economy where it was in 2008, M&A was light, while foreclosures and bankruptcy were hot, so I made the move and never looked back.
Who has been your mentor in your legal career and why?
Although many of the attorneys at my firm and in Greenville have served as my mentors in some capacity, my primary and greatest mentor has been Marion Hughes (now retired). Initially, he was my mentor because he was the partner that handled my chosen practice area. However, ultimately, I learned a lot more from him than just substantive legal knowledge, including maintaining civility with adversaries, wading through ethical dilemmas, and suffering through Gamecock football.
What is your most memorable case?
My most memorable case was probably in the probate court seeking to have the mother of a soon-to-be 18-year-old girl with a debilitating condition appointed as the daughter’s guardian. There was no legal contest and no meaty legal issues to delve into, but at the end of the day, ensuring that the mother would have access to her daughter’s medical records and doctors was one of the more rewarding end results of my cases.
What do you like most about living and working in Greenville?
I was born and raised in Greenville, so I have seen a lot of changes over the years here, and all of the downtown life, restaurants, and amenities are great. However, at the end of the day, I would say being near family at the foot of the mountains is my favorite aspect.
Aaron Angell | Angell Molony, LLC
Adam Bach | Eller Tonnsen Bach
Weyman Carter | McNair Law Firm, P.A.
Jim Cassidy | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price, P.A.
Bill Clarke | Sarratt & Clarke
Chris Edwards | Moss and Associates
Kate Laffitte | Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP
Dana Lahey | The Geheren Firm, P.C.
Stephen Layne | Wyche, P.A.
Gina McMaster | McMaster Law Firm, P.A.
Duffie Powers | Gallivan White Boyd
Allison Rogers | Thomerson Freeman & Rogers, P.C.
Randy Skinner | Skinner Law Firm
Jason Ward | Kinlaw Cunningham & Ward
Rory Whelehan | Womble Bond Dickinson
Sidney Wike | Law Office of Sidney Wike, LLC
Marshall Winn | Wyche, P.A.
Business Litigation
Joshua Smith
Roe Cassidy Coates & Price, P.A.
Josh Smith focuses his practice on helping businesses and individuals solve issues in litigation. He advocates for clients in both state and federal court at the trial and appellate levels in business disputes, trade secrets and unfair competition cases, employment matters, and financial litigation. Smith also has varied environmental experience including matters arising under the APA, CERCLA, Clean Water Act, and the S.C. Pollution Control Act. In addition, Smith works with clients outside the courtroom to implement strategies and practices to avoid litigation. He advises businesses and individuals on various employment, contract, and business-related matters and negotiates with environmental regulators and potential adversaries to resolve disputes before they reach the courthouse. Super Lawyers has recognized Smith as a Rising Star in business litigation every year since 2014. Greenville Business Magazine has deemed him one of the Upstate’s Legal Elite each year from 2012 to present.
What led you to select the particular type of law that you practice?
I went into law school focused on environmental law. This led to me pursuing and getting clerkships at the EPA and DHEC. Bill Coates hired me straight out of law school to work on a large environmental case. Once at the firm, during lags in the environmental matter and when it was finally over, I worked with him and other business litigation lawyers within the firm. With environmental work being a smaller market and my colleagues’ practices being more business oriented, my focus shifted to business litigation.
Who has been your mentor in your legal career and why?
I have to name two: Bill Coates and Randy Moody. Bill took a chance and hired me straight out of law school to work on an environmental matter with him. I’ve continued to work with Bill for the past 10 years and continue to learn a great deal from him and his decades of litigation experience. Randy Moody and I worked closely together for nearly eight years. He made sure to involve me in all aspects of a case so I could really learn how to litigate, practice law, and become independent. Both of these men allowed me to get out there, argue in court, try some cases, and appear before the appellate courts early in my career. I would not be able to do what I do today without Bill and Randy, and I still am lucky enough to be able and go to either of them to discuss a case, idea, or strategy.
What is your most memorable case?
My first and what will likely be biggest case—United States v. W.R. Grace et al. Bill Coates was defending one of the former W.R. Grace executives in a Clean Air Act matter, which was deemed the most significant environmental crime case ever pursued by the DOJ. He needed some trial support and I was more than glad to do whatever was needed to be a part of this thing. We ended up living out in Missoula, Mont., for months while the prosecution put on their case over the course of 10+ weeks. Our client was dismissed two days into the defense’s case before the jury returned not guilty verdicts for the remaining defendants. I do not anticipate seeing such a large, multi-year case and trial of that magnitude for the rest of my career.
What do you like most about living and working in Greenville?
I’m a Greenville native and have been lucky enough to witness its incredible transformation over the past few decades. That makes all the great things about the city, from Falls Park to the burgeoning restaurant scene, even more enjoyable for me, because I remember downtown being known for blight and not a good dinner.
Adam Bach | Eller Tonnsen Bach
Steven Buckingham | Buckingham Law Firm
George Campbell | Campbell Teague
John R. Devlin, Jr. | Devlin & Parkinson, P.A.
Megan Early-Soppa | Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP
Bernie Ellis | McNair Law Firm, P.A.
Steven Farrar | Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP
Randy Fisher | Thomas, Fisher, Sinclair & Edwards, P.A.
Josh Hudson | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price, P.A.
Townes Johnson | Townes B. Johnson III, LLC
Phillip Kilgore | Ogletree Deakins
Wallace Lightsey | Wyche, P.A.
Denny Major | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
Andrew Mathias | Nexsen Pruet
Doc Morgan | McAngus Goudelock & Courie
Sam Outten | Nelson Mullins
John R. Perkins, Jr. | Perkins Law Firm
Lee Plumblee | Eppes & Plumblee, P.A.
Kurt Rozelsky | Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP
Rivers Stilwell | Nelson Mullins
Michael Thomerson | Thomerson Freeman & Rogers, P.C.
Tom Traxler | Carter Smith Merriam Rogers & Traxler, P.A.
Zach Weaver | Gallivan White Boyd
Burl Williams | Nexsen Pruet
Commercial Real Estate
Brad Gower
Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP
Brad Gower is a member of Smith Moore Leatherwood’s commercial real estate and corporate teams. His practice focuses on commercial real estate and corporate transactions representing real estate buyers/sellers, developers/lenders, and landlords/tenants in all aspects of commercial real estate. Gower’s corporate practice serves clients looking to start new business ventures or grow or sell existing businesses, as well as business owners looking for general corporate counsel. Gower is a graduate of Leadership Greenville, has been selected to South Carolina Super Lawyers, and currently serves as president of the S.C. Piedmont Chapter of the Washington & Lee University Alumni Association.
