John D. Kassel

Former Commissioner Derrick L. Williams is one of the youngest-ever to be appointed to the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission. He was appointed in March 2007, and he served until January 31, 2013, when he decided to return to private practice. He is responsible for spear-heading the effort to make mediation of workers’ compensation available for complex injury by accident cases in South Carolina. Prior to joining the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commissi...

A native of Turbeville, South Carolina, Joey attended The Citadel, where he received a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering in 1997. After graduation, Joey moved to Augusta, Georgia, to work as a Consulting Engineer with the engineering firm of Cranston Robertson & Whitehurst. In this position, Joey had the opportunity to observe and participate in designing various public and private construction projects while also earning his Engineer in Training Certification. After gaining invaluable exp...

Frank B. B. Knowlton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Bankruptcy, Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Frank B. B., who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2009. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the hig...

Joseph O. Thickens is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Joseph O., 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 Joseph O. 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.

Daniel J. Fritze is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law and Securities Regulation. Daniel J., who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Daniel J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Rachel Atkin Hedley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Rachel Atkin, 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 Rachel Atkin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A certified specialist in labor and employment law, Nekki Shutt has been involved in the employment / human resources field for more than 20 years, beginning with her work in the personnel department of a publicly-traded property and casualty insurance company. While working for the company before and during her undergraduate studies at the University of South Carolina, Nekki eventually became the company's corporate recruiter, responsible for hiring approximately 225 employees on an annual b...

Michael W. Hogue is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Michael W., who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joe Clark is a shareholder and experienced corporate attorney in Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd's Columbia office. Joe assists corporations, limited liability companies and other business associations. He also provides legal counsel to professionals, owners of closely held businesses, farmers, landowners and other families and individuals in developing practical strategies for transferring assets between generations using wills, trusts and family entities, as well as minimizing estate and gift taxes.