1968

Collins & Lacy, P.C. is pleased to announce that Joel W. Collins has been selected for inclusion in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Collins, founding shareholder, is being recognized for his work in White Collar Criminal Defense.

1971

David Maring, a 1971 graduate, who retired from the circuit bench, has completed three novels. The first novel, The Serpent's Seed was published in 2007. In March his novel, Carolina Justice, which is a murder case will be available, and in May an international political thriller, The Mullahs will be published.

1974

Collins & Lacy, P.C. is pleased to announce that Stanford E. Lacy and L. Henry. McKellar have been selected for inclusion in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Lacy, founding shareholder is being recognized for his work in Workers' Compensation law. McKellar, Of Counsel, is being honored for his work in Banking Law.

1976

Collins & Lacy, P.C. is pleased to announce that Donald Van Riper has been selected for inclusion in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Van Riper, shareholder, is being recognized for his work in Workers' Compensation law.

1977

J. Stephen Schmutz and David Aylor (class of 2006) announce the opening of their office at 3844 Leeds Ave., N. Charleston 29405.

1979

Nexsen Pruet attorney Tom Stephenson has been named "Greenville Alternative Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year" for 2010 by Best Lawyers. In various specialty areas, the publication recognizes one attorney from large legal communities as the "Lawyer of the Year." Stephenson practices primarily in the areas of labor law, employment law, and employment-related litigation and has written several books and articles dealing with employment law.

1981

Nexsen Pruet attorney Mark Knight has been named "Columbia, SC Mergers & Acquisitions Lawyer of the Year" for 2010 by Best Lawyers. In various specialty areas, the publication recognizes one attorney from large legal communities as the "Lawyer of the Year." Knight is the leader of Nexsen Pruet's corporate practice group. In addition to mergers and acquisitions, he focuses his practice in the securities and partnership areas.

Bowman and Brooke LLP, a national law firm known for defending household-name corporations in high-exposure product liability and commercial cases, announced today that it will open a new office in Columbia, SC on December 1. Joel H. Smith will be the managing partner. Smith has been practicing product liability law for the automotive and life sciences industries for nearly three decades and was recently named "Personal Injury Litigator of the Year" by Best Lawyers. Smith joins Bowman and Brooke from Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, along with three partners from that firm. Richard Willis and Courtney Shytle (Class of 1994) will help grow Bowman and Brooke's practice in the areas of automotive and pharmaceutical/medical device product liability defense, as well as commercial and business-related litigation.

1987

Ernest M. Spong III announces the opening of the Law Office of Ernest M. Spong III, LLC at 110 S. Vanderhorst St., Winnsboro 29180.

1988

Collins & Lacy, P.C. (Columbia, SC) is pleased to announce that Gray T. Culbreath has been selected to receive one of the South Carolina Lawyers Weekly 2009 Leadership in the Law Awards. The awards were designed to honor 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 ten recipients were selected by a panel of judges based on their outstanding achievement in the following key areas: achievement in law; involvement in the profession; support of the community; and mentoring. In addition, he has been selected for inclusion in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Culbreath, managing shareholder, is being recognized for his work in Commercial Litigation, Products Liability Litigation, and Bet-the-Company Litigation. Culbreath was also elected to the position of president-elect for the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association (SCDTAA). He will serve a one-year term in this position from November 2010 to November 2011. The SCDTAA was established in 1968 and is committed to promoting justice, professionalism and integrity in the civil justice system by bringing together attorneys dedicated to the defense of civil actions.

1989

Collins & Lacy, P.C. is pleased to announce that Peter H. Dworjanyn has been selected for inclusion in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Dworjanyn, shareholder, is being recognized for his work in Workers' Compensation law.

1991

Collins & Lacy, P.C. is pleased to announce that Ellen M. Adams has been selected for inclusion in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Adams, shareholder, is being recognized for her work in Workers' Compensation law.

1992

Capers G. Barr IV has rejoined the Barr Unger & Mcintosh LLC as an attorney working in the law firm's Charleston and Edisto Island office. He was previously a member of Barr Unger & Mcintosh for nine years. Most recently, he was president of Rogers & Brown Custom Brokers Inc. and International Trade Consultants Inc. His areas of practice include civil litigation, property owners association representation, real estate, transportation and customs law.

1993

A University of South Carolina graduate was honored in New York recently for her advocacy work on behalf of individuals with autism. Lorri Shealy Unumb won the "Women Who Make a Difference" Award, sponsored by Longines and Town & Country magazine. Unumb was selected for her work on autism insurance reform. She initiated legislation in South Carolina in 2005 that resulted in not only health insurance coverage for children with autism but also a Medicaid program that pays for behavior therapy. The groundbreaking insurance legislation, which passed in 2007 and became effective in 2008, is known as "Ryan's Law" after Unumb's 8-year-old son. Following its passage, Unumb went to work for the New York-based non-profit Autism Speaks and has helped replicate "Ryan's Law" in 13 states around the country.