Gower was born and raised in Greenville. He graduated from Christ Church Episcopal School, attended Washington & Lee University, and returned to Greenville in 2011 after graduating from USC Law. Brad and his wife, Meredith, have two young sons.
What led you to select the particular type of law that you practice?
I was attracted to the transactional side of the practice of law, given the opportunities it provides to work with parties on both sides of the negotiation table to reach a shared goal. While there are always challenges and differences along the way, the satisfaction of reaching a successful closing is rewarding for all involved.
Who has been your mentor in your legal career and why?
I am grateful to have had many great mentors throughout my legal career. One of my first mentors was Art Howson, who unfortunately passed away from cancer in 2013—just barely over a year after I began practicing law. Art was a close family friend, and as any good mentor is, he was a patient listener, generous with his time, and thoughtful in providing constructive feedback, all while instilling in me the principle that making mistakes is (and always will be) a part of learning the “practice” of law. Since then, I have had numerous other mentors within my law firm and the Greenville Bar, all for whom I am thankful.
What is your most memorable case?
Each transaction is unique and memorable regardless of size or scope, and every transaction presents new opportunities and challenges. Our firm has recently assisted various restaurant franchise clients with large-scale, multistate real estate and corporate buyout transactions, which incorporated many complex elements. I will always remember the magnitude of these transactions, the level of detail and complexity of legal work required to get these deals across the finish line, as well as the leadership and guidance our firm was able to provide our clients.
What do you like most about living and working in Greenville?
My wife and I were both born and raised in Greenville, and we always knew we wanted to raise our family here. I love the history of our town and the unique sense of community Greenville has maintained amid its growth. I am thankful for the continued growth and opportunities here, and you can’t beat having the Blue Ridge Mountains in the backyard.
Adam Artigliere | McNair Law Firm, P.A.
Adam W. Breaux | Breaux & Callahan, P.A.
Amber Glidewell | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price, P.A.
Trey Ingram | Holliday Law Firm
Maurie Lawrence | Hughes Development Corporation
Josh Lonon | Wyche, P.A.
Michelle Lyerly | Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP
Megan O’Neill | Wyche, P.A.
Brian Price | Bell Carrington Price & Gregg, LLC
Steven M. Querin | Johnson Smith Hibbard and Wildman
Scott Sanders | E. Scott Sanders Attorney at Law
Meg Scoopmire | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
Lana Sims, IV | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
Lindsay Smith | Womble Bond Dickinson
William Swent | Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP
John Walker | Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP
Jim Warren | Nexsen Pruet
Construction Law
Geoff Gibbon
McAngus, Goudelock & Courie
Geoff Gibbon was born and raised in Spartanburg. He and his wife, Kristen, have a daughter named Sloane and a son named Rett. Gibbon graduated from Auburn University in 2004 with a degree in finance and then graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2007. He started clerking for McAngus, Goudelock, & Courie, LLC in law school and has been with MGC ever since. Gibbon’s practice focuses primarily on defending a variety of civil matters, including car accidents, premises liability cases, trucking cases, and construction defect cases. He is also on the Board of Directors for the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association and currently serves as editor of its publication, The DefenseLine. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, playing golf, watching college football, and spending time with his wife and kids.
What led you to select the particular type of law that you practice?
As hard as it is to believe, I did not grow up dreaming of being a civil defense attorney. I was drawn to my current position by the great people and culture at MGC. I liked the fact that I got to go to work with people every day that I’m fortunate enough to call my friends.
Who has been your mentor in your legal career and why?
I can undoubtedly point to two mentors in my legal career: Doc Morgan and Tom Chase. These two exceptional lawyers have provided so much guidance and support over the years. Their open-door policy, patience, civility, and respect for others in the profession is something I really admire and respect.
What is your most memorable case?
I’ve had a lot of memorable cases over the years. However, one that comes to mind is a case I tried in Spartanburg several years ago where my client caused a one-car collision. He was drunk and driving without a license. He got his sixth DUI as a result. The plaintiffs claimed they were passengers in the car and injured as a result of the accident. My client claimed the plaintiffs were not in the car at the time of the accident. Despite these facts and all my preparation with my client, he thought it would be a good idea to show up at trial wearing a Budweiser shirt. It made for an interesting day in front of the jury.
What do you like most about living and working in Greenville?
Greenville truly speaks for itself. It was great when I moved here 11 years ago, but even in that relatively short period of time, Greenville has grown into an amazing city. Another great thing about working in Greenville is that we have a fantastic bar. I have numerous colleagues that are not only great advocates for their clients but even better people to know and be around.
Cynthia Brown | Harper, Lambert & Brown
Tom Coker | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
John Crawford | Kenison, Dudley & Crawford, LLC
Robert deHoll | Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP
John R. Devlin, Jr. | Delvin & Parkinson, P.A.
Kyle Dillard | Ogletree Deakins
Tom Dudley | Kenison, Dudley & Crawford, LLC
L. Franklin Elmore | Elmore Goldsmith, P.A.
Batten Farrar | Gallivan White Boyd
Mason A. Goldsmith, Jr. | Elmore Goldsmith, P.A.
Stokely Holder | Holder Padgett Littlejohn and Prickett
Townes Johnson | Townes Johnson Law Firm, LLC
Bryan P. Kelley | Elmore Goldsmith, P.A.
Wesley Lambert | Harper, Lambert & Brown
J. W. “Jay” Matthews, III | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
Duffie Powers | Gallivan White Boyd
F. Lee Prickett, III | Holder Padgett Littlejohn and Prickett
Ron Tate | Gallivan White Boyd
Reed Teague | The Ward Law Firm
Eric Tonnsen | Eller Tonnsen Bach
William Wilson | Wyche, P.A.
Criminal Law
Beattie Ashmore
Beattie B. Ashmore, P.A.
