Christian Stegmaier

John Bruton is a shareholder in Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd's Columbia office. John is an experienced civil litigator with more than 40 years of experience and focuses his practice on insurance and construction cases, as well as commercial litigation and the defense of personal injury lawsuits.

Edward G. Kluiters is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Economic Development Law, Project Finance Law and Public Finance Law. Edward G., who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Edward G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sarah T. Eibling is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Sarah T., who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sarah T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James K. Lehman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions and Litigation - Securities. James K., who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2009. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Foster Girard leads Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd's Corporate Practice Group out of the Columbia office, and concentrates his practice on corporate finance and commercial transactions. Foster represents buyers, sellers and developers in real estate matters, and serves as lender's counsel. He also advises on a number of financing documents and commercial contracts involving goods, services and commercial real estate.

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.

Hank received his primary education from Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia, and graduated from Washington and Lee University, after receiving a four year Army ROTC Scholarship. He completed his Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Law, and thereafter served active duty in the United States Army, working initially the Attorney Honors Program in the Office of Chief Counsel, United States Army Corps of Engineers in Washington, D.C. Hank was subsequently ass...

Michael focuses his litigation practice in areas involving premises liability, automobile and trucking torts, insurance coverage, and products liability. He also has experience in handling construction matters, defending medical malpractice claims, and litigation involving administrative agencies. Michael enjoys mentoring first-year law students at the University of South Carolina School of Law and also oversees the firm’s law clerk program. He is a member of the executive committee for...

Costa Pleicones, former Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court, advises Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd clients on complex litigation and appellate matters. He is a Certified Circuit Court Arbitrator and Mediator and his experiences as a successful practitioner, trial judge and appellate jurist allow him to provide skillful and effective dispute resolution services.

A certified specialist in employment and labor law since 1993, M. Malissa Burnette has an extensive history of working toward workplace and social justice. She also has a wealth of experience in family law, personal injury, sexual harassment and discrimination law as well. She practices in state and federal courts, primarily representing individuals in complex employment cases involving discrimination, civil and constitutional rights, breach of contract, covenants to not compete, employment-r...