1994

Attorney Sterling G. Davies has been elected to serve as secretary of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association for 2010. The South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association is a 750-member association representing civil defense attorneys in South Carolina. Davies is a member of the law firm of McAngus Goudelock & Courie. His practice includes general litigation, with an emphasis on construction litigation, products liability, premises liability, insurance litigation, and major loss cases. He has previously served on SCDTAA's executive board. Davies also serves as the national marketing chairman of the Defense Research Institute's construction law committee and is a member of the South Carolina Bar Association, American Bar Association and Defense Research Institute.

Bowman and Brooke LLP, a national law firm known for defending household-name corporations in high-exposure product liability and commercial cases, announced today that it will open a new office in Columbia, SC on December 1. Courtney Shytle will help grow Bowman and Brooke's practice in the areas of automotive and pharmaceutical/medical device product liability defense, as well as commercial and business-related litigation.

1996

David Proffitt and Ron Cox have co-founded a law firm in Columbia. Proffitt & Cox, LLP will focus on representation of individuals and businesses in tort, class action, and commercial litigation.

1997

Joseph M. Ramseur Jr. announces the opening of his firm located at 217 E. Park Ave., Greenville 29601.

1999

Scott Hile has returned to South Carolina to be Commercial and M&A Counsel for Milliken & Company in Spartanburg.

Paul C. MacPhail announces the opening of MacPhail Law Firm, LLC located at 220 N. Church St., Ste. 3, P.O. Box 6321, Spartanburg 29304.

2000

Coastal Carolina University has named their 2009 Outstanding Alumni of the Year. The honors were awarded at a recognition ceremony in the Wall Auditorium on Saturday, Nov. 7 as part of Homecoming. Robert Shelton, class of 1997, was named the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year 2009. The award is given to a graduate of the University who has made a significant contribution to his or her profession or community. Shelton was also named the 2009 outstanding alumnus for the Thomas W. and Robin W. Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts. He is chairman of the Coastal Carolina University Alumni Association, having served as president of the organization from 2004 to 2008. He is vice chair of the Tara Hall Home for Boys board of directors; president of the Horry County Foster Parents Association; a member of the Coastal Carolina Sertoma Club; and past chair of the City of Conway Elections Commission.

2001

The North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization has certified McAngus Goudelock & Courie attorney Robert B. Starnes as a specialist in workers' compensation law. Starnes practices workers' compensation defense in MG&C's Charlotte office. He is a member of the North Carolina State Bar, North Carolina Bar Association, South Carolina State Bar, Mecklenburg County Bar Association and the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys. The North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization evaluates attorneys for certification based on their involvement, experience, competency and practice in the field of workers' compensation law for at least five years.

2002

Roe Cassidy Coates & Price, P.A. (Greenville, SC) is pleased to announce that Fred W. "Trey" Suggs III, a partner with the firm, was named to the 2009 class of Greenville First Bank's Best & Brightest 35 and Under at an awards event September 29th at the BMW Performance Center. He has served in a variety of leadership positions within the Young Lawyers Division of the South Carolina Bar Association, including 13th Circuit Representative and Secretary/Treasurer, and currently serves as the President of that organization. His statewide initiative through the South Carolina Bar, Protecting Our Youth, focuses on educating at-risk high school students on the perils and consequences of committing crimes as youth offenders. He has also served in several leadership positions with the Greenville Young Lawyers and has represented the SC YLD at American Bar Association meetings around the country. Suggs focuses his practice on medical malpractice defense, commercial litigation, and personal injury litigation.

2003

Elizabeth Schwartz Corn announces the opening of The Law Offices of Elizabeth Schwartz Corn, LLC located at 471 Huger St., Charleston 29403, P.O. Box 20307, 29413.

Harrison & Radeker, PA announces that Andrew M. Thompson has joined the firm as an associate located at P.O. Box 50143, Columbia 29250.

2004

Richards McCrae has joined the law firm of Morton & Gettys as its personal injury practice group leader. He will be based out of the firm's office on Oakland Avenue in Rock Hill. Prior to joining Morton & Gettys, McCrae was an attorney with Chappell, Smith & Arden in Columbia, where he practiced personal injury law.

2006

J. Stephen Schmutz (class of 1977) and David Aylor announce the opening of their office at 3844 Leeds Ave., N. Charleston 29405.

