South Carolina Lawyers Weekly Largest Law Firms 2022

LARGEST LAW FIRMS

2 / LARGEST LAW FIRMS 2022

S O U T H C A R O L I N A L A W Y E R S W E E K LY I Apr il 11, 2022

Largest Law Firms 2022: Headcounts slide for second straight year

BY TERI SAYLOR

S

outh Carolina Lawyers Weekly’s annual ranking of the Largest Law Firms in South Carolina shows a small but steady drop in the population of attorneys in the state’s 26 largest law firms over the past two years.

The report shows 2,303 attorneys are working at these firms in 2022, compared to 2,358 in 2021. These headcounts show a waning number, compared to the 2,372 South Carolina attorneys reported in 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic sent the workforce into quarantine and caused major business disruptions. It’s impossible to say whether the pandemic is chiefly responsible for the decline, or if other factors are in play, but in all, it’s a 3 percent drop in the span of two years.

Each report is a snapshot of a moment in time, tabulating the number of South Carolina licensed lawyers as of January 1 each year. While the profession still remains healthy, we note that several law firms reported a decreased number of attorneys.

With 188 attorneys in South Carolina, Nelson Mullins continues to hold onto its spot as the largest law firm in the state, even after a decrease of 16 attorneys over

the last year.

A large gap separates the state’s largest law firm from the second-largest.

Nexsen Pruet added three attorneys this year, boosting the firm’s headcount to 123 and solidifying its second-place ranking.

It’s the second straight year that Nexsen Pruet has posted a net gain of three attorneys.

Reporting 117 attorneys, the third-largest firm, Haynsworth, Sinkler Boyd, has been consistent for three years in a row.

McAngus Goudelock Courie has also held steady over the past three years, leaping into the fourth spot with 90 attorneys and displacing Motley Rice, which dropped to fifth place with 78 attorneys. Motley Rice reported 101 attorneys in 2021.

Rounding out the 10 largest law firms are Burr and Forman (73), Gallivan White & Boyd (59), Parker Poe (59), Womble Bond Dickinson (58) and Willson Jones Carter and Baxley (54).

Altogether, the 10 largest law firms in South Carolina recorded a drop in attorney headcounts since 2020, when those firms reported a total of 940 South Carolina licensed attorneys. In 2022, that number

fell to 899, meaning that those 10 firms accounted for more of the decline in headcount than all of the remaining firms on the list did.

The annual survey of South Carolina’s Largest Law firms is based on the self-reported number of South Carolina licensed lawyers practicing in firms across the state. The information was gathered over the past month, using email and digital survey questions to put together an upto-date list from information from all the firms that appeared in the 2021 survey and others who wanted to submit data about their firm.

In compiling the 2022 survey of South Carolina’s largest law firms, we have made every effort to provide complete and accurate information. If we have inadvertently left out a firm or incorrectly reported information, or if you would like for your firm to be tabulated for the 2023 list, please contact us at editor@sclawyersweekly.com.

Lawyers Weekly would like to thank all of the firms that agreed to participate in our report. We will begin collecting data for the 2023 issue of South Carolina’s Largest Law Firms next January.

Table of Contents 1 Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough..........................page 3

14 Clement Rivers.........................................................................page 5

2 Nexsen Pruet.................................................................................page 3

15 Richardson Plowden...............................................................page 5

3 Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd.......................................................page 3

16 Wyche............................................................................................page 5

4 MGC...................................................................................................page 3

17 Clawson & Staubes.................................................................page 5

5 Motley Rice.....................................................................................page 4

18 K&L Gates....................................................................................page 5

6 Burr and Forman...........................................................................page 4

18 Copeland, Stair, Valz & Lovell | CSVL............................page 6

7. Gallivan White & Boyd............................................................page 4

20 Murphy & Grantland...............................................................page 6

7 Parker Poe........................................................................................page 4

21 RPWB Law Firm.........................................................................page 6

9 Womble Bond Dickinson........................................................page 4

21 Moore & Van Allen..................................................................page 6

10 WJCB..............................................................................................page 4

21 McGowan Hood Felder & Phillips..................................page 6

11 Turner Padget............................................................................page 4

24 Fox Rothschild...........................................................................page 6

11 Ogletree Deakins.....................................................................page 4

25 Collins & Lacy.............................................................................page 6

13 SCLS................................................................................................page 5

26 Barnwell Whaley......................................................................page 6

S O U T H C A R O L I N A L A W Y E R S W E E K LY

I

LARGEST LAW FIRMS 2022 / 3

Ap ril 11, 2022

#1

#3

(Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP)

