Five Richardson Plowden Attorneys Selected to 2015 edition of Best Lawyers in America®
August 20, 2014
COLUMBIA, SC – The 2015 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® features five Richardson Plowden & Robinson, P.A.attorneys who were selected by their peers: Leslie A. Cotter, Jr. for legal malpractice law; Frederick A. Crawford for health care law; Steven W. Hamm for administrative and regulatory law; Frank E. Robinson II for real estate law; and Franklin J. Smith, Jr. for construction law.
The Best Lawyers in America publicationis highly regarded and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. It represents attorneys in 80 specialties in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Top lawyers in the nation are evaluated and selected by fellow attorneys for the award. The peer-reviewed publication is considered among the most reliable sources for legal referrals.
Cotter was selected by Best Lawyers for his work in legal malpractice law. This is the fifth consecutive year Cotter has been recognized by Best Lawyers. He focuses his practice on professional malpractice defense, insurance defense litigation, governmental liability defense, employment and civil rights litigation, and products liability and personal injury defense. Cotter is also a certified mediator and arbitrator. He is a member of the South Carolina Bar and has continuously served in the House of Delegates since 1992, served two terms on the Nominating Committee of the Bar, is a member and past Chair of the Practice and Procedure Committee, and is a member of the Professional Responsibility Committee. Cotter is a member of the Bar of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and is a permanent member of the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference. He also is a member of the American Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association, Professional Liability Defense Federation, and the John Belton O’Neall Inn of Court. In 2013, Cotter received the Matthew J. Perry, Jr. Civility Award from the Richland County Bar Association in recognition of his exemplary professional civility. In 2012, Best Lawyers distinguished Cotter as Columbia, SC, Legal Malpractice “Lawyer of the Year.”
For the seventh consecutive year, Crawford was recognized by Best Lawyers for his work in health care law. Crawford focuses his practice on health care law, contracts, accounting malpractice defense, estate planning, and corporate law. He also represents dentists, hospitals and physicians and provides counsel on matters including, but not limited to, Anti-kickback Safe-harbors, Certificate of Need (CON), Corporate Compliance and Stark exceptions. He recently became certified by the South Carolina Circuit Court as a Mediator. He is a member of the Richland County Bar Association, American Health Lawyers Association and the Columbia Estate Planning Council. In 2011 and 2012, Crawford was selected by his peers as one of Greater Columbia Business Monthly’s Midlands Legal Elite for his work in business law. Additionally, he has had an AV peer review rating by Martindale Hubbell for 20 consecutive years.
Hamm was chosen by Best Lawyers for his work in administrative and regulatory law. This is the sixth consecutive year that he has been recognized by Best Lawyers. Last year, he was recognized as a “Lawyer of the Year” in the Columbia area for administrative and regulatory law. Hamm focuses his practices on complex civil litigation, in the areas of administrative and regulatory law, unfair trade practices, appellate practice, banking and finance law and also practices in the areas of election law and legislative and governmental relations. He is the Firm’s lead attorney on government relations. Hamm is a member of the South Carolina Bar, and is licensed to practice in the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit; U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina; U. S. Supreme Court; and U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Court. His distinguished career includes past positions as the state consumer advocate and administrator, South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs; chairman, Federal Reserve Board’s National Consumer Advisory Council; president, National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates; and president, National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators. In 2013, Hamm was selected by the University of South Carolina School of Law for the Compleat Lawyer Award for his more than 30 years of success in the law profession.
Robinson was honored as a Best Lawyer in the area of real estate law. This marks his twenty-second consecutive year as a Best Lawyer. Robinson focuses his practice on business and commercial law and real estate. His experience includes representing lenders and developers in various aspects of real estate finance and development. He is a member of the American Bar Association, South Carolina Bar and the Richland County Bar Association. He holds the title of Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve. In 2010, Best Lawyers distinguished Robinson as Columbia, SC, Real Estate “Lawyer of the Year.”
Smith was selected by Best Lawyers in the area of construction litigation. This is his twelfth consecutive year being recognized by Best Lawyers. Smith’s practice is focused on construction law, federal contract law, fidelity and surety law, insurance defense, and professional malpractice. Smith also is a certified mediator and arbitrator. In 2014, Smith was appointed as the Firm’s new managing shareholder. He is a member of the American Bar Association, South Carolina Bar, and Richland County Bar Association. He is also a member of the Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Division of the Forum on the Construction Industry, is a member of the panel of arbitrators for the American Arbitration Association, is on the Board of Advisors for the Clemson University Civil Engineering Department, and is a member of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association. In 2010 and 2012, Best Lawyers distinguished Smith as Columbia, SC, Construction Law “Lawyer of the Year.” Smith has also been recognized as a South Carolina Super Lawyer for past six years.
These attorneys were selected for the 2015 edition of Best Lawyers in America out of a pool of more than three million entries nationwide.
About Richardson Plowden
Established in 1973, Richardson, Plowden & Robinson, P.A., is one of the 20 largest law firms in South Carolina, with more than 30 attorneys in 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.
