[COLUMBIA, S.C. October 9, 2013] – Collins & Lacy, P.C. is pleased to announce 13 of the business defense firm’s attorneys have been recognized for their work in the legal profession by three different awards programs.
“This is an exciting time for the Collins & Lacy team,” said Mike Pitts, Collins & Lacy’s managing partner. “To have almost half of our attorneys be recognized for their work is a great compliment to our firm, especially when the recognition comes from peers in the legal profession.”
The three awards programs were Columbia Business Monthly, Greenville Business Magazine and Best Lawyers of America.
Five attorneys were selected as part of the 2013 Legal Elite in their respective publications – Columbia Business Monthly and Greenville Business Magazine. Earlier this year, attorneys from the Midlands and the Upstate of the South Carolina Bar Association nominated the top attorneys in 20 practice areas. From these nominations, the Legal Elite were selected. The following Collins & Lacy attorneys received this honor:
2013 Midlands Legal Elite
Charles Appleby (Columbia) – Labor & Employment
Charles Appleby has represented clients in Circuit Court, United States Federal Court and has appeared regularly before the South Carolina Employment Securities Commission and Appeals. In addition, Charles provides content on retail/hospitality/entertainment law and employment law through newsletters, blogs and alerts.
Peter Dworjanyn (Columbia) – Insurance
Pete Dworjanyn is a shareholder and chair of Collins & Lacy’s Insurance Coverage Practice Group and founding author of the South Carolina Insurance Law Blog. Pete also practices in workers’ compensation and is a 2014 recipient of Best Lawyers in America award.
2013 Upstate Legal Elite
Michael Pitts (Greenville) – Labor & Employment
Mike Pitts is managing partner of Collins & Lacy. Along with practicing employment law, Mike is experienced in litigation and arbitration, as well as counseling management on ways to avoid disputes. He also currently serves as the Anderson County attorney.
Logan Wells (Greenville) – Insurance
Logan Wells is an associate practicing in the areas of insurance coverage and professional liability. She also writes about insurance coverage issues and trends in the South Carolina Insurance Blog.
2014 Best Lawyers in America
Best Lawyers in America is one of the oldest and most respected peer-review publications in the legal profession. The 2014 Best Lawyers list is a compilation of outstanding attorneys voted on by tens of thousands of leading lawyers nationwide. Eight Collins & Lacy attorneys received the high honor:
Ellen M. Adams (Columbia) – Workers’ Compensation Law
Ellen Adams is the chair of the Workers’ Compensation Practice Group. She has enjoyed a 20-year career in the practice of workers’ compensation and also has experience in general litigation and professional liability.
Joel W. Collins, Jr. (Columbia) – Criminal Defense
Joel Collins co-founded Collins & Lacy in 1984. Along with his reputation in the courtroom and professional standing which has led to numerous awards and accolades, Joel has held numerous leadership positions in civic organizations including Rotary, National Safety Council and the ABOTA Foundation.
Peter Dworjanyn (Columbia) – Workers’ Compensation
Pete Dworjanyn practices workers’ compensation and is a shareholder and chair of Collins & Lacy’s Insurance Coverage Practice Group. Pete is also part of the 2013 Midlands Legal Elite.
Rebecca Halberg (Columbia) – Workers’ Compensation
First time Best Lawyers recipient, Rebecca Halberg is a shareholder practicing in workers’ compensation. Rebecca also is the President of Kids’ Chance of South Carolina, which gives back to families of workers who were injured or killed on the job.
Stanford Lacy (Columbia) – Workers’ Compensation
Stan Lacy co-founded Collins & Lacy in 1984 and practices in the area of workers’ compensation. Stan also teaches workers’ compensation as an adjunct instructor at the University of South Carolina School of Law, and he also frequently conducts workshops on compensation laws.
L. Henry McKellar (Columbia) – Banking & Finance Law, Litigation (Banking & Finance)
Henry McKellar has more than three decades of experience on both sides of the bench, serving in both private and public roles. Most recently, Henry was a South Carolina Circuit Court Judge, holding the position for 11 years.
Jack Griffeth (Greenville) – Arbitration, Mediation
Jack Griffeth is a shareholder at Collins & Lacy. His practice of law has focused on defense trial work, representing employers in employment related litigation and mediation. Jack also serves as General Counsel to Wofford College, Furman University and Spartanburg Methodist College.
Michael Pitts (Greenville) – Employment Law, Litigation
Collins & Lacy, Managing Partner Mike Pitts was also an honoree of this year’s 2013 Upstate Legal Elite. Mike practices in employment law, an area in which he has spent most of his career helping businesses with labor and employment matters and complex commercial cases.
“Collins & Lacy’s representation on these different lists is a great illustration of the strength and depth of our team in multiple practice areas,” Pitts said. “As a statewide firm, having diversity in our practice is a critical component in being able to serve the diverse clients we represent.”
For high resolution photos of each attorney, please contact Communications Manager Janie Langdale at 803-255-0429 or jlangdale@collinsandlacy.com.