Beattie Ashmore has been practicing law in South Carolina for more than 30 years. Having grown up in Greenville, he is particularly proud to be a member of the Greenville County Bar. He has appeared in state and federal courts all over South Carolina and in a handful of other states, and Greenville attorneys are widely respected for their outstanding collegiality and professionalism. This year, 14 of the 25 Top 25 S.C. Super Lawyers are from Greenville. Two of five S.C. Supreme Court Justices are from Greenville. As Greenville grows, so does the Greenville County Bar. There is no place Ashmore would rather live to practice law and raise a family.
What led you to select the particular type of law that you practice?
I started my career in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and realized that I loved the courtroom and criminal trials in particular.
Who has been your mentor in your legal career and why?
Greenville has many outstanding attorneys and they are more than willing to help each other as well as younger attorneys. There are simply too many attorneys to name who have mentored me over the years.
What is your most memorable case?
I’ve tried everything from DUI to murder, but the case that received the most press—even in the London Times—involved the dismissal of the charge against my client for allegedly spitting in an iced tea at a McDonald’s drive-thru. The judge dismissed it at a preliminary hearing, which is rarely done, but my client was clearly innocent.
What do you like most about living and working in Greenville?
I grew up here, as did my parents and grandparents. I have most of my family and many friends here in Greenville. I’ll never leave this town.
Jim Bannister | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC
Jenny Barwick | Clawson & Staubes, LLC
John Bateman | The Bateman Law Firm
Ryan Beasley | Ryan Beasley Law Firm
William I. Bouton | Wilkins & Bouton, LLC
Bill Coates | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price, P.A.
Sloan Ellis | Sloan P. Ellis Law Firm, LLC
Frank Eppes | Eppes & Plumblee, P.A.
Jake Erwin | Farnsworth Law Offices, LLC
Dan Farnsworth, Jr. | Farnsworth Law Offices, LLC
Eddie Hunter | 7th Circuit Solicitor’s Office
Matt Kappel | Kappel Law
Alex Kornfeld | Alex Kornfeld, Attorney at Law, LLC
Lucas Marchant | Marchant Law Firm
E. Powers Price | Price Law Firm
Jack Riordan | Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP
Alex Stalvey | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC
Sam Tooker | David R. Price, Jr., P.A.
Marcelo Torricos | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC
William W. “Billy” Wilkins | Nexsen Pruet
Environmental
Rita Bolt Barker
Wyche, P.A.
Rita Bolt Barker is a shareholder with Wyche, PA. She is an experienced litigator with an emphasis on environmental issues. She represents clients in federal and state courts, as well as before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. Her varied experience includes advising clients on matters arising under federal and state environmental statutes. Barker also counsels clients on assessing environmental risks and incentives associated with corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and real estate deals.
Barker has been an adjunct professor at Clemson University and Furman University and was an editor of Environmental Law in South Carolina (4th ed.). Barker is a member of the American Bar Association’s Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources and received the Section’s Distinguished Environmental Advocate Award. Barker earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School and her B.A., summa cum laude, from Clemson University.
What led you to select the particular type of law that you practice?
Having grown up on a farm, I understood the connection between environmental policy and business at an early age. By 7th grade, I had declared myself a future environmental attorney and never looked back. My law school coursework and clinical experience solidified my decision.
Who has been your mentor in your legal career and why?
I have been fortunate to have several mentors, beginning with Judge Beverly Martin, for whom I clerked after graduation. She taught me about the importance of hard work, thorough research, and clear writing. Here at Wyche, Tommy Wyche was a mentor early in my career. He demonstrated the importance of persistence and collaboration and taught me that obstacles are simply opportunities to be more creative.
What is your most memorable case?
My most memorable case was a case in which we represented an extended family that lived on the same tract of land. The family members assumed they would raise their children and grow old on the property, only to discover that it had been impacted by contamination by an adjoining property owner. Following a jury trial, we were able to secure compensation for this deserving family. I continue to maintain contact with this family today, many years after the trial.
What do you like most about living and working in Greenville?
Greenville has a sophisticated business community that is globally connected but retains the feel of a small town where people care about and invest in each other. Additionally, Greenville emphasizes wellness and livability through its commitment to preserving green space, creating trails and parks, and providing access to healthy foods.
Michael Bogle | Womble Bond Dickinson
Bill Coates | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price, P.A.
Michael Corley | SC Environmental Law Project
Greg English | Wyche, P.A.
Gene McCall | McCall Environmental
Mott McDonald | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
Elizabeth Partlow | Law Offices of Elizabeth B. Partlow, LLC
Gary W. Poliakoff | Poliakoff & Associates, P.A.
Josh Smith | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price, P.A.
Stacy Taylor | McNair Law Firm, P.A.
Kyle White | White, Davis, & White Law Firm, P.A.
Family
Reid Sherard
Nelson Mullins
Reid Sherard handles a multitude of family court matters, including contested custody, complex financial issues, international jurisdictional disputes, and premarital and postnuptial agreements. He has deep litigation and appellate experience, having tried a number of cases in a variety of courts and argued 10 appeals. He dedicates a significant amount of time each year to pro bono matters and is a certified family court mediator. 2018 is the third consecutive year his peers have recognized him as the top attorney vote getter for Greenville Business Magazine’s Legal Elite. He also is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and South Carolina Super Lawyers (top 25 in the state for both 2017 and 2018, regardless of practice area). He 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).
What led you to select the particular type of law that you practice?
I enjoy representing individuals and helping them find solutions to difficult personal problems.
Who has been your mentor in your legal career and why?
Ambassador David Wilkins, Judge G. Ross Anderson Jr., and Tim Madden all played important roles in helping me begin my career and take important steps forward to shape my career.
What is your most memorable case?
While I have been fortunate to have many memorable cases, the two most memorable cases I have had both relate to children in crisis; in both cases I was able to help a child find enduring stability and I am very proud that these children are doing well today.
What do you like most about living and working in Greenville?
I am from Greenville, so I enjoy the many relationships I have established over 40 years as well as being close to family. My wife and I believe Greenville provides an excellent environment in which to raise our children.
Bruce Bannister | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC
Jenny Barwick | Clawson & Staubes, LLC
Amie Carpenter | Anderson and Carpenter
Jessica Christophillis | Christophillis & Gallivan, P.A.
Amanda Gallivan | Christophillis & Gallivan, P.A.
