Georgetown County Lawyers

Kevin Holmes earned a bachelor’s degree from American University in Washington, DC and a law degree from Rutgers University School of Law. He joined The Steinberg Law Firm in 1979. Holmes has over 35 years of civil and criminal trial experience at The Steinberg Law Firm. Holmes also handles disability and Social Security cases and has extensive experience in appellate law experience. He has won numerous significant Supreme Court cases expanding and defending the rights of injured workers. Holmes has been a partner at The Steinberg Law Firm since 1985, and has served several terms on the Board of Governors...

Victoria Kepes joined The Noble in 2022 as a Partner, leading the firm’s growth to our South Carolina office. Before joining The Noble Law, Ms. Kepes worked as Senior Counsel for Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP, where she focused on employment and general litigation matters. In this role, she represented clients in federal and state courts in both North and South Carolina. Previously, Ms. Kepes clerked for the Honorable Robert H. Hodges Jr. on the United States Court of Federal Claims. Ms. Kepes also brings a breadth of experience in many of The Noble Law’s key practice areas. She has represented...

Growing up, Benjamin W. Akery’s family moved around a good bit, following the path of his father’s industrial safety career. “Moving to six new states growing up taught me to be comfortable in all sorts of situations,” says Ben. That comfort has extended to the legal world.

In 2008 Ben joined the venerable Steinberg Law Firm, which was founded in the 1920s on the principle that individuals deserved representation against forces bigger than themselves.

Ben became a partner at the firm in 2016. At Steinberg, he is concentrating on personal injury, workers’ compensation, and social security disability law.

Ben earned his undergraduate degree...

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,...

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,...

Rachel focuses her practice primarily on construction defect law, representing homeowners, condominium associations and HOA's against construction companies and contractors. As an associate at Steinberg Law Firm, Rachel takes a great interest in advocating for her clients and seeking justice for what is usually the biggest investment of their life. Prior to joining the firm, she worked for a construction defense firm which has given her an advantageous perspective in her current role. A graduate of the Charleston School of Law and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she excelled in her studies, earning several prestigious awards.

Lionel S. Lofton was born and raised in McClellanville, South Carolina, where he still resides. He received his juris doctorate from the University of South Carolina Law School in 1971 and was admitted to the South Carolina Bar the same year. While in law school, Mr. Lofton worked as a law clerk in the United States Attorney's Office. Following graduation from law school, Mr. Lofton was immediately hired as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina. He was the first and only attorney in South Carolina named as an Assistant United States Attorney directly out 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.

Brett D. Budlong is an attorney in the Charleston office of Graybill, Lansche & Vinzani, LLC. Mr. Budlong’s practice focuses primarily on commercial real estate development and financing transactions. He also advises developers, investors, lenders, buyers and sellers with regard to financing, leasing, land use and development, planned unit developments (PUD’s), construction, real estate title insurance, and all aspects of structuring commercial loan, CMBS, and business transactions. Mr. Budlong has achieved the LEED Green Associate designation from the U.S. Green Building Council and has presented at numerous continuing education seminars on various real estate topics. Brett previously worked in the...

The law offices of Jung Disability and Injury Advocates are located in Mount Pleasant, S.C. and were established in 2000. I graduated from Davidson College in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in history. I then went on to complete law school at St. John's University in 1990. I practiced law in the state of New York for 10 years prior to moving my practice to Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. I am admitted to practice in state and federal courts in South Carolina and New York. My principal practice areas are disability, personal injury, civil litigation, and trial and appellate practice....

Dirk Derrick of The Derrick Law Firm has been representing the people of South Carolina since 1991. The Derrick Law Firm represents individuals that are seriously injured, or the family of those wrongfully killed, due to car accidents, truck collisions, motorcycle crashes, and jet ski and boating accidents. The Derrick Law Firm represents individuals disabled or temporarily injured in work place accidents as well as cases where insurance companies have unreasonably delayed or denied an insurance claim. For more information about your case, www.derricklawfirm.com offers three FREE downloadable books discussing your SC personal injury claim, the amount of car...

AJ was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 2018 after working with the firm as a law clerk for a little over 2 years. He has extensive experience in litigation in the areas of maritime law, construction law, personal injury, business law, and other civil matters. Specifically, AJ has worked on cases involving seamen and longshoremen injuries, wake injuries, wrongful death, vessel arrests, vessel collisions and allisions, vessel lightning strikes, salvage, intermodal transportation, vessel purchase and sale contracts, maritime liens, seaman’s wages, preferred ship mortgages, charter party agreements, USCG Suspension & Revocation proceedings, insurance bad faith, construction defect...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Jack Sinclaire was raised in the Charleston area. After graduating from Porter-Gaud School in 1977, he obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Georgia and then went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1984.
Jack spent the first 17 years of his legal career litigating cases in the State prosecutor's office. After graduating from the National College of District Attorneys Career Prosecutor Course in 1986, he rose to the rank of Deputy Solicitor, where he was responsible for the prosecution of violent felony offenders and the management of...

