Johnsonville Lawyers

James “Jamie” D. George, Jr. graduated from Presbyterian College in 2015 and graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2018. Jamie served as a member of the editorial staff (Volume 68) and as a student works editor (Volume 69) for the South Carolina Law Review. Upon his law school graduation, he was admitted as a member of the Order of the Wig and Robe. Jamie currently focuses his practice on personal injuries, motor vehicle collision, products liability, third party workers’ compensation claims, and commercial motor vehicle collisions. In addition to practicing law, Jamie teaches as an adjunct professor...

Travis was born and raised in Conway, SC, and he is a graduate of Conway High School where he played baseball. He received his Bachelor Degree from the University of South Carolina where he graduated Cum Laude in 2008 earning a degree in Business Administration/Finance with a minor in Political Science. After graduating from law school in May of 2011, he successfully completed the SC Bar Exam and was admitted to practice law in South Carolina in 2011. Travis began working as a law clerk for the Honorable Michael Nettles, Circuit Court Judge for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit. From...

James Christopher Sproat (Jim) is an attorney with Smith, Born, Leventis, Taylor & Vega, LLC. Mr. Sproat received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of South Carolina in 2008 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 2011. While at the University of Cincinnati, Mr. Sproat served as both the Student Bar Association President and the Managing Editor of the Immigration and Nationality Law Review. He was admitted to practice law in South Carolina in 2011, after working with both the US District Court for the Southern District of Ohio...

George’s practice is concentrated in workers’ compensation and personal injury claims. He has handled hundreds of cases before the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission, including through trial and appeal before the South Carolina Court of Appeals. George has likewise handled hundreds of cases in state and federal courts throughout South Carolina. He is passionate about representing injury victims and takes great pride in the personal relationship he builds with each of his clients. George holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from The Citadel. After graduating, he accepted a Commission into the U.S. Air Force. He deployed multiple times during his...

Attorney B. Alex Hyman completed his undergraduate education in his home state of South Carolina, graduating from the University of South Carolina in 2002.While at the University of South Carolina, he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and worked for Governor Jim Hodges as a staff intern.

After completing law school, Alex began working for the Honorable Edward B. Cottingham, Circuit Court Judge for the Fourth Judicial Circuit as a law clerk. After completing his clerkship, Alex began working for his father at the Law Office of Larry B. Hyman Jr. In 2008 Alex took over his father's law...

Holly Saleeby Atkins is the founding member of the Atkins Law Firm and one of the most well-respected workers’ compensation attorneys in the state. Holly brings a unique perspective to the practice of Workers’ Compensation as she is one of a handful of lawyers in SC that has worked in every aspect of the Workers’ Compensation system—as a defense attorney, a Commissioner, and representing injured workers. Prior to being appointed to the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission, Holly worked as a defense attorney for ten years representing insurance companies and employers in workers’ compensation matters. She was then...

Sara was born and raised in historic Charleston, SC and obtained her Bachelors of Science in Psychology at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA. She attended law school on a full scholarship at the University of South Carolina School of Law graduating Cum Laude. During her time at USC Law she was awarded five CALI Awards in Evidence, Legal Research and Writing I, Commercial Speech Seminar, Criminal Adjudication, and Electronic Discovery. The CALI Award is given to a student for obtaining the highest grade in a class. Sara relocated to Georgetown, SC after law school where she practiced family law...

R. Lawton Harper concentrates his practice solely in Workers’ Compensation. Lawton was born and raised in Beaufort, South Carolina. He left home to attend Elon University in North Carolina, where he graduated in 2017 with a degree in History and Education. After college, he returned to the Lowcountry and served South Carolina as a social studies teacher and basketball coach at Summerville High School. He then enrolled at the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he graduated with honors in 2022. He is excited to once again be helping the people of South Carolina. In his free time, Lawton...

David M. Smith is a native of South Carolina and has lived here the majority of his life. While spending 5 years in North Carolina gathering valuable professional experience, he knew it was only a matter of time before he would move back to the state he considers home, South Carolina. Mr. Smith received his B.A. in Visual Arts from Francis Marion University where he double-majored in Graphic Design and Photography. While at Francis Marion, Mr. Smith was an active member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. After college, Mr. Smith worked as a graphic designer and then...

Maggie Chappell practices in the areas of personal injury and mass torts. She has handled truck and auto accidents and catastrophic injury cases. She also works on the mass torts team which handles 3M combat earplug cases and talcum powder ovarian cancer cases, among many more. Maggie was born and raised in Inman, South Carolina. She moved just down the road to attend Wofford College and graduated in 2012 with a degree in English. After college, she worked as a legal assistant for Mark Arden before attending the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2015. Maggie was lucky to...