Sarah Henry | Sarah Henry Law
Tim Madden | Nelson Mullins
Winston Marosek | Nelson Mullins
Elizabeth McCool | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC
Danielle M. Mitchell | Mitchell Ramseur, LLC
Sidney P. Mitchell, Jr. | Mitchell Ramseur, LLC
Joseph M. Ramseur, Jr. | Mitchell Ramseur, LLC
Lauren Taylor | Lauren Taylor Law
Tom Traxler | Carter Smith Merriam Rogers & Traxler, P.A.
Robert W. Wilkins | Wilkins & Bouton, LLC
Amos Workman | Wyche, P.A.
Government
William W. “Billy” Wilkins
Nexsen Pruet
William W. “Billy” Wilkins leads Nexsen Pruet’s Appellate Advocacy, Corporate Compliance, and White-Collar Criminal Defense practices and actively participates in the firm’s Business Litigation group. He graduated from Davidson College and the University of South Carolina School of Law. In law school, he served as editor-in-chief of the S.C. Law Review and captain of the National Moot Court Team. Wilkins was elected solicitor, 13th Judicial Circuit. He was the first appointment in the nation to the federal bench by President Reagan. Reagan then appointed Wilkins to the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, where he served as the chief judge and later appointed him to first chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission.
Wilkins served in the military for two years on active duty and 25 years in the Army Reserves and National Guard, holding the retired rank of brigadier general. He received many decorations, including the Legion of Merit for Meritorious Service.
What led you to select the particular type of law that you practice?
As a young boy, I remember going to the courthouse with my father. How exciting it was to watch those trials—I knew early on what I wanted to be when I grew up! After law school, two years in the Army, one year as a law clerk to Chief Judge Clement Haynsworth, and another year in Washington, D.C. as a legislative assistant to Sen. Strom Thurmond, I returned to Greenville and began the practice of law. And in 1975, I returned to those same courtrooms I visited as a boy. But this time I was the newly elected Solicitor for the 13th Judicial Circuit—the peoples’ lawyer—prosecuting crimes committed against the citizens of Greenville and Pickens Counties. Then, in 1981, newly elected President Ronald Reagan appointed me to the position of U.S. District Judge for the District of South Carolina and later as a U.S. Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals where I served as the Chief Judge. So, I was no longer a lawyer opposing another lawyer in the courtroom, but the referee in a trial or appeal. After 27 years as a federal judge, I decided to get back into the courtroom, not as a referee, but again as a lawyer representing a client. And that is part of what I do now, representing clients in civil and criminal matters on the trial and appellate levels in both state and federal courts.
Who has been your mentor in your legal career and why?
Without hesitation, I can say that my father had the greatest influence on my legal career. He was a lawyer who practiced law the way it should be—with honesty, integrity, and hard work. It was paramount in my dad’s mind that his clients’ interests always came first. It was a great privilege to practice law with him.
My grandmother also had a tremendous influence on me. As a young widow, she was challenged to run her family’s cotton farm in Belton. I spent a lot of time on that farm with her, observing her strength of character and her perseverance through difficult times. She once gave me a poem entitled “Never Say Die,” which means “Never Give Up.” She always encouraged me to take a chance, and would say, “Billy, you just have to set your sights high and go for it. If you’re not successful the first time, so what? Just get up and try again.”
What is your most memorable case?
All cases before me as a judge on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals—literally thousands of them—were interesting, some more than others. Deciding who had the salvage rights to the Titanic was fascinating. But the most memorable one was United States v. Zacarias Moussaoui. The defendant was the 20th terrorist in the bombing of the Twin Towers and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. With the vast majority of the court documents and other evidence classified as “Top Secret,” a heavy safe was placed in the federal courthouse to keep them secure. Special telephones were installed in the offices of the judges to prevent the interception of our conversations about the case. And members of the Central Intelligence Agency scoured the courtroom for hidden recording devices prior to the hearing. We upheld Moussaoui’s conviction and sentence, and he is now serving six life sentences without parole at the federal supermax prison in Colorado.
What do you like most about living and working in Greenville?
I have lived in five different cities and visited many more. I am fortunate to have grown up in Greenville and to have lived and worked here for many years. Visitors to our city marvel at its beauty, its prosperity, and its positive energy. Wild horses couldn’t drag me away from the Upstate!
Tushar Chikhliker | Nexsen Pruet
Todd Davidson | Nexsen Pruet
Michael Kozlarek | Kozlarek Law, LLC
John Moylan | Wyche, P.A.
Gary T. Pope, Jr. | Pope Flynn
Ted Riley | Riley Pope & Laney, LLC
David Root | Oconee County Attorney
Amy Snyder | Clawson & Staubes, LLC
Chuck Turner | Willson Jones Carter & Baxley, PA
David Wilkins | Nelson Mullins
Robert W. Wilkins | Wilkins & Bouton, LLC
Health Care
Sandra Miller
Womble Bond Dickinson
Sandy Miller has been practicing law and representing clients in state and federal courts for 28 years and is a partner at the law firm of Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP. She also serves as chair of the firm’s United States Healthcare Sector. Concentrating her practice in health care litigation and regulatory compliance, she has represented clients in federal courts on Medicare and Medicaid fraud allegations brought by the Department of Justice, as well as False Claims Act and whistleblower claims in South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Ohio, and Georgia. She has served as an adjunct professor at the Charleston School of Law teaching trial advocacy.
What led you to select the particular type of law that you practice?
Prior to law school, I spent 11 years as a registered nurse, obtained a master’s in Nursing, and worked as a director of nursing. That experience made representation of health care providers a natural transition and one in which I could build on my experience as a nurse.
Who has been your mentor in your legal career and why?
There certainly hasn’t been just one, but my first ones were Jim Watson, who taught me how to go into a courtroom and try cases, and David Quattlebaum, who taught me what it means to be a trusted advisor to my clients.
What is your most memorable case?
The 10-year saga of Drakeford ex rel United States v. Tuomey Hospital, in which I had the opportunity to try the case alongside the Department of Justice, culminating in 2013 with a $237 million judgment for the United States and for my client, Dr. Michael Drakeford.
What do you like most about living and working in Greenville?
Greenville has “big city” amenities, a “small town” feel, friendly people, and natural beauty. It’s the best of all worlds.
Ben Alexander | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
Rachael Anna | Nexsen Pruet
Joe Blake | Greenville Health System
Harvey Cleveland | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
William Freeman | Thomerson Freeman & Rogers, P.C.
