New Ellenton Lawyers

Growing up, Benjamin W. Akery’s family moved around a good bit, following the path of his father’s industrial safety career. “Moving to six new states growing up taught me to be comfortable in all sorts of situations,” says Ben. That comfort has extended to the legal world.

In 2008 Ben joined the venerable Steinberg Law Firm, which was founded in the 1920s on the principle that individuals deserved representation against forces bigger than themselves.

Ben became a partner at the firm in 2016. At Steinberg, he is concentrating on personal injury, workers’ compensation, and social security disability law.

Ben earned his undergraduate degree...

Fairness. Empathy. Justice. Dedication. These are the core traits Brent P. Stewart embraces and has exemplified during his last 30 years as a personal injury lawyer. Brent concentrates his practice at Stewart Law Offices on helping victims involved in personal injury claims. He provides exemplary legal counsel and representation in cases involving car accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, and wrongful death claims. Brent’s commitment to his clients and his advocacy have resulted in other members of the legal community holding him in the highest regard. Due to his recognized professional excellence and high ethical standards, Brent has been...

J. Scott Shirley is one of the owners of Popowski Callas & Shirley, P.A., and since 1995 has dedicated himself to the firm's Workers Compensation Practice and the representation of injured South Carolina workers and their families. Prior to attending law school at the University of South Carolina, Mr. Shirley worked as a roofer. His experience observing injured colleagues led him to the conclusion that no one was standing up for their rights; insurance companies and employers were backed by high-powered attorneys. His mission then became to put injured workers on equal legal footing with their employers.

Mr. Shirley graduated from...

M. Rita Metts is a Social Security and VA Accredited Veteran Disability Attorney. For more than 20 years she has helped those whose lives have been disrupted by injuries and medical conditions that affect their ability to work and take care of their families. She offers free question and answer sessions with small groups who have questions about the Social Security Disability and/or Veteran Disability application process.

Wade S. Kolb, Jr., established the firm now known as Kolb & Givens, Attorneys at Law, LLC, in 1998 after a 26 year career as a prosecutor. He served as an Assistant State Attorney General, an Assistant Solicitor, and then was elected and served for 15 years as the Solicitor (chief prosecutor) for Sumter, Lee, Clarendon, and Williamsburg Counties. He now concentrates on serious personal injury cases, auto and truck accidents, and criminal defense in state, federal, and traffic courts.

Melinda grew up in the greater Columbia, South Carolina area where she currently resides. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from the University of South Carolina and graduated from Charlotte School of Law with honors (cum laude). While in law school she was inducted into the prestigous Order of the Crown (honor society) and received a merit scholarship. After law school, Melinda spent over eight years at a public interest law firm practicing family law. Melinda was the head family law attorney and was recognized as Attorney of the Year in 2016 while employed at...

Kelly M. Alfreds always aims to go above and beyond to ensure her clients understand their rights, how the legal and medical process works, and the details of any issue involved in their case. She keeps her clients well-informed to have peace of mind – helping them get the benefits they rightfully deserve. Working closely with her workers’ comp clients, Kelly: - Gathers and prepares the appropriate documentation, including accident reports, medical records, and witness statements. - Determines their wage benefits and explains the law in how these weekly wage benefits are calculated. - Prepares her clients to testify at hearings if necessary, along...

Danny Vega boasts nearly 20 years of experience in the legal profession and has represented over one thousand clients in workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability claims. Danny takes great pride in building strong relationships with his clients, personally handling client intake, claim management, evidence discovery, court proceedings, hearings, and file closure. Danny speaks fluent Spanish and enjoys providing legal services to members of the Hispanic community as he is able to converse with and relate to his Spanish-speaking clients in their primary language.

Haley graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law and concentrated her studies in real estate and taxation. Haley is a licensed real estate broker and began her career managing and selling real estate. Her practice involves advising lenders, developers, investors, buyers and sellers with regard to all aspects of commercial real estate transactions.

Whether working as a mediator or as an attorney, I seek to empower individuals and families who desire to find fair and sustainable solutions to complex family transitions, conflicts, and legal issues. Some representative types of issues include mediated divorce, collaborative divorce, elder law, estate planning, probate administration, prenuptial agreements, adoptions, name changes, adult guardianships, mediation of almost any type of conflict or disagreement.

James Christopher Sproat (Jim) is an attorney with Smith, Born, Leventis, Taylor & Vega, LLC. Mr. Sproat received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of South Carolina in 2008 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 2011. While at the University of Cincinnati, Mr. Sproat served as both the Student Bar Association President and the Managing Editor of the Immigration and Nationality Law Review. He was admitted to practice law in South Carolina in 2011, after working with both the US District Court for the Southern District of Ohio...

