Michael M. Beal

George V. Hanna IV is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Construction, Litigation - Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. George V., who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which George V. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practic...

Weston Adams III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Energy Regulatory Law, Litigation - Environmental and Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy). Weston, who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Weston is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Mr. Jowers focuses his practice on representing children with preventable brain injuries caused by negligent obstetric care. His work has led to record breaking verdicts and settlements as well as recognition by his peers in the legal profession. Throughout the years he has also been privileged to represent military families in actions against the government for negligent medical care at military hospitals. In 2020 he obtained a $15.1 million judgment for a child with cerebral palsy caused by...

Bob Knowlton leads Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd's Corporate Litigation practice group and is a certified mediator. Bob has successfully represented businesses and individuals in a wide variety of complex, high-stakes litigation in state and federal courts and arbitrations. His experience includes litigation and representation involving claims under securities laws, shareholder disputes, corporate governance matters, claims against officers and directors, business torts, intellectual property, inve...

Elizabeth Franklin-Best is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Elizabeth, 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 Elizabeth is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael focuses his litigation practice in areas involving premises liability, automobile and trucking torts, insurance coverage, and products liability. He also has experience in handling construction matters, defending medical malpractice claims, and litigation involving administrative agencies. Michael enjoys mentoring first-year law students at the University of South Carolina School of Law and also oversees the firm’s law clerk program. He is a member of the executive committee for...

John Bruton is a shareholder in Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd's Columbia office. John is an experienced civil litigator with more than 40 years of experience and focuses his practice on insurance and construction cases, as well as commercial litigation and the defense of personal injury lawsuits.

Sheila Willis is committed to finding practical, real world solutions to her clients’ employment law needs. She represents companies—large and small—as they navigate employment issues related to hiring, discipline, investigations, employment discrimination, unemployment, and other related issues. Sheila provides guidance to higher education institutions on Title IX Compliance and investigations She has extensive experience providing compliance advice to federal contractors o...

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.