G-Bar News A Publication of the Greenville County Bar

Transcription

1 G-Bar News A Publication of the Greenville County Bar William T. Clarke Courtney C. Atkinson Travis V. Olmert E. Jean Howard Hunter Freeman President President-Elect Secretary Treasurer Editor PRESIDENT S ARTICLE By: Bill Clarke He used to wrestle alligators and drive a tractor-trailer. Some of his colleagues were great athletes an NFL player, a golden gloves boxer, and an All American swimmer. Another has been a beekeeper; and yet another was with the U.S. Marines at the siege of Khe Sahn, in Viet Nam. One of the group, aside from his day job, maintains a company and website providing pet-friendly resort lodging; another has been a radio operator on a nuclear sub. Yet another has returned from a third trip to Africa and one is a competition-level BAR-B-Q chef, while another does his fly fishing in Argentina, among other places. One was once his party s candidate for governor of his state. All of them have something in common. If you know any of them personally you have already guessed it. All are members of the Greenville County Bar. You probably wouldn t know that unless you had come to know some of them personally. As you can see, members of the Greenville County Bar have had some interesting other lives. Regretfully, the time when some of us often learn of it is at our memorial service, which this year is set for December 19. The holiday season is almost upon us and with it the usual slew of traditional events. It seems like everyone wants to have their special something during the holiday season. The Greenville County Bar is no exception. Traditional events, however, from an organizational standpoint, are easier to manage. The logistics of pulling them off gets easier the more we do it, and the memory of great Christmas parties past, and moving memorial services, helps bring us back to the event each year. Dave Edwards could arrange a great Christmas party in his sleep and Jack Griffeth has our memorial service down pat. One of our finest traditions, the Tommy Thomason award luncheon, is scheduled for November 22. If you know this years honoree, Ken Porter, you know that the award is well deserved. You probably also know that the event will be interesting and one that you won t want to miss. That being said, many are not able to make all of our events. Depositions out of town, competing family priorities and other matters often stand in the way, and frankly with approximately 1000 members of the Greenville Bar as potential attendees, we couldn t handle it if all of you did decide to attend, which is why having a number of events each year becomes all the more important. As the Greenville Bar, indeed any bar, gets larger, maintaining a sense of collegiality clearly becomes more of a challenge. Visiting dignitaries, out of town CLE speakers, and other visitors often tell us about how collegial the Greenville Bar is. We are used to hearing it. While I suspect that it is, to some extent, the cus- (Continued on page 2) 259th edition November 2013 UPCOMING EVENTS November 22 Tommy Thomason Award Luncheon December 12 Christmas Party December 19 Memorial Service December 19 Annual Meeting Inside this issue: Thomason Award Luncheon 2 Christmas Party 2 Annual Meeting 2 Announcements 3 Verdicts 4 Young Lawyer Profiles Available Office Space 6 8 Melinda, our Executive Secretary, has a new address for registrations, questions or comments. melinda@greenvillecountybar.org Please make a note of it!!!

2 259th edition Page 2 (Continued from page 1) tomary praise from outsiders, I also like to think that there is some truth to it. Obviously, it is mentioned as being something fine, to be emulated and encouraged. I can think of no other profession for which the need to develop a sense of collegiality and camaraderie is so important. Getting to know one s colleagues at the Bar is hugely important. With that in mind, we have made a practice for the last several years of occasionally featuring profiles of younger or newer lawyers in an effort to introduce them to our legal community. In this issue we have a number of them and I hope you ll take the time to read them. For that matter we hope to have profiles next month from at least some of the newly minted members of the Bar who are coming to Greenville. Last year we were able to get some of the newly sworn-in lawyers to come to the Christmas party. What I would like to establish as another fine tradition of the Greenville Bar is to have profiles of the new lawyers in our December newsletter and have them introduced to the Bar at the Christmas party. If you know of anyone who is going to be sworn in this month, and is coming to Greenville, please let one of us know and for that matter make an effort to come to the Christmas party. You never know who you might run into someone from the NFL perhaps maybe even an alligator wrestler. Tommy Thomason Award Luncheon Honoring our 2013 Recipient Ken Porter Friday, November noon Poinsett Club $10 per person RSVP to Melinda@greenvillecountybar.org or no later than November 19 CHRISTMAS PARTY THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12 6:30 pm Greenville Country Club $30 per person RSVP by December 10 to Melinda@greenvillecountybar.org or Save the Date!! Year-End CLE FEBRUARY 14, 2014 Annual Meeting December 19 9 Toy Street (Offices of Metcalfe & Atkinson) Immediately after the Memorial Service (approximately 6pm) Join us for a reception and our annual business meeting including election of 2014 officers.