Andrew Fajardo is an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who has argued cases and handled appellate work before the State Workers’ Compensation Commission and the appellate courts. He has focused his legal career almost exclusively in the field of workers’ compensation. Andrew joined Chappell, Smith & Arden in July of 2015. He brought with him innumerable skills and diverse experiences that have aided the firm in helping protect and compensate workers. In his spare time, Andrew enjoys playing classical piano. He also appreciates most anything associated with motor sports and spending time on outdoor activities such as hunting and...

Byron David graduated with honors and received his juris doctor degree from the University of South Carolina. Before going to law school, Byron was the captain of a deep sea fishing boat operating off the Carolina coast.

Byron and his wife live in Horry County and are very involved in the community in Conway and Myrtle Beach. They founded and created the Davids' Diabetes Scholarship, awarding scholarship funds to local juvenile diabetics going to college.

Bar Admissions
South Carolina
United States Supreme Court
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
United States District Court for the District of South Carolina

Education
University of...

I handle all types of criminal cases as well as traffic cases. Divorce cases and custody cases are also in my area of practice, along with the preparation of Wills and Power of Attorney Documents for individuals.

AJ Holloway was born and raised in the Myrtle Beach area. He attended Socastee High School where he earned an International Baccalaureate Diploma. He then went on to Clemson University and graduated magna cum laude. After Clemson, he attended the University of South Carolina School of Law where he was a member of the Moot Court Bar and involved in various community service and mentoring groups. AJ has continued to be involved in many community service activities throughout his legal career including participating in the Make-A-Wish Trailblaze Challenge. He began his legal career with the defense firm of Gallivan, White...

Michael Scott Large is a member of the Law Office of Deirdre W. Edmonds, PA. He graduated from Richard Stockton College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1987 and earned his Juris Doctor degree from Temple University School of Law in 1991. Michael is admitted to practice law in South Carolina, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.


Prior to joining the Law Office of Deirdre W. Edmonds, Michael was the Elder Law unit head with South Carolina Legal Services. During his time there, Michael’s practice focused on the aging population and individuals with disabilities. He worked collaboratively with local community groups,...

The Rodriguez Law Office is a new kind of law firm for a changing world. Diane Rodriguez is a solo law practitioner and nurse who has been involved in medical malpractice law for 30+ years. She also has experience with the real world of medicine as she was a certified critical care nurse and emergency room nurse prior to attending law school. Her unique background means Diane Rodriguez is knowledgeable about both medicine and the law. Diane Rodriguez and her staff are informed, caring, patient and professional, giving each new client and each new case...

Joe was born and raised in Belton, South Carolina and comes from a long-line of working-class folks. From a young age, Joe has always been very competitive and very driven. He also strongly believes in the power of paying it forward. Joe cites his parents and many strong mentors in his life for giving him the tools necessary for success. The first male in his family to attend college, Joe played Division I football and was a team captain for two years while at Presbyterian College “PC”. Joe graduated from PC in 2013 with a major in...

Julian practices in his hometown of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and can help both South Carolina and North Carolina individuals and businesses. This year he joined up with his father, Frank DuRant, to open the DuRant & DuRant, P.A. law firm.

Julian graduated from the University of South Carolina Honors College before attending Wake Forest's School of Law. After graduating from law school, Julian clerked for the Honorable Richard Voorhees, Western District of North Carolina. There, he experienced almost everything federal court has to offer—from civil and criminal trials to appellate designations in the Fourth and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeal....

Wade S. Kolb, Jr., established the firm now known as Kolb & Givens, Attorneys at Law, LLC, in 1998 after a 26 year career as a prosecutor. He served as an Assistant State Attorney General, an Assistant Solicitor, and then was elected and served for 15 years as the Solicitor (chief prosecutor) for Sumter, Lee, Clarendon, and Williamsburg Counties. He now concentrates on serious personal injury cases, auto and truck accidents, and criminal defense in state, federal, and traffic courts.

Deirdre W. Edmonds was born in Aiken County, South Carolina. She attended the University of South Carolina and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1984. She attained her Juris Doctor degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1987. Deirdre was licensed to practice law in the State of South Carolina on November 23, 1987.


Deirdre began her legal career at the law firm of Bellamy, Rutenberg, Copeland, Epps, Gravely, & Bowers, P.A. in Myrtle Beach, SC. During her ten years with the Bellamy Law Firm, she focused primarily on estate planning, probate,...

Will focuses his practice on Estate Planning and Personal Injury cases. Will graduated from Wofford College in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business-Economics. After graduating college, Will attended the University Of South Carolina School Of Law and obtained his law degree in 2015. Will represents individuals who have been injured in motor vehicle accidents. Will also works with clients to create and implement estate plans, which includes wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, healthcare powers of attorney and living wills.

