THE
powerLIST PERSONAL INJURY THE POWER LIST NINA FIELDS BRITT..............................................................22
ANN MICKLE........................................................................25
NICHOLAS G. CALLAS...........................................................22
BROOKLYN O’SHEA..............................................................25
THE
W. HAROLD CHRISTIAN........................................................23 NICHOLAS J. CLEKIS............................................................23
JOSEPH F. RICE....................................................................25
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LUCY DINKINS......................................................................23 DON C. GIBSON....................................................................23 ROBERT F. GOINGS...............................................................24
GEORGE SINK SR.................................................................26 JOHNNY J. STEWART JR......................................................26 ALLISON SULLIVAN..............................................................28
HEALTHCARE EMILY HANEWICZ TONG.......................................................28 JOHN A. “JAY” JONES..........................................................24 WES A. KISSINGER...............................................................25
GENEVIEVE MENDES WEAVER..............................................28
NINA FIELDS BRITT
NICHOLAS G. CALLAS
MANAGING ATTORNEY RPWB MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C
ATTORNEY AND OWNER LAW OFFICES OF NICHOLAS G. CALLAS COLUMBIA, S.C.
THE
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For Nina Fields Britt, a strong work ethic is the key to success as a personal injury lawyer. She also believes empathy is crucial. “To provide the best representation to clients, you absolutely must be empathetic to their situation and the chalHEALTH CARE lenges in their lives as a result of their injuries or the death of a loved one,” she says. Britt is managing attorney at RPWB and works in the firm’s Mount Pleasant office. Born and reared in Seneca, Britt’s father, Johnny Fields, was a lawyer who also served as mayor and in other elected and appointed positions. She followed in his footsteps, focusing on resolving issues for those who cannot solve their legal problems alone. That is the work that brings her pleasure. “As lawyers, facilitating successful results for clients and knowing they have placed their trust in us is quite rewarding,” she says. “We get to step in and assist them when they need it most”
THE
As a top litigation attorney in South Carolina, Nick Callas has an extensive background in workers’ compensation, Social Security disability and personal injury litigation. After serving as law clerk to the Honorable Luke N. Brown of the 14th Judicial Circuit and the Honorable William H. Ballenger of the 10th Judicial Circuit, Callas worked as an assistant state prosecuting attorney in Richland County. He went on to spend 26 years at Popowski Callas and Shirley, where he was a partner. In 2019, he opened the Law Offices of Nicholas G. Callas in Columbia. Callas is a member of the Richland County Bar Association, South Carolina Bar and South Carolina Association for Justice, including serving on its board of governors from 1997 to 2000. He is also an active member of the American Association for Justice and the Injured Workers’ Advocates.
powerLIST BUSINESS DEFENSE
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PERSONAL INJURY
W. HAROLD CHRISTIAN FOUNDER AND PARTNER CHRISTIAN & CHRISTIAN ATTORNEYS AT LAW GREENVILLE, S.C.
With over 40 years of experience practicing law, Harold Christian is still inspired by clients who depend on him for help recovering from harm and loss. “It is about helping my clients get some of their life back, and trying to bring attention to the harm that occurs when decisions are based on expediency rather than doing what is right,” he says. Christian’s professional rewards come when he obtains justice for his clients and enables them to find a path forward. He is the founder of Christian & Christian Attorneys at Law in Greenville, where he practices with his sons, Josh and Matthew. For Christian, compassion for others and passion for his work are keys to his success. “We must care for those who have needs, and it must be done with passion because it is often not easy to get the person or corporation to accept responsibility for the harm,” he says.
LUCY DINKINS MEMBER WYCHE LAW FIRM COLUMBIA, S.C.
Lucy Dinkins says her greatest career rewards come when she helps a client receive compensation and move on from difficult situations. Assisting others is one of her personal goals and is why she became a lawyer. “I was inspired to practice personal injury law because I wanted the opportunity to help people who have unfairly suffered and hold those responsible accountable,” she says. “I also enjoy the variety in the personal injury field and the challenge that comes with learning about the medical, scientific and other unique issues involved in each case.” Dinkins is a civil litigation attorney in the Wyche Law Firm’s Columbia office. She believes tenacity and fearlessness are the hallmarks of a successful personal injury lawyer. “I believe attorneys need to be persistent and unafraid of taking a risk in order to excel,” she says. “Those two qualities often make the difference between a good outcome for a client and a great one.”