3 259th edition Page 3 Announcements Collins and Lacy is pleased to announce that Michael Pitts and Logan Wells have been recognized as recipients of the 2013 Upstate Legal Elite. Mike Pitts is managing partner of Collins & Lacy. Along with practicing employment law, Mike is experienced in litigation and arbitration, as well as counseling management on ways to avoid disputes. He also currently serves as the Anderson County attorney. Logan Wells is an associate practicing in the areas of insurance coverage and professional liability. She also writes about insurance coverage issues and trends in the South Carolina Insurance Blog. Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A. is pleased to announce the firm has been selected to receive the 2013 Defense Research Institute s Law Firm Diversity Award. Established in 2002, the award is given annually by the DRI to a law firm that has shown exemplary progress and achievement in its diversity program. The award recipient must demonstrate a commitment to diversity which is evidenced by a formal diversity plan, sensitivity and receptivity to diversity issues, and promotion and advancement of minorities and women within the firm. Willson Jones Carter & Baxley, P.A. is pleased to announce that Justin C. Few has joined the Greenville, SC office. Mr. Few received his B.A. degree in Political Science, cum laude, from Clemson University in 2009 and his J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he graduated with honors in While in law school Mr. Few was a member of the Order of the Wig and Robe and a member of the Order of the Coif. He was the recipient of the CALI award in Contracts I, Coastal Conservation Law, and Workers' Compensation Law. Mr. Few was also the recipient of the Irving Steinberg Workers' Compensation Law Award. Mr. Few practices exclusively in the area of workers' compensation defense and can be reached at (864) Memorial Service December 19 4:00 pm The Hughes Library Auditorium Celebrating the Lives of: George Norwood Funderburk Arthur Lincoln Howson, Jr Keven Kurtis Kennison George Dewey Oxner, Jr. Hoyt Finley Pete Partee Joseph A. Drew Rhodes, Jr. John Steven Warren Zandra L. Johnson announces the opening of The Law Firm of Zandra L. Johnson, LLC (to be commonly referred to as the Z Firm), with offices located at 330 E. Coffee Street, Greenville, S.C Phone: Fax: Website: and zandra@zfirmsc.com. By Appointment Only. The Greenville office of the law firm of McAngus Goudelock & Courie has been included in U.S. News Best Lawyers Best Law Firms in 2014 with a Tier 1 ranking in Insurance Law and Workers Compensation Law and a Tier 2 ranking in Personal Injury Litigation Defendants. Thomas, Fisher & Sinclair, P.A. is pleased to announce its inclusion in the 2014 edition of Best Law Firms published by U.S. News Best Lawyers. The firm received a First Tier ranking in Greenville in the following six categories: Corporate Law, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, Non-Profit/Charities Law, Tax Law, and Trusts & Estates Law. U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers released their 2014 Best Law Firms list today, which included Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A., for the fourth consecutive year. The Greenville office received a First Tier ranking for the following practice areas: Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Commercial Litigation Corporate Law; Health Care Law; Litigation - Banking & Finance; Litigation - Construction; Litigation - ERISA; Litigation - Labor & Employment; Litigation - Real Estate; Litigation - Trusts & Estates; Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants; Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants; Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants; Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants; Public Finance Law and Real Estate Law. Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A. is pleased to announce that the firm has been ranked as a Best Law Firm by U.S. News and Best Lawyers. GWB has been ranked a Tier 1, Tier 2 or Tier 3 Best Law Firm in 12 practice areas: Arbitration; Commercial Litigation; Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law; Employment Law Management; Insurance Law; Legal Malpractice Law Defendants; Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions Defendants; Mediation; Personal Injury Litigation Defendants; Product Liability Litigation Defendants; Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants and Workers Compensation Law Employers. Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP has once again earned top rankings in the 2014 U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" survey. The Greenville office was ranked Metropolitan Tier 1 in the following practice areas: Commercial Litigation; Corporate Law; Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law; Insurance Law; Legal Malpractice Law Defendants; Litigation Construction; Litigation Eminent Domain & Condemnation; Litigation Real Estate; Personal Injury Litigation Defendants; Product Liability Litigation Defend- (Continued on page 4)

