The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals recently issued an unpublished opinion that highlights the tremendous impact the credibility of witness testimony can have on the outcome of a jury trial. In Paulette A. Myers v. Dollar General Corporation, Case No. 17-1785, Dollar General appealed the district court’s denial of its motion for judgment as a… Continue Reading
A Recent Administrative Law Court’s Order Could Jeopardize Late-Night Establishments
An attempt to clean up a college town could have a rippling effect far beyond “Famously Hot” Columbia and crash waves that will be felt among the bar and club communities across the Palmetto State. On April 3, 2018, an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) found that an LLC operating a bar in the Five Points… Continue Reading
South Carolina Opinion: Insurer May Maintain Direct Legal Malpractice Action Against Counsel Hired to Represent Insured
The South Carolina Supreme Court issued its opinion today in Sentry Select Insurance Co. v. Maybank Law Firm, LLC, No. 2016-001351, Slip Opinion No. 27806 (click on the citation to be redirected to the full opinion). Justice John Cannon Few issued the opinion for the majority. General Summary The case involves an insurance carrier (“Insurer”)… Continue Reading
Precious Cargo 2018! Learn How YOU Can Help South Carolina’s Foster Children
May is National Foster Care Month. To promote awareness, Collins & Lacy, P.C. is again teaming up with the South Carolina Youth Advocate Program (SCYAP), a provider of foster care and community-based services, to host a statewide item collection drive for the organization’s Precious Cargo Program. FAST FACTS WHAT: This community-based drive seeks donations of… Continue Reading
Collins & Lacy Co-Founder Receives the State’s Highest Civilian Honor
Collins & Lacy, P.C. is honored to announce that co-founder, Joel W. Collins, Jr., has received the Governor’s Order of the Palmetto award, the state’s highest civilian honor. Since 1971, it has been awarded to citizens for remarkable service and contribution to South Carolina and her people. “According to the definition, this ‘once in a… Continue Reading
SC Supreme Court Addresses Affidavit Requirement for Medical Malpractice Case
On February 28, 2018, the South Carolina Supreme Court issued its opinion in Eades v. Palmetto Cardiovascular and Thoracics, P.A., et al, Opinion No. 27770. In the opinion, the Court addresses whether an affidavit filed with a Notice of Intent to File Suit (“NOI”) in a medical malpractice case satisfied the statutory requirements of South… Continue Reading
Precious Cargo: Collins & Lacy Calls on Community to Donate Items for Foster Children
[COLUMBIA, S.C. May 2017] – May is National Foster Care Month. To promote awareness, Collins & Lacy, P.C. is again teaming up with the South Carolina Youth Advocate Program (SCYAP), a provider of foster care and community-based services, to host a statewide item collection drive for the organization’s Precious Cargo Program. The non-profit organization, is a… Continue Reading
Affairs of the Heart
Except for those who practice family law, it’s not often that love and the law intermixes for attorneys. One attorney provides a cautionary tale of when affairs of the heart can lead to dire consequences. In In re Hawkins, an attorney accepted an employment offer to be general counsel from the owner of a company,… Continue Reading
SPECIAL REPORT: Reservation of Rights
Insurer’s failure to advise policyholder of its interest in allocated damages results in coverage for general verdict. The South Carolina Supreme Court has concluded that: (1) an insurance company’s reservation of rights letter was insufficient and the insured had therefore waived its coverage defenses; (2) even if the reservation of rights had been effective, the… Continue Reading
SCDTAA Young Lawyers Division Re-Cap
The South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association, Young Lawyers Division, has enjoyed an active and productive Spring and Summer. In May 2016, many SCDTTA Young Lawyers from across the state participated in, and volunteered for, the SCDTAA Trial Academy. Young Lawyers volunteered as witnesses or jurors in the mock trials of the Trial Academy. Those generous volunteers… Continue Reading