Rita McKinney | McNair Law Firm P.A.
Raymond P. Mullman, Jr. | Poliakoff & Associates, P.A.
Brown Parkinson | Devlin & Parkinson, P.A.
Henry Parr | Wyche, P.A.
Clark Price | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price, P.A.
Sally Purnell | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
Meghan Riordan | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
Steven Snyder | Davis, Snyder, Williford & Lehn, P.A.
Trey Suggs, III | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price, P.A.
Matt Utecht | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
David Williford | Davis, Snyder, Williford & Lehn, P.A.
Insurance
Elizabeth McMillan
McAngus Goudelock & Courie
Beth McMillan grew up in Bishopville, S.C. and attended Furman University, where she graduated magna cum laude. She received a J.D. degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law. McMillan’s practice focuses on professional liability defense, coverage and bad faith, health care malpractice, business litigation, employment law, products liability, securities litigation, and general litigation. McMillan has extensive experience in trial work and has tried and arbitrated numerous cases in the areas of professional liability, products liability, construction, business litigation, warranty defense, and personal injury defense work. She has also represented and consulted with numerous companies regarding employment issues and litigation. She is married to Scott McMillan, who is an architect and landscape designer, and they have a son, Hunter, who is a rising sophomore at the Citadel.
What led you to select the particular type of law that you practice?
I enjoy working on a variety of legal issues in my practice, and representing carriers in different lines of coverage provides me with the opportunity to work on a wide range of cases and issues.
Who has been your mentor in your legal career and why?
I am very grateful to have been mentored early in my career by several influential female attorneys, including Susie McWilliams and Corky Harper Erwin. They took an interest in me and went out of their way to teach and mentor me.
What is your most memorable case?
Even though most cases have unusual legal and factual twists that make them interesting, my most memorable case in terms of unusual circumstances involved a purported class action lawsuit in Greenville County regarding development on the east side of town. The plaintiffs sued more than 40 defendants and the issues were hotly contested. We resolved the case at a two-day mediation, but when we went to court to have the agreement approved by the judge, the settlement fell apart. The plaintiffs testified that on the last day of the mediation we locked them in a room without giving them anything to eat or drink. Of course, no such thing took place. We had provided a buffet of sub sandwiches, salads, and cookies for lunch, had provided beverages all day long, and ordered a pizza for all parties in the evening. Nevertheless, we had to re-negotiate the settlement after the plaintiffs made those allegations.
What do you like most about living and working in Greenville?
The people make all the difference in Greenville. They are welcoming, supportive, and kind. The Greenville County Bar also is one of the most collegial in the state, which makes practicing law here very enjoyable.
Rita Bolt Barker | Wyche, P.A.
Brett Bayne | McAngus Goudelock & Courie
Robert Corney | Gallivan White Boyd
Nick Farr | Gallivan White Boyd
Steve Farrar | Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP
Geoff Gibbon | McAngus Goudelock & Courie
W. Francis Marion, Jr. | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
Doc Morgan | McAngus Goudelock & Courie
Gregory Morton | Donnan & Morton, P.A.
Rob Moseley | Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP
Ross Plyler | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price P.A.
Phillip Reeves | Gallivan White Boyd
David Rheney | Gallivan White Boyd
Rocky Rogers | Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP
Hudson Smith | Eller Tonnson Bach
Amy Snyder | Clawson & Staubes, LLC
Trey Still | Clawson & Staubes, LLC
Jeanmarie Tankersley | Clawson & Staubes, LLC
Eric Tonnsen | Eller Tonnsen Bach
Bill Young | Gallivan White Boyd
Intellectual Property
Tim Williams
Dority & Manning, P.A.
Within a few months of being admitted to the South Carolina Bar, Tim Williams tried his first case to jury in 1995. Originally a chemical engineer, Williams applied for law school after watching attorneys try a case in Texas, where he was attending graduate school. He began his career in Columbia with a firm that guaranteed trial experience, and Williams has since tried more than 50 cases to verdict in matters including criminal law, products liability, personal injury, and intellectual property.
Williams became interested in intellectual property law because it required the application of both technical and legal skills. In more than 20 years of practice, he has enjoyed working with clients on matters ranging from automobile accidents to plasma fields, from train derailment to tire design, and from construction defects to data encryption. As a shareholder and patent attorney at Dority & Manning, Williams currently assists clients with obtaining protection for intellectual property and related litigation.
What led you to select the particular type of law that you practice?
Dority & Manning’s practice in intellectual property law provides a unique opportunity to apply both my engineering and legal education at work. I can be an engineer and an attorney at the same time, and it affords me a chance to see and learn new technologies that may not even be on the market yet.
Who has been your mentor in your legal career and why?
I had the privilege of working closely with Mackie Manning for several years when I first joined the firm. He loved to argue the legal issues that came up in our cases—sometimes very intensely! I learned a lot during these discussions and will always be grateful.
What is your most memorable case?
One of my most memorable cases was about plasma fields. Our client engaged a rocket scientist from NASA to testify. The other side had no chance of undermining his testimony—but it was more than fun to watch them try.
What do you like most about living and working in Greenville?
Greenville is big and small enough at the same time, gives a great view of the mountains from my office, and has been a place where I have made some great friends.
Neil Batavia | Dority & Manning, P.A.
Tom Epting | Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP
Hunter Freeman | McNair Law Firm, P.A.
John Glancy | Ogletree Deakins
Amy Hinson | Parker Poe
Meliah Jefferson | Wyche, P.A.
Doug Kim | Douglas Kim Law Firm, LLC
Wallace Lightsey | Wyche, P.A.
Douglas Lineberry | McNair Law Firm, P.A.
Alan Marshall | Dority & Manning, P.A.
Rachel McConoughey | McConoughey Law Firm
Tom Moses | Southeast IP Group
J. Bennett Mullinax | J. Bennet Mullinax, LLC
John R. Perkins, Jr. | Perkins Law Firm, LLC
Tim St. Clair | Parker Poe
Tom Vanderbloemen | Vanderbloemen Law Firm
Rhoades White | Dority & Manning, P.A.
Parks Workman | Dority & Manning, P.A.
