Best South Carolina Criminal Defense: White-Collar Lawyers
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James “Jim” W. Bannister is a managing partner of Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey. He graduated from the University of South Carolina Honors College in 1992 as a Phi Beta Kappa and earned his J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1995. After which, Jim served for two years as a law clerk to U.S. Federal Judge Henry M. Herlong and has been with Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey since that time. Jim is a criminal defense trial lawyer known for handling complex felo...
Chris Adams is an experienced and aggressive South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney. Chris concentrates in criminal defense in federal and state courts. Chris concentrates on defending clients accused of white collar crimes, street crimes, sex offenses, and capital murder in the South and around the country. Since launching his private practice in 2007, Chris has represented clients in serious matters from Las Vegas to New York City to San Juan, Puerto Rico. However, the bulk of his practic...
Oscar W. Bannister, Jr. (Bill) founded Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey along with John F. Wyatt in 2000. Mr. Bannister graduated from the Citadel in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. From 1962-1965, Mr. Bannister served as an officer in the U.S. Army. He attended law school at the University of South Carolina, where he received his J.D. in 1969. Mr. Bannister was admitted to the South Carolina bar, the U.S. District Court and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1969. Mr. Banni...
Jack B. Swerling is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Appellate Practice, Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Jack B. practices law in Columbia, South Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Jack B. Swerling since 1993. 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 Jack B. Swerling is held by othe...
E. Bart Daniel is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Antitrust Law, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Government Relations Practice. E. Bart practices law in Charleston, South Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized E. Bart Daniel since 2014. 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 E. Bart Daniel is hel...
Lionel S. Lofton was born and raised in McClellanville, South Carolina, where he still resides. In 1963, he graduated from McClellanville High School, where his mother taught school. During his senior year, he was named to the Post and Courier's All-Star Basketball Team, which he still talks about to this day. Following graduation, Mr. Lofton enrolled a the University of Georgia to study forestry. Following a year at UGA, he transferred to Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina, w...
Jim represents clients in high-stakes governmental investigations and bet-the-company litigation, where disputes present existential risk to businesses and individuals. A former federal prosecutor, he is known for delivering clear, early judgment in consequential situations—quickly identifying risk, leverage, and paths to resolution. His practice is defined as much by what he prevents as by what he tries: many of his matters are resolved without charges or civil actions ever being filed...
John S. Simmons is a trial attorney based in Columbia, South Carolina, and founder of Simmons Law Firm LLC . He previously served as the United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina after his appointment by President George H.W. Bush in 1992. At the time of his appointment, he was the youngest United States Attorney in the country and supervised all federal civil and criminal litigation throughout South Carolina. For more than 40 years, Mr. Simmons has represented individuals and...
Joseph Preston “Pete” Strom, Jr., the managing partner at Strom Law Firm, LLC , has been fighting for justice since 1984. Born in Columbia, South Carolina in 1959, Pete attended the University of South Carolina and graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts. While attending the University of South Carolina, Pete served as President of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. After graduating from the University of South Carolina, Pete attended the University of South Carolina School of Law where he...
Beattie B. Ashmore is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Appellate Practice, Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Beattie B. practices law in Greenville, South Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Beattie B. Ashmore since 2015. 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 professiona...
James Morton is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. James practices law in Rock Hill, South Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized James Morton since 2026. 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 James Morton is held by other lawyers.
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...
In our modern day rush-to-judgment society, people charged with crimes are often convicted in the court of public opinion long before they ever step foot in a courtroom. Despite citizens of this country being innocent until proven guilty, the reality is that in this day and age you have to fight for your innocence. I pride myself in knowing that I can be the voice that helps a client through what is perhaps the most difficult time in their life. Our team of experienced professionals is dedica...
