1964

Nexsen Pruet attorney Tom Tisdale has been named to the 2009 list of South Carolina Super Lawyers®. He practices in the area of general litigation.

1967

William W. “Billy” Wilkins, former Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and former Chair of the United States Sentencing Commission recently spoke to more than 65 attorneys at the North Carolina Department of Justice. Wilkins met briefly with N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper before leading a presentation on “Secrets of Effective Communication.” Billy Wilkins leads Nexsen Pruet’s White-Collar Crime, Appellate Advocacy, and Corporate Compliance/Crisis Management practices. He also serves clients through his work in the firm’s Business Litigation Group.

1968

Collins & Lacy, PC is pleased to announce that Joel W. Collins has been selected for inclusion in South Carolina Super Lawyers 2009. Joel Collins, founding shareholder of the firm, is being recognized for his work in Civil Litigation Defense. His practice focuses on complex civil litigation and white collar criminal defense. Collins recently completed his term as the 2008 President of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates, (ABOTA). ABOTA is the national organization of experienced trial attorneys dedicated to preserving the constitutional right to jury trials.

1969

Nexsen Pruet attorney Gene Allen has been named to the 2009 list of South Carolina Super Lawyers®. He practices in the area of bankruptcy and creditor/debtor rights.

1971

Nexsen Pruet attorney Ed Menzie has been named to the 2009 list of South Carolina Super Lawyers®. He practices in the area of real estate.

Donald Carty, Chairman, Porter Airlines Inc., is pleased to announce the appointment of Ambassador David H. Wilkins to its Board of Directors. Ambassador Wilkins is currently a partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, in Greensville, South Carolina, and chairs the Public Policy and International Law practice group, which focuses primarily on representing businesses on both sides of the U.S.-Canadian border and offers experience on a wide range of strategic bilateral issues.

1973

Hon. John M. Milling announces his retirement and reopening of his law offices as Milling Law Offices, LLC at 88 Public Square, Darlington 29532.

1974

Nexsen Pruet attorneys Neil Robinson and Vickie Eslinger have been named to the 2009 list of South Carolina Super Lawyers®. Robinson practices in the area of real estate and Eslinger in the area of employment and labor.

1975

Ellis, Lawhorne and Sims, P.A., is pleased to announce that F. Earl Ellis, Jr. was named a 2009 South Carolina Super Lawyer. Ellis is a founding shareholder in the Firm and a member of the Workers’ Compensation Practice Group. For more than 30 years, he has focused his practice on workers’ compensation, representing a large number of self-insured companies. He is lead counsel for the self-insurance funds for hospitals and governmental entities throughout the state. A certified mediator, Ellis has mediated more than 300 cases. He is the recipient of the 2008 Worthy Adversary Award awarded by the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association and has been listed in Best Lawyers in America® for the past 13 years.

1976

Nexsen Pruet attorneys Henry Brown and Tommy Lavender have been named to the 2009 list of South Carolina Super Lawyers®. Brown practices in the area of construction litigation and Lavender is in the environmental sector.

The law firm of McAngus Goudelock & Courie, LLC is pleased to announce that attorneys and University of South Carolina School of Law alumni W. Hugh McAngus has been named by South Carolina Super Lawyers magazine as one of the top attorneys in South Carolina for 2009. McAngus is a certified mediator, and his practice focuses on workers’ compensation law.

1977

Kaye Hearn, the chief judge of the state Court of Appeals, will become the newest member of the S.C. Supreme Court. Hearn, the first female chief judge of the state's second highest court, will become the second woman to join the Supreme Court. Chief Justice Jean Toal became the first woman to be named to the state's top court with her election in 1988; she became the state's first female chief justice in 2000.

1978

J. Michael Jordan has joined Nexsen Pruet’s Business Litigation Group as a member. Jordan will practice in the firm’s Hilton Head office. Mike Jordan is a trial attorney who has defended product liability cases across the United States. He has successfully tried commercial and environmental lawsuits and adversary proceedings in bankruptcy courts. Prior to joining Nexsen Pruet, Jordan was the leader of the Product Liability Group at the Gardere Law Firm in Houston, Texas. Jordan was Editor of the South Carolina Law Review and a member of the Order of the Wig and Robe while in law school.

Nexsen Pruet attorneys Brad Waring and Joel Stoudemire have been named to the 2009 list of South Carolina Super Lawyers®. Waring practices in the area of business litigation and Stoudemire is in the tax area.

1979

Nexsen Pruet attorney Tom Stephenson has been named to the 2009 list of South Carolina Super Lawyers®. He practices in the area of employment litigation: defense.

1980

W. Curtis Elliott, Jr. co-authored this piece, just published in Trust and Estates Magazine, with Briani Bennett, a first year associate at Culp Elliott & Carpenter. After graduating from USC Law School, she obtained her LL.M. in Taxation from NYU, and then clerked for the U.S. District Court in Columbia for a year before beginning private practice with our Firm.

