1968

Collins & Lacy, P.C. is pleased to announce that founding partner Joel Collins has been selected recipient of the South Carolina Lawyers Weekly 2012 Leadership in the Law Awards. The awards were designed to spotlight those members of the legal community whose leadership, both in the legal profession and in the community, has made a positive impact on our state. The recipients were selected by a panel of judges based on their outstanding achievement in the following key areas: dedication to the legal profession, achievement in their legal career, along with mentoring and community involvement. Joel Collins, together with Stan Lacy, co-founded Collins & Lacy in 1984 as a firm that would concentrate primarily on business defense litigation. He was the recipient of the 2002 Jeter E. Rhodes, Jr., Trial Lawyer of the Year Award, presented by the South Carolina Chapter of ABOTA. In 2009, Mr. Collins founded, through the South Carolina Chapter of ABOTA, the Constitution Day James Otis Scholar Lecture program, which recognizes students who excel in the study of History. He is a member of the International Society of Barristers, Litigation Counsel of America, and serves as a board member of the South Carolina Chapter of the National Safety Council. In 2005, he received the James Petigru Compleat Lawyer Award from the University of South Carolina School of Law. Collins is listed as one of South Carolina’s preeminent attorneys according to Martindale-Hubbell. Joel’s reputation in the courtroom and professional standing has led his peers to consider him one of South Carolina’s preeminent attorneys, according to Martindale-Hubbell.

1974

Collins & Lacy, P.C. is pleased to announce that founding partner Stan Lacy has been selected recipient of the South Carolina Lawyers Weekly 2012 Leadership in the Law Awards. The awards were designed to spotlight those members of the legal community whose leadership, both in the legal profession and in the community, has made a positive impact on our state. The recipients were selected by a panel of judges based on their outstanding achievement in the following key areas: dedication to the legal profession, achievement in their legal career, along with mentoring and community involvement. South Carolina Governor Carroll Campbell appointed him to the Advisory Committee for the Improvement of Workers' Compensation Laws in South Carolina, where he worked with the legislature to review and revise legislation affecting the state’s workers' compensation system. Mr. Lacy began teaching workers’ compensation as an adjunct instructor at the USC School of Law in 1981 and has continued to teach ever since. He was the recipient of the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Association (SCWCEA) 2011 Lifetime Service Award. Lacy is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, has been selected by his peers for seven consecutive years to be included in The Best Lawyers in America, and was most recently honored by Best Lawyers as the 2012 Columbia, S.C. Lawyer of the Year for Workers' Compensation Law.

1977

Clemson University has named an alumnus with 21 years of legal experience ranging from trial litigation to managing a university research foundation to be its new general counsel. W.C. "Chip" Hood, who currently serves as executive director and attorney for the Medical University of South Carolina Foundation for Research Development, will begin a new assignment as Clemson’s chief legal adviser in April. As legal counsel and then head of MUSC's research foundation, Hood has provided leadership and strategies for MUSC's university-industry partnerships, economic development activities and entrepreneurial activities. He has provided advice on a range of legal matters, including not-for-profit law, research contracts, intellectual property and technology transfer, international collaborations and human resources, as well as assisted with university policy development and strategic planning. Previously, he led the Charleston office of Needle and Rosenberg, an Atlanta-based intellectual property firm, where he represented major research universities across the country, including Clemson. Hood also ran his own litigation practice in Charleston; was an associate with Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth and Detrick, P.A., in Hampton, S.C.; and an electronics engineer for the U.S. Navy’s Naval Electronics Systems Engineering Center (now SPAWAR) in Charleston. He also has served as an adjunct professor at the Charleston School of Law, teaching courses related to intellectual property, patents and licensing. Hood is member of the South Carolina Bar and a registered patent attorney.

1988

The law firm of McAngus Goudelock & Courie is pleased to announce that Managing Member Jay Courie has been appointed to serve on the Defense Research’s Institute 2012 Insurance Roundtable Steering Committee. The DRI Insurance Roundtable Steering Committee brings together the top leadership from the insurance industry to discuss topics related to address issues facing both insurers and their counsel and provides an open forum to discuss legal and ethical issues, enhance best practices and foster greater growth and understanding in the industry-counsel relationship. Courie is a founding member and the Managing Member of MG&C. He represents businesses, professional associations and individuals in a variety of matters including contract negotiations, employment matters, finance and insurance issues, governmental relations, procurement, business development and strategic planning. He serves on the Clemson University Board of Visitors and as Chair of the Hammond School Board of Trustees. He is a Past President of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association and former Chair of Francis Marion University Board of Trustees and EdVenture Children’s Museum. Courie is also active in the South Carolina Captive Insurance Association, South Carolina Administrative and Regulatory Law Association, South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Association and Columbia Downtown Business Association.

