H. Patterson "Pat" McWhirter

Gibbs Leaphart is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Gibbs, 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 Gibbs is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joseph Preston “Pete” Strom, Jr., the managing partner at Strom Law Firm, LLC , has been fighting for justice since 1984. Born in Columbia, South Carolina in 1959, Pete attended the University of South Carolina and graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts. While attending the University of South Carolina, Pete served as President of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. After graduating from the University of South Carolina, Pete attended the University of South Carolina School of Law where he...

Elizabeth Franklin-Best is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Appellate Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, and Criminal Defense: General Practice. She is also ranked in Chambers USA 2026 in White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations. 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 ...

Jonathan M. Robinson is the managing partner of Smith Robinson. Jon has represented clients in South Carolina state and federal courts and has successfully tried numerous cases to jury verdicts. He also serves as the Assistant County Attorney for Kershaw County. Prior to the merger of Smith Robinson, Jon was a partner at his previous law firm, DuBose Robinson in Camden where he practiced for 18 years. Prior to that, Jon clerked for The Honorable L. Henry McKellar, South Carolina Circuit Court...

Mason Hogue is a partner in the Corporate Group of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP where he serves as Assistant Corporate Group Leader and is the co-head of the Technology and Procurement Industry Group. Mr. Hogue is a business attorney and often serves as outside general counsel to growth companies. He practices in the areas of corporate law, intellectual property law, technology law, and economic development. His area of focus is representing growth companies with respect to corp...

Benjamin Gooding is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants, Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants and Utilities Law. 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 ...

Steven A. McKelvey, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Franchise Law. Steven A., 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 Steven A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

G. Murrell Smith, Jr. is a co-founding partner of Smith Robinson. G. Murrell Smith, Jr. A native of Florence, South Carolina, Murrell grew up in Sumter, where he graduated from Wilson Hall in 1986. He attended Wofford College in 1990, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History and Government. After earning his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1993, Murrell began practicing law in his hometown of Sumter. He started with a general law practice yet simultaneously se...

Attorney Tyler Lee focuses his practice on helping injured workers deal with the South Carolina Workers' Compensation system, and get their lives back on track. He left one of the “big firms” after fourteen years of practicing Workers' Comp law to open Lee Injury Law in 2019. He has been recognized as an AV Preeminent© Lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell, has been named to the Best Lawyers directory, has a 10 out of 10 rating with AVVO.com, and has been named to the Legal Elite of t...

Bernard F. Hawkins, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law and Litigation - Environmental. Bernard F., who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2001. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bernard F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.