1967

William W. “Billy” Wilkins, the former Chief Judge of the U.S. Fourth Circuit who now heads three practice groups at Nexsen Pruet, has been named to the Cox Commission, an independent panel that will study issues in military justice. The Cox Commission will examine the current operation of the military justice system and consider whether the Uniform Code of Military Justice is meeting the needs of the military services to provide an efficient, fair way to insure good order and discipline while also serving the criminal justice goals of a democratic society. It will submit a report to the President, Congress, the Department of Defense, and its sponsoring organizations.

1969

A Charleston attorney has won the state Bar's 2008 Pro Bono Award ahead of this week's House of Delegates meeting in Myrtle Beach. Philip Middleton was named an outstanding volunteer lawyer. In 2008 he represented an indigent client in a land-fraud case in Charleston County. After nearly three years, widow Sherry Ann Felder, 57, finally won her 5-acre rural property back in a land sale that went sour. He practices in the areas of real estate, criminal law and probate law.

1970

J. Douglas McCullough returned to New Bern law firm Stubbs & Perdue this month after serving eight years as a judge on the N.C. Court of Appeals. Before his election, McCullough practiced with the firm for four years after retiring from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. McCullough will focus his practice on civil litigation and federal criminal and federal civil matters, along with bankruptcy litigation. He is also on a list of federal mediators. McCullough is the author of "Sea of Greed," a true story about a drug-smuggling case he prosecuted that led to the indictment of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega.

1972

The South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission (SCDOT) has re-elected Henry H. Taylor of Lexington to a second term as Vice Chairman. Taylor has represented the 2nd Congressional District on the SCDOT Commission since March of 2007. After earning his law degree, Taylor spent 18 years practicing civil and criminal litigation with firms in the Midlands. In 1990, he moved into the corporate arena as Vice President of Legal Affairs for Laidlaw Environmental Services, and later with the Safety Kleen Corporation. In 2001, Taylor returned to private practice as Senior Partner in the Taylor Law Firm in West Columbia where his practice consists primarily of civil litigation and commercial and business matters.

1973

James H. Messervy Sr. and Tiffany N. Provence announce the opening of Provence Messervy, LLC located at 117 W. 7th N. St., Summerville, 29483.

1976

As of the first of the year, Hartsville attorney Rick Jones has accepted a full-time position as a public defender with the Fourth Circuit. Jones, who has been providing legal services as a public defender part time for about eight years, decided when the full-time position came up and was offered to him he would accept it. For 16 years, Jones was in private practice with Alex Stanton.

1978

William Winslow Phipps Sr. announces the opening of The Phipps Law Firm, PLLC located at 905 Pireway Rd., P.O. Box 35, Tabor City, NC 28463.

Bradish J. (Brad) Waring, a Partner in Nexsen Pruet’s Charleston office, has been named as an ABA State Bar Delegate by the South Carolina Bar. As an ABA State Bar Delegate, Waring will represent the South Carolina Bar at the national level on issues facing the American Bar Association. He practices in the firm’s business and consumer litigation groups and is listed in Best Lawyers in America for business litigation. Waring is a past president of the South Carolina Bar, and was named to the Commission on The Profession by The Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court.

1979

Judge Merl F. Code, a Greenville municipal court judge and attorney, was the keynote speaker at the Civic Center of Anderson, where approximately 700 people gathered to honor the memory of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The event, which was sponsored by and raised money for the United Negro College Fund, was a memorial to the civil rights leader and a celebration of the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States. Code’s speech evoked images from the past, speaking of the future’s potential and mixing in a healthy dose of humor.

1981

Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, PA announces the opening of a new office located at 227 Massachusetts Ave., NE, Ste. 1, Washington, DC 20002. The firm also announces that Michael A. (Mike) Tongour has joined the firm's Washington, DC office.

1988

Senator Gerald Malloy of Hartsville was awarded an honorary degree from Francis Marion University during commencement ceremonies on December 13, 2008. He was elected to represent SC Senate District 29 by way of a special election in 2002. Malloy is also an attorney and owner of the Law Offices of Gerald Malloy and Chesterfield County native.

1989

Collins & Lacy, P.C. is pleased to announce that Eric G. Fosmire has been selected to serve as a member of The Council on Litigation Management. Eric is a shareholder practicing in construction and mold litigation, trucking and transportation, insurance coverage, products liability, and alcohol and premises liability. He is a member of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association, the Defense Research Institute, the American Trucking Association, and South Carolina Homebuilders Association.

1992

Kelly A. Seabrook announces the opening the Law Office of Kelly A. Seabrook, LLC located at the Pavilion Office Center, 5000 Thurmond Mall, Ste. 103, Columbia 29201.

1993

Molly Hughes Cherry, a partner in Nexsen Pruet’s Charleston office, has been named to the board of directors of the S.C. Women Lawyers Association. The S.C. Women Lawyers Association is a statewide professional organization whose mission includes working to improve opportunities for women attorneys. Cherry works in the areas of employment and labor law, employment and labor litigation, insurance bad faith defense, insurance litigation, business disputes and professional liability. She has been certified as a specialist in employment and labor law by the S.C. Supreme Court.