1990

Turner, Padget, Graham & Laney, P.A. announced that Richard Hinson has been elected to a three-year term on the firm's executive committee and will also serve as the Managing Shareholder of the Florence office. Richard focuses his state and federal practice on general civil litigation, mediation and arbitration, personal injury, contracts, and insurance coverage. He is a past president of the Florence County Bar Association and currently serves on the South Carolina Supreme Court Commission on Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP announces that James K. Lehman has been elected managing partner with offices at 1320 Main St., 17th Floor, Columbia 29201

1993

Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C. is pleased to announce that William E. Hopkins, Jr., is now Shareholders with the firm. He joined Beasley Allen in November 2010, in the Consumer Fraud section. His practice focuses primarily on class action litigation. During law school he began clerking for the law firm of Whaley, McCutchen, Blanton & Rhodes, LLP, one of the oldest and most prestigious litigation firms in South Carolina, which had originally been founded in 1936. Hopkins continued to work at the firm after graduation and ultimately became a partner in the firm and then was elected Managing Partner in 2005. He and the firm were selected by South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster to represent the State of South Carolina in lawsuits brought against several pharmaceutical companies regarding their reporting of false and inflated prices for drugs which resulted in overpayments by the State Medicaid and State Health Plan programs, known as the AWP litigation. Bill remained as the Managing Partner until December 31, 2007 when the firm dissolved after 71 years of continuous practice. Bill founded and started a new law firm called McCutchen Blanton Hopkins & Campbell, LLP, where he continued to practice with Thomas McCutchen and Hoover Blanton, two of the most well known and respected leaders of the South Carolina Bar, before joining Beasley Allen. He was named one of America’s “Best Lawyers” by U.S. News & World Report for 2011 and 2012.

1994

Deborah B. Barbier announces the opening of Deborah B. Barbier, LLC located at 1531 Laurel St., Columbia 29201.

Littler Mendelson, PC announces that D. Michael Henthorne has been named shareholder in the firm located at 1201 Main St., Ste. 1930, Columbia 29201.

Todd W. Smyth and Joshua S. Whitley announce the opening of Smyth Whitley, LLC located at 234 Seven Farms Dr., Ste. 215, Charleston 29492.

1995

Harrison, White, Smith & Coggins, PC announces that Allison P. Dunham has been named partner in the firm located at 178 W. Main St., Spartanburg 29306.

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP announces that Sean Faulkner has joined the Greenville office as Of Counsel located at 104 S. Main St., Ste. 900, 29601.

1996

Evans, Carter, Kunes & Bennett, PA announces that M. Jean Lee has become a shareholder in the firm located at 115 Church St., Charleston 29401.

David C. Shea and Almand J. Barron announce the opening of The Law Offices of Shea & Barron located at 1916 Henderson St., Columbia 29201.

Ellis, Lawhorne & Sims, PA announces that Kirby Shealy has joined the firm as shareholder located at 1501 Main St., 5th Floor, Columbia 29201.

1998

David C. Shea and Almand J. Barron announce the opening of The Law Offices of Shea & Barron located at 1916 Henderson St., Columbia 29201.

Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein, LLP announces that Sam C. Moses has been elected partner in the Columbia office located at 1201 Main St., Ste. 1450, 29201.

1999

Thomerson Macchiaverna & Smith, PC announces the opening of its Greenville office located at 418 River St., 29601. Francesca Macchiaverna has become managing partner in the Georgia office located at 7 E. Congress St., Ste. 712, Savannah 31401.

2000

John D. Kassel, Attorney at Law, LLC announces that Theile B. McVey has become a partner of the firm and that the firm name is now Kassel McVey located at 1330 Laurel St., Columbia 29201.

2001

Emma I. Bryson announces the opening of Bryson Law Office, LLC located at 1901 Gadsden St., Columbia 29201.

