Nine Richardson Plowden attorneys selected to 2017 edition of Best Lawyers in America®
August 18, 2016
The 2017 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® features nine 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; Emily R. Gifford for construction law; Steven W. Hamm for administrative and regulatory law; Steven J. Pugh for product liability litigation; Anthony E. Rebollo for tax law; Frank E. Robinson II for real estate law; Marian W. Scalise for medical malpractice defense law; and Franklin J. Smith, Jr. for construction law. Smith was also selected as a 2017 “Lawyer of the Year” for Columbia, S.C. for construction law.
The Best Lawyers in America publication is 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 seventh 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. In 2012, Best Lawyers distinguished Cotter as Columbia, SC, Legal Malpractice “Lawyer of the Year.” He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1984.
For the ninth 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 is certified by the South Carolina Circuit Court as a Mediator. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1979.
This is the first year that Gifford has been selected to Best Lawyers. She was recognized for her work in construction law. She focuses her practice construction law, including surety law and commercial litigation. She is certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court as a Certified Mediator. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2005.
Hamm was chosen by Best Lawyers for his work in administrative and regulatory law. This is the seventh 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 earned his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1977.
Pugh was selected by Best Lawyers for his work in products liability litigation. This is the second year that Pugh has been selected to the listing. He focuses his practice on the defense of product liability claims, toxic torts, commercial disputes and transportation cases. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1990.
Rebollo has been selected by Best Lawyers for his work in tax law. This is his second year being selected to the listing. Rebollo focuses his practice on tax litigation, tax malpractice defense and financial litigation. He earned his Juris Doctor from the Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley in 1989.
Robinson was honored as a Best Lawyer in the area of real estate law. This marks his twenty-forth consecutive year as a Best Lawyer. Robinson focuses his practice on business and commercial law and real estate. In 2010, Best Lawyers distinguished Robinson as Columbia, SC, Real Estate “Lawyer of the Year.” He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1968.
This is the second year that Scalise has been selected by Best Lawyers for her work in medical malpractice defense. She focuses her practice on medical malpractice defense, professional malpractice defense, and insurance defense. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1994.
Smith was selected by Best Lawyers in the area of construction litigation. This is his fourteenth 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 2010 and 2012, 2016, and 2017 Best Lawyers distinguished Smith as Columbia, SC, Construction Law “Lawyer of the Year.” He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1984.
These attorneys were selected for the 2017 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 15 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.
