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

Posted On August 21, 2025

COLUMBIA, S.C., August 21, 2024 – 33 Turner Padget is proud to share that our attorneys have once again been named to The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America lists. We further congratulate two attorneys who received the “Lawyer of the Year” designation, which is presented to only one individual in a given geographical region and practice area each edition.  One Turner Padget Attorney is among this year’s Ones to Watch list.

Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They undergo an authentication process with only 5% of practicing U.S. attorneys earning a Best Lawyer distinction. Nearly 30,000 lawyers participated in this year’s peer-reviewed voting process vetting nearly 130,000 nominees making the recognition especially meaningful.

The two Columbia attorneys named “Lawyers of the Year” were selected based on exceptional peer feedback in their practice area. Only one attorney for each practice and location is recognized as the “Lawyer of the Year.”

Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” for their respective areas:

• Mark B. Goddard: Litigation- Trusts and Estates
• Franklin G. Shuler, Jr.: Litigation – ERISA, Litigation - Labor and Employment

The following attorneys have been named to the 2026 The Best Lawyers in America list:

Charleston, South Carolina

• David S. Cobb: Construction Law, Insurance Law, Litigation – Construction, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Richard S. Dukes, Jr.: Commercial Litigation
• William Horvath: Litigation – Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
• Robert E. Kneece III: Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
• 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
• Sharon Bramlett: Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law, and Real Estate Law
• Benjamin Calhoun: Workers' Compensation Law - Employers
• J. Kenneth Carter, Jr.: Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Mark B. Goddard: Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
• J. David Johnson, IV: Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law, and Trusts and Estates
• John B. Kelchner: Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Banking and Finance, and Litigation - Real Estate
• 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, Real Estate Law
• Edward W. Laney IV: Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Ian D. McVey: Corporate Law, Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law, Real Estate Law
• Robert Peele III: Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
• 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
• Hannah D. Stetson: Litigation - Labor and Employment
• L. Patricia Wharton: Real Estate Law

Florence, South Carolina

• C. Pierce Campbell: Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Banking and Finance, and Litigation - Trusts and Estates
• 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
• Jeffrey Payne: Commercial Litigation, and Litigation - Banking and Finance

Greenville, South Carolina

• Michael E. Chase: Workers' Compensation Law - Employers
• David L. Moore: Appellate Practice, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

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

The Turner Padget lawyer recognized as “Ones to Watch” in their respective practice is:

Greenville, South Carolina

• Jessica Ferguson: Litigation - Trusts and Estates

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