1201 Main Street, 22nd floor Columbia, SC 29201 803.779.3080 www.hsblawfirm.com

Nelson Mullins

Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd

1320 Main Street, Meridian,17th Floor Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 799-2000 www.nelsonmullins.com

117 ATTORNEYS Partners: 79 Associates: 22 Of counsel: 16

188 ATTORNEYS Partners: 134 Associates: 43 Of counsel: 11

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Greenville (45), Columbia (26), Charleston (26), Florence (6)

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Columbia (100), Greenville (40) Charleston (36), , Myrtle Beach (12)

#2

#4

MGC

(McAngus Goudelock & Courie)

Nexsen Pruet

1320 Main Street, Floor 10 Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 779-2300 www.mgclaw.com

1230 Main St, Suite 700 Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 771-8900 www.nexsenpruet.com

90 ATTORNEYS

123 ATTORNEYS

Partners: 48 Associates: 42

Partners: 74 Associates: 21 Of counsel: 2

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Columbia (37) Greenville (19), , Charleston (17), Myrtle Beach (9), Florence (4), Summerville (2), Northeast Columbia (1), Irmo (1)

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Columbia (69), Greenville (24), Charleston (23), Myrtle Beach (4), Hilton Head (3)

Take your events online With many of your clients and prospects working from home, now is a great time to engage them through a webinar.

Hosting a webinar is a powerful way to connect with your target audience, and with South Carolina Lawyers Weekly - you won’t have to worry about any of the logistics.

Whether you’re looking to move an in-person event online, or just need to generate quality sales leads, our team can help provide turnkey service from marketing to execution!

What is included in your webinar: • 45-60 minute webinar • Dedicated project support • Email marketing • Social media • Print ad

For more information, please contact your account executive today.

4 / LARGEST LAW FIRMS 2022

#5

Motley Rice 28 Bridgeside Blvd.

Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 (843) 216-9315 www.motleyrice.com

S O U T H C A R O L I N A L A W Y E R S W E E K LY I Apr il 11, 2022

#9

Womble Bond Dickinson (Womble Bond Dickinson US) Greenville, SC, 29601 (864) 255-5400 https://www.womblebonddickinson.com/us

78 ATTORNEYS

58 ATTORNEYS

Partners: 27 Associates: 33 Senior counsel: 8 Staff attorneys: 9 Project attorneys: 1

Partners: 39 Associates: 9 Of counsel: 4 Other: 6

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Mt. Pleasant (78)

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Charleston (39), Greenville (15), Columbia (4)

#6

WJCB

Burr and Forman 1221 Main Street, Suite 1800 Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 799-9800 www.Burr.com

73 ATTORNEYS Partners: 47 Associates: 11 Of counsel: 13 Staff attorneys: 2

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Columbia (31), Greenville (13), Hilton Head (13), Charleston (9), Myrtle Beach (5) Bluffton (2)

#7 (tie) Gallivan White & Boyd 55 Beattie Place, Suite 1200 Greenville, SC 29601 (864) 271-9580 www.gwblawfirm.com

59 ATTORNEYS Partners: 30 Associates: 26 Of counsel: 3

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Greenville (30), Columbia (18), Charleston (11)

#7 (tie) Parker Poe

(Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein) 1221 Main Street, Ste 1100 Columbia SC 29201 (803) 255-8000 www.parkerpoe.com

59 ATTORNEYS Partners: 27 Associates: 18 Of counsel: 14

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Charleston (23), Columbia (21) Greenville (13) Spartanburg (2)

#10

(Willson Jones Carter & Baxley) 325 Rocky Slope Road, Suite 201 Greenville, SC 29607 (864) 272-2667 https://www.wjcblaw.com

54 ATTORNEYS Partners: 19 Associates: 35

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Greenville (26), Charleston (15), Columbia (12), Myrtle Beach (1)

#11 (tie) Turner Padget

(Turner, Padget, Graham & Laney, PA) 40 Calhoun St. #200 Charleston, SC 29401 (843) 576-2800 https://www.turnerpadget.com/

53 ATTORNEYS Partners: 33 Associates: 13 Of counsel: 7

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Columbia (29), Charleston (9), Greenville (6), Myrtle Beach (5), Florence (4)

#11 (tie)

Ogletree Deakins

(Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart) The Ogletree Building 300 North Main Street Greenville, SC 29601 (864) 271-1300 www.ogletree.com

53 ATTORNEYS Partners: 26 Associates: 12 Of counsel: 11 Counsel: 4

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Greenville (32), Columbia (16) Charleston (5)

S O U T H C A R O L I N A L A W Y E R S W E E K LY

I

LARGEST LAW FIRMS 2022 / 5

Ap ril 11, 2022

#13 SCLS

(South Carolina Legal Services) 2109 Bull Street Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 799-9668 www.sclegal.org