Anthony L. (Tony) Harbin is a trial lawyer who concentrates his practice in serious personal injury, products liability, and wrongful death cases as well as nursing home abuse and neglect cases. He is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum which is limited to trial lawyers with verdicts or settlements of Two Million Dollars or more, and he has been named as a Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the American Association for Justice. Tony is AV Peer Review Rated by Martindale Hubbell, the highest possible rating, is a South Carolina Super Lawyer, and is a National Trial Lawyers Association...

South Carolina bankruptcy attorney. I help clients with Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy matters

I am easy to get in contact with and always diligent in returning my calls. I make sure my clients are comfortable reaching out to me about any problem they encounter, and I always try to get them the best answer I can. Sometimes my answer may be, “I don’t know, but I will find out!” And I always do. I strive to be a good listener. If my clients have something to say, I listen. Listening is one of the most important aspects of good communication. I have experience in many areas of law. The focus of...

Taylor Lawrence Grooms focuses his practice on car wrecks, medical malpractice, premises liability, and dog bites. Working out of the Steinberg Law Firm’s office in Goose Creek, Taylor is committed to seeing his clients properly compensated for their injuries. Taylor was recently elected President of the Berkeley County Bar Association and is a member of the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Berkeley Class of 2019. The National Trial Lawyers Association also recognized Taylor in the organization’s “Top 40 Under 40” in 2020. Taylor received a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from Clemson University. He then attended the University of South...

Rachel focuses her practice primarily on construction defect law, representing homeowners, condominium associations and HOA's against construction companies and contractors. As an associate at Steinberg Law Firm, Rachel takes a great interest in advocating for her clients and seeking justice for what is usually the biggest investment of their life. Prior to joining the firm, she worked for a construction defense firm which has given her an advantageous perspective in her current role. A graduate of the Charleston School of Law and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she excelled in her studies, earning several prestigious awards.

Margaret A. "Meg" Collins is a lifelong native of Columbia, South Carolina. She attended the University of South Carolina Honors College, majoring in International Relations with a minor in Business Administration. After employment with the South Carolina Senate, Ms. Collins attended the University of South Carolina School of Law, while concurrently clerking for a small firm that focused on secured transactions, collections, creditor bankruptcy and contract law. Once licensed in 1997, Ms. Collins developed a very successful private practice encompassing general civil and domestic litigation, computer and information technology law, business, procurement, municipal and local government representation and...

Ryan focuses his practice in business transactions, commercial real estate development, commercial leasing and commercial lending. Ryan is capable of handling all aspects of commercial real estate transactions representing clients in their capacities as lenders, purchasers, sellers, developers, landlords and tenants. His familiarity with the aspects of a complex real estate transaction allows him to focus on the details necessary to complete the transaction efficiently and confidently. Ryan began his career at a large firm headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina before joining Graybill, Lansche & Vinzani, LLC at the end of 2010.

John practices in business transactions and concentrates his practice in commercial real estate development, commercial real estate leasing (with an emphasis on retail leasing), commercial lending, mergers and acquisitions and marina/resort development. John advises developers, investors, lenders, buyers and sellers with regard to financing, leasing, land use and development, conservation easements, construction, real estate title insurance, and all aspects of structuring commercial loan and business transactions. John enjoyed similar practices with large firms headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina and Columbia, South Carolina before co-founding Graybill & Lansche, LLC. John graduated with Honors in Psychology from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia....

Arthur K. Aiken gives his clients quality representation at a fair price

Steve joined Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC, in 2019. Before joining Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC, Steve worked for over five years with the Fifth Circuit Public Defender in Columbia, South Carolina. At the public defender, Steve focused on defending individuals charged with serious and most serious violent crimes. During the past five years, Steve has defended nearly every type of crime on the books, including Murder and Felony DUI involving Death. Steve has successfully tried many criminal cases to verdict and is licensed to provide first-chair defense representation in death penalty cases.

During Steve’s tenure as a public defender, he was...

After working as an attorney in Jackson, Mississippi, Attorney Tom Eller returned to his home state of South Carolina. Here, Eller continued his practice, focusing on personal injury as well as worker’s compensation. His experience in personal injury extends to cases which involve car accidents, defective products, as well as preventable harm resulting from the negligence of others. His passion for helping clients facing a personal hardship is what drives him to fight for maximum compensation in each case. He understands the strains that personal injuries place on a person both mentally and physically and assures that he will stand...

C. Cantzon Foster, II is the founding member of Foster Law Office, LLC. His statewide general practice firm focuses on personal injury, civil and domestic litigation, probate law and commercial /residential real estate transactions. A native of South Carolina, Cantzon received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Charleston (1995) and his Juris Doctorate from the University Of South Carolina School Of Law (2001). While attending the University of South Carolina School of Law, Cantzon was a member of USC's National Trial Competition Team, the South Carolina Environmental Law Journal and the Order of Omega, the international legal...

