Richard C. "Ric" Thomas

Christopher Near is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Christopher practices law in Columbia, South Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Christopher Near since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Christopher Near is held by other lawyers.

A founding partner of Burnette Shutt & McDaniel, Kathleen McDaniel helps businesses large and small get the permits they need through her practice of environmental and government law. In many of these cases, clients benefit from her unusual combination of legal skills, a scientific background and government experience. Kathleen holds a bachelor's degree in aquaculture, fisheries, and wildlife and a master's in forestry with a focus on stream ecology. She's also a past member of the Richla...

John S. Simmons is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. John S. practices law in Columbia, South Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized John S. Simmons since 2016. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which John S. Simmons is held by other lawyers.

Curtis L. Ott is a partner at Gallivan White & Boyd in the firm’s Columbia, South Carolina, office. With over 30 years of litigation experience, Curtis centers his practice on transportation, product liability and appellate cases. He has tried 75 cases to verdict in state and federal courts as well as briefed and argued before the South Carolina Supreme Court and the South Carolina Court of Appeals. From his trial and appellate experience and involvement in the leadership of the Sou...

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.

Gary Morris is a shareholder and economic development attorney in Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd's Columbia office. Gary is also involved in all aspects of real estate transactions, including acquisition, land use and financing. Gary advises on every aspect of corporate expansion and has represented clients in various LLC, partnership and corporate disputes, financial and banking litigation, defense of legal malpractice cases, environmental litigation, eminent domain battles, prosecution of insuranc...

Cara Crotty is a partner who has defended employers in cases involving every aspect of the employment relationship, including claims such as sexual, racial, age, and disability harassment; discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, and national origin; retaliation; and various other federal and state law claims. Cara Crotty also represents federal contractors covered by Executive Order 11246 in their affirmative action compliance obligations by assisting with Plan preparation ...

Charlie Ipock is an experienced litigator and negotiator in Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd's Florence office. Charlie represents trustees, beneficiaries, personal representatives and other fiduciaries and interested persons in trust, estate and probate litigation. He also represents accountants and small business owners in securities litigation and commercial business and insurance disputes. Charlie serves as outside counsel for multiple local governments and agencies in South Carolina.

Steven A. McKelvey, Jr. is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Franchise Law. Steven A. practices law in Columbia, South Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Steven A. McKelvey, Jr. since 2009. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Steven A. McKelvey, Jr. is held by other lawyers.

A special counsel at Burnette Shutt & McDaniel, civil rights attorney Stuart Andrews brings determination and intensity to every case. He’s devoted decades to bringing about systemic reform and giving lower-income South Carolinians greater access to the courts, both through the clients he's represented and the policies he's helped put in place. Through his former practice at a large regional law firm, Stuart established the firm's first structured pro bono program. The effort earned...