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NICHOLAS J. CLEKIS FOUNDER AND ATTORNEY CLEKIS LAW FIRM NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C
Nicholas Clekis started his career at a general law practice, where he touched a variety of practice areas. He settled on practicing insurance defense before realizing that was an unsatisfactory choice. “At that point, I decided to hang my own shingle, so I could represent people against big business to try to make a difference,” he says. “And I like dealing with people on a personal basis.” Clekis is the founder of Clekis Law Firm in North Charleston, where has practiced since 1988. He attributes his success to the patience and discipline that comes from years of practicing. “The wheels of justice grind slowly, and it can be frustrating for clients to wait for their cases to be resolved and for attorneys to deal with adversarial opponents,” he says. Despite the hard work, Clekis finds his joy in simply helping his clients. “The fact that you have made a difference in someone’s life by making something good happen out of something bad is rewarding,” he says.
DON C. GIBSON
ATTORNEY GIBSON LAW FIRM NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C.
Don Gibson was inspired to become a lawyer after an early career picking cotton for $2 a day and working in cotton mills, where he experienced firsthand the lack of recourse for an injury. In 1976, he began practicing law in North Charleston and has been serving clients who have suffered workplace injuries for almost 50 years. In addition to his personal injury practice, Gibson represents plaintiffs in workers’ compensation matters and helps individuals and families with estate planning. In an interview for South Carolina Lawyers Weekly’s Leaders in Law recognition, Gibson recalled a high school math teacher who had a profound impact on his life. “Mr. L.S. Summers openly encouraged me personally in my successful academic endeavors, and most importantly, he encouraged my spiritual growth,” Gibson said. “He proudly referred to me as his star pupil and held me out as someone who would always succeed at anything I put my mind to.”
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ROBERT F. GOINGS MANAGING ATTORNEY GOINGS LAW FIRM COLUMBIA, SC
In his first job as an attorney at an insurance defense firm, Robert Goings saw how easy it was for corporations to have an advantage over people who had been injured through no fault of their own. “I knew I could level the playing field by representing those who needed a voice and a strong advocate to stand up and tell their story,” he says. “My inspiration for practicing personal injury law comes from using my talents and values to help people and families get the justice they deserve.” Goings, who is managing attorney at Goings Law Firm in Columbia, believes the hallmarks of a successful personal injury practice are persistence and empathy, and he’s most satisfied when he feels he has led his clients to a better place. “Fighting for justice against corporations and insurance companies requires a fearless and tenacious resolve to win along with compassion and the ability to understand and share your client’s thoughts and feelings in a meaningful way,” he says.
JOHN A. “JAY” JONES PARTNER GALLIVAN WHITE BOYD CHARLESTON, S.C.
Jay Jones, a partner in the Charleston office of Gallivan White Boyd, is known as an experienced civil litigator who counsels individuals, businesses and professionals across the state. Jones focuses his practice on complex litigation, including serious personal injury and wrongful death, business and commercial disputes, product liability, professional negligence, and construction defect claims. In addition, he is an active mediator who enjoys helping individuals resolve their disputes. With a genial demeanor and sense of humor, Jones adheres to his belief that civil litigation should be just that — civil. Opposing counsel and juries appreciate his courtroom manner, making him an effective advocate for his clients. He also is adept at dealing with complex and nuanced issues and navigates the sometimes challenging personalities he encounters in his work. He has earned a reputation for his ability to handle difficult cases. Jones always strives to understand the needs and objectives of his clients while providing the highest level of client service.
L A W
F I R M
Clekis Law Firm congratulates our partner
NICHOLAS J. CLEKIS
on your well-deserved accomplishment.
2850 Ashley Phosphate Rd., Ste B North Charleston, SC 29418 843-900-0000 • Open 24 Hours www.clekis.com Personal Injury • Worker’s Compensation • Medical Malpractice • Litigation • Criminal Defense • Family Law 24
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PERSONAL INJURY
WES A. KISSINGER MANAGING PARTNER KD TRIAL LAWYERS SPARTANBURG, S.C.