Mr. Jowers represents patients harmed by medical malpractice, pharmaceuticals and medical devices. He is admitted to practice before all courts in the state of South Carolina, the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina (2002), and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals (2003). Additionally, he has been admitted to practice pro hac vice in numerous states throughout the country. Mr. Jowers graduated with honors from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina in 1998. Afterwards, he entered the University of South Carolina School of Law and graduated in 2001. During law...

Chase helps get the most compensation for individuals who suffered catastrophic injuries and businesses in complex litigations. Clients deserve the best results and to be kept in the loop. We saw a gap in the market. Too many law firms fail to communicate their cases to their clients; fail to proactively prosecute cases instead of reacting to the insurance companies or other side; and fail to use or understand the best resources. These law firms put the "firm-first" instead of the client. Chased formed Keibler Law Group to fill that gap. We rely on...

R. Lawton Harper concentrates his practice solely in Workers’ Compensation. Lawton was born and raised in Beaufort, South Carolina. He left home to attend Elon University in North Carolina, where he graduated in 2017 with a degree in History and Education. After college, he returned to the Lowcountry and served South Carolina as a social studies teacher and basketball coach at Summerville High School. He then enrolled at the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he graduated with honors in 2022. He is excited to once again be helping the people of South Carolina. In his free time, Lawton...

Charles "Charlie" Terreni has practiced law in Columbia, South Carolina, since 1990. He is a 1990 graduate of the University of South Carolina School Of Law. He earned his B.A. degree in International Studies with a minor in French from the University of South Carolina in 1985. After graduating from law school, Terreni practiced with Cooper, Beard & Dibble (1990-91) and with the Dibble Law Offices from 1991 to 1995. He served as Executive Assistant to the Lieutenant Governor from 1995 to 1996. In 1996, he returned to private practice, opening the Terreni Law Firm, LLC. In 2004, Terreni joined the Public...

George’s practice is concentrated in workers’ compensation and personal injury claims. He has handled hundreds of cases before the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission, including through trial and appeal before the South Carolina Court of Appeals. George has likewise handled hundreds of cases in state and federal courts throughout South Carolina. He is passionate about representing injury victims and takes great pride in the personal relationship he builds with each of his clients. George holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from The Citadel. After graduating, he accepted a Commission into the U.S. Air Force. He deployed multiple times during his...

Lyn has worked extensively in the area of state and local taxation in both the public and private sectors. As Counsel for Revenue Litigation with the South Carolina Department of Revenue, Lyn represented the Department in corporate and individual income tax, sales and use tax, and constitutional nexus matters. Lyn drafted final agency determinations, represented the Department in contested case hearings before the South Carolina Administrative Law Court, and handled related appeals before South Carolina’s Circuit Courts, Court of Appeals and Supreme Court.

Lyn also practiced in the private sector with a large, national law firm where he handled...

David's legal practice is devoted exclusively to litigation. Litigation is a broad term, but it generally refers to any type of legal dispute resolution process that may eventually require resolution through the court system. While there are many areas of litigation, David primarily focuses on legal disputes: (1) arising out of eminent domain and condemnation (government taking a private landowner's property); (2) business disputes, such as contract or lease disputes, partnership breakups, or disputes with governmental bodies; and (3) construction, both plaintiff and defendants, construction defects, breach contract, and professional negligence of design professionals. David has...

John Kassel is a managing partner at Kassel McVey, a personal injury law firm based in Columbia, SC. Mr. Kassel represents injured victims and their loved ones in personal injury cases such as auto accidents, product liability, premises liability, construction accidents, and medical malpractice. Throughout his career, John has committed to fight on behalf of injury victims and not corporations, manufacturers or insurance companies.

John Kassel graduated from Northwestern University in 1979. He then joined Volunteers in Service to America, where he worked for the Brown Lung Association, a group mainly comprised of retired cotton textile mill workers who were suffering...

With a commitment to making a difference, I own a law firm dedicated to providing personalized attention to each client. I believe in limiting my case load, so each client receives the individuated attention he/she deserves. When we work together, you will speak and work directly with me. As an education attorney, my passion lies in representing students with disabilities across South Carolina. From advocating at Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings to requesting special education evaluations to representing students at discipline hearings, I stand by your and your child's side every step of the way. My goal is to provide legal...

Born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina, Mr. Stanley attended the University of South Carolina where he received his B.S. in Business Administration. While attending the University of South Carolina, Mr. Stanley was the captain of the South Carolina baseball team that went to 3 straight College World Series.

Upon completing his Bachelor’s degree, Mr. Stanley earned a Master’s in Business Administration and a Master’s in Information Science from North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina. Following the completion of his Master’s degrees in 2010, Mr. Stanley attended law school at Florida A&M University College of Law in Orlando, Florida,...

Mr. Milling is a litigator in both federal and state court handling civil litigation, corporate litigation, criminal defense, and white collar criminal defense.