Christian Stegmaier serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Collins & Lacy. He chairs both the Management Committee and the Firm’s Retail & Hospitality Practice Group. With nearly 25 years of legal experience, Christian is a nationally recognized leader in retail and hospitality law. His extensive practice spans state and national levels, representing top-tier clients in retail, hospitality, live music and entertainment, amusement and specialty attractions, and private clubs. He is renowned for defending claims related to premises liability, loss prevention, food adulteration, and third-party torts, and is a leading authority in Dram Shop/Alcohol Liability litigation in South Carolina.

As a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Christian has a proven record of taking cases to trial and securing favorable outcomes. His litigation capability extends to appellate advocacy, building on his early experience as a law clerk to The Honorable Ralph King Anderson, Jr., of the South Carolina Court of Appeals. Christian has appeared over 45 times before various state and federal appellate courts, earning recognition for his meticulous research, compelling briefs, and engaging oral argument style.

Christian also maintains an active practice in complex litigation, business litigation, and insurance law, including coverage matters and bad faith litigation. He represents some of the world’s largest insurers in their South Carolina cases, including in matters on the nationally known Richland County Asbestos Docket and the Charleston Division/MDL PFAS Docket in federal district court.

His professional affiliations are extensive and include active membership in DRI Retail & Hospitality (past committee chair), the Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys, the International Amusement & Leisure Defense Association, CLM, the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association, and Primerus (chair, Premises Liability Practice Group). Christian is a prolific writer and presenter, covering topics such as ethics, leadership and management, trial tactics, appellate advocacy, mediation strategies, retail and hospitality law, and insurance/bad faith issues.

Christian’s skills and reputation have been recognized by SuperLawyers, Best Lawyers, and South Carolina Lawyers Weekly Leadership in Law.

In addition to his practice, Christian has contributed to academia as an adjunct faculty member at the University of South Carolina’s nationally acclaimed College of Hospitality, Retail & Sport Management, where he has taught Hotel & Restaurant Law (HRTM 357) to upperclassmen HRTM majors. He also serves as a Major in the South Carolina State Guard, acting as Staff Judge Advocate and commander of the JAG Detachment.

A lifelong Lutheran, Christian and his family attend New Hope Lutheran Church, where he has served as president of the congregation. He is an Eagle Scout and continues to support the Boy Scouts of America actively.