Through his success as a civil litigator and his competitive spirit, Wes Kissinger enjoys helping his clients. “I like helping people navigate a process they’re not familiar with and assisting them through a very difficult time in their lives,” he says in a statement on his firm’s website. “Until they’re in a situation when they need a lawyer, people don’t have a sense of how much their lives can be affected by an event they did nothing to cause. I want to ease that burden.” Kissinger, who has practiced law for 20 years, is the managing partner of KD Trial Lawyers in Spartanburg. He considers his career as an opportunity for continuous learning. “Over 20 years of practice, I have had cases involving airplanes, amusement park rides, brain surgeons, rodeo horses, boundary disputes, race car drivers, trains and trucks, and the list goes on,” he says. “I have loved learning about all those things, and every case is an opportunity to learn something else.”
BROOKLYN O’SHEA ATTORNEY O’SHEA LAW FIRM COLUMBIA, S.C.
When Brooklyn O’Shea started her legal career, she knew she wanted to be a trial lawyer. That suited her personal mission and helped fulfill her goals. “The empathy I have for deserving plaintiffs has driven me to handle plaintiffs’ personal injury cases,” she says. “I always wanted to practice in an area of law that gets me into the courtroom.” O’Shea is an attorney at the O’Shea Law Firm in Columbia. While she believes the key to success as a trial attorney is a “passion for the work and a fire in the belly,” she also believes it is important to have work-life balance. “I think lawyers who maintain a better work-life balance are better able to show up for their clients, staff and employers,” she says. O’Shea says she derives her greatest reward from helping her clients. “I am always adapting to the dynamic nature of personal injury,” she says. “It’s rewarding to be able to help people through difficulties in their lives.”
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ANN MICKLE
PARTNER AND CO-OWNER MICKLE & BASS LAW FIRM COLUMBIA, MYRTLE BEACH AND ROCK HILL, S.C.
As far back as Ann Mickle can remember, she has wanted to be an attorney who impacts the lives of everyday individuals. In 2002, she opened a small practice in Rock Hill, and six years later, Alan Bass joined her. “Through the grace of God, we became Mickle & Bass Law Firm and opened an office in Myrtle Beach,” she says. “Being a voice for injured folks who can’t advocate for themselves is one of my greatest joys.” The firm also has an office in Columbia. Mickle & Bass is a tithing firm and considers its practice as a ministry founded on faith. “The first dime of every dollar goes back to the Lord,” she says. “We put this language into our operating agreement when we started the firm.” For Mickle, the rewards come from treating her clients like family. “I love watching them move from being broken to mended again spiritually, physically and financially, and having them refer others back to me if needed,” she says.
JOSEPH F. RICE
FOUNDING MEMBER MOTLEY RICE ATTORNEYS AT LAW MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. Joe Rice is a self-described “Carolinaborn and -raised attorney.” During high school, he was active in student government and statewide politics, working with several attorneys. His grandfather also studied law as a hobby, and Rice credits both experiences with influencing his decision to pursue a career in law. “My first job was with Blatt & Fales in Barnwell, South Carolina, working closely with Ron Motley,” Rice says. “That is where I developed my passion for personal injury law.” Today, he is a founding member of Motley Rice and practices at the firm’s Mount Pleasant office. He believes in the power of collaboration, even when that means working with adversaries to find solutions. “I follow the belief that I am never going to solve my problem successfully unless I help my adversary solve their problems,” he says. “Working together, working hard and keeping your eye on what is best for your client are major qualities you must possess to be successful.”
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JOHNNY J. STEWART JR.
GEORGE SINK SR.
MEMBER FINKEL LAW FIRM NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C.
CEO AND LAWYER GEORGE SINK, P.A. INJURY LAWYERS CHARLESTON, S.C. George Sink credits his parents with instilling in him a strong work ethic. He describes his hardworking mother and father on his firm’s website. “My parents were a factory worker and a schoolteacher,” he writes “They both worked hard, saved, and made the best of the opportunities America presented while raising me and my two younger sisters.” Born and reared in Detroit, Sink taught school for two years before enlisting in the Marine Corps and serving two tours of duty in Vietnam. He is the CEO of George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers, based in Charleston. His practice includes 42 attorneys and extends across South Carolina and into Georgia. Despite his firm’s growth over the years, Sink continues to prioritize his clients’ needs. “People come first with us,” Sink says. “My personal injury law firm is client-oriented, and we take a great deal of pride in caring for and helping people who have been injured.”
