Belton T. Zeigler

Elizabeth Franklin-Best is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Elizabeth, who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elizabeth is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A native of Hartsville, South Carolina, Wesley graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1995. Wesley devotes his practice to commercial litigation, with an emphasis on construction. He represents owners, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers in all areas of construction litigation, including mechanics’ liens, bond claims, co...

Kerk practices in the areas of residential and commercial real estate litigation and loan workouts. He has handled numerous commercial foreclosure cases including golf courses, stockyards, theaters, commercial office buildings, development tracts and hotels. He has successfully tried cases in the South Carolina Supreme Court on behalf of lenders and recently litigated the enforceability of arbitration agreements regarding consumer claims against the lender. His construction work has involved ...

Jack B. Swerling is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Jack B., who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 1993. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jack B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mike Carrouth is a partner in the Columbia office. He is certified as a Specialist in Labor Law by the South Carolina Supreme Court. Mike has represented clients in successfully responding to union organizing efforts in 30 states. This work includes successfully defending against multi-site and multi-state national organizing blitzes and card-check/neutrality campaigns. Mike also has represented clients in numerous litigation matters, including jury trials, involving Family and Medical Leave ...

Kelley Shull Cannon is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Kelley Shull, who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kelley Shull is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

J. Benjamin Connell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. J. Benjamin, who practices law in Lugoff, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Benjamin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Andrea C. Roche is a founding partner of Williams & Roche. She is a former member of the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission, serving from 2006 until 2014. She was named Chairman of the Commission by Governor Sanford and served in that role from 2008-2010. Before serving on the Commission, Andrea was a partner at an insurance defense firm where her practice consisted primarily of defending employers and insurance companies in workers’ compensation claims. Andrea is...

A special counsel at Burnette Shutt & McDaniel, civil rights attorney Stuart Andrews brings determination and intensity to every case. He’s devoted decades to bringing about systemic reform and giving lower-income South Carolinians greater access to the courts, both through the clients he's represented and the policies he's helped put in place. Through his former practice at a large regional law firm, Stuart established the firm's first structured pro bono program. The effort earned...

Jon Pearson is a partner in the firm's Columbia office. His practice emphasizes employment litigation of all types before state and federal courts, as well as traditional labor law. He has handled lawsuits and administrative charges involving wrongful discharge, Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), as well as many other types of employment-based claims. Jon has al...