1959

Mark Buyck, Jr. was named the 2009 recipient of the prestigious Ralph King Anderson, Jr. Award on Thursday December 10, 2009, during the Florence County Bar Association's annual meeting. The award, named for retired SC Court of Appeals Judge Ralph King Anderson, Jr., is given annually to a member of the Florence County Bar who has, over a significant period of time, contributed to not only the character and quality of the legal profession but also to the community it serves.

1971

Thompson & Henry, PA announces that John B. McCutcheon Jr. has joined the firm located at 1300 Second Ave., 3rd Floor, Conway 29526.

David H. Wilkins, former United States Ambassador to Canada and a native of Greenville, will deliver an address to about 224 degree candidates at Lander University's December commencement ceremonies, 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, in the university's Horne Arena. During the ceremonies, the university will confer an honorary doctorate of laws upon Wilkins. Ambassador Wilkins is a partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, where he chairs the Public Policy and International Law practice group. The group 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.

1972

Henry H. Taylor of Lexington has replaced the outgoing chairman, F. Hugh Atkins of Spartanburg, on the S.C. Department of Transportation Commission. Taylor has represented the 2nd Congressional District on the S.C. DOT Commission since March 2007.

1973

C. Cantzon Foster II announces that James E. Knight, Jr. has been named Of Counsel to the Foster Law Office, LLC located at 3100 Devine St., Columbia 29205.

1974

The South Carolina Education Oversight Committee elected Nexsen Pruet attorney Neil C. Robinson Jr., as its new Chairman on December 14. Robinson is the firm's managing member (partner) of the Charleston office. His term as EOC chairman begins immediately. Neil Robinson focuses his legal practice primarily in the areas of real estate and economic development. In recent months, he's worked one several major deals. He was part of the team of Nexsen Pruet attorneys who negotiated incentive packages for Boeing's Dreamliner commercial aircraft assembly plant, and a new distribution center in Berkeley County for the Rockefeller Group/MeadWestvaco venture. He was also a member of the firm's team that helped secure matching funds totaling $53 million that resulted in Clemson University being awarded a $45 million grant for the off-shore wind turbine test facility at the Restoration Institute site in North Charleston.

1975

Clemson University recognized Judge Joseph Fletcher Anderson Jr. with an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree during the winter graduation ceremony at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17, at Littlejohn Coliseum. In 1986, President Ronald Reagan appointed Judge Anderson to the federal bench. At 36 years old, Anderson was the youngest federal judge in South Carolina history. He still holds the position. He completed a term as chief judge for the District of South Carolina, serving from 2000 to 2008.

1976

C. Cantzon Foster II announces that James S. Guignard has been named Of Counsel to the Foster Law Office, LLC located at 3100 Devine St., Columbia 29205.

1979

Charleston attorney Wilbur E. Johnson has been elected to serve as a board member in the Fifth Federal Reserve District of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond for a three-year term. Johnson, managing partner at Young Clement Rivers law firm who practices employment and labor law, will help form monetary policy and regulate financial institutions headquartered throughout the district.

1983

Greenwood attorney LaDonna Sargent Johnson recently was elected president of the Greenwood County Bar Association. That alone is a notable achievement; however, what is also notable about Sargent Johnson's election is that she is the first female president of the local bar association.

1988

Collins & Lacy, P.C. proudly announces that Gray T. Culbreath has been selected to receive the 2009 Civic Star Award of the Richland County Bar Association. Recipients of the Civic Star Award are selected by the Executive Committee of the Richland County Bar Association in recognition of their exceptional and meritorious service to our community. Gray was presented with the award at the annual meeting of the association on December 10th, 2009.

1990

Rogers Townsend & Thomas, PC announces that Kristine Cato has joined as shareholder to the firm located at 220 Executive Center Dr., Ste. 109, Columbia 29210.

1991

Collins & Lacy, P.C. is pleased to announce that Ellen M. Adams has been selected to serve as a member of The Council on Litigation Management. The Council is a nonpartisan alliance dedicated to furthering the highest standards of litigation management. The Council sponsors educational programs, provides resources, fosters communications, and recognizes lawyers who meet high standards. Selected attorneys and law firms are extended membership by invitation only, based on nominations from CLM Fellows. The Council on Litigation Management was formed earlier this year when the Council on Ethical Billing and the International Litigation Management Association merged to form a single entity and expand their mission. Ellen is a shareholder practicing in the areas of premises liability, general litigation, professional liability, workers' compensation, defense litigation, contract disputes, and insurance.

1992

W. Baxter Harwell announces the dissolution of the Harwell Law Firm, PA and that he has joined the Bell Legal Group located at 232 King St., Georgetown 29440.

1993

Rogers Townsend & Thomas, PC announces that Angela Kirby has joined as shareholder to the firm located at 220 Executive Center Dr., Ste. 109, Columbia 29210.

Thompson & Henry, PA announces that Lisa Arlene Thomas has joined the firm located at 1300 Second Ave., 3rd Floor, Conway 29526.