48 ATTORNEYS

#17

Clawson and Staubes 126 Seven Farms Drive, Suite 200 Charleston, South Carolina 29492 (843) 577-2026 www.clawsonandstaubes.com

34 ATTORNEYS

(SCLS is a non-profit law firm)

Partners: 15 Associates: 12 Of counsel: 7

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Greenville (10), Charleston (10), Columbia (8), Florence (4), Spartanburg (4), Rock Hill (4), Conway (3), Orangeburg (3), Greenwood (2)

Columbia (7), Greenville (6)

#14 (tie) Clement Rivers 25 Calhoun Street, Suite 400 Charleston, SC 29401 (843) 577-4000 www.ycrlaw.com

39 ATTORNEYS Equity partners: 14 Non-equity partners: 9 Associates: 8 Of counsel: 1 Senior counsel: 2 Special counsel: 5

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Charleston (21),

#18 (tie) K&L Gates

134 Meeting Street, Suite 500 Charleston, SC 29401 (843) 579-5600 www.klgates.com

27 ATTORNEYS Partners: 14 Associates: 10 Of counsel: 2 Special projects attorney: 1 South Carolina offices: Charleston (27)

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Charleston (27)

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Charleston (39)

#14 (tie)

READ US ONLINE!

Richardson Plowden (Richardson Plowden & Robinson) 1900 Barnwell Street Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 771-4400 www.RichardsonPlowden.com

39 ATTORNEYS Partners: 27 Associates: 11 Of counsel: 1

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Columbia (27), Charleston (8), Myrtle Beach (4)

#16

Register your email to get full, behind-the-paywall access at the South Carolina Lawyers Weekly website.

Did you know that digital access is included with your print subscription?

You will need your account number which is located above your name on the printed label of the newspaper.

Wyche

200 Broad St., Suite 400 Greenville, SC 29601 864-242-8200 www.wyche.com

35 ATTORNEYS Partners: 23 Associates: 5 Of counsel: 7

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Greenville (28), Columbia (6) Spartanburg (1)

Visit sclawyersweekly.com/manage-account-fc to set up your access today to get breaking news and other digital features.

6 / LARGEST LAW FIRMS 2022

#18 (tie)

CSKL - Copeland, Stair, Kingma & Lovell

(Copeland, Stair, Kingma & Lovell)

S O U T H C A R O L I N A L A W Y E R S W E E K LY I Apr il 11, 2022

#21 (tie)

McGowan Hood Felder & Phillips

40 Calhoun Street, Suite 400 Charleston, SC 29201 (843) 727-0307 www.cskl.law

1539 Health Care Dr. Rock Hill, South Carolina 29732 (803) 327-7800 www.mcgowanhood.com

27 ATTORNEYS

23 ATTORNEYS

Partners: 15 Associates: 11 Of counsel: 1

Partners: 4 Associates: 19

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Charleston (27)

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Columbia (9), Rock Hill (7), Charleston (4), Greenville (2), Pawleys Island (1)

#20

Murphy & Grantland 4406 B Forest Dr. Columbia, SC 29206 803-782-4100 www.murphygrantland.com

26 ATTORNEYS Partners: 10 Associates: 13 Of counsel: 3

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Columbia (26)

#24

Fox Rothschild 2 W. Washington St., Suite 1100 Greenville SC 29601-2784 (864)751-7800 https://www.foxrothschild.com/

20 ATTORNEYS Partners: 12 Associates: 6 Of counsel: 2

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Greenville (20)

#21 (tie)

RPWB Law Firm

#25

Collins & Lacy

(Rogers, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman)

1330 Lady Street Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 256-2660 www.collinsandlacy.com

1037 Chuck Dawley Blvd.

Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 (843) 727-6500 www.rpwb.com

18 ATTORNEYS

23 ATTORNEYS Partners: 18 Associates: 4 Of counsel: 1

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Mount Pleasant (18), Aiken ( 2), Charleston (2), Columbia (1)

#21 (tie)

Moore & Van Allen 78 Wentworth Street Charleston, SC 29401 (843) 579-7000 www.mvalaw.com

23 ATTORNEYS Members: 17 Associates: 3 Of counsel: 3

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Charleston (23)

Partners: 9 Associates: 6 Special counsel: 3

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Columbia (17), Myrtle Beach (1)

#26

Barnwell Whaley

(Barnwell Whaley Patterson & Helms, LLC) 211 King St., Suite 300 Charleston, SC 29401 (843) 577-7700 https://barnwell-whaley.com/

17 ATTORNEYS Partners: 10 Associates: 5 Special counsel: 2

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICES: Charleston (17)