Laurel Bay Lawyers

Mr. Simmons' practice focuses on catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, products and pharmaceutical liability, premises liability, medical malpractice and white collar criminal defense. He holds Martindale-Hubbell's highest AV rating, is Lead Counsel rated, and is a member of the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, South Carolina Super Lawyers and the National Trial Lawyers Association Top 100 Trial Lawyers. In 1992, Mr. Simmons served as the youngest Presidentially-appointed United States Attorney in the country, having been named to the post by President George Bush. As United States Attorney, Mr. Simmons directed the federal...

Nicholas G. Callas has been practicing law in South Carolina since 1991. He has extensive knowledge and skill representing clients in Workers' Compensation, Personal Injury, and Social Security Disability matters. Mr. Callas provides aggressive, determined, and experienced representation, focused on the best possible results.
He is dedicated to recovering the compensation you need and deserve.

Mr. Callas received his B.A., cum laude, from Boston College in 1982. He earned his J.D. from the University of South Carolina in 1990. Mr. Callas's prior experience includes work as an Assistant State Prosecuting Attorney, Fifth Circuit Solicitor, Richland County. Additionally, he is a...

Melinda grew up in the greater Columbia, South Carolina area where she currently resides. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from the University of South Carolina and graduated from Charlotte School of Law with honors (cum laude). While in law school she was inducted into the prestigous Order of the Crown (honor society) and received a merit scholarship. After law school, Melinda spent over eight years at a public interest law firm practicing family law. Melinda was the head family law attorney and was recognized as Attorney of the Year in 2016 while employed at...

Alissa's practice is almost entirely devoted to criminal defense. She works for Touma Law Group and is the principal attorney in the Columbia, South Carolina office. Alissa attended the State University of New York at Buffalo to earn her law degree and MBA. She practiced law in New York until 2013 when she migrated to South Carolina. Alissa has been practicing criminal law since 2014, when she began working for Jack Swerling. She practiced under Jack's guidance until early 2024 when she moved to Touma Law Group. Alissa is originally from New York, and an avid New York Jets fan....

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...

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...

Jake Modla has practiced law in North and South Carolina since 1990, focusing on labor and employment matters. He began his career representing employers at Haynsworth Baldwin Johnson and Greaves and Ogletree Deakins, handling discrimination, wage and hour, and civil rights cases and appearing before the United States Supreme Court in O’Connor v. Consolidated Coin Caterers Corporation. In 2004, Jake joined Family Dollar Stores, serving as Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, and later Vice President of HR Operations. He later practiced at Littler Mendelson, the world’s largest labor and employment law firm, where he defended employers in federal litigation and advised...

In 2006, after having managed the Raleigh, North Carolina branch office of a large Atlanta, Georgia based law firm for several years, Brian Steed Tatum moved to Charlotte, North Carolina and started the Tatum Law Firm. After observing how customer service can become a second priority at a larger firm, Mr. Tatum started the Tatum Law Firm to serve clients who still desire and deserve excellent customer service.

Donae A. Minor is a Rock Hill divorce lawyer. She founded Minor Law Divorce Lawyers, a full-service family law firm, in 2016. Ms. Minor has represented hundreds of clients over her eight-year career. Ms. Minor is dedicated to empowering clients to make informed decisions about their legal matters. She educates her clients about their legal rights and options. Once they are fully informed, she tailors a legal strategy for their unique situation. This strategy has two objectives — to defend their legal rights and accomplish their goals. Her clients appreciate this client-centered approach. She has a perfect five-star review average on Google....

Ms. Chicas has practiced immigration law exclusively since embarking on her legal career. She has considerable experience in a wide array of immigration matters, including deportation defense (cancellation of removal, 212(c) and 212(h) waivers for crimes, de novo TPS claims, and bond hearings), family-based immigration (adjustment of status and consular processing), visas for immigrant survivors of domestic violence and victims of crimes, waivers (for fraud, crimes, health-related bars and prior deportations), citizenship and naturalization, nonimmigrant ("temporary") visas, asylum, NACARA, and humanitarian relief (temporary protected status and parole). She has successfully represented clients in complex immigration matters before the Immigration...

John Holland was born and raised in Spartanburg, South Carolina and returned to the area after completing law school. He graduated from the University of South Carolina and then the Charleston School of Law in 2007 and ran his own practice for five years. In 2012 he joined Holland & Usry, P.A. and continues to focus on ligitation in family law, criminal defense and personal injury cases.

