Labor & Employment: South Carolina

THE FIRM Among this group's many assets are a significant South Carolina presence, strong regional links and an established client base. The team has seen a recent increase in traditional labor matters, including collective bargaining agreements and preventive advice work. It has also seen a rise in wage and hour cases and class actions, in line with national trends.

Sources Say: "We are comfortable approaching the team for its expertise and practical advice in any situation that arises."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jonathan Pearson has "a real appreciation for clients' businesses." He has an excellent reputation in both traditional labor work and employment matters, particularly in discrimination cases. Hagood Tighe represents management in both labor and employment matters. He also provides advice and training in areas such as FMLA compliance and is praised for his "excellent demeanor - he really makes clients feel valued." Michael Carrouth is noted for his work representing management in union matters in both state and federal courts in Kentucky and South Carolina. Stephen Mitchell represents management in union matters on a statewide and national level. He also provides expert advice on issues such as the Employee Free Choice Act and its potential consequences for employers. Daniel Ellzey is "a bright light in the firmament" of labor and employment law in South Carolina. His practice includes litigation in both areas, as well as preventive advice and counseling on employment and labor issues arising from M&A and closures, and on union avoidance.

THE FIRM The Greenville office of Jackson Lewis is highly regarded in all aspects of workplace law. It represents clients statewide and nationally, frequently working closely with attorneys in the firm's other offices. The group's practice includes litigation as well as counseling and preventive advice for clients such as Spartanburg-based BMW and Pfizer in New York.

Sources Say: "It has excellent attorneys and is firmly first-tier."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andreas Satterfield is managing partner of the Greenville office. His broad practice includes labor and employment counseling and litigation in South Carolina and nationally. He has recently been working on several discrimination cases. Ashley Abel excels in ERISA litigation, with recent successes acting for Liberty Mutual in Boston. He also has a substantial employment mediation practice.

THE FIRM Ogletree's clients include national names across a range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare and insurance. Its three offices in South Carolina, whose members work closely with colleagues in the firm's other offices, handle the full range of labor and employment matters. The firm also offers a comprehensive counseling and management training service, which is praised by clients.

Sources Say: "An outstanding group, which takes an active interest in the well-being of its client base."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Charles Speth is "smart and talented. He does a great job for his clients." Currently managing partner of the Columbia office, he has a highly regarded employment practice which includes both counseling and litigation. Fred Suggs is "well liked by clients: he is one of the finest lawyers in practice" in his fields of traditional labor law and employment litigation, says one source. He is currently president of the South Carolina Bar Association. Leigh Nason is "a great litigator who is very practical and helpful." She concentrates on employment, with a particular specialty in representing federal contractors in affirmative action matters. Lewis Smoak has a well-regarded practice focusing on traditional labor work, including advice on labor relations. He is expert in matters concerning educational institutions. Hamilton Stewart takes on both labor and employment matters, including both litigation and counseling. Katherine Helms counsels and litigates in the healthcare and industrial sectors. She is praised as "smart, experienced and aggressive on behalf of her clients." Gray Geddie is an experienced trial lawyer with a practice focusing on labor and employment litigation. He is managing shareholder of the firm and divides his time between the Atlanta and Greenville offices.

THE FIRM The Spartanburg office of this national firm handles work across the country as well as in the northwest region of the state. The group takes on a range of labor and employment matters, offering both litigation and preventive counseling services. Clients include several healthcare corporations and hospitals, and Coca-Cola Bottling Company.

Sources Say: "It's well respected and does a good job representing clients."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Wade Ballard has an esteemed practice representing management in both labor and employment matters. He also offers preventive advice and training to employers on a variety of workplace issues. He is "well respected throughout the state." Thomas Keim is praised for his expertise in the healthcare industry. He represents management in labor and employment matters and provides advice and training.

THE FIRM This Columbia-based firm is highly regarded for its expertise in public employment law; it also handles a range of employment and labor matters for private companies. The team has considerable courtroom experience and is praised for its preventive advice and counseling on workplace matters.

Sources Say: "The group provides excellent service and value. We would feel comfortable working with any of the lawyers there."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Vance Bettis is the practice group head. He is highly regarded for his work with government clients in particular, and is praised as "an excellent litigator and a first choice for discrimination cases." Stephen Savitz is well respected for his work as an arbitrator. He also counsels and litigates on a variety of labor and employment issues, with particular expertise in affirmative action programs and the NLRA. Linda Pearce Edwards has "a good head on her shoulders and a calming way with people." She is particularly experienced in counseling and preventive advice on a wide range of labor and employment matters.

THE FIRM This full-service firm has a strong presence throughout the state, as well as national scope. The team includes labor law specialists but focuses on employment law, offering a range of expertise in areas including benefits, workers' compensation, OSHA compliance and business immigration. The group has recently worked for a number of clients in the healthcare and hospitality industries, including hotel and restaurant chains in the Southeast. 

Sources Say: "The team is very responsive, and excellent value. It does quality work."

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Dubberly is a well-respected employment lawyer. Among other matters he advises clients on international sales and setting up offices abroad. Susan McWilliams is "knowledgeable and the ultimate professional." She has considerable expertise in litigation, and focuses on labor relations; she also offers counseling and advice on employment matters. Thomas Stephenson is a highly regarded employment mediator who "understands the law and the mediation process and brings it all together."