Nikole Setzler Mergo

CIVIC/PROFESSIONAL ORDER OF THE PALMETTO (State of South Carolina's Highest Civilian Award) Life Fellow: South Carolina Bar Foundation Past Co-Chair: Class Gift and Reunion Committee, USC Law School Past Chair: SSF Section of the South Carolina Bar Association Past Member, House of Delegates: South Carolina Bar Association Leadership Columbia: Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce Leadership South Carolina: USC and Office of the Governor Past Member, Loan Administration Committee, Mortgage Ban...

Betsy is an accomplished litigator, concentrating her practice on commercial litigation, probate and estate litigation, professional liability and ethics, and securities and FINRA. The second woman president of the South Carolina Bar, Betsy was awarded the 2016 Fellows Award presented by the National Conference of Bar Presidents (NCBP), an award recognizing the accomplishments of a past president of a bar association who has demonstrated a continuing commitment to leadership, service, the wor...

J. Mark Jones is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. J. Mark, who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Mark is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

Cal is a litigator with experience in complex business and insurance disputes, class actions, and professional liability and ethics. During his 30 years of practice, Cal has represented numerous individuals, local and national businesses, partnerships, insurance companies, and financial institutions. Named by South Carolina Lawyers Weekly as 2015 Lawyer of the Year, Cal has been consistently recognized by Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and Chambers USA. Active in the South Carolina Bar, Cal has...

Amanda Mellard is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Amanda, 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 Amanda is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael assists clients with commercial bankruptcy, insolvency, restructuring, and creditors' rights issues, and has significant experience in complex Chapter 11 cases. Michael represents financially distressed companies as well as lenders, landlords, trade creditors, trustees and creditors' committees in bankruptcy, insolvency and loan workout matters. Michael has assisted and advised clients in connection with general reorganization matters, workouts, use of cash collateral, efforts to conv...

Brad Hewett focuses 100% of his practice to civil litigation. Brad’s primary practice involves representing clients all throughout the State of South Carolina in cases for insurance bad faith, wrongful death, personal injury, automobile accidents, construction defects, premises liability, nursing home negligence, and product liability claims. Brad also defends builders and other professionals before the South Carolina Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation. Brad has tried numerous...

Founding partner Keith M. Babcock grew up in Haddonfield, New Jersey, and has practiced law in South Carolina for almost 40 years. Now "of counsel" to Lewis Babcock, his practice has consisted almost exclusively of litigation, with a concentration on business disputes, eminent domain, and professional negligence. He has an outstanding reputation for representing real property owners in eminent domain actions, as well as other disputes. He is an emeritus member of Owners' Counsel of America , ...

Kenneth M. Suggs, a principal in the firm of Janet, Janet & Suggs, has been a tireless champion of consumer legal rights for over 40 years. Known for his advocacy in the areas of medical malpractice, product liability, catastrophic injuries, and wrongful death, he has been recognized nationally as one of the nation’s finest trial lawyers. As head of the firm’s Personal Injury Division and a leader on medical malpractice teams, Ken has an in-depth understanding of how serious i...