Kristine L. "Kris" Cato

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...

Glen P. Caulk is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Economic Development Law and Real Estate Law. Glen P., who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Glen P. 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...

Rachel Hutchens is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Rachel, who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rachel is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jessica W. Laffitte is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Jessica W., 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 Jessica W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

A deeply experienced trial attorney who has long fought for clients in court and beyond, Ashley Pennington is committed to protecting the rights of others and determined to see systemic reform. A long-time criminal defense attorney, his practice now focuses on civil rights law, such as federal Section 1983 Civil Rights lawsuits and South Carolina Tort Claims that allow victims of government wrongdoing to recover damages. These actions include personal injury lawsuits and cases involving exces...

Kelly represents hospitals, physicians, payors, and companies in the health care sector in complex litigation. In addition, Kelly regularly counsels health care providers, including FQHCs, alcohol and drug agencies, mental health providers and physicians; technology vendors; and other businesses on corporate compliance standards, best practices and corporate governance matters, and on the potential collateral consequences of business decisions. She routinely advises boards and helps board com...

Melissa Mosier is an attorney at Joye Law Firm who takes on tough personal injury and wrongful death cases. She often handles cases that require an extensive investment of time and resources to prove such as commercial truck accident cases, catastrophic workplace injury cases, and dram shop cases in which someone was overserved alcohol and causes harm to another. Melissa applies her legal skills to cases where fault is a matter of dispute or cases that other attorneys have declined.

Bill Boyd is an experienced corporate attorney and shareholder in Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd's Columbia office. Bill counsels clients on business strategies, manages complex transactions and has managed numerous mergers and acquisitions and large-scale industrial development projects.