International
Joseph Rohe
Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP
Joseph Rohe is a logistics and international trade attorney with Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP. He began his foray into international trade while an undergraduate, before relocating to England to study international and EU law. Rohe is a dual-qualified lawyer, holding law degrees from both England and the United States; is a licensed U.S. Customs broker; and holds a Certified Customs Specialist designation from the NCBFAA.
Rohe’s practice involves advising clients on various matters pertaining to trade compliance and regulation, representing both domestic and foreign importers and exporters in multiple aspects of international trade transactions. Among other projects, his team has assisted clients in multi-million-dollar duty and penalty reductions; import compliance and product classification reviews for major international manufacturers, including Tier 1 and 2 automotive suppliers; and maximization of landed cost savings through utilization of free trade agreements and other preference programs.
What led you to select the particular type of law that you practice?
I have always had a keen interest in experiencing international people, places, and cultures. This contributed significantly to my initial interest in international business and trade, and ultimately to my focus in international trade law.
Who has been your mentor in your legal career and why?
Throughout my career I have had and continue to have a number of mentors who have instilled in me a passion and respect for the law, the requisite sense of humor, and an appreciation for the application of common sense to any problem.
What is your most memorable case?
An early case in my career involving shipping damage to a €1 million high-performance automobile being imported into the United States. The vehicle was the first of its kind in the U.S. and had to be shipped back and forth to Europe via air to effect repairs. Despite the severity of the loss, a number of humorous and memorable stories originated during this case.
What do you like most about living and working in Greenville?
The work-life balance afforded by living and working in downtown Greenville. The city is colorful and vibrant, with a seemingly endless supply of music, art, culture, and exceptional food! Greenville affords me the ability to work in a fast-paced international practice while maintaining my sanity through all the entertainment and recreational opportunities the city has to offer.
Melissa Azallion | McNair Law Firm, P.A.
Henry “Buzz” Burwell | Nelson Mullins
Frank Davis | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
Eric Graben | Wyche, P.A.
Jay Rogers | Nelson Mullins
Garrett Steck | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
Marshall Wynn | Wyche, P.A.
Labor & Employment
W. Andrew Arnold
Horton Law Firm, P.A.
Andy Arnold was born and raised in the Upstate. He graduated from Furman University in 1989 and the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1992. After working for a management side labor law firm for two years, he opened his own employment litigation practice in 1994. Arnold practiced employment law exclusively until 2001, at which time his first nursing home neglect case walked in the door.
After 22 years of being (mostly) solo (with a fantastic paralegal), he joined the Horton Law Firm as a partner in 2016. In addition to employment law and nursing home neglect cases, Arnold litigates business disputes and wrongful death cases.
What led you to select the particular type of law that you practice?
I thought about becoming a sports agent and read a few career books that suggested taking employment and labor law courses, which I took. I became enamored by the subject area. And litigation seemed a natural fit.
Who has been your mentor in your legal career and why?
Mentoring opportunities were hard to come by for a solo. But more than a few lawyers have taught me important lessons, including Doug Churdar and Brian Murphy. Now, at Horton, Mike Farry has become a real resource for me.
What is your most memorable case?
My first nursing home neglect case, for several reasons. One of them: The defendant made a lowball offer, after which our clients refused to discuss settlement. The jury returned a verdict for $2 million, although the clerk misread the verdict form as $1 million. When the judge corrected the record, we were stunned.
What do you like most about living and working in Greenville?
We have lived in the North Main Community for 20 years and love it. This is home.
Courtney Atkinson | Metcalfe & Atkinson, LLC
Mark Bakker | Nexsen Pruet
Sarah Batson | Nexsen Pruet
Jennie Cluverius | Nexsen Pruet
Ashley Cuttino | Ogletree Deakins
Jeff Dunleavy | Stephenson & Murphy
Christine Gantt-Sorenson | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
Reggie Gay | McNair Law Firm, P.A.
Ted Gentry | Wyche, P.A.
Jack Griffeth | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price, P.A.
Phillip Kilgore | Ogletree Deakins
Stephanie Lewis | Jackson Lewis
Chuck McDonald | Ogletree Deakins
Rita McKinney | McNair Law Firm, P.A.
John Merrell | Ogletree Deakins
Brian Murphy | Stephenson & Murphy, LLC
John R. Perkins, Jr. | Perkins Law Firm, LLC
David Rothstein | Rothstein Law Firm, P.A.
Andy Satterfield | Jackson Lewis
Tom Stephenson | Stephenson & Murphy, LLC
Jeremy Summerlin | Horton Law Firm, P.A.
Sandi Wilson | Jackson Lewis
Mergers & Acquisitions
Matthew B. Edwards
Thomas, Fisher, Sinclair, & Edwards, P.A.
Matthew B. Edwards is an attorney and shareholder at Thomas, Fisher, Sinclair & Edwards, P.A. Edwards concentrates his practice in the areas of taxation, business formations and commercial law, business sales, mergers and acquisitions, complex estate planning, probate and trust law, and non-profit/charities law. Edwards has been designated a certified specialist in estate planning and probate law by the South Carolina Supreme Court. He is a proud graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law, and he received his master of laws in taxation degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Edward is an Eagle Scout, a member of the S.C. Bar and Greenville County Bar, and serves as a member of the board of directors on the Greenville Estate Planning Council. Edwards enjoys an active role at his church, riding his motorcycle, and working out with his CrossFit community.
What led you to select the particular type of law that you practice?
My father, prior to his retirement, was a small business owner. I wanted to develop a set of skills that would let me assist business owners like my father in achieving their goals. My law degree, advanced degree in tax law, and experience have led me to help numerous business owners with forming, growing, and sometimes selling their businesses, and then helping them plan for what to do after the sale.
Who has been your mentor in your legal career and why?
I began my practice of law under the mentorship of my now-former law partner John Thomas. John’s expansive knowledge, years of experience, and aptitude for teaching helped mold me as a lawyer and counselor as I launched into my personal legal career. John’s example of diligence, professionalism, and responsiveness to clients is a standard I strive to meet every day.
What is your most memorable case?
My most memorable matter was helping a client, who was originally an estate planning client, prepare his business for sale, and then assisting the client with negotiating a letter of intent, transaction agreement, and employment agreement for after the sale. I was able to help the client maximize his return from the sale, negotiate difficult timing and legal issues, and achieve a positive result for both my client and the acquiring company. I recently attended my client’s retirement party, and I am lucky to call my client a good friend.
