James D. "JD" Smith, Jr.

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

Emily Gifford Lucey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Emily, who practices law in Charleston, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Emily is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ryan attended Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration. He received his law degree from the Charleston School of Law, where he co-founded the Charleston School of Law Business Society. He was also a member of the Charleston School of Law’s Honor Council and its Moot Court Team. Ryan has been listed as a Rising Star Super Lawyer from 2016 to the present. He has enjoyed a 10.0 Avvo Rating since 2017 and was honored with the Avvo Cl...

Jay S. Claypoole IV is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law and Timber Law. Jay S., who practices law in Charleston, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jay S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

R. Bryant McCulley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. R. Bryant, who practices law in North Charleston, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which R. Bryant is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Newman Jackson Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law, Government Relations Practice, Litigation - Environmental and Water Law. Newman Jackson, who practices law in Charleston, South Carolina, has been recognized since 1993. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Newman Jackson is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lionel S. Lofton was born and raised in McClellanville, South Carolina, where he still resides. In 1963, he graduated from McClellanville High School, where his mother taught school. During his senior year, he was named to the Post and Courier's All-Star Basketball Team, which he still talks about to this day. Following graduation, Mr. Lofton enrolled a the University of Georgia to study forestry. Following a year at UGA, he transferred to Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina, w...

Manning Unger, co-managing member of the firm’s Charleston office, practices in the areas of business, mergers and acquisitions, securities, financial services, economic incentives, and commercial real estate law. Equipped with an MBA and a law degree, Manning has a passion for helping his clients with business deals and diving into the details to better advise them. His work consists of providing advice structuring, negotiating, documenting, and closing deals, as well as acting as a co...

E. Bart Daniel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Antitrust Law, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Government Relations Practice. E. Bart, who practices law in Charleston, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which E. Bart is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Elizabeth Scott Moïse is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Litigation - Insurance and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Elizabeth Scott, who practices law in Charleston, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2009. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elizabeth Scott is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.