1983

Nexsen Pruet attorney Rick Mendoza has been named to the 2009 list of South Carolina Super Lawyers®. He practices in the area of bankruptcy and creditor/debtor rights.

1984

Nexsen Pruet attorneys David Dubberly and Val Stieglitz have been named to the 2009 list of South Carolina Super Lawyers®. Dubberly practices in the area of employment and labor and Stieglitz is in business litigation.

Ellis, Lawhorne and Sims, P.A., is pleased to announce that William P. McElveen, Jr. was named a 2009 South Carolina Super Lawyer. McElveen is the Firm’s managing shareholder and a member of the Business, Real Estate and Finance Practice Group. He has practiced law for more than 20 years, handling a diverse range of real estate and banking issues. He provides legal counsel to clients on revitalization projects, single and multi-use development transactions, as well as real estate finance and commercial lending matters. McElveen also was selected to the 2009 edition of the Best Lawyers in America®.

1985

J. Kevin Crain announces the opening of Crain Law Firm, LLC located at 636-G Long Point Rd., Ste. 95, Mt. Pleasant 29464.

1986

Nexsen Pruet attorney Elbert Dorn has been named to the 2009 list of South Carolina Super Lawyers®. He practices in the area of personal injury defense: products.

The law firm of McAngus Goudelock & Courie, LLC is pleased to announce that attorneys and University of South Carolina School of Law alumni J. Russell Goudelock has been named by South Carolina Super Lawyers magazine as one of the top attorneys in South Carolina for 2009. Goudelock is a founding member of the firm and his practice focuses on workers’ compensation law.

Ellis, Lawhorne and Sims, P.A., is pleased to announce that David C. Sojourner, Jr. was named a 2009 South Carolina Super Lawyer. Sojourner is a shareholder and a member of the Firm’s Trusts and Estates Practice Group. He concentrates his practice on helping clients address complex personal and professional tax planning issues and establishing effective, practical estate and business succession plans. He is a certified specialist in Taxation Law and Estate Planning and Probate Law. Sojourner was selected to the 2009 edition of the Best Lawyers in America®.

1987

Nexsen Pruet attorneys Cherie Blackburn and William Floyd have been named to the 2009 list of South Carolina Super Lawyers®. Blackburn practices in the area of employment litigation: defense and Floyd practices in employment and labor.

The law firm of McAngus Goudelock & Courie, LLC is pleased to announce that attorneys and University of South Carolina School of Law alumni Erroll Anne Hodges has been named by South Carolina Super Lawyers magazine as one of the top attorneys in South Carolina for 2009. Her practice focuses on workers’ compensation law.

Ellis, Lawhorne and Sims, P.A., is pleased to announce that John L. McCants was named a 2009 South Carolina Super Lawyer. McCants is a shareholder and practices construction, commercial and bankruptcy law in the Firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice Group. He has served as lead counsel in numerous cases in federal and state trial and appellate courts in South Carolina. Having practiced law for more than 21 years, McCants is experienced in jury trials, non-jury trials, mediation, and arbitration. He is a past president of the Richland County Bar Association and the South Carolina Bankruptcy Law Association.

1988

Collins & Lacy, PC is pleased to announce that Gray T. Culbreath has been selected for inclusion in South Carolina Super Lawyers 2009. Gray Culbreath, managing shareholder of the firm, is being recognized for his work in Personal Injury Defense: Products. His practice focus includes products liability, class action litigation, transportation litigation, business and commercial litigation, and professional negligence claims. Additionally, he conducts an active appellate practice for his regional and national clients. He is an active member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel and the International Association of Defense Counsel. He is a member of Lawyers for Civil Justice and the Defense Research Institute and serves as Treasurer for the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association.

1989

The law firm of McAngus Goudelock & Courie, LLC is pleased to announce that attorneys and University of South Carolina School of Law alumni Kristine L. Cato has been named by South Carolina Super Lawyers magazine as one of the top attorneys in South Carolina for 2009. Her practice focuses on labor and employment law. She is a certified specialist in labor and employment law and a certified mediator.

1990

Nexsen Pruet attorney Mike Brittingham has been named to the 2009 list of South Carolina Super Lawyers®. He practices in the area of employment benefits/ERISA.

L. Walter Tollison III announces that Elizabeth M. McMillan has become Of Counsel to The Tollison Law Firm, PA located at 24 Vardry St., Ste. 203, Greenville 29601.