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...

20 years experience in criminal law. State and Federal. Handled over 2500 DUI and DUAC cases. Handled over 3000 other types of traffic tickets. Handled over 25 felony DUI cases. Successfully handled over 50 Drug Trafficking cases. State legal representative for N.O.R.M.L.

Adam Russo was born in Connecticut and moved to South Carolina as a child. Growing up in the low country, he gained a deep appreciation for the culture and ways of Charleston's society. After attending the College of Charleston, Mr. Russo completed his legal education at St. Thomas University and Florida State. While in law school he clerked for the Florida Supreme Court. Most recently, Mr. Russo was a DUI prosecutor for the 14th Judicial Circuit, and a private defense attorney.

Kelly M. Alfreds always aims to go above and beyond to ensure her clients understand their rights, how the legal and medical process works, and the details of any issue involved in their case. She keeps her clients well-informed to have peace of mind – helping them get the benefits they rightfully deserve. Working closely with her workers’ comp clients, Kelly: - Gathers and prepares the appropriate documentation, including accident reports, medical records, and witness statements. - Determines their wage benefits and explains the law in how these weekly wage benefits are calculated. - Prepares her clients to testify at hearings if necessary, along...

John Townsend's goal as an attorney at Cooper & Bilbrey, P.C. has always been to help clients get through difficult situations. His consistent objective is to help clients manage their situation, come to a resolution, and move on with their lives and businesses. Prior to attending law school, John Townsend worked as a real estate broker and in the construction field. He holds a SC Real Estate Broker's licence, a SC Residential Builder's license, a USCG OUPV license, and has civil litigation experience in cases involving admiralty and maritime matters, business disputes, construction issues, contracts, personal injury, and real estate...

Jessica Wentworth Grassi is the owner of IKON LAW, practicing in the areas of Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning, Probate Administration and Litigation. She graduated from the Richard T. Farmer School of Business at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 2007, and graduated Cum Laude from the Charleston School of Law in 2014. Before entering the legal field, Jessica worked in commercial real estate development, leasing, and property management. During her law school career, she served as President of the Charleston Student Animal Legal Defense Fund, as Vice President of the Estate Planning and Tax Law Society, and volunteered for the...

With over 30 years of legal experience, Chris Nickels has handled virtually every style of personal injury case for both plaintiffs and defendants alike. In addition to handled over 100 jury trials and several hundred non-jury trials, Chris is an active member of his community as he was elected to the Mount Pleasant Town Council in 2011. Outside of the office, Chris is happily married to Kimarie Nickels, a registered nurse who works at a spinal pain center. The two have three beautiful children and a rescue dog.

I joined the Myrtle Beach law office of Newby, Sartip & Masel, LLC in 1996, and I am the Manager of Palmetto Injury Lawyers, LLC. As a personal injury lawyer, I’ve negotiated and battled with nearly every major automobile insurance carrier licensed to sell in our state, as well as many major premises liability and workers compensation carriers. While most of my time is spent representing injured individuals, I also handle commercial litigation, insurance coverage litigation, health care and billing matters and real estate. When I’m not wearing my lawyer hat, I enjoy spending time with my wonderful wife...

Reid, a Charleston real estate attorney, handles all of the firms real estate transactions. Reid assists individuals, families, and investors in navigating the complicated and detailed process of buying and selling real property. Reid is a licensed title insurance agent with Chicago Title Insurance Company and is experienced in handling all types of real estate litigation and real estate transactions involving real property including buying, selling, leasing, refinance and 1031 exchanges.

Reid also practices in the areas of estate planning and probate administration, probate and estate litigation, business succession planning, asset protection, commercial litigation, and other business law matters....

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...

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...

Dorsey was raised in Bayboro, South Carolina, a small community just outside of Conway. He attended Coastal Carolina University on an academic and athletic scholarship as a pitcher for the Chanticleer baseball team. After graduating from Coastal Carolina University with a degree in Finance, he worked briefly as a loan analyst at Conway National Bank before enrolling in law school at the Charleston School of Law. After graduating law school in 2010, Dorsey returned to Conway and began practicing in the areas of Criminal Defense and Family Law. Dorsey represented individuals facing criminal charges ranging from misdemeanors to high-level felonies. 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....

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....

Taylor Lawrence Grooms focuses his practice on car wrecks, medical malpractice, premises liability, and dog bites. Working out of the Steinberg Law Firm’s office in Goose Creek, Taylor is committed to seeing his clients properly compensated for their injuries. Taylor was recently elected President of the Berkeley County Bar Association and is a member of the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Berkeley Class of 2019. The National Trial Lawyers Association also recognized Taylor in the organization’s “Top 40 Under 40” in 2020. Taylor received a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from Clemson University. He then attended the University of South...