Hugh W. Buyck and Darren K. Sanders (class of 2000) announce the formation of Buyck & Sanders, LLC located at 757 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Mt. Pleasant 29465.

1997

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP announces that Ashley Cooper has become a partner in the firm's Charleston office located at 151 Meeting St., 29401. His practice will focus on energy law, regulatory and administrative law, and litigation. He previously was with Ogletree Deakins and was assistant general counsel for federal energy regulatory matters and chief compliance officer for federal standards of conduct at Scana Corp. He also was legislative director and counsel to former U.S. Sen. Ernest F. Hollings.

1998

Nexsen Pruet has elected Laurie Becker as partner. Becker, of the firm's Columbia office, practices in the areas of commercial lending, creditor rights and bankruptcy, commercial real estate and economic development.

James H. Messervy Sr. and Tiffany N. Provence announce the opening of Provence Messervy, LLC located at 117 W. 7th N. St., Summerville, 29483.

1999

Smith, Currie & Hancock LLP announces that Matthew E. Cox has been named a partner of the firm located at 1023 W. Morehead St., Ste. 301, Charlotte 28208.

Richardson, Plowden & Robinson, PA announces that Lydia Lewis Magee has become a shareholder of the firm located at 2103 Farlow St., Ste. B, Myrtle Beach 29577.

2000

Sarah Pelter O’Hanlan and Ryan Lewis Beasley were married October 25, 2008. Beasley is an attorney with Price, Ashmore, Beasley PA.

Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, PA announces that Scott E. Frick has become a shareholder of the firm located at 75 Beattie Place, Greenville 29602. Sarah P. Spruill has become a shareholder of the firm located at 1201 Main St., Columbia 29201.

Hugh W. Buyck (class of 1993) and Darren K. Sanders announce the formation of Buyck & Sanders, LLC located at 757 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Mt. Pleasant 29465.

2001

Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, PA announces that Lydia B. Applegate has become a shareholder of the firm located at 134 Meeting St., Charleston 29401. Prior to joining the firm, she served as law clerk to S.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Hoefer Toal and was a legal writing instructor at the University of South Carolina School of Law.

Nexsen Pruet has elected Jamie Hedgepath as partner. Hedgepath, of the firm's Greenville office, focuses on employment issues, including employment discrimination, FMLA, wage payment and employee handbook matters. Hedgepath also practices in the areas of ERISA and employee benefits litigation.

Charles M. Jordan Jr. of Moore & Van Allen's Charleston office was named a member of the firm effective Jan. 1. He practices in the areas of health care, general business and corporate law.

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP announces that Jenny F. Shealy has become partner of the firm located at 3751 Robert M. Grissom Pkwy., Myrtle Beach 29577. The firm also announces that Tom Brumgardt has become a partner to the firm's Columbia office located at 1320 Main St., 29201.

2003

Whitener & Wharton, PA announces that Shawn R. Willis has become a member of the firm located at 2001 Park St., Columbia 29201. The firm has changed its name to Whitener, Wharton & Willis, PA.

2004

Pope Zeigler, LLC announces that Lee Edward Dixon has joined the firm located at 1411 Gervais St., Ste. 300, Columbia 29211.

The Franklin Law Firm, LLC announces that Jennifer L. Locklier has joined the firm located at 208 Silver Bluff Rd., Aiken 29803.

2005

Drew Radeker announces the formation of Harrison & Radeker, PA and Andrew S. Radeker has become a shareholder of the firm located at 923 Calhoun St., Columbia 29201.

2006

David Aylor announces the opening of David Aylor, Attorney At Law, LLC at 24 Broad St., Charleston 29401.

Elizabeth Anne Dunbar and Andrew Preston Brittain were married November 22, 2008. Brittain is employed with Hearn, Brittain and Martin Law Firm in Myrtle Beach.

Young Clement Rivers, LLP announces that Caroline C. McIntosh has joined the firm as an associate in the Charleston office located at 28 Broad St., 29401.

M. Clayton Pulliam, MD, FAAFP, has joined the medical staff at Habersham Medical Center and began his family medicine practice in Demorest on Dec. 1. During law school, he was a research assistant and he focused on health law and medical ethics. He is an advocate for the patient and patient rights.

2007

Collins & Lacy, P.C. is pleased to announce that Charles L. Appleby has been appointed to the 2009-2010 Board of Visitors of the Medical University of South Carolina. Charles is an associate practicing in complex defense litigation, construction defect litigation, and employment law. While in law school, he served as the Student Bar Association President and initiated the inaugural University of South Carolina School of Law Career Week. He was also a student member of the John Belton O'Neall Inn of Court. Charles worked as a law clerk for Collins & Lacy prior to joining the firm in 2007.

2008

McAngus Goudelock & Courie is pleased to announce that Barrett Burley has joined the firm’s Columbia office. His practice focuses on workers’ compensation matters. He is a member of the American Bar Association, South Carolina Bar Association, Richland County Bar Association, and South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association.