4 259th edition Page 4 Announcements Continued (Continued from page 3) ants; Real Estate Law; Tax Law and Trusts & Estates Law. Nexsen Pruet is proud to announce its results in the annual U.S. News Best Lawyers Best Law Firms rankings. In Greenville, the firm earned ten first tier rankings in the following practice areas: Banking and Finance Law; Employment Law - Management; Environmental Law; Litigation Environmental; Litigation Intellectual Property; Litigation Labor & Employment; Mediation; Personal Injury Litigation Defendants; Real Estate Law and Trademark Law. Wyche received a 2014 Best Law Firms Tier 1 ranking in Greenville for the following practice areas: Appellate Practice; Commercial Litigation; Corporate Compliance Law; Corporate Governance Law; Corporate Law; Employment Law Management; Labor Law Management; Litigation Environmental; Litigation - Intellectual Property; Litigation - Labor & Employment; Litigation - Real Estate; Medical Malpractice Law Plaintiffs; Personal Injury Litigation Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation Defendants; Product Liability Litigation Plaintiffs; Real Estate Law and Securities / Capital Markets Law. Wyche attorney Jo Hackl has been honored by the Community Foundation of Greenville with the Ruth Alexander Nicholson Award for The annual award recognizes a person who has made significant contributions to the Greenville community through volunteer work for the Community Foundation or to one of its projects, programs, or areas of emphasis. U.S. News and Best Lawyers have ranked Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP as a top-tier law firm in Greenville for 2014 in nine practice areas: Commercial Litigation; Corporate Governance Law; Family Law; Insurance Law; Litigation Intellectual Property; Mergers & Acquisitions Law; Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants; Securities / Capital Markets Law and Venture Capital Law. Marvin Quattlebaum, a partner in Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP's Greenville, S.C., office, has become a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in America. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only and only after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Lawyers must have a minimum of fifteen years trial experience before they can be considered for Fellowship. W. Francis (Frankie) Marion, Jr., a senior litigator in Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd s Greenville, SC office, was elected to serve on the 15-member Board of Regents for the American College of Trial Lawyers. The college is dedicated to maintaining and improving the standards of trial practice, the administration of justice and the ethics of the profession. The college s fellowship represents all branches of trial practice, enabling the organization to speak with a balanced voice on important issues affecting the legal profession. As a member of the Board of Regents, Mr. Marion is responsible for governance and to oversee the affairs and management of the College. His District includes South Carolina, North (Continued on page 5) Verdicts Caption: Amy McCombs vs. Xavier Jamaal Oneal Case No CP Attorney for Plaintiff: Greg Morton Attorney for Defendant: Nick Farr, Greg Sloan Cause of Action: Motor Vehicle Accident Verdict for the plaintiff in the amount of $5,000 Caption: Glenn Nowak vs. Adrianne Griffin Case No CP Attorney for Plaintiff: James Weston Segura Attorney for Defendant: Marcus Kirk McGarr Cause of Action: Motor Vehicle Accident Verdict for the defendant

5 259th edition Page 5 Announcements Continued Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Pillsbury & Read, P.A. is (very) pleased (and proud) to announce that Tiffany Davenport was named Upstate Paralegal of the Year for 2013 Paralegal of the Year for 2013 by the South Carolina Upstate Paralegal Association (SCUPA). Those who know Tiffany and what she has persevered through this past year, all while continuing to contribute to the advancement of the Upstate Paralegal Association, understand why she was most deserving of this award. Ted Gentry has been elected Chair of Wyche s Executive Committee by the firm s membership. As Chair of the Executive Committee, Mr. Gentry will be responsible for the firm s overall leadership and direction. Mr. Gentry focuses his practice on complex commercial and financial litigation, including class actions, in both state and federal courts. He also has a substantial practice counseling and litigating on behalf of employment clients, and colleges and universities. Mr. Gentry has been active in the community, serving at various times on the Boards of the Peace Center for the Performing Arts, the Greenville Little Theatre, and the Carolina Youth Symphony.