Daniel L. Draisen is a native of Anderson, South Carolina. A graduate of Westside High School, he received his B.A. from the University of South Carolina in 1994, and obtained his law degree from the University of Tulsa in 1997. Mr. Draisen has case experience in all federal and state courts. In addition to casework for clients, he has served on the Practice and Procedures Committee and the Ethics Advisory Committee of the South Carolina Bar. Mr. Draisen was elected to serve as a Delegate in the SC Bar House of Delegates, and is the regional chair and the 10th...

With over 25 years of experience, Attorney Michael Hart represents clients, exclusively, in the areas of personal injury, automobile accidents, and workers’ compensation. His empathy extends beyond the courtroom, as many of his family members have come from the blue collar working class. It is this empathy and passion for the greater good of people that has allowed Hart to be a successful lawyer, representing his clients relentlessly day in and day out. Before his career as a lawyer, Hart attended Indiana University where he graduate with his degree in Secondary Education. After discovering his strong passion for people and...

Mr. Creech was born and raised in Greenville, S.C. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C., in 1994. He then attended the University of South Carolina School of Law and graduated in 1997. He began his legal career as a judicial law clerk for Judge C. Victor Pyle Jr.. After his judicial clerkship, Mr. Creech became a prosecutor, where he handled almost every type of criminal case from simple DUI cases to murder. Mr. Creech also received extensive training in trial advocacy within the internal training system of the District Attorney’s Office...

When people from upstate South Carolina need legal advice or representation for a variety of Family Law and other legal matters or Personal Injury, McManaway Law, LLC, is always ready to provide the high quality, experienced legal assistance they want. Attorney Karen R. McManaway has an excellent reputation for working closely with her clients to help them successfully resolve simple to complex legal matters and disputes.

Catherine Christophillis began her career in law thirty-eight years ago after receiving her juris doctorate from the University of South Carolina Law School. Catherine joined our firm in 2016 and focuses her practice on family law issues such as divorce, separation, child custody name change, child support and alimony as well as preparation of wills, powers of attorney and health care powers of attorneys. Catherine is both a certified mediator/arbitrator and Guardian ad Litem. She was trained in Atlanta, GA in 1993 before South Carolina approved mediation. She served on the committee that wrote and proposed...

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...

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...

Born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina, Mr. Stanley attended the University of South Carolina where he received his B.S. in Business Administration. While attending the University of South Carolina, Mr. Stanley was the captain of the South Carolina baseball team that went to 3 straight College World Series.

Upon completing his Bachelor’s degree, Mr. Stanley earned a Master’s in Business Administration and a Master’s in Information Science from North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina. Following the completion of his Master’s degrees in 2010, Mr. Stanley attended law school at Florida A&M University College of Law in Orlando, Florida,...

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...

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...

Ryan focuses his practice in business transactions, commercial real estate development, commercial leasing and commercial lending. Ryan is capable of handling all aspects of commercial real estate transactions representing clients in their capacities as lenders, purchasers, sellers, developers, landlords and tenants. His familiarity with the aspects of a complex real estate transaction allows him to focus on the details necessary to complete the transaction efficiently and confidently. Ryan began his career at a large firm headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina before joining Graybill, Lansche & Vinzani, LLC at the end of 2010.

Haley graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law and concentrated her studies in real estate and taxation. Haley is a licensed real estate broker and began her career managing and selling real estate. Her practice involves advising lenders, developers, investors, buyers and sellers with regard to all aspects of commercial real estate transactions.

* Note: Voluntary inactive status in KS - can be reactivated any time.

Attorney Hair focuses his practice on car wrecks, dog bites, and trip and fall cases. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which is a group where membership is limited to attorneys who have achieved million dollar verdicts or settlements. Attorney Hair has also been selected by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star for consecutive years. He has served hundreds of clients across South Carolina!

Charles "Charlie" Terreni has practiced law in Columbia, South Carolina, since 1990. He is a 1990 graduate of the University of South Carolina School Of Law. He earned his B.A. degree in International Studies with a minor in French from the University of South Carolina in 1985. After graduating from law school, Terreni practiced with Cooper, Beard & Dibble (1990-91) and with the Dibble Law Offices from 1991 to 1995. He served as Executive Assistant to the Lieutenant Governor from 1995 to 1996. In 1996, he returned to private practice, opening the Terreni Law Firm, LLC. In 2004, Terreni joined the Public...

R. Lawton Harper concentrates his practice solely in workers’ compensation. He 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...

Mr. Jowers represents patients harmed by medical malpractice, pharmaceuticals and medical devices. He is admitted to practice before all courts in the state of South Carolina, the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina (2002), and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals (2003). Additionally, he has been admitted to practice pro hac vice in numerous states throughout the country. Mr. Jowers graduated with honors from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina in 1998. Afterwards, he entered the University of South Carolina School of Law and graduated in 2001. During law...