Four Associates Join Nelson Mullins in Columbia

COLUMBIA, SC –  Jonathan Knicely, Phillips McWilliams, Cashida Okeke, and Donna Tillis have joined the Columbia office of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP as associates.

Cashida Okeke, Donna Tillis, Phillips McWilliams and Jonathan Knicely

Jonathan Knicely will focus his practice in the areas of business, franchise and distribution, and banking litigation. He has previous experience as a summer associate of the Firm as well as serving as a law clerk for another Columbia law firm. He has also completed an internship with the Botetourt County Commonwealth’s Attorney Office in Virginia. Mr. Knicely earned his Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, from the University of South Carolina School of Law and earned a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from the University of Virginia.

Phillips McWilliams will practice with the Commercial, Appellate, Consumer, and Employment Litigation team. He has previous experience as the director of regional business development for a medical linen service. He also served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army, led more than 400 combat and nation building operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom VI, and received the Bronze Star Medal, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and U.S. Army Basic Parachutist Badge. Mr. McWilliams earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of South Carolina School of Law and earned a Bachelor of Arts in History, cum laude, from the University of South Carolina.

Cashida Okeke is a litigation associate. She will work in the areas of pharmaceutical and business litigation, and e-discovery. She also has previous experience as a legal intern at the York County Public Defender’s Office; as a communication correspondent to the Office of the Governor in Communications and Constituent Services Department in Raleigh, N.C.; and as a collegiate intern in a Washington, D.C. law firm. She completed the Judicial Observation Experience with the Honorable S. Jackson Kimball, Master-in-Equity in York, S.C. Ms. Okeke earned her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law and earned a Bachelor of Arts in American Political Science from Duke University.

Donna Tillis is an associate member of the Commercial, Appellate, Consumer, and Employment Litigation team. She has previous experience as a communication consultant for The Constitution Project in Washington, D.C. She has also completed a communications internship with South Carolina Educational Television. Ms. Tillis earned her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, summa cum laude, from the Honors program at Columbia College.

Nelson Mullins

Established in 1897, Nelson Mullins has more than 500 attorneys and other professionals with offices in the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia. For more information on the Firm, go to www.nelsonmullins.com.