6 259th edition Page 6 Young Lawyer Profiles Anand Patel is registered patent attorney who practices intellectual property law at Dority and Manning. Anand is originally from Latta, South Carolina. He attended Clemson University where he received a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering and minored in chemistry. After graduating from Clemson, Anand attended North Carolina State University where he received a Masters of Science in chemical engineering and was a Ph.D. candidate in the same field. Anand received his Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina in In his spare time, Anand likes spending time with his wife, Yasha Patel, playing golf and following the Clemson Tigers sports programs. Yasha Patel is originally from Savannah, Georgia. She attended Georgia State University where she received her degree in criminal justice. Yasha went on to receive her Juris Doctor from Florida A&M University in She currently serves as the Assistant Public Defender for the Eighth Judicial Circuit and also sits on the Greenville County Bar Association s technology committee. Yasha enjoys spending her spare time with her husband, Anand Patel, and traveling. Noelle Price currently works at the Godfrey Law Firm where she practices in the areas of family law and personal injury law. Noelle was born in Hartsville, South Carolina and attended the College of Charleston where she received her degree in psychology. Noelle received her Juris Doctor from the Charleston School of Law in Noelle is married to James Price, IV, a solicitor for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. When she is not working, Noelle likes baking, photography and spending time with Denny, her Jack Russell terrier and her cat named Lana. Much to her husband s delight, Noelle even enjoys watching football and trying to understand what exactly is going on. Cedric Cunningham was born in Greenwood, South Carolina. He received a Bachelors of Science in criminal justice from the University of South Carolina, where he also minored in business administration. After completing his undergraduate degree, Cedric attended the University of South Carolina and received his Juris Doctor in Cedric works and Kinlaw & Cunningham, P.A. where he practices in the areas of bankruptcy and family law. Cedric enjoys spending his free time working out, dining and traveling. Prior to receiving her Juris Doctor from the Charleston School of Law, Callie Price attended Presbyterian College where she graduated in 2009 with a Bachelors of Arts in political science and a minor in English. Callie currently serves as the law clerk to the Honorable R. Lawton McIntosh in Anderson, where she is originally from. As the law clerk for Judge McIntosh, Callie s practice varies from day to day, depending on what types of cases are being heard. Being faced with a vast array of issues on a daily basis is one of Callie s favorite parts of her job. When she is not working, she enjoys reading, golf, college football, volunteering and shopping. Amity Edmonds currently works for Gallivan, White and Boyd in the area of worker s compensation law. In 2002, Amity received a Bachelors of Science in psychology from the College of Charleston. She later went on to attend the Charleston School of Law, where she received her Juris Doctor in 2012, and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Despite her Charleston based education, Amity enjoys keeping up with Clemson football: most probably because she is a Belton native. When not working or watching the Tigers, Amity and her husband, Ryan, enjoy spending time with their daughter Griffen as well as boating and community service. Chris Edwards, who is originally from Taylors, attended Anderson University, where he received a Bachelors in Art in business management in From 2002 to 2005, Chris coached baseball for Anderson University and Furman University. Chris took a break from coaching when he first started a Masters of business administration program at Clemson in the spring of In the fall of 2005, Chris began attending law school at USC. During this time, Chris took his law school classes during the day and his MBA classes at night and on the weekends. Chris received his Master in Business Administration from Clemson in 2007 and his Juris Doctor from USC in Before taking the South Carolina Bar exam in 2012, Chris coached baseball for the Spartanburg Blue Eagles, Presbyterian College and Furman University. Chris currently works for the Farnsworth Law Office, where he practices in the areas of real estate, personal injury, Social Security and Disability Insurance and criminal defense. Chris and his wife, Jennifer are the parents of two young boys a four year old and a two month old. As if Chris were not busy enough, he also teaches Economics at USC Upstate. CARING COMMITTEE If you know of an attorney who is ill, has surgery, has a death in the family, has a baby or has some other event in their life, please notify the Caring Committee at gbarnews@charter.net

