Advocate's Journal
Effective Employment Practices: 5 Steps Employers Can Take to Avoid Liability
By Will Jordan Employers are faced with a confusing web of federal and state employment laws with which they must comply in order to avoid liability to job applicants and employees. And while it’s impossible for an employer to ensure that it will never face an employment-related lawsuit, there are some steps employers can take […]
Firm News
Lawyers serve as elected officials
President’s Day has historically been a time for us as citizens of the United States to remember and celebrate the lives and achievements of former U.S. presidents. I am proud to note that 26 (more than half) of our presidents also served their communities and clients as lawyers, bringing their unique and valuable skill sets […]
Advocate's Journal
Significant Sovereign Immunity Questions Now Answered
By Beth Richardson In a 37-page unanimous opinion, the Fourth Circuit recently answered important questions regarding sovereign immunity in the case of Hutto et al. v. South Carolina Retirement System et al., 773 F.3d 536 (2014). In Hutto, retirees of the state retirement system who returned to work for employers participating in the retirement system […]
Accolades • Firm News
Betsy Gray honored with TWIN award for corporate achievement
Betsy Gray was awarded the Palmetto Center for Women’s (PCW) Tribute to Women and Industry (TWIN) award at a luncheon held Thursday, February 5th. The TWIN awards honor women whose outstanding achievements mark them as leaders and role models in business and in the community. Since its inception in 1980, the TWIN awards have honored […]
Firm News
Montgomery becomes member at Sowell Gray
Michael Montgomery, an attorney with Sowell Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC since 2008, has become the firm’s newest member. “Michael’s knowledge, capabilities and commitment to his profession make him an asset, both to our firm and to the legal community,” said managing member Cal Watson. “We are extremely pleased to elect him as a member […]
Firm News
Haigler becomes member at Sowell Gray
Nicolas L. Haigler, an attorney with Sowell Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC since 2007, has become the firm’s newest member. “Nick is a versatile and talented leader, both at the firm and in the community at large,” said managing member Cal Watson. “We admire and appreciate his dedication to make our practice, our profession and […]
Advocate's Journal
Compensation for Injuries Sustained for Unexplained Falls Arising in the Course and Scope of Employment
By Gibbs Leaphart The South Carolina Supreme Court reversed two Court of Appeals decisions last week in workers’ compensation. In addressing two similar cases involving level floor falls, the Court apparently sought to clarify the analysis of idiopathic and unexplained falls in workers’ compensation law with what it believed to be shifting the burden to the […]
Advocate's Journal
Hill: It Takes a Village to Raise a Lawyer
As attorneys, we all work hard to give the impression that we are in control and can handle whatever the other side or the court may throw at us. We try to give our clients the idea that we have all the answers. Yet, we cannot do it alone. We need a village to succeed. […]
Advocate's Journal
Families Helping Families
Our Sowell Gray family adopted two families to help this year for Christmas through The Palmetto Project, Families Helping Families. With the generous donations of our staff and attorneys, we are able to donate all of these presents to the families!
Advocate's Journal
A Perspective from the Chair of Leadership Columbia
By Nick Haigler Leadership Columbia (LC) Class of 2015, comprised of 60 existing and emerging leaders with the Columbia area, kicked off their year in August with orientation at Edventure and in September with a class retreat at Camp Kinard in Batesburg. From these incredible experiences, the class has chosen and developed their class project, […]