The South Carolina Supreme Court has certified Jamie Hedgepath as a Specialist in Employment and Labor Law. Hedgepath, a Member (Partner) in the firm’s Greenville office, is the eighth Nexsen Pruet attorney to earn the designation. For more than a decade, Hedgepath has assisted businesses with a wide range of employment issues, including those related to discrimination, Fair Labor Standards Act and wage payment matters, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and employee benefits. He assists HR managers who are creating policies and drafting employee handbooks. Hedgepath is experienced in all types of employment litigation and also regularly represents employers and insurance companies with issues arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

2003

Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP announces that Michael J. Bogle has been named partner in the Greenville office located at 550 S. Main St., Ste. 400, 29601.

Nexsen Pruet, LLC announces that Andrea Easler has been elected member in the firm located at 400 Main St., Ste. 100A, Hilton Head Island 29926.

Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP announces that John Walker has been named partner in the Greenville office located at 300 E. McBee Ave., Ste. 500, 29601.

2004

Colleen O'Herlihy Brunson announces the opening of Brunson Law, LLC located at 1612 Marion St., Ste. 310, Columbia 29201.

Turner Padget Graham & Laney, PA announces that Michelle Proveaux Clayton has been named shareholder in the Columbia office located at 1901 Main St., 17th Floor, 29201, and C. Pierce Campbell has been named shareholder in the Florence office located at 319 S. Irby St., 29501.

Richardson, Plowden & Robinson, PA announces that Emily R. Gifford and Shelton W. Haile have been named shareholders in the firm located at 1900 Barnwell St., Columbia 29201.

Carlock, Copeland & Stair, LLP announces that David J. Harmon has become partner of the firm located at 40 Calhoun St., Ste. 400, Charleston 29401.

Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, PA announces that Lindsey Carlberg Livingston has been elected shareholder in the Columbia office located at 1201 Main St., 22nd Floor, 29201.

Dority & Manning, PA announces that Alan R. Marshall has been elected shareholder of the firm located at 55 Beattie Place, Ste. 1600, Greenville 29601.

Turner Padget Graham & Laney, PA announces that Nosizi Ralephata has been named shareholder in the Charleston office located at 40 Calhoun St., Ste. 200, Charleston 29401.

2005

Richardson, Plowden & Robinson, PA announces that Emily R. Gifford and Shelton W. Haile have been named shareholders in the firm located at 1900 Barnwell St., Columbia 29201.

2009

Carlock, Copeland & Stair, LLP announces that John T. Floyd has joined the firm as an associate located at 40 Calhoun St., Ste. 400, Charleston 29401. Williams & Hulst, LLC announces that John O. Williams II has joined the firm as an associate located at 209 E. Main St., Moncks Corner 29461.

2010

Davis, Frawley, Anderson, McCauley, Ayer, Fisher & Smith, LLC announces that Erica M. Parker has joined the firm as an associate located at 140 E. Main St., Lexington 29072.

2011

Davidson & Lindemann, PA announces that Justin T. Bagwell has become an associate in the firm located at 1611 Devonshire Dr., Second Floor, Columbia 29204.

In Memoriam

William Crews Lyles, 94, died Monday, January 2, 2012, at his home in Spartanburg, SC. Lyles graduated from Spartanburg High School in 1935 and from his father's alma mater, The Citadel, in 1939. After college, Lyles served as a captain of the Coast Artillery Unit where he was a commander in the Pacific during World War II. He later graduated from the University of South Carolina Law School in 1942 and practiced law with his father, Thomas, and brother, Frank, for some 45 years. Lyles and his wife, Mary, were Charter members of Fernwood Baptist Church, where he served many terms as Chairman of the Deacons and was a longtime member of the Pioneer/Fellowship Sunday School Class. He was former president of the the Spartanburg Kiwanis Club and a longtime member of the Country Club of Spartanburg. He lived a long and productive life as he practiced law into his seventies, played golf into his eighties, and did yard work into his nineties.

Richard Allison "Dick" Gantt, Sr., 74, of Powdersville, passed away Sunday, January 1, 2012, at Greenville Memorial Hospital. Born in Loris, SC, Gantt was a son of the late William Adolphus and Alice Woodson Gantt. He graduated from Welcome High School, Furman University and received his J.D. from the USC Law School in 1964. Gantt, a retired Colonel in the U.S. Army, also retired from Benefit Controls. He was a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church and the Sertoma Club.