What do you like most about living and working in Greenville?
I like most that Greenville is still a small town with big city activity. Greenville has diverse and thriving economic activity, while still holding onto the politeness and friendliness of a small town. When I walk down Main Street, I often see and meet clients, fellow advisors, opposing counsel, friends, and family. There is a warmth to Greenville that makes my life and practice here a true pleasure.
Eric Amstutz | Wyche, P.A.
Robert August | Merline & Meacham
Harvey Cleveland | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
Jonathan Cote | Womble Bond Dickinson
Todd Davidson | Nexsen Pruet
Melinda Davis-Lux | Womble Bond Dickinson
Jim Denning, Jr. | McNair Law Firm, P.A.
Jamie Francis | Womble Bond Dickinson
Henry Gallivan | Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP
Eric Graben | Wyche, P.A.
John M. Jennings | Nelson Mullins
Philip Land | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
Jeff Larson | Wyche, P.A.
David Merline, Jr. | Merline & Meacham
John R. Perkins, Jr. | Perkins Law Firm, LLC
Hamilton “Bo” Russell | Nelson Mullins
Frank Williams | Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP
Personal Injury
David Price, Jr.
David A. Price Jr., P.A.
David Price is a Greenville native and has been practicing law in South Carolina since 2006, focusing primarily in the areas of personal injury and real estate litigation. He is an aggressive and experienced trial lawyer, having tried numerous jury trials and bench trials to verdict in courts across the state, and he has also successfully appeared before the S.C. Court of Appeals.
Price is a graduate of Wade Hampton High School, and graduated magna cum laude from Clemson University with departmental and general honors. He then attended the University of Georgia School of Law, where he graduated cum laude and had the good fortune to meet his wife Lauren, who is a senior assistant solicitor for Anderson County.
Price is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the S.C. Association for Justice. He was also named a member of this magazine’s Legal Elite in 2017.
What led you to select the particular type of law that you practice?
I chose to practice in the area of personal injury law because it represented a chance to help people who have suffered injury or death through no fault of their own. I believe very strongly that people and companies should be held accountable for the harms they cause other people, and I am proud to be a person who is willing to stand up for those who need it.
Who has been your mentor in your legal career and why?
I will always be grateful to attorneys Doug Patrick and Chris Olson for helping me land my first jobs and for nurturing my interest in the practice of law during high school and college. However, I owe much of my growth since law school to attorney Grady Jordan. Grady was my first boss and then my first law partner, and he taught me how to practice. I will always appreciate his mentorship, and I am especially thankful for his lessons on the importance of careful preparation.
What is your most memorable case?
I have had many memorable cases, but one that I will always remember is my representation of a woman who was sexually assaulted by a nurse in the emergency department of a hospital. She was one of the most vulnerable clients I have ever had, and I was proud to stand up for her and to prove the hospital’s fault for what happened.
What do you like most about living and working in Greenville?
I grew up here, and like many people, I remember when there was nowhere to go downtown except to the Hyatt, and I am amazed at the way the city has transformed. The energy and spirit of our community is invigorating, and I am proud to contribute to the growth and development of our city.
Jay Anthony | The Anthony Law Firm, P.A.
Brooke Archenhold | Parham, Smith & Archenhold, LLC
Sam Bass | Stewart Law Offices, LLC
Allen Clardy | The Clardy Law Firm, P.A.
Robert Corney | Gallivan White Boyd
Eugene C. Covington | Covington, Patrick, Hagins, Stern, and Lewis, LLC
Wally Fayssoux | Fayssoux & Landis
Ryan Montgomery | Ryan Montgomery Attorney at Law, LLC
Tim Nowacki | The Clardy Law Firm P.A.
Douglas F. Patrick | Covington, Patrick, Hagins, Stern, and Lewis, LLC
Kurt Rozelsky | Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP
Blake Smith | Parham, Smith & Archenhold, LLC
Kyle White | White, Davis, & White Law Firm, P.A.
Matthew Whitehead | The Carolina Law Group
Residential Real Estate
Adam W. Breaux
Breaux & Callahan
Adam Breaux grew up in Greenville and attended Clemson University, where he developed a lifelong appreciation for the people and places of the Upstate. After graduating from the University of South Carolina Law School, he decided to dedicate his career to his passion for assisting in the development of new and interesting opportunities in Greenville.
Breaux’s real estate practice is built around his love of bringing people together to help the community grow. He can be found out and about in one of the city’s exciting new downtown restaurants, running on the Swamp Rabbit Trail, or spending a day with family and friends on Lake Hartwell.
What led you to select the particular type of law that you practice?
I definitely didn’t go into law school with the intent to practice in real estate. However, I graduated in 2008, right before the market crashed. There were very few jobs available, but I landed a great job in real estate, where I gained invaluable experience. I am very grateful for that experience, as real estate is a great fit for me. I love people and love making them laugh—my clients are buying first homes or dream homes (or getting a big check—particularly in this market), so we have a lot of fun at my closings, and I think of real estate law as happy law for that reason.
Who has been your mentor in your legal career and why?
I always have to start with my professor at Clemson and exceptional trial lawyer, Blake Smith, who I greatly admire. He saw something inside me that I didn’t see at the time and encouraged me to apply for law school and mentored me through that process. Jonathan Howell, who first introduced me to real estate law, and my sister, Jennifer Breaux Howe, have always inspired me to be a better lawyer and person.
What is your most memorable case?
I’m what you call a “Dirt Lawyer.” I try to stay away from the courtroom.
What do you like most about living and working in Greenville?
There are so many great things about Greenville; however, I think Greenville’s greatest asset is the people. I grew up here and have been able to see firsthand Greenville’s growth from a small mill town into one of the hottest markets in the southeast, if not the country. I mean, we have an Anthropologie now, which I’m told is quite the accomplishment. In all seriousness, I’ve had the opportunity to work in several cities across South Carolina, and I returned home to the comforts of Greenville. I think it’s telling that many of my colleagues and peers have had the opportunity to work and live elsewhere and yet we all returned to Greenville. It’s a great place to live and play from our burgeoning craft beer scene to our scenic mountains to our amazing symphony and other Peace Center offerings. Greenville has something for everyone.
Griffin Bell | Bell Carrington Price & Gregg, LLC
Chris Brown | Blair Cato Pickren Casterline, LLC
Chris Edwards | Edwards Law, LLC
Nathan Galbreath | Nelson & Galbreath, LLC
Amber Glidewell | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price, P.A.
