James T. McLaren

Christopher Near is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Christopher, who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

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 ...

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...

Jack Pringle is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law and Privacy and Data Security Law. Jack, who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jack is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Edward K. White is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law, Nonprofit / Charities Law and Tax Law. Edward K., 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 Edward K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Kenneth A. Janik is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Litigation - ERISA and Tax Law. Kenneth A., who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2003. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kenneth A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Luther J. Battiste, III is a founding shareholder of Johnson, Toal & Battiste, P.A., and the past National President of the American Board of Trial Advocates 2020. He received his B.A. from the University of South Carolina (1971) and JD from Emory University School of Law (1974). In 1983, Luther entered the political arena and made history by becoming one of the first two African-Americans elected to Columbia City Council since Reconstruction. He served fifteen years as a member of the Co...

Biff is an experienced litigator in both trial and appellate venues and has argued approximately twenty cases in the United States Court of Appeals. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and a Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. An honoree for the 2016 South Carolina Leadership in Law Awards, Biff has been consistently recognized by Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers and Chambers USA. He is a certified Circuit Court Mediator and in the last 30 years has mediated approximate...