Deidre Smallwood

Roopal Ruparelia, a shareholder and insurance defense attorney in Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd's Columbia office, heads a robust general civil litigation practice, with greater emphasis on the defense of both personal injury and construction defect claims in a variety of contexts.

Tina is a member of the firm and practices in the areas of commercial litigation, professional liability and ethics, securities and FINRA, and appellate advocacy. She has tried cases in state and federal court and in alternative dispute resolution forums, including the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Tina has written numerous appellate briefs on a wide range of issues and has argued before state and federal appellate courts. Tina represents individuals and entities in dispute...

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.

Eric A. Paine is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Eric A., 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 Eric A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Frank Cureton is a certified specialist in Taxation Law, as well as a shareholder in Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd's Columbia office. He represents taxable entities and tax-exempt organizations in planning acquisitions, financing structures, mergers, spin-offs and dispositions. Frank works closely with Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd's Public Finance team. His practice also includes estate planning and individual tax planning, particularly for owners of family businesses and professional practices as they ...

Suzi Clawson is a shareholder and corporate attorney in Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd's Columbia office, where she focuses her practice on advising corporate governance matters, including corporate governance documents, committee charters and governance principles, director and committee independence, related party transaction issues and fiduciary duties of directors. Suzi also has extensive experience representing both public and private issuers, while also advising public and private company clie...

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.

Benjamin Gooding is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Benjamin, who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Benjamin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jessica W. Laffitte is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Jessica W., 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 Jessica W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

D. Michael Henthorne focuses his practice on representing clients in employment litigation. He has significant trial experience and has successfully appeared before both the South Carolina Court of Appeals and the South Carolina Supreme Court. He also appears regularly in federal and state courts in South Carolina and before various regulatory and administrative tribunals, such as: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission The Department of Labor The South Carolina Human Affairs Commission ...