2007

Brook Andrews finished his judicial clerkship and is now in Washington, D.C. working for the Department of Justice.

Andrew Dennis is now working in Nexsen Pruet's Charleston Office. Previously, he was in Nexsen Pruet's Columbia Office.

Based on extensive work Matt Howsare did for the Consumer Product Safety Commission while at Nelson Mullins, Matt was selected by Inez Tenebaum to serve as Counselor to the Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Sarah Whatley is working as an associate at The Bacon Law Firm in Myrtle Beach, SC where she practices family law and drafts wills. She is a member of the Coastal Women's Law Society.

2008

Lester & Hendrix, Attorneys at Law announces that Anthony J. Charles has joined the firm as an associate located at 1901 Gadsden St., Ste. A, Columbia 29201.

Nicholson, Davis, Frawley, Anderson & Ayer, LLC announces that A. Jewitte Dooley has become an associate of the firm located at 140 E. Main St., Lexington 29072.

Woods Law Firm, LLC announces that Walton "Tad" J. McLeod IV has become an associate of the firm located at 127 Library Hill Lane, Ste. C, Lexington 29071.

2009

McCutchen Blanton Hopkins & Campbell, LLP announces Paul B. Deal has joined the firm as an associate located at 1414 Lady St., Columbia 29201.

James Edward Drawdy, Jr. and Shannon Leinani Stevenson were married October 24, 2009. He is an attorney with Pavey Law Firm, PA in Sylva, NC.

Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP has added Tynetra Evans to its litigation practice group in its Greenville, SC, office. At Smith Moore Leatherwood, Evans practice will focus on litigation matters related to transportation and insurance. As a law student at the University of South Carolina, Evans served on the Pro Bono Board and was actively involved in the Lexington County Juvenile Arbitration program. A member of the American Bar Association, Evans holds an undergraduate degree in English literature and language from the University of Virginia.

Moore, Taylor and Thomas, PA announces that William B. Fortino and R. Nichols "Nick" Riley Jr. have joined the firm as associates located at 1700 Sunset Blvd., W. Columbia 29171.

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough announces that Anna Elizabeth Hamilton has joined the firm's Greenville office located at 104 S. Main St., Ste. 900, Greenville 29601. The firm also announces that Brian M. Barnwell, William D. "Will" Harter, Jason P. Luther and Sarah B. Nielsen have joined the firm's Columbia office located at 1320 Main St., 17th Floor, Columbia 29201.

Gallivan, White & Boyd, PA announces that A. Brooks Haselden has joined the firm located at 55 Beattie Place, Ste. 1200, Greenville 29601.

The General Counsel's Office of the S.C. Department of Corrections announces that Michael V. Laubshire has joined as a staff attorney located at 4444 Broad River Rd., Columbia 29210.

Lillian Marshall Coleman and John Clarke Newton were married October 17, 2009. She is a third year student at the USC School of Law. He is employed by the Richland County Public Defender's Office.

Ellis, Lawhorne & Sims, PA announces that Austin Smith and Drew Walker have joined the firm located at 1501 Main St., 5th Floor, Columbia 29201.

Childs & Halligan, PA announces that Tyler R. Turner has become an associate of the firm located at 1301 Gervais St., Ste. 900, Columbia 29201.

IN MEMORIAM

Dr. John von Lehe lost his heroic battle with cancer early Monday morning. He died peacefully with his loving wife at his side at the Hospice of Charleston in Mt. Pleasant. He graduated from The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, in 1984 with a bachelors degree in Business Administration and Computer Science. Dr. von Lehe attended The Citadel on a wrestling scholarship. As a cadet, Dr. von Lehe received the Dean's List award, the Distinguished Military Student award, the Distinguished Military Graduate Award, was a cadet officer, and was co-captain of the wrestling team his senior year. After graduation, he served on active duty for three years in the United States Army in Germany. At the time of his passing, he was a lieutenant colonel in the SC Army National Guard through which he was deployed as a medical officer to Iraq in 2004 and to Afghanistan in 2008. In 1989, Dr. von Lehe graduated from The University of South Carolina School of Law with a Juris Doctor Degree. He helped to establish, and eventually served as vice-chairman, of the school's Pro Bono Board. He had a private law practice in Mt Pleasant from 1990 until 1996. While he was achieving success with his law practice, Dr. von Lehe yearned to practice medicine like his late father and grandfather. He graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2000 with his Doctor of Medicine Degree and completed his family medicine residency in 2002. Dr. von Lehe practiced medicine at East Cooper Family practice since 2002, and in 2009, became part of the Roper St. Francis Physicians Partner Network, where he served on the Networks council.