Richardson Plowden names Steven Pugh as new managing shareholder
January 29, 2018
Richardson Plowden & Robinson, P.A. has named attorney Steven J. Pugh as the Firm’s new managing shareholder.
An accomplished litigation attorney, Mr. Pugh has nearly 30 years of experience. His law practice includes civil litigation, the defense of product liability claims, toxic torts-asbestos, insurance defense, pharmaceutical litigation, transportation law, and medical device litigation. As Richardson Plowden’s managing shareholder, Mr. Pugh will be responsible for leading the Firm’s Executive Committee, executing its client retention and growth strategies, and providing managerial oversight for internal operations of the offices in Columbia, Myrtle Beach, and Charleston.
Mr. Pugh succeeds Franklin J. Smith, Jr., who served as Richardson Plowden’s managing shareholder since 2014. Mr. Smith is continuing his law practice in the Firm’s Columbia office with his focus in construction law.
Commenting on the transition of leadership, Mr. Smith said, “It has been an honor to serve in this leadership role for the last four years. Our Firm will continue to provide the highest quality services in the most efficient manner to our clients as we continue to adapt to the challenges of technological advances and increased competition in the legal profession. We look forward to continuing success in serving our clients as one of South Carolina’s top 15 largest law firms. I am confident that Steve will continue to lead our Firm to even greater milestones and with much continued success.”
Mr. Pugh has previously served as the Firm’s managing shareholder from 2010-2014. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law. His experience includes, but is not limited to, successfully trying cases where he has represented major pharmaceutical companies wherein the state was seeking penalties in excess of $2 billion, serving as lead counsel in major class action suits with more than 1,000 claimants, directing the investigation of a multi-million dollar fabric mill fire on behalf of the manufacturer, and represented several manufacturers in more than 1,000 asbestos cases in South Carolina. Mr. Pugh has been recognized as a South Carolina Super Lawyer for Civil Litigation Defense for the last three consecutive years. He’s been listed in Best Lawyers in America® for Products Liability Litigation since 2016, and has been selected as one of “Midlands Legal Elite” for Civil Litigation by Greater Columbia Business Monthly.
Mr. Pugh is a member of the South Carolina Bar, North Carolina Bar Association, the State Bar of Texas, and the Richland County Bar Association. He is also a member of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association (SCDTAA), the International Association of Defense Counsel, and The Harmonie Group. Mr. Pugh serves as a Committee Member of The Harmonie Group, a prestigious law firm alliance that is by-invitation-only.
About Richardson Plowden
Established in 1973, Richardson Plowden & Robinson, P.A., is among the 15 largest law firms in South Carolina, with more than 35 attorneys and offices in Columbia, Myrtle Beach and Charleston. A full service law firm, Richardson Plowden has more than 25 practice areas providing legal counsel to local, state and national clients. For more information, visit www.RichardsonPlowden.com.
