Jessica W. Stratta

Motley Rice co-founder Joe Rice is recognized as a skillful and innovative negotiator of complex litigation settlements, having served as the lead negotiator in some of the largest civil actions our courts have seen in the last 35 years. In 2023, his law school alma mater renamed the school the USC Joseph F. Rice School of Law. Corporate Legal Times reported that defense counsel and legal scholars described Joe as one of the nation's “five most feared and respected plaintiffs’ law...

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.

Dirk J. Derrick grew up in Conway, SC. His first job was at the age of six as a farmhand on his grandfather's tobacco farm in rural Horry County. He has worked and made money every year since. Dirk credits hot, humid summer days in the tobacco fields as his inspiration to get a good education and work in a climate-controlled environment. His father was a high school teacher and football coach who had been co-captain of the 1957 South Carolina Gamecock football team. Coach Derrick was very com...

David Swanson handles large and small commercial and residential property matters at Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, representing owners, developers and financial institutions as well as many sellers and buyers of plantation properties in coastal South Carolina. David represents financial institutions and other lenders in all aspects of commercial loan transactions, including the drafting of loan documents and due diligence review of all information relevant to the borrower and guarantors.

Steve Darling, an insurance defense attorney in the Charleston Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd office, is one of the leading defense trial lawyers in South Carolina. Steve focuses primarily on products and premises liability cases and motor-vehicle matters that involve significant personal injury and property damages. He is also a Certified Mediator and Arbitrator.

A Charleston native, Jim returned to his beloved hometown after practicing at two firms ranked in American Lawyer’s top 50 list. Jim leads the firm’s business law practice. He works regularly with corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships on shareholder buy-outs, private securities offerings , and business purchase and sale agreements , including business succession issues. His practice areas include: Securities and Private Equity Corporate Transactions Business ...

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.

Charles Patrick is a distinguished litigator who has played integral roles in some of the most significant public health litigation in American history, including state tobacco cases that led to the historic national master settlement. He is a founding member of RPWB and serves on the firm’s three-person executive committee. Born in North Carolina, Patrick’s father was in the mining business and brought the family to Jonesville, South Carolina. Charles met his wife, Celeste, at Fu...

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.

Thomas J. Wills IV is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Arbitration and Mediation. Thomas J., who practices law in Charleston, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2005. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.