33 Turner Padget attorneys honored as top in the nation by Best Lawyers

Turner Padget announced that 33 attorneys have been named among The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America lists. In addition, two attorneys – Mark B. Goddard and Franklin G. Shuler, Jr. – received the “Lawyer of the Year” designation, which is presented to only one individual in a given geographical region and practice area. Jessica Ferguson was named to the publication’s Ones to Watch list.

The following attorneys have been named to the 2026 Best Lawyers in America list:

Charleston, South Carolina

• David S. Cobb: Construction Law, Insurance Law, Litigation – Construction, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Richard S. Dukes, Jr.: Commercial Litigation
• William Horvath: Litigation – Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Robert E. Kneece III: Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• John S. Wilkerson: Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants

Columbia, South Carolina

• R. Hawthorne Barrett: Insurance Law
• Reginald W. Belcher: Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, and Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Sharon Bramlett: Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law, and Real Estate Law
• Benjamin Calhoun: Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers
• J. Kenneth Carter, Jr.: Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Mark B. Goddard: Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• J. David Johnson, IV: Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law, and Trusts and Estates
• John B. Kelchner: Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, and Litigation – Real Estate
• Catherine H. Kennedy: Litigation – Trusts and Estates, and Trusts and Estates
• Lanneau Wm. Lambert, Jr.: Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Real Estate Law
• Edward W. Laney IV: Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Ian D. McVey: Corporate Law, Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law, Real Estate Law
• Robert Peele III: Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Thomas C. Salane: Appellate Practice, Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Carmelo B. Sammataro: Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Franklin G. Shuler, Jr.: Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – ERISA, Litigation – Labor and Employment, and Mediation
• Hannah D. Stetson: Litigation – Labor and Employment
• L. Patricia Wharton: Real Estate Law

Florence, South Carolina

• C. Pierce Campbell: Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, and Litigation – Trusts and Estates
• J. René Josey: Appellate Practice, Criminal Defense – General Practice, and Criminal Defense – White-Collar
• Arthur E. Justice, Jr.: Employment Law – Management, and Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Jeffrey Payne: Commercial Litigation, and Litigation – Banking and Finance

Greenville, South Carolina

• Michael E. Chase: Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers
• David L. Moore: Appellate Practice, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

• Melody J. E. Breeden: Litigation – Trusts and Estates, and Trusts and Estates
• Audra M. Byrd: Commercial Litigation
• William E. Lawson: Litigation – Construction

Goddard was named as “Lawyer of the Year” in Litigation: Trusts & Estates and Shuler for Litigation: ERISA and Litigation: Labor and Employment.

Lawyers who are named to the Best Lawyers in America list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They undergo an authentication process, with only 5% of practicing U.S. attorneys earning a distinction. Nearly 30,000 lawyers participated in this year’s peer-reviewed voting process, vetting almost 130,000 nominees, making the recognition especially meaningful.

Turner Padget

Turner Padget exceeds expectations by taking your business needs seriously and our relationships personally. Our depth of knowledge, technical strength, and diverse experience make us sharp, talented thinkers who can see our clients’ needs holistically to provide the right solutions. Historically one of South Carolina’s oldest law firms, Turner Padget attorneys now practice in neighboring states with offices in Augusta, Charleston, Columbia, Florence, Greenville, and Myrtle Beach, along with a strategic alliance in Florida and a growing North Carolina presence. www.turnerpadget.com