1994

Turner Padget Graham & Laney, PA announces that Phillip Florence Jr. has joined the firm as Of Counsel located at 40 Calhoun St., Ste. 200, Charleston 29401.

1996

Rogers Townsend & Thomas, PC announces that Stephen Lenker has joined as shareholder to the firm located at 220 Executive Center Dr., Ste. 109, Columbia 29210.

1998

The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce has a new president to guide the organization's board of directors. Nexsen Pruet LLC attorney Franklin Daniels has been elected chairman of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors. The election occurred Dec. 8 during the board's December meeting. Daniels has been a member of the Myrtle Beach and Charleston offices of Nexsen Pruet since 2008, practicing real estate, corporate and economic development law. Prior to that, he held a number of senior positions with Burroughs & Chapin Company Inc.

1999

Thompson & Henry, PA announces that Jill W. Fennel has joined the firm located at 1300 Second Ave., 3rd Floor, Conway 29526.

April Dawn Edwards and Richard Chadwick Smith, both of Rock Hill, S.C., were married in a garden ceremony on Oct. 3, 2009. He practices Family Law in private practice at 306 Oakland Ave., Rock Hill.

2005

Ellis, Lawhorne and Sims, P.A., is pleased to announce that attorney Jonathan P. "J.P." Lee was selected as a member of the 2010 class of Leadership Columbia. Sponsored by the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Columbia provides existing and emerging leaders with opportunities to enhance their civic knowledge and civic network. For more than 30 years, this program has helped participants better understand how the Columbia community works, build relationships with the region's current and future leaders, and be inspired to focus their talents in a way that will best serve the community. Lee is a member of the Ellis Lawhorne Trusts and Estates Practice Group.

2007

Catherine Heath Bryan and Douglas Walker MacKelcan III were married December 5, 2009 at Holy Cross Faith Memorial Episcopal Church in Pawleys Island. The 6 p.m. ceremony was performed by the Rev. Edward Thomas Kelaher. She is an associate with the law firm of Lyles and Lyles in Charleston. He is an associate in the Charleston office of Carlock, Copeland and Stair.

Simmons Law Firm, LLC announces that Michael G. Corley has become an associate of the firm located at 1711 Pickens St., Columbia 29201.

2008

Roe Cassidy Coates & Price, PA announces that Joseph O. Smith has become an associate of the firm located at 1052 N. Church St., Greenville 29601.

2009

Colin Colverson has been named Attorney Advisor in the Office of Chief Counsel at the Department of Energy (DOE) Oak Ridge Office (ORO). Colverson will be responsible for providing legal representation and guidance on issues relating to environment, health and safety, real estate, grants, and other matters on the Oak Ridge Reservation. He will also provide advice and guidance on federal and state laws and regulations relating primarily to environmental law and policy.

Sowell Gray Stepp & Laffitte announces that Bess DuRant has joined the firm as an associate located at 1310 Gadsden St., Columbia 29211.

Turner Padget Graham & Laney, PA announces that Stephanie R. Lamb has joined the Greenville office located at 200 E. Broad St., Ste. 250, 29601. T. Hudson Williams and Virginia W. Williams have joined the Columbia office located at 1901 Main St., 17th floor, 29201.

Collins & Lacy, P.C. is pleased to announce that Logan M. Wells has joined the firm as an associate in the practice areas of Premises Liability, Retail/Hospitality, and Insurance Coverage. While in law school, Logan was a member of Phi Delta Phi and served as both the Articles Editor and Member Editor for the South Eastern Environmental Law Journal.

In Memoriam

Grady Leslie Patterson, Jr., former state treasurer and Air National Guard general, died December 7, 2009. Mr. Patterson attended Clemson University and received an undergraduate and law degree from the University of South Carolina in 1950. He held honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from the University of South Carolina, Clemson University and The Citadel, and was awarded Doctor of Humanities degrees from the College of Charleston and Lander University. Erskine College established an endowed chair in his honor. When World War II began, he left Clemson University and volunteered to serve in the Army Air Corps. He earned his pilot's wings and served in the Pacific Theater, flying combat missions from Iwo Jima to Japan in a P-51 Mustang. Upon his return from World War II, he completed his education at the University of South Carolina and joined the S.C. Air National Guard. Mr. Patterson's career of public service began shortly after law school when he became an assistant attorney general for the State of South Carolina. In 1966, he was elected state treasurer. During his thirty-five years as treasurer, he championed constitutional and legislative initiatives that safeguarded public funds. Some of Mr. Patterson's significant financial reforms included the establishment of a reserve fund to cover budget shortfalls, an annual debt limit, a constitutional amendment to balance the state's budget, the 1999 School Bond Bill, the FutureScholar college savings program, and a requirement that pension funds be used only for retirement purposes. He was a national expert in the field of tax free municipal bonds, testifying before Congress and arguing to protect the tax free status before the United States Supreme Court.