Lawyers in the News – January 2023

Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd names shareholder 

Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. has announced that Bryan J. Kitz has been elected shareholder. 

Kitz is a commercial real estate attorney who counsels clients on a broad range of transactional matters. He represents developers, investors and businesses in the financing, acquisition, development and disposition of various types of commercial real estate, including multifamily, office, retail, industrial and hospitality properties. Kitz also assists banks and other financial institutions in construction and permanent financing transactions and negotiates complex loan documents on behalf of both borrowers and lenders. 

Based in the firm’s Charleston office, Kitz serves on the board of directors for the Greater Charleston Chapter of the Risk Management Association and is a member of the Urban Land Institute. He is recognized as a Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Real Estate Law (2022-23) and is a 2021 graduate of Leadership Charleston. Bryan earned his juris doctor, cum laude, from Tulane University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia. 

Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd provides business, litigation and financial legal services to local, national and international clients. 

Turner Padget expands with three hires 

Turner Padget has announced the addition of Associate Carew J. Alvarez to the firm’s Charleston office, Associate Ashley A. Milan to the firm’s Myrtle Beach office, and Associate Lindsey M. Behnke to the firm’s Columbia office. Alvarez and Milan join the Insurance Litigation practice group and will support the Insurance Litigation team by defending clients with personal injury claims, premises liability, and other general liability claims. Behnke joins the Business and Commercial Litigation group, supporting businesses in commercial disputes and working to ensure favorable  

Alvarez will focus on insurance claims counsel and litigation including personal injury actions and various other tort claims. He earned his undergraduate degree from Wofford College and his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law.  

Milan will work with clients to defend against personal injury claims and other general liability claims. Milan co-founded the Latinx Law Students Association at the University of South Carolina School of Law and was co-president for two years. She earned her undergraduate degree from Coastal Carolina University and her law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law. 

Behnke will focus on construction litigation, finance and lending, and real estate matters. Behnke was a recipient of the CALI Award in Conflict of Laws and Federal Courts. She earned her undergraduate degree from Cedarville University and her law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law. 

Nelson Mullins adds attorneys in SC 

The partners of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP have elected 32 attorneys to the partnership effective Jan. 1, 2023. Overall, the firm elected new partners across 12 cities and eight states and the District of Columbia, including four in South Carolina. 

In South Carolina: 

Brad Barringer (Columbia), who helps clients navigate challenges in the areas of electronic discovery, records management and information governance, and litigation readiness. 

Christopher Casavale (Charleston), who focuses his practice in the areas of trademark, copyright, domain name law, and strategic counseling. 

Sean Hastings  (Columbia), who concentrates his practice in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, commercial contract negotiation, and general corporate matters. 

Bobby Streisel (Charleston), who practices in the areas of federal and state taxation, estate and gift tax planning, tax controversy, and probate litigation. 

Motley Rice LLC has announced the addition of three associate attorneys to its headquarters office in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. New associates Jessica Carroll, Ridge Mazingo and Nicholas Williams were admitted to the South Carolina Bar in November.  

Carroll represents dozens of governmental entities in litigation against pharmaceutical drug manufacturers and distributors for their alleged contribution to the opioid crisis. She also contributes to multidistrict litigation against social media platforms. Carroll graduated from Charleston School of Law in May 2022.  

Mazingo protects the rights of individual shareholders and institutional investors by litigating complex securities actions. He graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law in May 2022 

 Williams represents childhood lead poisoning victims exposed to white lead carbonate products. Additionally, he represents farmers, railroad workers, and other victims in pesticide litigation. Williams graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law in May 2022. 

Mueller joins LGBTQ+ Bar institute 

Mandy Mueller, a partner at Burnette Shutt & McDaniel, has been accepted as a member of the LGBTQ+ Bar Association Family Law Institute. She is among only four South Carolina lawyers in the group. 

The institute is a joint venture of the LGBTQ+ Bar, which sponsors the annual Lavender Law Conference, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights.  

The Family Law Institute consists of experienced attorneys and professors who share their knowledge and discuss legal strategies for representing the LGBTQ+ community. Its goal is to foster development of LGBTQ+ family law knowledge, particular in rural and underrepresented areas and in states that are hostile to LGBTQ+ rights. 

 Mueller has practiced family law for more than a decade, beginning with her time as an attorney with the South Carolina Department of Socials Services.  

 At Burnette Shutt & McDaniel, her practice includes all facets of family law, from divorce and custody to child support and protection orders. She and other attorneys at Burnette Shutt & McDaniel represent LGBTQ+ clients in cases including second-parent adoptions, birth-certificate amendments, gender-affirming name changes, domestic partner agreements and more. 

Attorney joins LawyerLisa staff 

LawyerLisa LLC has announced that attorney Thomas Hughes has joined the firm in their Lexington office. 

Thomas graduated from Winthrop University and the University of South Carolina School of Law and practiced in Greenwood, South Carolina for a year before joining LawyerLisa.  

Thomas’s practice is focused on estate planning, probate, and elder law.  Thomas is passionate about helping his clients and their family members plan for the uncertainties of the future based on their unique circumstances and goals.