29 Turner Padget Attorneys Honored Among Top in the Nation by Best Lawyers

Posted On August 15, 2024

COLUMBIA, S.C., Aug. 15, 2024 – Turner Padget is pleased to announce the recognition of 29 of its lawyers across South Carolina by Best Lawyers in America’s 2025 edition, published today. Four of these attorneys were named “Ones to Watch” in their fields. In addition, two of the firm’s shareholders earned the distinction of “Lawyer of the Year” in their respective practices. As one of the oldest legal directories, Best Lawyers conducts peer reviews to compile its annual list of top attorneys across practices.

The Turner Padget shareholders named “Lawyers of the Year” for 2025 are John S. Wilkerson, based in Charleston, for Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants, and Lanneau Wm. Lambert, Jr. in Columbia for Real Estate Law. Only one lawyer in each practice and market is honored as Lawyer of the Year, making this award particularly meaningful.

The Turner Padget attorneys included among Best Lawyers in America for 2025 are:

Charleston, South Carolina

• David S. Cobb: Construction Law, Insurance Law, Litigation – Construction, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Richard S. Dukes, Jr.: Commercial Litigation
• John S. Wilkerson: Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants

Columbia, South Carolina

• R. Hawthorne Barrett: Insurance Law
• Reginald W. Belcher: Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, and Litigation – Labor and Employment
• J. Kenneth Carter, Jr.: Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Michael E. Chase: Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers
• Mark B. Goddard: Litigation – Trusts and Estates and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• J. David Johnson, IV: Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law, and Trusts and Estates
• Catherine H. Kennedy: Litigation – Trusts and Estates, and Trusts and Estates
• Lanneau Wm. Lambert, Jr.: Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, and Real Estate Law
• Edward W. Laney IV: Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Ian D. McVey: Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law
• Thomas C. Salane: Appellate Practice, Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Carmelo B. Sammataro: Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Franklin G. Shuler, Jr.: Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – ERISA, Litigation – Labor and Employment, and Mediation
• L. Patricia Wharton: Real Estate Law

Florence, South Carolina

• C. Pierce Campbell: Commercial Litigation
• J. René Josey: Appellate Practice, Criminal Defense – General Practice, and Criminal Defense – White-Collar
• Arthur E. Justice, Jr.: Employment Law – Management and Litigation – Labor and Employment

Greenville, South Carolina

• David L. Moore: Appellate Practice, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Christopher D. Scalzo: Criminal Defense – General Practice

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

• Melody J. E. Breeden: Trusts and Estates
• Audra M. Byrd: Commercial Litigation
• William E. Lawson: Litigation – Construction

The Turner Padget lawyers recognized as “Ones to Watch” in their respective practices are:

Charleston, South Carolina

• Robert E. Kneece, III: Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Nickisha M. Woodward: Product Liability Litigation – Defendants

Columbia, South Carolina

• Ryan T. Judd: Real Estate Law
• Hannah D. Stetson: Litigation – Labor and Employment

Turner Padget exceeds expectations by taking your business needs seriously and our relationships personally. Our depth of knowledge, technical strength, and diverse experience make us sharp, talented thinkers who can see our clients’ needs holistically to provide the right solutions. Historically one of South Carolina’s oldest law firms, Turner Padget attorneys now practice in neighboring states with offices in Augusta, Charleston, Columbia, Florence, Greenville, and Myrtle Beach, along with a strategic alliance in Florida and a growing North Carolina presence. www.turnerpadget.com