[COLUMBIA, S.C., September 19, 2011] – Collins & Lacy, P.C. is pleased to announce one third of the firm’s Greenville-based attorneys have been honored as The Best Lawyers in America ® 2012.
The annual list is compiled by Best Lawyers after conducting surveys in which more than 39,000 leading attorneys confidentially evaluate their professional peers. Best Lawyers has come to be regarded by both the legal profession and the public as the definitive guide to legal excellence in the United States.
Greenville shareholder and seven-year Best Lawyers recipient Jack Griffeth is happy to see so many of the firms’ attorneys on the list. “Recognition by one’s peers is one of the most meaningful forms of praise among attorneys,” said Griffeth.
The Collins & Lacy Greenville attorneys selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America are being recognized for their work in multiple practice areas.
Jack Griffeth has been selected for his practice in Arbitration as well as Mediation. Griffeth is certified as a mediator by the South Carolina Bar and speaks frequently on the subject of mediation. Griffeth has appeared on the Best Lawyers list consecutively since his selection to the 11th edition in 2005. Griffeth is currently the president of the Greenville County Bar, and president-elect of the South Carolina Bar Foundation.
Donald Van Riper is being recognized for his work in workers’ compensation law. Van Riper possesses extensive experience in the workers’ compensation arena and brings a comprehensive view of this practice area to the firm. Prior to joining Collins & Lacy, he was appointed by Governor David Beasley to a six-year term as a Commissioner for the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Shareholder Michael Pitts is being honored for his work in two areas of employment law litigation: Labor & Employment litigation and Employment Law Management. Pitts has spent most of his 15-year career helping businesses with labor and employment matters and complex commercial cases. Pitts is experienced in litigation and arbitration, as well as counseling management on ways to avoid disputes. He also serves as the Anderson County attorney.
Firm wide, eight Collins & Lacy attorneys received the Best Lawyers in America designation. The attorneys were honored for their work in 11 different practice areas. Founding partner Joel Collins says he is pleased, but not surprised, to see so many of the firms’ attorneys on the Best Lawyers in Americalist. He says, “It really shows that the clients who come to Collins & Lacy for representation get direct access to skilled litigators.”
