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Sowell Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC, is rated among the top law firms in South Carolina in the Chambers USA’s 2009 edition of America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, an internationally recognized guide to the legal profession.

Additionally, four  Sowell Gray members –  Elizabeth Van Doren Gray, Thornwell F. Sowell, Robert E. Stepp and J. Calhoun Watson – are recognized as individuals.

“Viewed as one of the top litigation boutiques in the state, this group of high-profile litigators continues to grow in reputation and stature while maintaining its client focus,” the guide says about the firm.

The firm and Sowell have been ranked every year since 2006. Gray and Stepp have been ranked since 2007, while Watson is ranked for the first time this year.

“It’s a tribute to our strength as a firm, as well as to the skills of our individual attorneys, to be ranked in this guide on such a consistent basis,” said Watson, the firm’s managing partner. “We’re pleased that the guide recognizes our wide range of expertise and in-depth knowledge, as well as our commitment to serving our clients regardless of size, from multinational corporations to small businesses.”

The guide noted Sowell Gray’s “deep bench of litigators” among its 11 members and nine associates.

Biff Sowell, whom evaluators call “skilled, aggressive and formidable,” was praised for work on a number of shareholder disputes and liability cases for physicians.

Betsy Gray is “a respected litigator” in white-collar criminal defense work, while Bobby Stepp’s defense work on behalf of the state of South Carolina is an example of the firm’s variety of specialized expertise, the guide says.

The guide continues to say,  Cal Watson “handles a great deal of professional liability and class action defense work” in addition to his managerial duties.

The firm and its lawyers had to stand up to a stringent review to earn the guide’s ranking. The process includes in-depth interviews with clients and lawyers conducted by a team of more than 50 full-time researchers.

Attorneys are rated based on legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness, diligence, commitment and other qualities clients value.

The process is designed to ensure that only the world’s best lawyers and firms are included in the guide, Chambers says.

About Sowell Gray
Located in Columbia’s historic Vista district, Sowell Gray Stepp & Laffitte LLC provides business and litigation representation in all state and federal trial and appellate courts. Founded in 1996, the firm serves clients ranging from multi-national corporations to small businesses and individuals.