Brad Gower | Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP
Hayes Holliday | Holliday Law Firm
Trey Ingram | Holliday Law Firm
John Kehl | Kehl Culbertson Andrighetti, LLC
Charles LeGrand | LeGrand Law Firm
Jack McDonald | Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC
Brian Ponder | Nelson & Galbreath
Scott Sanders | E. Scott Sanders, LLC
Henry Sullivan | McKinney Sullivan, LLC
Tax & Estate
David Greene
Greene Law Firm, P.A.
David Greene grew up in Greenville and has seen the city grow exponentially. Greene received his B.S. at Clemson University and his M.S., Ph.D., and J.D. degrees at Florida State University.
Greene founded the Greene Law Firm in 1984 and, since 1995, has specialized in the IRS tax problem resolution field. What pleases him most is seeing his clients’ faces after telling them a solution has been reached and knowing they are “getting their lives back.”
His practice progressed into the field of estate planning, and he has helped many clients form trusts and estate plans that ensure that their assets are passed in the manner they wish.
Greene is married and has a daughter. He is a member of the Greenville County Bar, the South Carolina Bar, and the American Society of Tax Problem Solvers. He is permitted to practice before all South Carolina courts, the Federal Courts, and the U.S. Tax Court.
What led you to select the particular type of law that you practice?
Early in my career, I was a general practitioner and handled all kinds of cases. However, as the complexity of the law increased in all fields, it became too much of a burden to try and handle everything. Then I looked for a specialty that gave my clients and me satisfaction and concrete results. The IRS problem solving area was just what fulfilled that desire.
Who has been your mentor in your legal career and why?
My brother, Tom, was my first mentor and I practiced with him for a period of time. After that, several attorneys from different parts of the country have helped me solve many problems related to my IRS practice.
What is your most memorable case?
It is hard to pick one, but there have been several where I was able to save my client from bankruptcy and financial ruin by successfully negotiating a very good offer in compromise for them.
What do you like most about living and working in Greenville?
I grew up in Greenville, so I have a natural affinity for this area. One of the things I like most is that we are only a few hours away from the mountains or the coast. Also, I like the way Greenville has grown with an emphasis on ordered growth and care for the environment.
Robert August | Merline & Meacham
Ella Barbery | Roe Cassidy Coates & Price, P.A.
Matthew Couvillion | Wyche, P.A.
Matthew Edwards | Thomas, Fisher, Sinclair & Edwards, P.A.
Randy Fisher | Thomas, Fisher, Sinclair & Edwards, P.A.
Jeffrey Gurney | Thomas, Fisher, Sinclair & Edwards, P.A.
Cary Hall | Wyche, P.A.
Heather Hunter | Dennis Shaw Drennan and Pack
Tod Hyche | Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP
Arthur F. “Mac” McLean, III | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
Keith Meacham | Merline & Meacham, P.A.
Andy Merline | Merline & Meacham, P.A.
David Merline, Jr. | Merline & Meacham, P.A.
Lesley Moore | Freeman & Moore
Hall Provence | Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP
Thomas Sinclair | Thomas, Fisher, Sinclair & Edwards, P.A.
Joel Stoudenmire | Nexsen Pruet
Chuck Verdin | Nelson Mullins
Workers' Compensation
Randy Hedlund
McAngus Goudelock & Courie
Randy Hedlund has practiced workers’ compensation defense since 2005, primarily representing employers and self-insureds. He serves on the planning committee, as well as a conference speaker, for the Workers’ Compensation Defense Institute’s Multi-State Breakout at the WCI Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference in Florida. He’s also a member of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association, S.C. Bar Association, and Greenville County Bar Association. Hedlund earned a juris doctor from the University of Louisville School of Law and a bachelor of arts degree from Michigan State University.
What led you to select the particular type of law that you practice?
I didn’t set out to be a workers’ comp attorney, but I quickly realized that it was a great fit for me. I was initially more concerned with finding the right law firm than a specific area of law. I was fortunate to find both. I’ve spent my entire career practicing workers’ comp with MGC.
Who has been your mentor in your legal career and why?
Rusty Goudelock has always been a mentor to me, and I don’t just say that because he signs my paychecks. He has a calm and pragmatic approach to the business of law and has taught me temperament and civility, even in the most contentious of cases. He reminds me to work hard for the best result for my client, but then go home to my family because that’s the most important thing I can do today.
What is your most memorable case?
An employee was rendered a paraplegic as the result of a serious motor vehicle accident on the way home from work. Because the injury did not occur within the scope of his employment, benefits were denied. After the hearing, the injured employee came up to me in his wheelchair to shake my hand. He thanked me for doing my job and told me he felt blessed. He said that he attends therapy weekly and sees people around him that are far worse off than he is and that he wasn’t going to let this loss change his spirit. I’ll never forget his positive attitude.
What do you like most about living and working in Greenville?
I love the collegiality of the Greenville Bar and the respect among the attorneys. Greenville is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. It has the feel of a small town, with the arts, restaurants, and opportunities of a big city. It’s clean, safe, friendly, and rich in diversity.
Sam Bass | Stewart Law Office
Mitchell K. Byrd, Jr. | The Carolina Law Group
Vernon Dunbar | McAngus Goudelock & Courie
Brad Easterling | McAngus Goudelock & Courie
Amity Edmonds | Gallivan White Boyd
Daniel Eller | Eller Tonnsen Bach
Cory Ezzell | Gallivan White Boyd
Patrick C. Fant, III | Fant Law, P.A.
Walter Frye | Eller Tonnsen Bach
Johnnie Fulton | Fulton & Barr, P.A.
Mills Gallivan | Gallivan White Boyd
David Hartman | The Clardy Law Firm, P.A.
Erroll Anne Hodges | McAngus Goudelock Courie
South Lewis | Willson Jones Carter & Baxley, P.A.
Ryan Montgomery | Ryan Mongomery Attorney at Law, LLC
David Padgett | Holder Padgett Littlejohn and Prickett
Jared Pretulak | Gallivan White Boyd
Ben Renfrow | Willson Jones Carter & Baxley, P.A.
TJ Twehues | Gallivan White Boyd
Kathryn Williams | Williams & Kamb, LLC