7 259th edition Page 7 Available Office Space Office Space for Sale or Lease sq. ft. office condo fully and nicely furnished. Conveniently located. Call East North Street: Large office space with private bathroom. All other amenities are shared, i.e., furnished conference room, waiting area, kitchen, public bathroom, parking. Other amenities may include shared phone system and high speed internet if lesee so chooses. Rent is negotiable. This space is perfect for a solo practitioner. For more information please contact Tesa at Office space for lease: Large office with secretarial work area available on Poinsett Highway, north of Cherrydale Shopping Center. Included are receptionist, waiting area, use of two furnished conference rooms, kitchen, bathrooms, ample parking, and utilities. Potentially included are computer(s), PCLaw software, high speed internet, copiers, and fax machine. Rent is negotiable. Please contact Robbie Childs or Sue at for more information. For Lease. 119 Manly Street across from Bilo Center, in Pettigru Historic District square feet, 9 rooms, library conference room in carefully historic restored 1925 residence ideal for a law office. In excellent condition and up to date. Adjoining parking for nine cars. Kitchen area. Contact owner John M. Dillard For Rent: 522 N. Church St., DOWNTOWN GREENVILLE. One story building with ample office space and parking conveniently located behind Bi-Lo Center. $1300 /month. Includes cleaning, utilities, telephone system with receptionist and conference rooms. Contact John Abdalla at or abdallalaw@yahoo.com for additional information. For Rent: New suites $1,000-1,200 monthly or singles $450/225 ft up. Reception, kitchenette, bath, covered and front porch, parking, ground level or main. Location: W. Stone Avenue near to Downtown Greenville or Second Floor Suite located at 204 Lavina Ave. Space includes 4 rooms and a bathroom. Call for more information. 3 administrative offices (8 x 12) for $300 each and 2 executive offices (13 x 20) for $500 each. Monthly rent includes utilities, use of conference room, kitchen/break room, internet and ample parking. Office space for rent. Prestigious downtown location. One office, with access to two conference rooms, break room and common area. All utilities, except phone included. Shared reception. $750 a month. Please respond to: P.O. Box 10296, Greenville, SC Office Space Available. 1,500 to 1,600 square feet. Utilities and cleaning included. Located at 27 Cleveland Street. Contact Lora Johnstone at Offices for Lease in Historic District. Three large offices available with large shared conference room, break room and reception area. Additional space available on 2nd level. Located on the corner of Williams and Pettigru St. Lease all or individually. Sizes range from sq. ft. For information please call , or Office Space Available on Main Street 2 Blocks from Courthouse. Top floor office with windows overlooking Main Street available in Ivey Square Building at 200 North Main. Law office in place seeking another law practice to share space. Access to receptionist, waiting room, conference rooms, copier, Internet, kitchenette, and other amenities. For more information call John at office spaces for rent located one block from county courthouse on North Church Street. 200SF corner office $325/ mth and 130SF space $250/mth. Recently updated, ground floor with convenient, on site parking. Utilities and parking are included. Please call New Lawyers Building - Four contiguous offices in one wing of building on South Church Street. Rent includes cost of receptionist, reception area, five conference rooms, kitchen, parking, and all utilities with the exception of telephone. Offices for rent collectively or individually. Contact Lee Plumblee: ; lplumblee@eppesandplumblee.com NEAR COURTHOUSE-408 N. Church Street, Greenville, SC. Office available plus shared facilities/copier/fax/kitchen/ conference room/ample parking area. Possible sharing of receptionist. Call Stephen (864) or (864) OFFICE BUILDING FOR LEASE: 294 South Pleasantburg Drive. Approx. 2,500 sq. ft.,10 rooms, 2 baths, 2 closets, 2 utility rooms. One half or entire building available. Some furnishings or equipment may be included. Contact (864) Office Space Available on Main Street 2 Blocks from Courthouse. Law office in place seeking to share space square feet available to single or multiple firms. Six offices with exterior windows, break room, restroom, and other amenities in Ivey Square Building at 200 North Main; includes receptionist, waiting room, conference rooms, advanced audio-visual, copier, Internet, etc. For more information call Kelli or John at Office space for rent: Located 115 Broadus Avenue. Office space sufficient for two lawyers and staff, price and conditions negotiable. Please contact Herman E. Cox or Judy at for more information. Office Space Available: 27 Cleveland St., DOWNTOWN GREEN- VILLE. Located across from the Greenville Chamber of Commerce. Only steps away from Cleveland Park and one block from Falls Park. Includes 7 offices, spacious lobby/reception area, and kitchenette. Utilities, cleaning, and on-site parking included. 1,882 square feet. Lease rate: $16.00/SF, approximately $2,510/month. Contact Lora Johnstone at or lora@rimgt.com.