After graduating from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2016, Taylor took an associate position at a well-reputed defense firm in his hometown of Augusta, Georgia, where he cut his teeth defending insurance companies and their insureds in car accident and medical malpractice cases. His having begun his career learning from some highly gifted defense lawyers causes Taylor to bring a bit of a different perspective to the table. However, his goal was to return to practice law in South Carolina, and when The Derrick Law Firm presented him with the chance to represent individuals hurt...

Fred Oliver began his career representing insurance companies and their insureds in many different areas of litigation including personal injury, insurance coverage, premises liability, homeowners’ association disputes, and trucking litigation. He grew up in Myrtle Beach and graduated from Socastee High School. After graduating high school, he attended the University of South Carolina. To this day, he remains loyal to the Gamecocks. He received his law degree from the Charleston School of Law in 2012. Prior to joining The Derrick Law Firm, Fred spent many years working for civil defense firms. During those years, he represented many different businesses, insurance...

Stacy Jo Townsend was born and raised in the small town of Williamstown, West Virginia. She attended Coastal Carolina University where she was a member of the National Honor Society for Leadership and Success, Triota Honor Society, Order of Omega Honor Society, and Phi Sigma Tau Honor Society. Stacy earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Criminology, and a minor in Pre-Law prior to attending law school. While in law school, Stacy worked for a real estate firm in Rock Hill, South Carolina as a real estate paralegal, client coordinator, and closing administrator. Working in multiple capacities while being studious provided...

Allyson Pittman was born and raised in the small town of Dillon, right on the South Carolina/North Carolina border. She attended the University of South Carolina and earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Management, with a Criminal Justice minor. After graduating magna cum laude from USC, she attended Charleston School of Law. Upon graduating from Charleston School of Law, Allyson took a position working for the Public Defender’s Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit in South Carolina. There she represented individuals who had been charged with low level to high level criminal charges. Allyson then left the...

Hofler Law Firm provides tenacious representation of our clients for personal injury and domestic matters.

Jack attended law school at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. He clerked for a state Circuit Court judge for a year. He then spent years working for a respected law firm, where he was hired by insurance companies to represent their insureds in a variety of civil cases. This experience taught him about how insurance companies work, and it helped prepare him to represent injured people today.

As an attorney, David Baker focuses his practice on estate planning matters and helping those injured through the fault of others.

Prior to becoming an attorney, David worked for Verizon as a lineman in Brooklyn, NY for fifteen years: 1995 to 2010. While continuing to work full-time as a lineman, David attended Brooklyn Law School. Upon graduation in 2010, David relocated to Peoria, IL working at a small firm for four years. In 2014, David, his wife, Mary "Molly" Baker, a physician at Pawleys Island Pediatrics and Adult Medicine, and their son, Dominic, relocated to Pawleys Island.

From 2014...

Ryan Compton focuses his practice on representing people who have suffered significant injuries or death.

Prior to law school, Ryan graduated from The Citadel with a B.A. in political science. While at The Citadel, he was proudly appointed to numerous leadership positions including serving as a Battalion Commander. He earned his inclusion on the President’s List, the Commandant’s List, and the Dean’s List seven out of eight semesters. Ryan is the 2010 recipient of the Association of Military College’s President’s Award.

After earning his degree from The Citadel, Ryan attended the University of South Carolina School of Law on a merit scholarship....

Admitted to the bar of:
The State of South Carolina
U.S. Federal District Court for the District of South Carolina
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Memberships:
American Bar Association
South Carolina Bar
South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Horry County Bar Association
American Association for Justice
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
National College for DUI Defense
Myrtle Beach Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers – Founding Member
National Rifle Association – Life Member
South Carolina State Constable Alliance
Southern States Police Benevolent Association
S.C. Concealed Weapons Instructors Association
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
South Carolina State Constable’s Alliance
American Radio Relay League (ARRL)

Activities:
Former Adjunct Professor at Horry-Georgetown Technical College
South Carolina Concealable Weapons Course Instructor
NRA...

Dewana grew up in Great Falls, South Carolina. She comes from a long line of textile workers and blue collar workers. If you ask anyone who knew her as a child, they will tell you that as far back as they can remember, Dewana wanted to be a lawyer and she worked hard to make that dream come true. In 2000, Dewana graduated Valedictorian from Great Falls High School. She then moved to the “big city” of Columbia and attended the University of South Carolina Honors College. A lifelong Gamecocks fan, Dewana fell in love...

Drew Brown founded this law firm in 2006. He believes strongly that his first and foremost role as an attorney is to advocate for his clients. At age 42, he is already an experienced trial lawyer who has appeared on behalf of clients in contested hearings in over 50 different courthouses throughout the Carolinas. In an era where cases often settle before litigation or at mediation, Drew Brown has repeatedly taken personal injury and business disputes to trial. Brown distastes wasted legal time in hourly matters as he believes reducing the attorney fee burden on the client can be as...