As a litigation attorney and member of Finkel Law Firm in North Charleston, Johnny Stewart is known for his dedication to providing comprehensive legal solutions for his clients. He focuses on roadway incidents, premises liability and medical malpractice. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and an avid Volunteers fan. At the Charleston School of Law, where he earned his law degree, he was moot court competition champion in 2014 and received honors as Oral Advocate of the Year. For Stewart, when it comes to success as a personal injury lawyer, resilience is key. “I like to think about the words of the University of Tennessee women’s basketball coach, Pat Summitt, who said, ‘Offense sells tickets, defense wins games and rebounding wins championships,’” he says. “Rebounding in the law means bouncing back from challenges, setbacks and adversity. It’s that unwavering ability to recover and keep pushing forward.”
CONGRATULATIONS
GENEVIEVE MENDES WEAVER FOR BEING NAMED SC LAWYER’S WEEKLY
2024 POWER PLAYER
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Robert F. Goings P OWE R PL AY E R
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PERSONAL INJURY
Wrongful Death Workers’ Compensation Catastrophic Injury
1510 CALHOUN STREET
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803.350.9230
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PERSONAL INJURY
ALLISON SULLIVAN PARTNER, BLUESTEIN ATTORNEYS COLUMBIA, S.C.
Allison Sullivan credits her parents with instilling in her a servant’s heart. “I view my role as a servant to my clients, and it is a rewarding responsibility to help them navigate some of the most difficult times of their lives while serving as their voice in pursuit of justice,” she says. Sullivan, a partner with Bluestein Attorneys in Columbia, represents plaintiffs in workers’ compensation and personal injury matters. Considered a thought leader in her areas of practice, Sullivan has been an author and featured speaker for professional organizations, including the South Carolina Bar, South Carolina Association of Justice, Injured Workers Advocates and National Business Institute. She says her rewards come from her relationships with clients and colleagues. “I’ve learned lessons from my clients and fellow lawyers in humility, grace, courage and determination, and I continue to learn each day,” she says. “By keeping these qualities at the forefront of my practice day by day, I’ve built a career.”
GENEVIEVE MENDES WEAVER LITIGATION ATTORNEY THE CLARDY LAW FIRM GREENVILLE, S.C.
Genevieve Weaver says she found her calling in personal injury law when her godmother and mentor, Miami attorney Candis Trusty, introduced her to Alan Goldfarb, a highly regarded attorney who further mentored her. “I worked with Alan Goldfarb as an intern in his Miami office in law school and then as an associate with his firm when I graduated,” she says. “I saw the difference a personal injury lawyer could make in someone’s life.” Today, Weaver is a litigation attorney at The Clardy Law firm in Greenville, where she enjoys giving back to her clients every day. “I provide my clients with hope that there is someone in their corner, that we can push the insurance company to do the right thing, and that a better day for them is still in their future,” she says. Weaver adds that her happiest days at work come with resolutions and settlements for her clients. “I love going beyond the clients’ expectations and seeing them move forward with their lives,” she says.
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EMILY HANEWICZ TONG PARTNER WIGGER LAW FIRM CHARLESTON, S.C.
Emily H. Tong says her primary goal in life is to leave the world better than she found it, and she draws inspiration from personal injury attorneys who achieve that goal through their work. “A personal injury law practice enables you to advocate for safer products and services, all while advocating for just compensation for your client,” she says. Early in her career, Tong worked for a real estate law firm while attending Charleston School of Law at night. That’s when she decided to focus on personal injury. After earning her law degree, she took a job as an associate with Wigger Law Firm and became a partner in 2019. She works in the firm’s West Ashley office. She has not forgotten where she came from and enjoys helping clients through tough times. “When someone is seriously injured, they need a friend, a confidante and a cheerleader,” she says. “Seeing clients walk away at the end of a case is absolutely the best reward.”
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WORKERS’ COMPENSATION & PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LAWYERS
ANN MICKLE
ALAN BASS
Former SC Workers’ Compensation Commissioner
Former SC Workers’ Compensation Commissioner, Chairman
AMickle@mickleandbass.com
USC Law School, 1985
ABass@mickleandbass.com
USC Law School, 1980
Helping Injured Workers Across South Carolina. Helping Injured Workers Across South Carolina.
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W W W. M I C K L E A N D BA S S . C O M W W W. M I C KJeremiah L E A29:11 N D BA S S . C O M Jeremiah 29:11