1991

Ellis, Lawhorne and Sims, P.A., is pleased to announce that John T. Lay, Jr. was named a 2009 South Carolina Super Lawyer. Lay is a shareholder and a member of the Firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice Group. He has been trying cases for more than 18 years, serving as lead counsel to a wide variety of clients in federal and state courts in South Carolina. He was named to two sections of the 2009 edition of Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Litigation. Lay is the president of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association. In 2008, he was selected as a faculty member for the International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy at Stanford University.

1993

Nexsen Pruet attorney Molly H. Cherry has been named to the 2009 list of South Carolina Super Lawyers®. She practices in the area of employment and labor.

1994

Foster Law Firm, LLC announces that Joe Armstrong has become a partner in the Greenville office located at 610 E. McBee Ave., Ste. 104, 29601.

Daniel J. Farnsworth Jr. announces the formation of Farnsworth Law Offices, LLC located at 414 Pettigru St., Ste. A, Greenville 29604.

1996

Nexsen Pruet attorneys Bruce Wallace and Mike Pitts have been named to the 2009 list of South Carolina Super Lawyers®. Wallace practices in the area of business litigation and Pitts practices in employment litigation: defense.

1999

L. Walter Tollison III announces that Lauren S. Price has joined the firm as an associate of The Tollison Law Firm, PA located at 24 Vardry St., Ste. 203, Greenville 29601.

2003

Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, PA announces that Evander M.E. (Van) Whitehead has joined the firm's Florence office located at 1831 W. Evans St., Ste. 315, 29501.

2005

Hamilton & Associates, LLC announces that William "Bill" M. Connor, Jr. has become Of Counsel to the firm located at 1531 Laurel St., Columbia 29201

2006

W. Curtis Elliott, Jr. co-authored a piece, just published in Trust and Estates Magazine, with Briani Bennett, a first year associate at Culp Elliott & Carpenter. After graduating from USC Law School, she obtained her LL.M. in Taxation from NYU, and then clerked for the U.S. District Court in Columbia for a year before beginning private practice.

Lee, Erter, Wilson, Holler & Smith, LLC announces that Steven B. Johnson has joined the firm as an associate located at 126 N. Main St., Sumter 29151.

2008

Dr. and Mrs. Edward Dudley Allen of Spartanburg announce the engagement of their daughter, Bonnie Elizabeth Allen, to Jason Cale Lynch, son of Mr. Wayne Lynch and Mrs. Sue Lynch of Florence. Allen is employed by Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. law firm.

Dustin Lee announces the opening of the Lee Law Firm, LLC located at 2 Corpus Christie Place, Ste. 303, Hilton Head Island 29928.

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP announces that Maggie Parham Murdock has joined the firm as an associate located at 1320 Main St., Columbia 29201.

2009

Cacey Michelle Ragan and Jonathan Derrek Miles of Columbia were married at 2 p.m. March 7, 2009, at The Rutledge Chapel at the University of South Carolina. The groom is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science in business administration and will graduate May 2009 from the University of South Carolina School of Law. He is employed with the McKay Firm in Columbia.

In Memoriam

Roy Dawson Bates died Monday, April 20, 2009. He graduated from Denmark High School, where he was president of the student body and class valedictorian. He was an Eagle Scout. Bates earned a BS degree in electrical engineering from the University of South Carolina and was a member of Epsilon Lambda Sigma engineering honor society. As a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy, he served on active duty in the Atlantic Mine Force. In 1960, he received a law degree from USC School of Law, where he was editor of the law review and an officer in Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity.

Bates pursued his legal career with the firm of Marchant, Bristow and Bates and actively practiced law for more than 45 years. He was the city attorney for Columbia for 23 years. He assisted in drafting Home Rule statutes for municipalities and served as special and corporate counsel to the Municipal Association of South Carolina for more than 30 years. His duties included giving legal opinions on municipal issues and participation in preparation of manuals on eminent domain, forms of government, business licenses, elections, annexation, planning and zoning, and parliamentary procedure for reference and training municipal employees and elected officials. He argued or filed briefs in numerous cases before the SC Supreme Court, and testified before congressional and legislative committees on pending legislation affecting municipalities.

Mr. Bates served as trustee, treasurer and president of the International Municipal Lawyers Association, and received the Charles S. Rhyne Award in Municipal Law. He was a past president of the SC City Attorneys Association and an honorary member of the South Carolina City and County Management Association. He lived in the Town of Arcadia Lakes and was the town attorney for many years.

Tara Sue Taggart, 55, of Blythewood, died April 2, 2009. She graduated from Furman University, Magna Cum Laude, and then graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law - J.D. in 1993. She was previously employed with S.C. Department of Appellate Defense, General Council, S.C. Guardian Ad Litem Program and Private Practice - Criminal Defense. Tara’s life was committed to serving those whose lives were surrounded by adversity. She used her training and philosophy, as well as the legal system to ensure a level playing field to those who found themselves embroiled in the Legal Justice System. From those clients she earned the honorific of “MAD DOG”.