The Drawdy Law Firm, LLC announces that T. Harper Collins has joined the firm located at 2315 N. Main St., Ste. 218, Anderson 29621.

Young Clement Rivers, LLP announces that Robert Buchanan Hawk has joined the firm as an associate in the Charleston office located at 28 Broad St., 29401.

The Law Firm of Holcombe Bomar, PA announces that Nathaniel P. Mark has joined the firm as an associate located at 100 Dunbar St., Ste. 200, Spartanburg 29306.

In Memoriam

The Honorable Lester L. Bates, Jr. died Wednesday, January 14, 2009. He graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law where he obtained the J.D. degree in 1955. While there he was on the Law Review and associate editor of the Law Review. He also served on a national level as executive vice president of the American Law Student Association.

Judge Bates served two years in the United States Air Force as a legal officer. Judge Bates practiced law in the City of Columbia for some forty-six years, including twelve years when he served as president of New South Life Insurance Company. He also served as a judge of the Columbia Municipal Courts for some thirteen and a half years and as chief administrative judge for seven and a half years, during which time he promoted a specialized criminal domestic violence court and later assisted the Attorney General of S.C. in promoting and developing Criminal Domestic Violence Courts throughout South Carolina.

Judge Bates served on the board of the South Carolina Bar Association Pro Bono Board, as well as a board member of the Insurance Study Committee for lawyers of the S.C. Bar Association. He served as the president of the Richland County Bar Association and, in 2001, received its Distinguished Service Award as "Lawyer of the Year". He was also named Rotarian of the Year in 2001 by the Columbia Rotary Club. Also in 2001, he received the 2001 Distinguished Service Award from SisterCare, as well as the Distinguished Service Award from the Domestic Abuse Center for his work in the Columbia Municipal Domestic Violence Court. He also received the 2000 Distinguished Service Award from the Columbia JCs.

Fran E. Duarte passed away on January 16, 2009, at Greenville Memorial Hospital. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin and the University of South Carolina School of Law, 1990, her career included law enforcement, counseling, and practicing law. She was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church-Simpsonville, as well as the South Carolina and Florida Bar Associations. She was an avid runner, competing in many marathons, including NYC and Boston.

John F. Hardaway, 57, of Columbia died on January 21. He was a member of the House of Delegates and a 1975 graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law. He was a member of the South Carolina Bar for which he served as a member of the South Carolina House of Delegates. Throughout his legal career, he had been a member of the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association, now known as the South Carolina Association for Justice. Active in the association, he formerly served as a member of the Association’s Board of Governors, the legislative steering committee, and as the Association’s representative on the Patient Compensation Fund appointed by the governor of South Carolina. Johnny had also maintained his membership in the American Trial Lawyers Association, which is now known as the American Association for Justice.

Throughout most of his legal career, Johnny was a solo practitioner who ably handled a wide variety of civil and criminal cases in both state and federal courts. He frequently represented claimants before the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission and handled Social Security Disability Claims. Early in his legal career, Johnny left private practice and served as an assistant federal public defender, appearing in the federal courts of this state and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, VA. Johnny was certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court to represent clients facing the death penalty and frequently represented death row inmates for little or no compensation. He gave dedicated support to the South Carolina Death Penalty Advocacy Center. Johnny also represented the Richland County Republican Party in voters’ rights litigation before a special three judge federal panel.

He was widely known and respected in the legal community as being a wise and ethical litigator who always gave his best to protect his client’s interest. Those who knew him will always remember his keen sense of humor and his ability to get along with everyone - be they friend or legal foe.

William Joseph Isaacs, 64, passed away Friday, January 23, 2009. Isaacs was a graduate of the College of William and Mary and the University of South Carolina School of Law, class of 1975. He had a long and outstanding legal career. As chief of the Consumer Fraud and Anti-Trust Section of the attorney general’s office during the McLeod administration, as well as creator of its Child Support Division, he was a champion of the unrepresented. After leaving the attorney general’s office in 1983, he was in private practice for over twenty-five years and founded the firm of Isaacs and Alley. He earned the “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell in recognition of the highest legal ability and ethical standards. As a public and private lawyer, his integrity, fearlessness and common sense were unmatched in the legal profession.

W. Thomas “Tom” Vernon went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Sunday, January 18, 2009. He was a graduate of Davidson College and obtained a Juris Doctor degree from the University of South Carolina, School of Law in 1975. Tom was licensed to practice law in the states of South Carolina and Georgia and was admitted to practice before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. A tenacious litigator and tireless advocate for his clients, Tom was highly respected by both the Bench and Bar.

Charles Craig Young, 42, of Florence died Friday, November 14, 2008 at his residence after an illness. A 1991 graduate of the School of Law, Young was a former partner in the Wilcox Law Firm and was a partner in the Young, Miller and Braddock Law Firm in Florence. He was a member of the Florence West Rotary Club, the Florence County Bar, the SC Bar Association, the SC Trial Lawyers Association, the Defense Trial Association and the a member of the Nation Wild Turkey Federation.