Sarah B. Nielsen

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...

Timothy Thompson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) and Tax Law. Timothy, 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 Timothy is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Elizabeth Franklin-Best is a federal criminal appellate, post-conviction, and clemency attorney and the owner of Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C. She founded the firm in 2019 and practices from offices in Columbia and Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, representing clients in federal courts nationwide. She was admitted to practice in 2001 and is admitted in New York and South Carolina, in all United States Courts of Appeals, and before the Supreme Court of the United States. Best Lawyers in America...

Frank's practice is focused on utility-related regulation and litigation, with an emphasis on matters involving the electricity and telecommunications industries. He also has significant experience in a range of environmental law issues. His work in the utilities industry has included issues involving electricity, telephone, gas and water regulation before the South Carolina Public Service Commission, where he has appeared for 30 years. In the environmental field his experience includes resol...

Mary Caskey is a Certified Bankruptcy and Debtor-Creditor Law Specialist and leads Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd's Recovery practice group. Mary represents national and regional banks, loan servicers and other financial service providers in a variety of issues including foreclosures, collections, adversary proceedings, workouts and loss mitigation, judgment collection and alleged violations of state and federal consumer law.

Stephen Mitchell is managing partner of the firm's Columbia office. His practice emphasizes traditional labor law and employment litigation. Steve started his career as a prosecutor, gaining valuable trial experience. He has handled administrative charges and lawsuits in state and federal courts involving wrongful discharge, Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Family and Medical Leave A...

Ramie Shalabi is the Managing Partner for Dayson Shalabi Burkett Law Firm. He focuses exclusively on personal injury (car accidents, slip/trip and falls, dog bites/attacks) and workers' compensation cases. Ramie graduated magna cum laude from the University of South Carolina. He attended law school at Wake Forest University School of Law, which is one of the top law schools in the country. Upon passing the bar exam in South Carolina, Ramie worked for the Fifth Circuit Solicitor's Office in Ri...

Jonathan M. Knicely is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Jonathan M., who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jonathan M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Phillips McWilliams is a litigator who makes sure he understands his client’s business objectives. He provides a tailored approach to each issue or case a client brings to him with the goal of ensuring the client can reach those objectives, thus ensuring a satisfactory result. Ultimately, he understands that each company he represents is a business that serves the community and the company can only continue its business if he works to find creative, long-term solutions to their problems...

Christopher Near is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Christopher, who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.